194 Best Restaurants in Sicily, Italy

On your way to the Archaeological Park, stop in at this bar-cum-pasticceria for some great Sicilian cakes and ice cream. It's popular with the locals, so you may have to line up for your cakes during holiday times.

The lively Pasticceria Savia makes superlative arancini with ragù. Or you could choose cannoli, granita, or other snacks to munch on while you people-watch from one of the streetside tables.

For a casual night out with a tremendous backdrop, stop by for a pizza at Blanca, which sits on the terrace directly under the Norman castle with views of Aci Trezza in the distance. You'll see neighborhood kids kicking soccer balls in the piazza and couples out for their evening passeggiata as you dine on excellent pizza under the stars.  

Dine right on the water's edge at this local seafood favorite on the Isola Bella beach. Seafood reigns supreme, and in early mornings you might even see fishermen pulling their boats directly up to the restaurant to make fresh deliveries. It's a perfect addition to a beach day as you can dine on the terrace in your cover-up, no questions asked. 

This is that rare creature, a great pizzeria that also produces main meals of quality and undoubted flair. The pizzas are available in "gourmet" or "classic" varieties, both making good use of fresh local ingredients with a light, crispy base. If you don't opt for pizza, you'll find a shorter menu of freshly caught fish prepared using traditional Sicilian methods. The antipasti are also worth sampling. It's a small place and fills up quickly, so book ahead.

In Sicily, tavola calda is its own food group. From arancini to filled savory pastries, this "fast food" option is the heart and soul of the Sicilian aperitivo experience (or lunch on the fly), and in Milo, your go-to is Putìa Lab. They also offer excellent pastries, sandwiches, and hot plates (like lasagna or roast chicken). But their sweet spot is the robust selection of excellent tavola calda.

Ask for an outside table under the canopy at this charming—and always bustling—bistro, located down a pedestrian-only path in the heart of the historic district. Here, you'll find a mix of the Catanese standards (eggplant parmigiana, meatballs cooked in lemon leaves, caponata) as well as a rotation of riffs on typical Italian dishes (such as lasagna, sometimes served with radicchio, gorgonzola, and walnuts). The daily menu is hand-scrawled on a chalkboard and the wine list champions female producers. Though they accept walk-ups, during peak hours you might have to wait a bit if you haven't booked a table. Just order a spritz and enjoy the people watching until your table is ready. 

Family-owned for generations, Cutì Lu Dissi (which means "who told you" in Sicilian) specializes in excellent renditions of Sicilian food. From their lofty open-air terrace just beyond the Porta Catania, you can see the sea below and Etna in the distance. And with a staff that's instantly familiar with guests but always professional, it's the sort of place where you will want to linger until closing time.

Founded in 1910, Filippino is rightly rated as one of the archipelago's best dining venues—and you'll understand why, when you sample the catch of the day on the gorgeous terrace. Zuppa di pesce (fish soup) and the antipasto platter of smoked and marinated fish are absolute musts, but be sure to leave some room for the local version of cassata siciliana, accompanied by sweet Malvasia wine from Salina.

This restaurant claims to be located between heaven and earth, and its hillside perch with sweeping vistas certainly helps make its case. Go for classic Sicilian dishes, such as spaghetti with pistachio pesto or a many-layered slice of eggplant parmigiana. 

With a clean white interior and an outdoor terrace in summer, Il Dasa is a popular choice for locals, with something to please everyone. They serve pizzas and gourmet hamburgers alongside delicious and inventive twists on Sicilian favorites. There are not too many places in Sicily brave enough to add a pinch of Sichuan pepper to a caponata.

This typical family-run Italian restaurant specializes in locally fished seafood and fine pizzas from the wood-fired oven. The staff are very accommodating and will prepare anything you require if there are specific dietary requirements, including gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Located near the seaside in Castel di Tusa, Le Lampare has a standard Sicilian-style menu. It specializes in seafood, with plenty of other excellent antipasti and pasta.

Linger on the sunny seaside deck as you get your fill of fresh seafood along the scogliera outside Aci Castello. While the pasta and secondi are all very well done, you could easily make a meal by ordering a shared selection of antipasti as the portions are quite ample. Favorites include sautéed mussels and clams, fried baby calamari, and a raw seafood platter full of oysters, sea urchin, and scampi. They also do a good burger and serve pizzas at night.

This Castelbuono institution has been preparing dishes with the finest local ingredients for over 30 years. Chef Giuseppe Carollo is dedicated to the products found in and around Castelbuono, including wild mushrooms, vegetables, and the sweet manna from the local ash trees.

A must-visit for seafood lovers, here you'll find various fish-only tasting menus ranging from €25 for six appetizers to the full experience of 10 courses (six appetizers, one first course, two mains, and one dessert) for €45. If you are here on a Sunday, book ahead and enjoy a set price menu of an appetizer, first course, main course, dessert, and wine for only €30.

Inconspicuously located near Piazza Scandaliato in the upper town, Otto serves top-class dishes in a quiet setting that is refined but lacking any airs. The carefully selected modern art on the walls is reflected in the visual care with which the dishes are presented, while the menu shows a penchant for creatively combining disparate elements, such as cod cooked in Marsala wine with dried figs, almonds, and walnuts. Unlike in many restaurants, the chef is willing to adapt dishes to suit diners' preferences, often creating vegetarian versions. The staff is kind and welcoming of families. It's a small restaurant, though, so reserve ahead.

Founded by a locally born sister-and-brother team, this restaurant just steps away from the beach has one eye on tradition and one on innovative and creative cuisine. Intriguing taste combinations are well-judged, though you can be equally satisfied with a simple but delicious plate of spaghetti with tuna or grilled fish, as even the plainest dishes are surprisingly tasty. The three versions of couscous are remarkable even by San Vito standards. Everything is artistically presented, and there's an excellent wine list, too. Choose to eat indoors or on the terrace.

This eatery's varied menu shows off the best products and ingredients from Polizzi. Some dishes feature wild asparagus and mushrooms while various antipasti and side dishes include freshly foraged vegetables and greens.

Decorated in a modern style with lamps illuminating each table, Ristorante Vicari provides a contemporary take on an authentic Sicilian restaurant. This extends into the kitchen with chef Salvatore Vicari delivering delicious, modern, and humorous versions of classic dishes, like octopus, potato millefeuille, and red onion in sweet and sour cream or roast chicken with cream of carrots, lemon, and spinach. Don't miss Vicari's own spin on the classic cannoli for dessert. Reservations are definitely recommended.

This rustic mountain lodge is situated right near the popular winter skiing resort area of Piano Battaglia. Opened throughout the year, it offers a cozy country panorama, good hearty local fare, and friendly service at very reasonable prices.

With its covered terrace overlooking the port, Rosso di Sera combines great food with a laid-back atmosphere conducive to feelings of well-being and positivity. Well-presented dishes such as busiate pasta with rockfish—or with any other fish that has been freshly caught—and polpette di melanzane (eggplant balls) are fresh and succulent, and you'll be tempted desserts like cannoli and ricotta mousse. Unlike many other island eateries, service is fast and efficient. Booking head is essential, ideally a couple of days in advance to ensure a table on the terrace. The restaurant is located just off steps leading up to Ustica's main square.

Following the slow food approach, this restaurant is known for showcasing high-quality, local ingredients, thanks to a chef who captures the essence of classic Sicilian dishes while still upgrading them to the level of fine dining. The menu changes daily depending on what's in season and available at the local market, but there's always the award-winning sausage and an excellent rabbit pasta dish.

Here it's all about the views. Though Etna keeps the eastern side of Sicily from having truly excellent sunsets, this southern point of Aci Trezza manages to have a pretty remarkable vista for the sun's farewell, with the Norman castle of Aci Castello visible across the Ionian inlet. Order a spritz and take in the show. 

Located just off the fish market, in an alleyway covered by brightly colored parasols, Tantìkkia (which means "a little" in Sicilian dialect) serves little tastes of modern Sicily. Drawing on tradition, the updated twists show inspiration, yet steer far from precious. The lemon tagliolini is bright and fresh and the grilled octopus is softened with a potato mousse, peas, and leeks while the saffron-scented arancini are stuffed with red mullet. This cozy little restaurant offers a great example of an updated Sicilian kitchen.

You come upon this rustic little restaurant by navigating the small country roads between vineyards, and don't be surprised if you whip past it and have to turn around. The restaurant is divided into an interior dining room and an outside covered patio, and they're known for taking inspiration from the seasonal bounty of Etna. Look for dishes such as wild fennel pesto over pasta with toasted almonds, mushroom cotolette (cutlets), fresh ricotta with tomatoes, and grilled local pork. And, of course, the wine list is no joke. 

Part of a hotel, this restaurant relies on its 180-degree views of the sea to pull in diners, but foodies won't be disappointed either. The emphasis is on fresh fish and local ingredients, and the seafood choices are always beautifully prepared and presented, like the spaghetti cozze e vongole (with mussels and clams) and tuna dishes. The service is cordial and attentive, too. Sitting on the tranquil terrace overlooking the tonnara di Scopello is an undeniably romantic experience—just make sure you specify a table outside on the terrace when you book.

This café, bar, restaurant, and pizzeria has a daily menu of specials to choose from, including starters, pasta dishes, meat-based mains, sides, and desserts. Your charming and helpful hosts will help you from the selection of reasonably priced dishes.

This small, unassuming family-run restaurant is quite popular with locals. They serve traditional Sicilian cuisine with no fuss and outstanding value.

Owner Franco Maniaci might be one of the most welcoming people in all of the islands, with his gentle laugh and accommodating attitude. His little restaurant (named for his parents) in the southern town of Gelso relies on the seasons and the day's fresh catch to dictate the menu. The vegetable fritto misto often includes wild fennel while the rosy tuna echoes the hues of freshly sun-kissed diners. And his fried or grilled totano will make you realize that every bite of calamari you've eaten until now ultimately had no flavor.