Want to know what to eat and drink in Sicily? The food in Sicily is a feast for the senses! It is a blend of Italian, Arabic, and Greek influences, and it is sure to tantalize your taste buds. From the savory Arancini to the sweet Cannoli, there is something for everyone in Sicilian cuisine. And of course, no meal in Sicily would be complete without a glass of wine. If you are looking for a culinary adventure, then Sicily is the place for you. Be prepared to be surprised and delighted by the flavors of this unique island.
So here’s my list of foods and drinks to look forward to, seek out, and try when you visit Sicily.
An Italian meal consists of multiple courses:
Antipasto: Kick off your dining experience with a selection of appetizers, including bruschetta piled high with fresh ingredients, colorful grilled vegetables, bite-sized fried delights, thinly sliced cured meats like prosciutto or carpaccio, or a platter overflowing with olives, cold cuts, and assorted cheeses.
Primo piatto: A “first dish” could be a classic pasta, comforting risotto, or hearty soup. If you feel that pasta is the essence of Italian cuisine, your primo may be your entire meal.
Secondo piatto: The Italian “secondo” is equivalent to a North American main course, features meat or fish, and is surprisingly considered by some Italians to be the least exciting element of their cuisine.
Contorno: These delicious vegetable side dishes, like mixed salad, spinach, roasted potatoes, or grilled veggies, are often a hidden gem on Italian menus. While they might sometimes be included with the secondo, it’s more common to order them separately. Vegetarians can create a satisfying meal by choosing a few contorni to combine.
Dolce: Italians believe a perfect meal ends with a touch of sweetness. That’s why you’ll find classic options like tiramisu and panna cotta alongside regional specialties on most menus.
You don’t need to include all of these components in every meal, but it should at least help you understand menus without having to have that pointless “let me explain our menu” conversation with your server.
Street Food to eat in Sicily
- Pani câ mèusa / Panino Milza is a soft bread bun stuffed with boiled and lard-fried calf spleen, lung, and trachea. You can get it with or without cheese, but surely you know the correct answer.
- Stigghiola is veal, lamb, or goat intestines wrapped around a scallion or leek, grilled, and served in chunks, salted, with a fresh wedge of lime. Mangia e bevi is the pork version.
- Arancini are deep-fried rice balls, coated with breadcrumbs and filled with pretty much any combination of meat, sausage, cheese, herbs, veggies, and nuts. In Palermo, they are called ‘arancine’ and contain absolutely no tomatoes.
- Granita is crushed ice made with fresh fruit. Pro tip: buy a brioche to rip and dunk in the crushed ice.
- Cazzilli are small potato croquettes.
- Panelle are chickpea fritters.
- Frittola is leftover cow parts made into meat fluff. Look for it on market carts.
- Polpo Bollito is octopus boiled in salty water, chopped up, and served with fresh lemon wedges.
- Sfincione is a fluffy pizza topped with tomato, and possibly anchovy and cheese. I know it doesn’t look good, but give it a try.
Where to find good street food in Sicily:
- Bam Bar in Taormina is a nice spot to enjoy a granita at an outdoor table before or after visiting the Greek-Roman Theater.
- Rosticceria Da Cristina in Taormina is a good place to pick up arancini, pizza, and other quick takeaway food near Pizza Duomo.
- Stop by Antica Giudecca in Syracuse for arancini, calzone, pizza by the slice, and other quick takeaway food.
- Scirocco Sicilian Fish Lab in Catania serves freshly caught and fried seafood in paper cones. Go for a morning snack and eat while you wander the Catania Fish Market.
- Go to Caffetteria Donnafugata in Ragusa and get the granita sampler to share.
- Cantunera Ibla in Ragusa is a great spot to grab street food such as arancini and crispelle (fried dough stuffed with cheese and anchovies).
- Pa.Pe.Ro’ “al Glicine” on Salina sells ricotta granita with candied capers and toasted capers.
- Mercato di Ballarò in Palermo is a busy street market where you can buy pretty much anything. Search for the line at El Bocadillo for grilled-while-you-wait stigghiola. Aim to go for lunch, but not on a Sunday.
- Vucciria is another street food market in Palermo that’s open for lunch and dinner but it really comes to life after hours. Search for the pani câ mèusa/panino milza cart. It’s surprisingly yummy.
- Mercato del Capo in Palermo is another street food market. Search for the Grattatella all’antica no Zu’ Vicè cart for granita. Aim to go for lunch, but not on Sunday.
- Nni Franco U Vastiddaru in Palermo is where you go to pick up a huge pani câ mèusa/panino milza. Or stick to safer but equally tasty panelle and crocche, which taste like they’ve been seasoned with the KFC spice blend.
- Passami ù coppu in Palermo is counter service street food in fancy paper cones. Despite the seemingly portable nature of these foods, you’ll probably want to sit at a table and use multiple napkins.
- Casa Stagnitta in Palermo is a coffee roaster that also has fantastic pistachio granita, from what I’ve been told.
Antipasti to eat in Sicily
- Caponata is Sicily’s emblematic appetizer of eggplant, tomatoes, olives, and capers.
Where to find good antipasti in Sicily:
- Try A Putia in Syracuse for home-style Sicilian food near the Fountain of Diana. Favourites are the caponata, linguine alla Siracusana, and grilled swordfish. Go early or expect to wait for a table.
- Trattoria Al Vecchio Club Rosanero in Palermo is a fun option for flavourful fish and seafood dishes. If they have it, I’ve been told to order the caponata with swordfish. Expect a wait unless you go early. Also expect soccer fans and great prices.
Pastas and other primi to eat in Sicily
- Pasta alla Norma is pasta topped with eggplant, basil, fresh ricotta and tomatoes. Popular in Catania.
- Pasta con le sarde is pasta with sardines, pine nuts, raisins, fennel and breadcrumbs. Popular in Palermo.
- Lolli con le fave is hand-rolled pasta with fava beans. Popular in the Southeast.
- Ravioli di ricotta al sugo di maiale is ricotta ravioli with a pork ragù. Popular in the Southeast.
- Cassatella di Montevago is fried, ravioli-like pastries filled with sweetened ricotta, honey and lemon zest. Popular in the Southeast.
- Busiate alla Trapanese is hand-twirled, spaghetti-like pasta from Trapani, with tomato, basil, garlic and almond pesto.
- Couscous alla Trapanese is aromatic seafood, garlic, chili, tomatoes, saffron, parsley, and wine broth, ladled over a heap of couscous. Specialty of Trapani.
Where to find good pastas and other primi in Sicily:
- Osteria Villa Zuccaro in Taormina is known for inventive seafood pastas and beautiful terrace views. Not to be confused with Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro.
- Go to Nuova Trattoria del Forestiero in Catania for pasta alla Norma.
- Also in Catania, head to Me Cumpari Turiddu for pasta alla Norma.
- Trattoria del Cavaliere in Catania offers good pasta and seafood dishes but the standout is the horse meat.
- Vuciata in Catania has typical Sicilian food served on a nice terrace.
- Ristorante da Antonio in Catania is a cozy trattoria with traditional Sicilian dishes, seafood, and pasta near Castello Ursino.
- Trattoria dei Templi Ristorante in Agrigento serves traditional Sicilian fish and pasta, but fun!
- Il Re di Girgenti in Agrigento is fancy cuisine with temple views. Reservations recommended.
- Bisso Bistrot in Palermo offers traditional Sicilian food. Look for the bookstore signs. We enjoyed everything we had there.
- Also in Palermo, try Buatta Cucina Popolana or Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo for Palermo’s specialty, pasta con le sarde. Get Cassata for dessert!
- Go to La Bettolaccia in Trapani for couscous alla Trapanese. Expect amazing service.
Meat, seafood, and other secondi to eat in Sicily
- Agghiotta di pesce spada is swordfish with pine nuts, sultanas, capers, olives and tomatoes. Popular in Messina.
- Frittura mista is a battered, deep-fried mix of shrimp, squid and/or fish.
- Carpaccio di spada is raw marinated swordfish.
- Tonno scottato al pistachio is seared tuna in pistachio crust.
Where to find good meat, seafood, and other secondi in Sicily:
- Bell’Assai in Taormina offers typical Sicilian food with great terrace views of Isola Bella. Get a reservation.
- Il Barcaiolo is purported to serve the best fish in Taormina.
- Go to Osteria Rosso Divino in Taormina for excellent fish and good wine served al fresco.
- At Osteria Nero d’Avola in Toarmina, expect fresh, local, seasonal dishes like cannolo di limone Interdonato (thinly sliced Interdonato lemon with roe, tuna, tomato, and chives).
- Go to the Apollonion – Osteria da Carlo in Syracuse for the multi course fixed seafood menu.
- L’ISKA Catania is a little fish restaurant on a cute street in Catania.
- Ristorante Il Bell’Antonio in Canatinia is another great option for fish and seafood in the center of town.
- Oasis Frutti di Mare da Nitto in Catania is a casual spot for seafood on the seaside. Grab a number from a server or dispenser and wait your turn to order at the counter. Order from the menu or just point at what you want. If you want to eat there, a server will help find you a table if there isn’t one available when you arrive, and your food will be brought to the table. Try the seafood lasagna, anything with octopus, or just anything that looks interesting.
- Ristorante Canni & Pisci serves excellent fish and meat dishes popular with locals in Catania.
- Trattoria Casa Mia is an excellent place to grab a traditional Sicilian dinner after visiting Selinunte. The menu heavily features seafood as should be expected in a fishing village. We ordered way too much but everything was fantastic. Just don’t get the red table wine (if you follow rules, you shouldn’t drink red wine with fish anyway).
- In Messina, go to Casa & Putia Ristorante for Messina’s specialty, agghiotta di pesce spada.
Vegetables and other contorni to eat in Sicily
- Pane cunzato are open sandwiches piled high with a choice of toppings.
Where to find good vegetables and other contorni in Sicily:
- Ristorante @ Gutkowskino in Syracuse has a small fish and veggie forward menu that changes weekly.
- Go to Burgio al Porto in Syracuse for wine or a cocktail or stay for a meat and cheese board, fish platter, or sandwich stuffed with marinated vegetables.
- Go to Malvasia Pane Cunzatu & Restaurant (in Milazzo near the Pool of Venus or on Vulcano) for legendary pane cunzato.
Desserts (Dolce) to eat in Sicily
- Cassata Siciliana is a concoction of ricotta, sugar, candied fruit and chocolate, flavored with maraschino liqueur, encased by sponge cake and topped with green icing.
- Cannoli are crisp tubes of fried pastry dough filled with creamy ricotta. If for some reason you only want one, it’s called a cannolo.
- Minne di vergine, translated to virgin’s breast in English, is an individual iced-white cake with a cherry on the top.
- Torte di ricotta are ricotta cakes.
Where to find good desserts in Sicily:
- Try Pasticceria Gelateria D’Amore in Taormina for the freshly filled cannoli.
- Stop at Bistrot Bella Vita in Syracuse for coffee, cornetti, biscotti, and pastries.
- Go to Pasticceria Quaranta in Catania for pastries and gelato by the sea.
- Stop by Pasticceria Savia in Catania to get a gelato, granita, or pastry to enjoy while wandering through Villa Bellini.
- I Segreti del Chiostro in Palermo is a pasticceria in a 14th century monastery. The cannoli are to die for. But you could also try the torte di ricotta or cassata. (My mom and I may have gotten one of each).
- Pasticceria Maria Grammatico in Erice is an old school cake shop worth a stop if you’re in the area.
Drinks
- Wine: Sicily is home to some of the best wines in Italy, and you should definitely try some while you are there. Some of the most popular Sicilian wines include Nero d’Avola, Grillo, and Catarratto.
- Marsala wine is a blend made with a combination of grapes typically including inzolia, catarratto, grillo, and damaschino. It comes in amber, ruby, and gold, and can be sweet, dry or semi-dry. Fine Marsala is the cheapest, least aged and is typically sold as a cooking wine. Superior Marsala is aged 2 years, superior reserve is aged 4 years, virgin is aged 5 years, and virgin reserve, 10 years. The longer it is aged, the more depth of flavour it offers.
Where to find drinks in Sicily:
- Enoteca Solaria in Syracuse is a highly rated wine bar with a huge selection of wines, a nice atmosphere, and helpful service. The staff will happily recommend wines to pair with the meats, cheese, olives, and bruschetta that they also serve.
- Razmataz in Catania is a great option to sample some local Etna wines in a casual setting. A glass is between €4-7 and the servers will happily give you a suggestion or two if you’re not sure. They’ve also got great food and appropriate portions so don’t hesitate to make this a lunch or dinner spot.
- Caico Trattoria & Cantina in Agrigento offers seafood with a well curated Sicilian wine list.
- Enoteca Versi di Rosso in Trapani is a good spot to try local Marsala wine, paired with a cheese platter or other light snacks.
- Cantine Florio in Marsala offers Marsala wine tours and tastings. You’ll see the winemaking process, learn about their company’s history, and taste four wines. Book ahead.
If you’re interested in trying some wines made from local volcanic grapes, here are a few wineries to try when visiting Mount Etna. They expect you to make a reservation at least a day ahead of time, though some may be able to accommodate drop-in guests. I’d recommend joining a tour if you want to enjoy wine tastings as Mount Etna roads are definitely not designed for drunk driving.
- Gambino Vini is an Etna winery that offers a wine tasting with food pairings that is definitely enough to be a meal for €39 per person. Reserve ahead although they will fit you in if they have space if you just show up. They’ll give you an overview of their production, their wines, and the views are amazing.
- Fattorie Romeo del Castello is a farm run by a mother-daughter team. Their hazelnut and olive groves were buried under the lava flow from a volcanic eruption in 1981, but the vineyard and 18th century buildings were spared. The property also boasts a thousand-year-old olive tree.
- Azienda Agricola Filippo Grasso is a small family-run vineyard and olive grove. They have chosen to cultivate only indigenous grapes, and aim to “deliver the Etna volcano experience in each sip”.
- Planeta Sciaranuova has five vineyards across Sicily known for great hospitality, wine tastings, and food pairings.
- Cantine Palmento Costanzo – Vini Etna Doc is a winery located on an old lava flow from 1879.
- Tenuta di Fessina is an abandoned village turned winery with overnight accommodations. We didn’t make it here this time, but it will definitely be on my itinerary next time I visit Mount Etna.
- Donnafugata Cantina Randazzo offers wines, vineyards, barrel stores, and views of Mount Etna.
Non-Sicilian Specialty Restaurants
- Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro serves what’s supposedly the best pizza in Taormina.
- La Napoletana in Taormina offers a peaceful setting for Neapolitan style pizza, salads, and beer.
- Pizzeria Schiticchio in Syracuse is a pizza restaurant with a cozy, cave-like atmosphere and a great selection of local craft beer.
- Caseificio Borderi in Syracuse is a great place to grab a panino for lunch after exploring the Ortigia market. Expect a line to snake around the corner at lunch time.
- Fratelli Burgio in Syracuse offers super popular charcuterie boards with various combinations of smoked fish, cured meats and cheeses, vegetables, and preserves.
- Curtigghiu in Catania serves traditional Sicilian food in a cozy side street near Villa Bellini. The food is well cooked and the portions are huge. The food comes out extremely quickly so it’s not a bad choice if you want to get back to exploring the sights. Highly recommend the gnocchi, though it may be a little chewy for some. And there are games on the back of the menu!
Buon appetito!
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