Palermo

Osteria Al Ferro di Cavallo, Via Venezia 20

My all-time favorite restaurant in Palermo and perhaps in the whole of Sicily too. Their food is traditional, full of flavour and colour. Prices range between €4 to €10 per dish, making it also one of the most affordable places there is. I highly recommend trying any of their pasta dishes—I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed! 

Buatta, Via Vittorio Emanuele 176

Chic and contemporary restaurant serving delicious, slightly revisited, Sicilian food. Great if you’re looking for something slightly different from a traditional trattoria or want to experience a modern take on Sicilian cuisine. 

Gagini, Via Cassari 35

A gourmet and refined approach to Sicilian cuisine, whose menus filled with the island’s best products, from Prosciutto Crudo di Suino dei Nebrodi to local almonds and hazelnuts. The restaurant boasts a wonderful wine collection which will accompany your meal perfectly. 

Ristoro La Galleria, Salita Ramirez 9

Wonderful food, gigantic portions and lovely staff in a quiet backstreet just behind Palermo’s Duomo. La Galleria has the cutest outdoor tables, surrounded by traditional Sicilian decorated horse carts, which belong to the bottega next door (which I highly recommend paying a visit to after lunch). 

Scopello

Panificio Stabile e Anselmo, Via XXIV Maggio 5

Authentic panificio where you can find not only the most delicious bread but a never ending array of fried goodies. Great for a quick lunch, which you can either enjoy under the shade of the nearby trees or in the comfort of your own accomodation. I highly recommend the Pane Cunzato, a traditional sandwich from the area filled with tomatoes, primosale cheese, anchovies and origano, all generously seasoned with extra virgin olive oil. Last but not least, their groundbreaking Panelle, fried chickpea delicacies. 

La Tavernetta, Via Armando Diaz 3

Delicious, semi-traditional restaurant with a sweeping view of the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, where you can enjoy plates upon plates of raw seafood and pasta—I highly recommend their busiate trapanesi with pistachio pesto and shrimps. Be sure to arrive around 8PM to enjoy the breathtaking sunset. 

Trapani

Cantina Siciliana, Via Giudecca 36

My second all-time favorite restaurant in Sicily, which I visited every day I was staying in the area (it’s that good). The place is rustic and down to earth, and the food simply wonderful—the owner is actually known for being the Cous Cous master! Whichever dish you end up choosing, I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed. I recommend their raw Mazara del Vallo prawns, the tuna appetizer, busiate with pesto trapanese, and earth-shattering cannolo to finish. 

Mazara del Vallo

Il Pesciolino d’Oro

You’re in the homeland of the ultra-famous Gambero Rosso di Mazara del Vallo, so indulging in a meal entirely based upon it is the least you can do. Mainly frequented by locals so extra-full during summer months, you might have to wait some time before being served, but I promise it is worth it! 

Eolian Islands

Salina – Nni Lausta

Recommended by my all-time favorite travel bloggers and designers, Voiago, who worship the Eolian Islands (as do I). This delicious restaurant is situated on a beautiful, open air terrace on Salina’s main street. They specialize in raw antipasti and their primi are pretty spectacular. 

Salina – Alfredo

The best granita con la brioscia you will eat in your life! Do yourself a favour and head to Lingua, a tiny part of Salina, for the best breakfast you could ever imagine.

Vulcano – Trattoria da Pina

Perhaps the most characteristic and quaint trattoria in the whole of the Eolian Islands, with a gorgeous view overlooking the crystal blue sea and boats bobbing up and down. I had the fortune of having one of the best lunches of the summer – perhaps also because it was the last! I recommend beginning with their shared antipasto of the house (full of raw and marinated fish) and continuing with one of their delicious primi. 

Lipari – Ristorante da Filippino

Filippino is a true institution in Lipari, an experience which transports you back 20 years, to times of large dining rooms with cloth napkins, waiters dressed in suits and ties and piatti del buon ricordo—dishes you can take home with you after ordering their staple dishes. The food is delicious, and the menu vast and ever-changing so recommending one or two dishes doesn’t make much sense. 

Lipari – Bar d’Ambra

Delicious, artisanal pasticceria where you can enjoy a granita or aperitivo overlooking Lipari’s quaint little port. Great  place for many different moments of the day, from breakfast to aperitivo, with merenda in between! 

Panarea – Trattoria da Paolino

Panarea is full of super chic, trendy restaurants, and finding a down to earth trattoria truly feels like a breath of fresh air. The restaurant has a wonderful view, overlooking infinite stretches of sea and Stromboli in the background. I highly recommend trying his polpette di pesce—freshly made depending on the day’s catch. 

Catania

Pasticceria Savia, Via Etnea 300

Known for making the best arancini in the whole of Catania, Savia is a must if you pass by town. You can either enjoy the arancini at one of the tables outside the pasticceria or take away a tray full of them (the packaging is so lovely) and savor them in the neighboring Villa Bellini park.

Mm!! Trattoria, Via Pardo 34

A crowded, lively and authentic trattoria right in the middle of Catania’s bustling fish market. I recommend visiting it for dinner, when the chaos from the market subsides and you can have a bit more space. Their antipasti are a must, whereas the pasta was nothing memorable. 

Ortigia

Pasticceria Artale, Via Landolina 32

An old school pasticceria which makes the most delicious pistacchio granita ever. Perfect place for a refreshing break on a busy afternoon in Ortigia.

Apollonion Osteria da Carlo, Via Campisi 18

Lovely fish and seafood restaurant in the centre of Ortigia which has a fixed menu of 5 antipasti and 1 primo, all for €35–including water, coffee and amaro! Great price vs quality ratio and lovely environment.

Cod da Saretta, Via della Maestranza 134

Cute lunch spot with a few tables a stone’s throw from one of Ortigia’s few beaches, where you can enjoy a refreshing Sicilian salad (oranges, fennel, capers and anchovies) or a dish of expertly fried seafood.

Gelateria Gusto, Via Roma 39

Delicious gelato and granite just behind Ortigia’s imposing Baroque Duomo. They have a few special flavours made with the best Sicilian products, such as hazelnuts from the Nebrodi mountains.

Noto & surroundings

Caffè Sicilia, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 125

An institution in Noto which simply cannot be skipped. I recommend their cassata, and why not, a granita to go with it!

Zibibbo (Portopalo di Capo Passero)

Wonderful seafood & pasta restaurant overlooking the tiny area of Portopalo di Capo Passero, the most eastern location in Sicily, which is always graced by a lovely breeze. The location is dreamy and the food is good. 

Scicli

Ùmmara, Via Aleardi 9

Delicious bites and sharing plates all accompanied by a wonderful selection of natural wines. Plenty of space on the little, quiet piazza the restaurant is situated in.