Service is excellent, as the hotel is the most luxurious on the island and has hosted every celebrity to visit Sicily. Here our traditional dishes meet head on with foreign contamination.. So there we have it, my guide for the best restaurants and places to eat in Taormina. This typical Sicilian dessert has . We set our sights to an expert with all the local recommendations: our friend Stefania Spampinato, Sicilian actor and director. *For a fabulous guided tour of central Palermo, connect with local guide Gaetano! Im sure the food is just as fantastic but alas, my budget did not stretch to 5-star a la carte! The expansive Literary Terrace and Bar at this historical and fabulous hotel has the best views in town. Or opt for their 8-table Otto Geleng, which has its own private terrace with the same views. as salami, mortadella and various h." The Baroque Church of San Giuseppe is one of two churches in Piazza 9 Aprile and sits slightly elevated on the natural slope of the city, up a double staircase which made me think of the churches in Pondicherry. The climb takes 20-30min up. 2022 1. Mama Caura is perfect for an aperitif at sunset and really enjoyable for both lunch and dinner. and was encouraged by the bohemian and open mindedness of the time when Sicily was an artists haven. In fact, you can be taken all the way up to close to 3,000m above sea level, just 300m below the top. The price for this is not included so you need to pay extra, and then you get taken back after lunch. One of their best primo piatto (first course) is the "busiate" pasta with clams, red shrimp, pistachios, and cherry tomatoes. However, they are on the small side so book a larger room. Let me tell you, Sicily did not disappoint! Today, the pebbly beach is public and you can enjoy it anytime. Book a 2-hour tour of the coast with a stop to swim and a visit to Isola Bella here. The town is a short ride from Taormina and the tourist hop on-hop off bus goes there, or you could take the scenic walk up but beware it is pretty steep. The NH Collection Hotel in Taormina is a very well-located and practical 4-star hotel with nice views. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It has an air of luxury but at a very reasonable price tag. People in many towns and cities in Sicily, especially smaller places or those in more off the beaten locations, continue to observe the midday riposo. Hidden in a tiny alley perchedon top of the cobbled steps, is Trattoria Tutti Cca possibly the prettiest restaurant I ate in. If you are a movie buff and real expert on The Godfather you could go there on your own and might be able to recognise and remember the scenes, the towns are unchanged, but it pays to go on a tour so that the guide tells you all about the movie, the Mafia and the little towns. Additionally, although it is called the Greek Theatre, the structure seems to date from Roman times and this is most likely because the current theatre was rebuilt after a Greek one. Where was your favourite place to eat! This smaller church located by the Ashbee Hotel is generally closed to the public. Volcanic Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea provide the cinema-worthy backdrop for Taormina, Sicily's legendary resort town. German writer Goethe can be credited with putting it on the map for many in 1787, and in 1860 Otto Gelengs watercolor paintings continued to spread the myth that such a place existed. . Why not combine a stroll around the Botanical Gardens? At the end of the class, participants enjoy the lunch they created along with wine. While the list is long, what I enjoyed the most was to simply sit at a bar or cafe and people watch. Want more great Sicily info? 1. There are signs and explanations around the theatre but the audio guide also provides background information and makes the visit more interesting, I highly recommend joining a group a walking tour of Taormina with a visit to the theatre which you can book, The best way to visit is on a private walking tour which you can book, . Taormina Italy View map Where to eat local? If you discover a little gem, please let us all know! Segway tour of Taormina for those who want to go fast and furious. You also get to jump in the water for a refreshing swim. Do as locals and Italians do and simply go on a stroll along pedestrian. You can pick the ones you like and make your own tray. It houses the Cathedral, which is among Taormina's most valuable historic spots. I based myself in Taormina for the first 3 days of my road trip around the island and during this time, I indulged in lots of Italian food, desserts and wine. A typical Southern Italian vegetable ratatouille will be finished in Sicily with pine nuts, raisins, vinegar, cinnamon and sugar. Even if the office is not helpful to tourists, the fact that it is open gives you the opportunity to walk into the Palace and see its magnificent architecture which made me think of some of Barcelonas Gothic Quarter buildings because its facade was designed following the Catalan Gothic style. For tourists coming from different countries, and especially North Americans, these traditions or rules may appear strange at times. The hotels main drawcard was the restaurant which has a Michelin star (one of only in Taormina) and sea views. Osteria da Rita is a small family-run inn, the cuisine is typically Sicilian. Already in the 20th century, Taormina attracted writers and artists, the most famous among which were DH Lawrence and Truman Capote, and the. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Pick one of the signature cocktails, we loved the Belmond Negroni, and expect a few canapes especially designed by the chef daily, local almonds and olives, chips, crackers and other snacks. One of my favourite dishes is their pasta with pistachio and almond pesto. Sicilys cuisine is a reflection of the countless different populations who have settled here: from Phoenician wine and ancient Greek honey to the sugar of the Arabs and the chocolate of the Spanish. There are occasional temporary exhibitions in the rooms on the ground floor and several puppets on display inside the tourism office worth a look. It also has a square bell tower with a pointy roof. While it is not open and you cant walk into the archeological site, you can see it through the fence around it. Locals and tourists alike would find typical local cuisine in Taormina at Rosso Peperoncino, Osteria Nero D'avola, Trattoria da Nino, Osteria Da Rita Di Bille' SAS, La Bougainville, Ristorante L'Arco Dei Cappuccini, Ristorante Le Naumachie, Al Melograno (formerly Ristorante Licchio's), Al Saraceno above Taormina on the road to Castelmola, Il Don't miss the grilled sword fish rolls or the mussels soup in tomato sauce - divine!! So good, I went back twice! Have I missed anywhere out?! When youre after a coffee fix, please do not order a cappucino after lunch or dinner! The protected slopes of the mountain have created a sort of micro-climate and made Taormina a pleasant destination year-round. This page uses Google Maps. An iconic part of Catania's dining culture, this casual eatery has been a beloved spot of locals for decades, and remarkably, it has remained mostly unchanged over the years. The restaurants dining room is elegant and at the same time quite eclectic. Pasta, fish, meat freshly cooked and the best Sicilian wines and international. You will also learn to make pasta from scratch. Located in the heart of Taormina, getting here is easy: youre just a short walk off the main street of Corso Umberto and right nearby the Cathedral. - See 3,288 traveler reviews, 1,067 candid photos, and great deals for Taormina, Italy, at Tripadvisor. Level Contributor 25,062 posts 1,720 reviews The atmosphere inside is cosy, but you should surely opt for the lovely outdoor seating. The tables are along a very quiet street and underneath the canopy of fragrant orange trees. And its food is no exception! We start off with some useful information on dining out in Sicily, including an introduction to Sicilian cuisine, info on meal times, what to expect for service, and how to tip, before getting into Gaetanos 10 best restaurants in Sicily. Why not take it to the beach at sunset?! The seating is only outside, very casual, and just right for an informal lunch with friends and family. The cable car is a short ride only but will give you great views and it only costs a couple of euros. You can walk up to it from Taormina via the stairs. In present-day Taormina you can see signs and remains of pretty much every period in the citys history, making a day of sightseeing around Taormina feel like a journey in time through the last 2,500 years. All. Despite its unassuming facade, inside you will marvel at the pastel baby blue, yellow and white walls covered in intricate stucco designs as well as the multi-colored marble altar. The fact that you can easily drive all the way to the door, and that they offer valet parking was a major selling point for us. But even if you don't speak Italian, the waiters will find a way to communicate. As such, we'd advise against early dinner reservations. Siracusa is a city of unparalleled beauty. There are private and group options. Meals in Italy, and Sicily is no exception, are a time to relax and spend time with friends and family. Do not forget to taste almond wine, a specialty of the country. It is chaotic in places, gritty in others, yet still refined and elegant. You will also see Italians simply round up the bill when tipping; if your meal cost 47 euro, you might leave 50. Not something that you would find elsewhere in Italy.For example, few visitors initially believe that one of the most typical dishes of western Sicily is cous cous - something far more common of somewhere like Morocco! The pizza was excellent quality with the freshest and tastiest of ingredients. The Best Restaurants in Taormina Where to eat and drink no matter what your taste or budget..! Admire the Piazza Duomo Piazza Duomois undoubtedly one of Taormina's most significant attractions, located right in the heart of the old town of Taormina Sicily. Insider tip: The church is not open to visitors but you can see its nice paintings on the 3rd Sunday of the month when it opens for mass service at 8am. I like to think that this gives me a good perspective on food all over Sicily and means that Im not biased about one particular region being the best. Re del Sole is located in Mazzar, the beach area of Taormina. If you feel like meat, try the veal fillet with mushrooms and red wine. brought celebrities of international cache such as Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton. Enjoy a full-day journey through the food culture of Sicily on a half-day combined market tour and cookery class. The church was built in 1650 to the Confraternity of the Souls in Purgatory and some references to them are visible everywhere. One of the nicest things to do in Taormina is taking to the seas and joining a sailing trip along the coast. If you want the tour to run in the evening, this one stops at three places, one for starters, one for mains and one for desserts, with wine and liquors at all three. While many restaurants in the city and all over Italy are rushing to adopt new trends, the timelessness and lack of pretense here are a total breath of fresh air. You would find tourists and locals alike in restaurants. Location, location, location! The climb takes 20-30min up. In Sicily, marzipan making has been turned into an art and the small pieces made with almond and sugar look exactly like real fruits. If hunger strikes while visiting the awe-inspiring Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, look no further than Re di Girgenti. If you want the meal to be extra special, show up in time for sunset - best paired with a glass of wine or a cocktail . All rights reserved. Taormina is certainly the most beautiful place in Sicily and the most visited destination, especially in the summer months. If you want our list of top recommendations of restaurants and bars or help planning your trip, feel free to get in touch! Continue the foodgasm with a 3.5h food tour. Other ingredients are honey, lemon and orange rind and raisins. A typical Sicilian breakfast is light - basically a coffee and croissant (called a cornetto in Italy). Full description. Located smack in the famous salt pans stretching between Trapani and Marsala, it does not get better than this! Here prices are more affordable. For anyone staying in central Palermo, this is a perfect spot because you are only steps from the hustle and bustle, but on a quiet side street where youll feel like youve slipped into a little oasis in the midst of it all. Thankfully, despite its high-end billing, it still manages to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere, free of pretension. You will find articles aplenty about road trips, solo backpacking itineraries and group adventure tours with a little sprinkling of travel health and travel photography thrown in for good measure. Via Ospedale 9. Taormina is a tourist destination, so you would eat alongside tourists and residents. will take you to two places and will also provide you with snorkeling equipment. In the same location, the Roman Empire continued to expand the city and build several landmarks. Dont miss the handle for the doors to the small balconies, or the large table in the first floor. Renowned for its pizza, Villa Zuccaro is hands down the best pizzeria (pizza restaurant) in Taormina and one of the best in Sicily. . There are certain practicalities about dining in Sicily that one needs to be aware of. Take the funicular from the centre down to Taormina's popular Mazzaro beach on a beautiful little bay. Privacy Policy Continue the foodgasm with a 3.5h food tour. Tucked away down a side street - Via Calapitrulli - you'll find elegant tables outside on the street as well as art-deco inspired seating inside if you prefer. Taormina lies on the east coast of Sicily, an ancient town whose origins predate even the arrival of the Greeks to southern Italy. The best place to enjoy sunset cocktails in Taormina is the terrace at the, If you prefer to make the most of the balmy afternoon light, join a walking tour of Taormina which ends with aperitivo on a rooftop terrace bar in town. So as soon as I decided to book a last minute trip to Sicily, I had pizza, pasta and prosecco on my mind! There are a lot of things to do in Taormina itself, but also plenty around it, making it the perfect base for all the activities in Sicilys north and east coast. address in Taormina. Unlike in Spain, where we enjoy it pre-lunch, Sicilians enjoy aperitivo pre-dinner, as the sun sets, and alongside a huge spread of snacks. It is located above the Corvaja Palace, sandwiched between all the residential buildings around it and the Church of St. Caterina which shared its foundation. Twisting medieval streets and a second-century Greek theater add to its romantic air, which inspired the writings of D.H. Lawrence and Truman Capote. If you visit Sicily in the summer you will see many Sicilians having a different kind of breakfast: a brioche (soft sweet bread) with a lemon granita! The food and wine were delicious. A few steps higher up from the Chiesa Madonna della Rocca you can find Taorminas Castle which is also closed off for visitors but has a similar view from slightly higher up. For such a small town that cannot be called a city, the points of interest are many and there are a lot of things to do in Taormina. Open: Sunday-Friday 7 am to 10 pm (closed Saturdays) Phone: +39 0541 678 110. What you can rest assured of, though, is that no matter where youre visiting, the food here is some of the very best in Italy. Its pretty hard to go wrong while eating in Sicily. We'll be sure to try a couple of your suggestions. and you can observe several styles within the building. Pura bella vita. Its an excellent option for celebrating a special occasion or a relaxed date night. The best place to enjoy sunset cocktails in Taormina is the terrace at the Belmond Grand Timeo, located right by the Theatre. The historic hotel is a converted monastery from the 16th century whose cloister has been preserved, and is perched on the side of the cliff. The items on menu are also almost all home-made, and there really are no bad choices. I almost had a heart attack when I found out a little glass of proseccocosts 15! In this guide, Gaetano shares not just where to eat around the island, but also some must-try dishes at each restaurant! The decor is made of various artifacts and carvings in phallic shapes and even the menu comes in a purple penish shape. Places to eat away from the tourist areas: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187892-i344-k4087924-Places_to_eat_away_from_the_tourist_areas-Taormina_Province_of_Messina_Sicily.html. Restaurant Armonia 116 reviews Italian, International $$$$ Menu 0.6 mi Sicily "The last evening we experienced the Tasting Menu." "Beautiful restaurant on the sea" 2022 2. The hotel offers shuttle service to the sister property in town that runs every 15-20min and serves to get around. Look out for the Baroque fountain in front of the Duomo with mythological figures which has become the emblem of the city. The restaurant is away from the tourist area and is mostly frequented by local people. You can pick the ones you like and make your own tray. The town is quaint and its hilltop location breathtaking, and requiring a lot of steep walking. Excellent are the prawns tempura or the tuna tataki. Do not expect to be in and out of a restaurant ever in less than an hour. Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links.