Sicily Restaurants

The cuisine of Sicily reflects its unique and complex cultural heritage. The Greeks brought olives and grapes; the Romans planted chick peas, lentils and other grains; and the Arabs introduced nuts, spices and fruits. Whether you prefer eating the simple traditional dishes in local trattorias or dining at the sophisticated modern restaurants that cover the island, you will never be disappointed. Sicilians take enormous pride in their cooking.

Local cuisine

Sicilians have mastered the art of blending sweet and sour tastes. They creatively combine fish, fruit, vegetables and nuts with North African staples such as couscous or Italian pastas to produce truly amazing food.

Fish is a staple on this island, with tuna, swordfish and red mullet being the prime catches. You can have your fish marinated, smoked or as roulades. Sardines also have a special place in Sicilians’ hearts. The most popular pasta dish in Palermo is made with fresh sardines and wild fennel. Another Sicilian staple is babbaluci, baby snails marinated in olive oil, garlic and parsley. Street vendors sell them in little paper containers as a snack.

The locals in Palermo eat nearly as much pizza as the Neapolitans in Italy. The city’s most popular choice, pizza Palermitana, is topped with bread crumbs, anchovies, pine nuts, olive oil and cheese. Desserts are considered world-class in Sicily, with cannoli being the star. Almond paste sweetmeats, which have been made here since medieval times, are another staple and can be found in every pasticceria (sweet shop) on the island. On a hot day, a good gelato can be found almost anywhere. Legend has it that the world’s first ice cream, granita, was made by the Romans with snow from Mount Etna.
 

Where to eat

Many of the restaurants in Palermo and other coastal towns are located along the coast, where the seafood dishes are guaranteed to be stellar. Palermo has the greatest diversity of food styles, with Tunisian and Chinese being the most popular. If you like street food, then Palermo will keep you busy for days. Every section of the city has a healthy supply of street vendors who sell delicious and cheap snacks like calzoni and fritters. The cheapest places to eat in this city are around the Central Station. Some of the best restaurants are found in the medieval Kalsa quarter.

Elsewhere in Sicily, you will find that eateries fall under two types: the home-style trattoria and the modern restaurant. If you want to try real local cuisine at a reasonable price, then your best bet is a trattoria. Lo Scudiero in Palermo is considered to make the most authentic and delicious Sicilian food on the island.

For a more international dining experience, there are dozens of excellent restaurants that blend tradition with creativity. While in Palermo, check out the highly acclaimed Il Mulinazzo. Casa Grugno in Taormina is another exciting fusion restaurant and if you go to Agrigento, be sure to try the food at Ristorante Il Dehor. Since most Sicilians are late diners, you can expect many of the restaurants to open around 20:00. Get into the habit of having a light lunch in the afternoon like the locals.