I will be outside Siracusa for three nights next month. I’d love to read some recent restaurant recommendations. Michelin-listed is fine, but no Michelin starred places; in general I don’t think they are worth the price in Sicily with a few exceptions, such as LA MADIA.
All of the restaurants I read about seem to be on Ortigia. Would it be worth seeking out a place in Siracusa proper with the idea that it might be much less touristy and more popular with locals? Hard to discern which ones to research, because the addresses all list “Siracusa.”
So just a thought. I have a few names and although it gets some bashing, we might return to Don Camillo just because I was so impressed 20 years ago. Open to all ideas. Nothing too, too “creative,” just great use of local materials with traditional dishes. But will not rule anything out…
Our hotel is near Fanusa but has a free shuttle. OR if anyone happens to know anyplace near Fanusa I’d love to hear about that, too…
I guess I always put my possible restos into google maps - and of course you can search any area for high rated resto, etc there, which is helpful… But you know this.!!! I wish we had gone to Siracusa in 2020 as planned, I would be able to tell you where we had good meals!
my 2023 Slowfood app lists the following which might be worth looking into: Latteria Mamma Iabica, at Via Perasso 13, on the mainland near the station and main parking lot - with a snail! La Gazza Ladra and Sveva in Ortigia and Osteria Terra Mia at Via Giuseppe di Natale, 10, near the archeological park. Also an agriturismo, Case Damme, at Via per Canicatttini, 28 is recommended by Slowfood and may be in range tho maybe you would want to have a driver to get there. Once inland, the area can be quite mountainous and rough. I see nothing highly rated on google near Famusa tho there look like a bunch of seafood places on the bay. Avola may be close enough to consider, as well as Noto, - the 2023 slowfood had one pick in Noto, Vicaria and there is also of coures Ristorante Crucifisso there. https://ristorantecrocifisso.it/en/. I look forward to hearing of your experiences!
Jen that is wonderful! I’ve been reading Latteria Mamma Labica’s menus. And like that the are FAR more reviewers in Italian than English–usually a good sign. Casa Gamma may not serve outside guests, at least they do not say so on their site, but I can check…
Is there a way to get the SF Osterie online without buying their app?
Sometimes if you do a search for the osteria guide updates in the Italian media, they will list the new places. But I feel that buying the app each year is the least I can do, Even if I am not able to use their choices, since they’ve given me so many good meals over the years. I think the name may be Iabica with an I not L? https://www.slowfood.it/le-chiocciole-di-osterie-ditalia-2024/
Update - here is the list of their top picks in 2024.
The last two agriturismi I stayed in hosted local parties as well as guests
I get the e-mails from Gambero Rosso but will attempt to install the SlowFood app on my phone.
Once to arrive in the area, will do more investigating. the hotel says they have a free shuttle to Siracusa but I take those claims with a grain of salt… It’s only three nights, unfortunately–I initially had booked on the Etna slopes in a rather fancy hotel but decided we did not want to be stranded there with no car… It’s always an adventure!!!
Jen, we just returned from Latteria di Mamma Iabica, in Siracusa but close to the bridge to Ortigia. Excellent choice. Thank you!!
We were fortunate to have been able to book a table (day before) since the place was all but taken over by attendees of the G7 Agriculture expo at Siracusa. Will write it up when I get time, but I think their pasta might be about the best of our trip, and the salted caramel gelato = outstanding.
Hi erica1!!! I am so happy we got to meet at dinner the other night! I immediately signed up for this site, and funny enough, they suggested the username Tanya1, hahah. Did you make it to Munich? I will be in Cefalù tomorrow and would love any lunch/dinner recs you may have! looking forward to keeping in touch
Glad you found Latteria Mamma Iabica – it was one of our favorite meals in Sicily.
If you’re still around the area, the dueling sandwich shops in Ortigia – Caseificio Borderi and Fratelli Burgio – are among the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. I’d give the edge to Borderi but both were fantastic and incredible value.
Cortile Verga Ortigia is also a great cocktail bar in the courtyard of a beautiful palazzo.
Tanya1!! Welcome!!! What good fortune we had to meet at Mamma Iabica!
Lambretta, agree…excellent spot, although I did not order wisely…will post pics and comments soon.
I am now in Munich and adjusting to a TOTALLY different food scene (and price point!). Will write up my dinners in Siracusa as soon as I have time…
Tanya, I have never been to Cefalu–so sorry I have no tips…but maybe search this site (??). Or get the OSTERIE DI ITALIA SlowFood app, which has been recommended here. Also, Luciano Pignataro, from Campania, might have some info on Sicily on his site, in English. Look forward to staying in touch!!
Here are some resto recommendations for Cefalu from other sources.
There is one slowfood recommendation in Cefalu town, Ristorante Le Chat Noir (U Jattu Niuru), in the fishermans neighborhood, offering local land and sea cuisine. Also, in an inland medieval town nearby, Castelbuono, (I am fairly sure there is a bus) there is a well known resto Nangalarruni which I have always wanted to visit for their local cuisine including mushrooms, handmade pasta and local sausages http://www.hostarianangalarruni.it. I dont think it has a closing day which is an advantage.
On our brief visit to Cefalu we at at Al Faro, quite a long walk around the shore(oward al Faro, the lighthouse) but a beautiful location. https://www.alfarocefalu.com/ As I recall, we had a closing day issue and my local target restos were not open, or too late and I dithered over the choice. We gradually made it over there and were happy with the view and what we ate, but I am not recommending it over other possible choices.
looking forward to keeping in touch
