Following in the footsteps of Sicily, the city of Taormina never ceases to amaze us, whether with its incredible views or its charming restaurants. Traditional Sicilian recipes, with plenty of fresh fish and seafood, are revisited at several addresses, while typical trattorias join the local gastronomic scene with their exquisite pasta dishes.
The list is long, but the following selection should answer the question “where to eat in Taormina? ”. But be careful: as everywhere in Italy, reservations are highly recommended to avoid queues and headaches. Check out ten restaurants in Taormina below with the right to a pizzeria bonus and a place for a traditional cannolo:
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Nunziatina
New to the city’s gastronomic scene, Nunziatina brings together good food and drinks in a picturesque setting. The kitchen produces sophisticated and unpretentious dishes, full of flavor. The outdoor terrace is the ideal place for elaborate dinners with arancini, crudos, tagliolini, tortelli and sea bass with asparagus, for example. The indoor dining room leaves nothing to be desired with its modern baroque decor and, from the bar, a Negroni is perfect.
Nunziatina: Via Roma, 12, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel: +39 388 125 7275 (WhatsApp) / Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 7:30pm to 11pm.
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Nino’s Trattoria
Close to the cable car that takes you to Isola Bella, this is a typical Sicilian trattoria with a wide selection of fish, seafood and meat. Caponata, prosciutto and melon, anchovies and carpaccio are among the starters, which are a good start to main meals, with options of pasta, shrimp, squid and sea bass. The wine list includes regional labels; the terrace opens up to panoramic views and the restaurant has a tradition of over 50 years.
Nino’s Trattoria: Via Luigi Pirandello, 37A, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 094 221 265 / Opening hours: every day, from 12:00 to 14:30 and from 19:00 to 22:30.
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Trattoria Tiramisu Mimmo & Son
Not far from the Duomo of Taormina, the Trattoria Tiramisu Mimmo & Son This is one of those places where people come to visit for its pasta and seafood, with revisited Sicilian recipes. The tip here is the Pennette alla Mimmo, where the pennette, a slightly smaller pasta than penne, comes with onion, pancetta, tomato, sauce, peppers and parmesan. The restaurant also serves daily specials, with pasta, seafood and raw dishes.
Trattoria Tiramisu Mimmo & Son: Viale Apollo Arcageta, 9, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 094 238 8741 / Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 6:30pm to 11pm.
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Paladin’s Tavern
In the historic center, on Via Naumachia, Paladin’s Tavern serves typical Sicilian cuisine focused on fish, which appears in everything from appetizers to main courses. Dishes such as grilled swordfish, fresh tuna in a pistachio crust, pasta with sardines or clams, and linguine with seafood are some of the options on the menu, which may change from time to time. In addition to the indoor dining area, the restaurant has tables on the sidewalk.
Paladin’s Tavern: Via Naumachia, 21, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 0942 24614 / Opening hours: every day, from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
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Al Saraceno Restaurant Pizzeria
Near the Madonna della Rocca church and at the foot of the medieval castle Castello Saraceno, the restaurant has one of the most beautiful terraces in Taormina, overlooking Mount Etna and the sea. Fish, meat and pizzas made with local ingredients come out of the kitchen, where the round pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven. The menu includes wines from Sicily itself and, during the winter months, the main room equipped with a fireplace is a good choice.
Al Saraceno Restaurant Pizzeria: Via Madonna della Rocca, 16, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 0942 63 20 15 / Opening hours: every day from 12:00 to 14:30 and from 19:00 to 23:30.
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Aranciara Restaurant
Not far from Piazza IX Aprile, the Aranciara It has a pleasant indoor garden, ideal for romantic evenings. The menu promises to present the flavors of Sicily through pasta and regional fish, including caponata, anchovy and grilled octopus among the starters. As for pasta, think of tortelli, spaghetti and linguine in various forms; as well as sea bass in a pistachio crust, lobster and tuna fillet among the fish.
Aranciara Restaurant: Via Fratelli Bandiera, 15, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 348 0588060 / Opening hours: every day from 11:30 am to 3 pm and from 7 pm to 5:30 pm to 11 pm.
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Osteria RossoDiVino
The tavern is tucked away in an alleyway just a few steps from one of the city’s main shopping streets. The small menu changes weekly and follows the local gastronomic vein: varied pastas and fresh fish and seafood. The house has a few outdoor tables arranged in a small patio overlooking the Palace of the Dukes of S. Stefano which is a tourist attraction. During the high season months, between July and August, the restaurant is open for dinner only.
Osteria RossoDiVino: Via De Spuches, 8, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 0942 62 86 53 / Opening hours: every day for lunch and dinner (dinner only between July and August).
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Rita’s Osteria
Known for having queues at the door, Rita’s Osteria is a hit in Taormina and is very close to Corso Umberto, the city’s main street. Opened in 1991, the restaurant now has tables outside, on the street, with checkered tablecloths. The portions are usually generous and options include a platter of seasoned meats, bruschetta, squid rings, fried fish and clam pasta.
Rita’s Osteria: Via Calapitrulli, 3, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 0942 681015 / Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday, 12:00 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 22:30; closed on Wednesdays.
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Otto Geleng
Located in the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo the one-Michelin-starred restaurant is named after the 19th-century German artist and serves just 16 diners on a terrace with privileged views of the sea and Mount Etna. The creations are by the chef Roberto Toro which serves sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine in four tasting menus.
Pasta with buffalo ricotta, seafood and eggplant cream, and lamb with carrots, cabbage and star anise can be among the dishes. The restaurant has a robust wine list and even a water menu. The dress code is elegant and only children over the age of eight are allowed.
Otto Geleng: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Via Teatro Greco 59, 98039 Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 0942 6270 686 / Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 7:30pm to 10pm.
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Elders
Inside San Domenico Palace a Four Seasons hotel, the Elders It is located next to the pool and offers spectacular views of the sea. This sophisticated restaurant focuses on fresh fish and seafood. Dishes include sea bass carpaccio, tuna tartare, various pastas, lobster, shrimp and fish of the day with tomatoes, capers and olives. Pizzas are also available and there are signature cocktails straight from the bar. It is worth remembering that the restaurant appears in scenes from the 2nd season of “The White Lotus”.
Elders: San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel; Piazza San Domenico, 5, 98039, Taormina, Italy / Tel.: +39 0942 613111 / Opening hours: every day, from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm.
Bonus: pizzeria, bars and sweets
The list is not over yet: Taormina also offers us top-quality pizzas, pastries and cocktails. For a good Neapolitan pizza, with a high crust and fresh toppings, the tip is The Neapolitan in Piazza Varò, which is located on a terrace in a charming street and offers affordable prices.
If you want to have lunch on the beach, go to Sant’Andrea Restaurant inside Villa Sant’Andrea a Belmond-branded hotel. With an exclusive stretch of coastline, the restaurant has beautiful sea views and serves seasonal menus and fresh fish.
For a delicious cannolo, look for Pasticceria D’Amore a shop near Corso Umberto that is beautifully decorated and has an extensive list of sweets, as well as homemade gelato. Bam Bar specializes in granitas, with flavors of various fruits. To start or end an evening, go to Morgana a cool bar with interesting signature drinks that belongs to the same group as the Nunziatina restaurant.
Source: CNN Brasil
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