I am writing this post while waiting in Taormina for my taxi to take me to the airport after a beautiful and relaxing weekend in Sicily. It certainly was a trip to remember, packed with new experiences and a belly so full, my trainer is going to faint!
Italy is the land of exquisite cuisine, and Sicily is certainly not shy to show its delicious talent! The island is packed with restaurants and you really cannot go wrong when choosing a place to eat. Nevertheless, I shall be giving you guys a quick tour around the restaurants I have eaten at on my weekend trip to Taormina.
1. Maffei’s Restaurant
A little restaurant nestled in the winding side streets of Taormina centre, this restaurant could be easily missed by the unadventurous traveller! This gem of a restaurant provides a well shaded outdoor area and yummy dishes. The green ivy and lilac flowers surround you as you relax in the breezy courtyard – a perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of exploration!
I suggest you try the Spaghetti ai Ricci di Mare – a tasty dish of spaghetti with a dollop of sea urchin sauce – and Melanzane Ripiene – Aubergines filled with capers, breadcrumbs and other ingredients I couldn’t possibly make out! And now, for the desserts! You cannot travel to Italy and not try out their amazing Tiramisu’. Another excellent homemade dessert is the Panna Cotta with a drizzle of chocolate to finish it off!
2. Granduca
This restaurant is found on the main street of the city centre and treats its clients to a spectacular view overlooking the crystal blue sea of the Mediterranean. I opted for the pizzeria as opposed to the restaurant – the latter being slightly more posh and slightly more expensive! True to the rich italian sense of fashion, we were attended to by a very well dressed, albeit eccentric, gentleman.
The pizza here is very good and the view just tops it off! My cousin also claims to have seen Fiorello entering the restaurant! If you’re not familiar with italian celebrities, he is very famous (and very handsome, ladies) thus proving that this food haven is the place to be!
3. Tiramisu’
Another pizzeria enters my list of go-to places for pizzas – Tiramisu’. This place was recommended by a lovely lady working at the hotel in which I was residing. The semi-outdoor eating area can prove to be quite hot, especially for us hot-blooded Maltese, so I suggest you try it out for dinner. The pizza here is by far one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten, and believe me, after 5 months living in Rome, I know my pizzas quite well! The colours are superb and the crust oh so thin and crispy that every bite of this delicious pizza melts onto your awaiting taste buds!
Bam Bar
Longing for something refreshing in the mediterranean summer heat? Then head to Bam Bar for some mouth watering granitas á la siciliana! Pop by in the afternoon for additional flavours!
If you’re looking for some short excursions out of Taormina, the following two restaurants will surely not leave you hungry for more!
4. Garden da Nino
This truly Sicilian restaurant in the heart of Giardini Naxos will welcome you with charismatic smiles all round. I recommend you try the mixed seafood dishes as a starter followed by a fresh fish of your choice. End the meal with an espresso and some Vino di Mandorla!
5. Hotel da Peppe
Ah, Peppe’s! If you’re lucky enough to get to meet the bearded Peppe, be sure to ask about his unique yellow boat! A lover of the sea and anything related to it, he can surely recommend a meal of scampi, risotto or spaghetti al dente with the most heavenly clams I have ever tasted… and I hail from the mediterranean island of Malta! This restaurant in Letojanni is definitely one to visit.
Taormina is a beautiful place to visit, so be sure to make your way there if you are ever on the wonderful island of Sicily!
Have you been to Sicily? What is your favourite place in this wonderful island? Share your experience with us!
Hi, love this post. I hope you don’t mind I’ve added the link and a few lines to my post: STEP 292 – Visit the Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina, Sicily. Hopefully you may get some more page views.
We would love you to join our STEPS challenge and share more stories from your journey. You might even make our Top 100 travellers and become our ‘most travelled’
Thanks again and happy travels.
Si
Thank you, Si 🙂
Спасибо Алена! Искала инфо о Сицилии и нашла Ваш блог. Собираемся быть там в июле. Хотели посмотреть еще и Мальту, но решила оставить ее на отдельное путешествие. Вы живете так, как мечтала бы жить я. Но пока удается выбираться только 2 раза в год.
Здравствуйте, Ирина! Спасибо за Ваш комментарий! Я планирую в течение 2х недель опубликовать новый пост о Сицилии. Подробное описание нашего путешествия по северо-западной части острова. Очень красивые места! Может быть мой пост поможет Вам определиться с местами, которые Вы можете посетить во время Вашего путешествия в июле. Из Сицилии до Мальты добраться очень легко, но, конечно, лучше оставить эту поездку на следующий раз, так как Вы просто не успеете посмотреть все. Если будут вопросы по Мальте или Сицилии – обращайтесь, с удовольствием отвечу!
While in the U S Navy, I spent many days in Sigonella re-fueling our tanker to support our 6th fleet in the 1980’s.
The Captain of the port at Augusta Bay, recommended a restaurant, I believe was named the La Donna Maria, it was a night to remember.
We were not allowed to enter until a certain hour, then we were seated at long wooden tables, family style. A long fish tank lined one wall with fresh fish swimming freely so you knew the meal would be great.
One of the most interesting events was when they brought out the wine in wooden buckets with a dipper to serve yourself. Once the tables were full (in only a few minutes) the door was closed and the great meal began. I have tried many times to find the exact whereabouts, so I could re visit this excellent restaurant. Unfortunately my memory is not as great as it was, and I can’t remember what town it was located in. If you or any of your friends can help me in my quest, I would be most appreciative.
I also had the great pleasure of spending time anchored in Valletta harbor in the sixties, and have many fond memories of the time spent there learning the history of Malta, and it’s culture.
The people were some of the friendliest I ever met. Most of the “med” was not so friendly to the US Navy then.
Thank you for your time, and I will continue to follow your adventures.
Come see the U.S., I think we have something’s to share that you might enjoy.
Hi Andy, thanks for your comment! Unfortunately we don’t know about this restaurant you are talking about, but if some day we will stumble upon it, I will let you know! I am glad you liked Malta as well, people here are very friendly indeed! We’ve been to the U.S. for several times already in different parts of the country and really enjoyed our trips! Happy New Year!