Best Restaurants in Catania Sicily
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, sitting on the east coast. They have an amazing fish market that I walked through, and you will see the pictures below. So fish and seafood are very popular dishes here. Catania also has many Michelin restaurants and in general over four, last time I checked. So when it comes to finding the best restaurants in Catania, this blog will go into depth. We hope you enjoy it.
How we select the best restaurants in Catania
So when it comes to selecting the best restaurants in Catania, we speak to a lot of locals and also our family. We speak Italian, so that really makes it easier to find some of the best restaurants in the area. We usually look for those that are traditional but are innovative or have a contemporary flair. We also look at reviews from friends, families and locals, making sure they have great service, really nice flavours and even a nice ambiance. You can read more about us here if you want to know more about how we find these places.
We like to choose restaurants in Catania that are either in historic buildings, or maybe those that have a really nice alfresco, especially in summer, with views of the city or even of Mount Etna. We like restaurants in Catania that have their own locally sourced ingredients or have an unforgettable dining experience.
Michelin Awarded Restaurants in Catania
So I will start off with Michelin restaurants in Catania. Last time I checked, there were four. Michelin itself has been around since 1936, giving up to three stars.
It starts at one star, which means it is a very good restaurant in Catania. Two stars is excellent and worth a detour. Three stars is usually some of the best restaurants in Catania and it is worth a special journey. But with those ones, make sure to check the websites and book in advance.
Osteria Acqualavica
My first pick for Michelin restaurants in Catania is Acqualavica. This is actually a Bib Gourmand, and what that means is it is excellent cooking at a fair price. It is in the heart of the city of Catania, being a Mediterranean tavern, so you get a lot of the region's traditions with an intense focus on the local territory. It is near the Duomo and also the fish market.
Some top picks are the sea urchins, which is not for everyone's palate but I enjoy it, and they also have a lot of classic Sicilian dishes. Inside it is like a cave with exposed lava. Really nice decor.
Check out the Osteria Acqualavica menu.
Address: Via Cardinale Dusmet 35, Catania, 95121, Italy
Sapio
Next you have Sapio. Sapio is a one Michelin star restaurant run by Roberta Cozzetto & Alessandro Ingiulla. This is a modern Sicilian restaurant in Catania and the chef gets a lot of his techniques and cooking secrets from his grandma, so you have a lot of history in Sapio.
Last time I went there I had the blue lobster, which was delicious. You will be able to get an incredible experience at Sapio, maybe a five course or a seven course meal.
Open 6 days a week (closed on Monday) for both lunch and dinner. See the Sapio Menu.
Address: Via Messina 235, Catania, 95129, Italy
Me Cumpari Turiddu
Next on the list of best restaurants in Catania is Me Cumpari Turiddu. Again, another Bib Gourmand, so reasonable prices, and it does a really good three course meal at a good price. You also get that real traditional Sicilian feel.
It has jazz music, old chandeliers, and they just cook up some really good classic Sicilian dishes. If you want to try something a little bit special, try the donkey stew. It is like a slow cooked brisket, very nice. Check it out. If you want something classic, get the norma pasta.
It also has a bar and is open from midday to the early hours of the next morning.
Address: Piazza Turi Ferro 36, Catania, 95124, Italy
Materia, Spazio Cucina
Next I will go on to Materia | Spazio Cucina. This is run by head chef Bianca Cellano. Again, another Sicilian classic. Although it is classic, there is a lot of influences from around the world from where she has been.
So you will get an innovative dining experience along with heritage as she has gone through her travels. If you are still deciding where to base yourself, have a look at our guide on where to stay in Catania.
View the Materia | Spazio Cucina menu
Address: Via Teatro Massimo, 29, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Fine Dining Restaurants in Catania
So next I will go into fine dining, which is usually a little bit less expensive than Michelin. There are quite a few fine dining restaurants in Catania and here are some of my favourites.
Concezione Restaurant
First of all you have got Concezione Restaurant. That is led by Manuel Trepair and it is right in the centre of Catania. The chef Manuel has worked in many starred restaurants so he has got a lot of experience.
The menu will go up to ten courses depending on how much you would like to eat. It is very close to other historical sites and other things to do in Catania. The service is really good and they have a good selection of wines to go with your meal.
Open 6 days a week. See the Concezione Restaurant Menu.
Address: Via Giuseppe Verdi, 143, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Giardino di Bacco
Next is Giardino di Bacco, and that has been around since 2017. This one is a classic Sicilian seafood restaurant that differs every season. The menu actually changes at least once a month, so I do not know what to recommend because it is always going to change.
What I like about them is that all the produce is sourced and supplied by local artisans and also housewives, such as handmade pasta, tomato sauce and cheeses.
So it is a very, very fresh place to go and one of the best restaurants in Catania. Even the decor inside is very traditional, it feels like you are at home, and this is why I really liked it and put it into this blog.
Open 6 days a week for lunch & dinner and just lunch on Sunday.
Address: Via Etnea, 704, 95129 Catania CT, Italy
Sikulo
Next is Sikulo. Sikulo is a great restaurant in Catania for seafood. It is a very classy venue and it has arch ceilings, very nice inside. The chefs will take you on a really tasty Sicilian journey. It has an open kitchen so you can see the chefs, I like that especially if you are with a couple.
You will also be able to see the fish of the day. Many items on the menu that I like are the sea urchin like I mentioned earlier, the sawfish and the tuna fish, which is really good. They have a great selection of wines in there too.
Open every day for dinner except for Monday and on the weekends also open for lunch.
Address: Via Antonino di Sangiuliano, 83, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Osteria Bavetta
And then lastly on my fine dining restaurants in Catania is Osteria Bavetta restaurant. Again, this one is more local ingredients and simple recipes. And sometimes simple is great.
The dishes are Catanian and Sicilian, all coming from a lot of old family recipes, which I love. The space is very cosy and it is a very informal atmosphere. So fine dining but pretty informal.
Open every day except for Monday, Sunday is only open for lunch. See the Osteria Bavetta Menu.
Address: Via Antonino Longo 26/28, Catania, 95125, Italy
Best local restaurants in Catania
So now I get on to some of my favourites, which are the local restaurants in Catania. Nothing beats a local traditional meal from a restaurant in Catania. It is great for the family, usually a bit better on the wallet, and sometimes they are off the beaten track. So I do try and find some of the best restaurants in Catania where the locals go.
Ristorante da Antonio
So I will start off with Ristorante da Antonio. This is a local Sicilian restaurant with seafood dishes in a courtyard, very close to the castle. You get a variety of pastas and antipastos and they are all so delicious.
You can sit inside but outside you just get a really nice view of the streets in Catania. Some great items are the antipasto, the octopus, the vongole spaghetti and the pappardelle. Very nice. You can also check our things to do in Catania guide if you want to make the most of the area around the castle.
Open 6 days a week for lunch and dinner (closed on Monday).
Address: Via Castello Ursino, 59, 95121 Catania CT, Italy
Dui Pistacchi Restaurant
Next is Due Pistacchi Restaurant. Again, this is in the centre of Catania and it has that exposed brick venue. Very nice. They cook a lot of dishes with fish but also meat.
You also find great pasta. So very nice for a romantic dinner or lunch with friends. Some of the highlights were the ravioli, but also for dessert, the tiramisu.
Open 7 days a week lunch and dinner till late.
See the Due Pistacchi Restaurant Menu.
Address: Via Salvatore Tomaselli, 9, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Il Gambero Pazzo
Next is Il Gambero Pazzo, and this is run by the really friendly owners Sebastian and Miriam. This venue is your traditional seafood in Catania and it has a really nice terrace. Some of the favourite items are the shrimp risotto and also the caponata.
If you sit outside on the terrace you get those nice fairy lights and you get a great view of the city. Very nice on a hot summer's day. One of the real gems when it comes to restaurants in Catania and great for the warmer months.
Open 6 days a week till late (closed Tuesdays).
Address: Via Vela, 1, 95100 Catania CT, Italy
Dessert restaurants in Catania
And then with some of the best restaurants in Catania, you have also got some of the dessert places. So I have a sweet tooth. Sometimes you do not want to have dessert in the restaurant. You might want to go to another place just to enjoy and explore, especially when you are on holiday.
Pasticceria Verona & Bonvegna
First of all is Pasticceria Verona & Bonvegna. This is your classic pasticceria for pastries, cakes and gelato. Some of the favourite things I got there were the ricotta cannoli, but they also have pistachio. A great spot to stop into after a meal.
Open from 7 am 6 days a week.
Address: Via Asiago, 60, 95127 Catania CT, Italy
Pasticceria Sottile
Another pasticceria and a hidden gem in Catania is Pasticceria Sottile. Again, they have lots of amazing desserts, pistachio and gelato, and the cakes there were just so fresh.
If you are looking for granita, this pasticceria has the best granita brioche in Catania. The staff are friendly. This is a must visit. A great little stop if you are also exploring the city.
Their hours are 6am to 9pm every day except Tuesday when they are closed.
Address: Via Lago di Nicito, 17, 95124 Catania CT, Italy
Don Peppinu
Then you have got Don Peppinu. This is actually an ice cream shop in Catania that was founded in 1960. The ingredients are so fresh and they have won multiple awards.
So many of the actual ingredients come from Mount Etna, or the fruits from Syracuse and the almonds from Avola, with the ricotta actually coming from Agrigento. So they source the ingredients from all over Sicily, which I love. A great ice cream shop to go to in Catania.
Open 7 days a week.
Address: Via Etnea, 20, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Pasticceria Ficarra Luigi
And then lastly, and there are so many more, but I just wanted to go through the best restaurants in Catania for dessert, is Pasticceria Ficarra Luigi. This is a lovely family run pastry shop in the centre of town with seating outside.
You can go there for breakfast, you can get some really great coffee and just pair that with a cannoli, granita, and even some marzipan dishes. They are open quite late until 9pm. So hopefully you can get there before it closes.
Open 6 days a week 7 am-9 pm (closed on Mondays).
Address: Via Umberto I, 69/71, 95129 Catania CT, Italy
And if you are planning more of Sicily, check out our other guides such as the best restaurants in Palermo or the best restaurants in Taormina.
Best restaurants in Catania FAQ's
What is the best restaurant in Catania Sicily?
It really depends on what you are looking for. For a Michelin experience, Sapio is a one Michelin star restaurant and one of the best restaurants in Catania for a special meal. For a more local and relaxed experience, Ristorante da Antonio is a great shout.
What are the most affordable restaurants in Catania?
Ristorante da Antonio, Il Gambero Pazzo, and Me Cumpari Turiddu are the top restaurants in Catania that have a superb menu at a good price.
Are there good restaurants in Catania for seafood?
Yes, absolutely. Catania is on the east coast of Sicily and the fish market is incredible, so there are plenty of good restaurants in Catania that focus on fresh seafood. Sikulo, Giardino di Bacco and Ristorante da Antonio are all really strong options.
Are there Catania restaurants with a view?
Yes. Il Gambero Pazzo has a really nice terrace with a great view of the city, especially lovely in summer with the fairy lights. Some restaurants in Catania also have views of Mount Etna depending on where you are seated, and alfresco dining is very much part of the experience here.
What are the best restaurants in Catania for traditional Sicilian cuisine?
If you are looking for local cuisine in Catania be sure to visit Ristorante da Antonio, Me Cumpari Turiddu, Due Pistacchi Restaurant and Il Gambero Pazzo.