Best Restaurants in Cefalu Sicily
There are many fantastic restaurants in Cefalu and I have been coming back here quite a few times, not only for the beach and the atmosphere, but for the food. Being on the north coast of Sicily, fish and seafood are really popular, along with traditional Sicilian dishes. You can also find venues in Cefalu that have been nominated by Michelin, and Italy itself has some of the most starred restaurants in the world. So I am going to take you through the best restaurants in Cefalu, in my opinion, when you are on holiday.
How we select the best restaurants in Cefalu
When we are curating, we seek out those that really embrace the coastal charm and lean towards that. They are full of fish. We can speak Italian, so we are speaking to locals and we also have Italian family, so we take a look at some of the reviews from our friends and family. So many other things guide our selection too: the service, the views, and also that laid back ambiance, which is what you will get in Cefalu. You can also read more in our Cefalu travel guide.
We also favour restaurants that have al fresco dining, especially those in summer. Because it is just amazing to be sitting in the old town in Cefalu and having food at some of the best restaurants in Cefalu. We also look for those with views of the Norman cathedral, or in the historic centre, or even of the ocean. I remember sitting on the streets of the old town and having a view of the ocean while having dinner. That is one memory that really stuck with me.
Those that catch their own seafood or buy locally caught fish are also something we really look for. Plus traditional Sicilian dishes is something we really like. If you are exploring other parts of Sicily too, you might also want to check out the best restaurants in Palermo or even the best restaurants in Taormina.
Michelin Awarded Restaurants in Cefalu
When it comes to Michelin restaurants in Cefalu, last time I checked there were about five. Michelin has been awarding restaurants since 1936. One star equals a very good restaurant in Cefalu, two stars is worth a detour to this restaurant, and three stars is the best, exceptional cuisine, and worth a special journey. Do make sure to check their websites and book in advance because they can be busy. Also during the various different seasons they might be closed, so take a look.
Cortile Pepe
My first Michelin restaurant in Cefalu is Cortile Pepe, with Chef Gioacchino Gaglio. He has been working in Michelin restaurants for a long time and has been around since around 2021. What is different about him is that he makes regional dishes but sources from a group of local farmers and breeders, along with purchasing from fisheries that are sustainable. He also has his own organic garden that is taken care of every day.
The venue itself is in the old town and it has an old vaulted ceiling, so a really nice atmosphere. Cortile Pepe is probably the best restaurant in Cefalu, and also has an open kitchen, so it is great, you can get a bit of that buzz from the kitchen. They have four course menus or six course tasting menus that comes out super fast, along with wine pairing if you would like it as well.
Closed on Wednesdays. It is very close to the top hotels in the city.
See the Cortile Pepe Menu.
Address: Via Nicola Botta, 15, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Qualia
Next you have Qualia. This is a traditional family run restaurant in Cefalu on a cobbled side street. Inside it has exposed brick and also a view of the kitchen. From here you will find a lot of dishes that are all prepared from scratch and to perfection. The cuisine itself is like a traditional Sicilian with a modern twist. My favourite dishes at Kualia would probably be the oxtail ravioli and the cuttlefish
Address: Via G. Amendola, 16A, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Palazzaccio
Something a little bit further out is Palazzaccio. This has been rated as a Bib Gourmand, which basically means it is good quality but the prices are fair. It is about 30 minutes away from Cefalu itself but worth the detour. I went there and had a great experience. The only thing was getting back at night, which was quite daunting for a tourist. There were not many lights on the road and you have to go around the mountains, but I will keep going on this one.
You have Chef Sandro at the helm and he has had a lot of experience all over Italy and also the world. He serves up traditional Sicilian country cooking and you have the choice of a set menu or a la carte. We went for the a la carte menu and that was fantastic. You can also pick when booking whether to sit inside or outside. We actually wanted to sit outside so we could take in all the atmosphere of Castelbuono.
Address: Via Umberto I 23, Castelbuono, 90013, Italy
The best restaurants in Cefalu for fine dining
There are quite a few fine dining restaurants in Cefalu which are not Michelin starred, but who knows, they could be in the future. You will save a little bit of money but fine dining is still an experience worth investing in. Here are some of the best restaurants in Cefalu for fine dining. If you are also visiting other parts of Sicily, there is no shortage of great spots to explore.
B.I.F. Braceria Italiana Fuorimondo
The first is BIF, B.I.F. Braceria Italiana Fuorimondo, and this is in the historic centre of town. Now it is a little bit different. Sicily is really known for its seafood but it is refreshing to swap this out every now and again.
So you will get a lot of dishes such as Angus beef or steak tartare, something a little bit different to seafood every single day. Definitely worth going. You can also get a fantastic carbonara. BIF has their own in-house sommeliers who can pick some really nice wines and reds to go with your meat. Definitely worth checking out. See the BIF Menu.
Address: Via Madonna degli Angeli, 12, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Cala Luna Restaurant
Next is the Cala Luna Restaurant, and this is on the lawn of Hotel Le Calette. It is really beautiful because during the summer, being on the lawn, you get ocean views. So it is really nice, not great if it is windy, but great on a nice peaceful summer night. They have an open playing kitchen run by Chef Dario Pandolfo and he has been around since 2022.
The menu feels lively but also contemporary, with nature being the inspiration for some of his dishes. He sources his food from local farmers and fishermen and tries to avoid some of the wholesalers or importers. With Cala Luna you are paying for an experience of flavours and presentation, and also great service. You may also get some little surprises during the dinner, so worth going to this one.
See the Cala Luna Restaurant menu.
Address: Hotel Le Calette Via Vincenzo Cavallaro, 12 - 90015 Cefalù PA Italy
Traditional restaurants in Cefalu
Now onto my favourite. Some of the best restaurants in Cefalu are tucked away down side streets or a little bit further away from town. These are traditional restaurants in Cefalu that I look for. Nothing beats a local meal from a family run kitchen. You can get a good meal for the whole family and they are usually less known by tourists.
One of my big tips is to always check when they open and when they close. Even consider calling because sometimes they close without notice and they may not update their Google profile. If you are also looking for somewhere to stay, take a look at our guide on where to stay in Cefalu or our Cefalu hotels page.
Triscele
Probably one of the best restaurants in Cefalu run by locals is Triscele Restaurant. This is a traditional seafood restaurant with a cave-like dining room and also a terrace.
The owner himself is passionate about the food and some of the best dishes that I tried were the swordfish, the octopus, and also the tuna. This is well worth a visit, closed on Monday but open most days for lunch and dinner late.
Address: Via Umberto I°, 34, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Mas Que Nada
Next is Mas Que Nada and you may not think it, but this is a restaurant in Cefalu that provides classic Sicilian dishes. It does not look like much, but there are so many good flavours on the menu. You can find mussels, prawns, and various pastas.
They also have fresh cannoli for dessert. With this one you can sometimes get in without a booking, but Mas Que Nada is very busy so I would probably recommend booking in advance. Open 6 days a week (not Tuesday) for lunch and late dinner.
Address: Via, Discesa Paramuro, 5/7, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Le Terme
Next is Le Terme, and Le Terme is set in the historical centre of Cefalu in the old town. It has an archaeological feel inside with a glass bottom floor. However, you can sit outside. Le terme probably has the best views of the ocean from the terrace, so I will definitely recommend that for a summer day.
They have a five course meal, a la carte, or even a seven course meal if you want to go all out. It is a very nice restaurant to visit in Cefalu, especially at sunset. Closed on Mondays but open for lunch and late dinner the rest of the week.
Address: Via Bagni Cicerone, 19 Bis, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Dessert Places in Cefalu
Now I will talk a little bit about dessert places. I have a sweet tooth myself. Sometimes you do not want to have dessert at the restaurant. Cefalu is a really nice town to walk around in the early evening and sometimes you just want to have an ice cream or a cannoli. So here are some of the best spots in Cefalu for dessert.
L'Angolo Delle Dolcezze
I will start off with L’Angolo delle Dolcezze, which means the sweet corner in English. From here you can get a whole load of traditional Sicilian treats that are made from local ingredients. They also have gelato and if you are close to a wedding or know someone who is having a wedding, they also do catering.
My recommendation here would definitely be the pistachio cannoli. To be honest, you can get this at most places but I love cannoli myself.
Closed on Thursdays but open 6 days a week early to late.
Address: Via Pietro Novelli, 2, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
Squagghio
Next is Squagghio. Squagghio is actually an ice cream shop near the cathedral of Cefalu. Again, pistachio is probably going to be my favourite ice cream, but they have a huge selection. You could also try the almond granita.
And if you want to try ordering in Italian, say "posso avere una granita di mandorle" which translates to "can I have an almond granita." With Squaggio it is very centrally located so chances are you will be near the hotels in Cefalu.
Open 6 days a week (closed on Wednesday) from lunch till 12am!
Address: C.O, Via Carlo Ortolani di Bordonaro, 69, Cefalù PA, Italy
Cannoli
Next is Cannoli. It is fantastic and with a name like that, this is the place to go for this traditional Sicilian dessert. It is quite a small shop so there may be a line but it does not disappoint. That massive ricotta cannoli I got had some pistachio sprinkled inside.
The cannoli was served fresh and piped straight away. I would choose the ricotta or go with pistachio, they were among the top sellers and I saw other people eating them too.
The best of all is that it is open from 8.00 am to 1.00 am every single day.
Address: Via Bagni Cicerone, 17bis, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
So I hope you liked my guide to the best restaurants in Cefalu. If you have been to Cefalu and want to drop the name of your favourite restaurant, leave a comment below so other readers can have a look at the best restaurants in Cefalu too. You might also want to browse our full best restaurants in Sicily guide, or take a look at our things to do in Cefalu page for more ideas.
Best restaurants in Cefalu FAQ's
What are the best restaurants in Cefalu?
The top restaurants in Cefalu are Cortile Pepe, Qualia, and Cala Luna Restaurant.
Best restaurants in Cefalu with a view
For views, Le Terme is hard to beat. Its terrace in the old town looks out over the ocean and it is especially magical at sunset. Cala Luna Restaurant at Hotel La Calette also has wonderful ocean views from the lawn during summer evenings.
Cefalu restaurants with a sea view
Cefalu restaurants with a sea view are one of the great joys of visiting. Le Terme on the terrace is a top pick, as is Cala Luna Restaurant on the lawn of Hotel La Calette.
Best seafood restaurants in Cefalu
Being on the north coast of Sicily, seafood is a big deal here. Triscele Restaurant restaurant is a brilliant choice, a traditional family run seafood spot with a cave-like dining room and dishes like swordfish, octopus, and tuna. Mas Que Nada also does classic Sicilian with mussels, prawns, and fresh pasta.
What are the best restaurants in Cefalu for traditional Sicilian cuisine?
If you are looking for local cuisine in Cefalu be sure to visit Triscele Restaurant, Mas Que Nada and Qualia.