Best Restaurants in Syracuse Sicily
Syracuse was next on my stop after Catania, before I went to Cefalù. Syracuse sits on the southeast side of Sicily, right on the coast. So naturally, I managed to find quite a few seafood and fish restaurants. And when it comes to the best restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily, this city really delivers. It is known for its fish above all else. I did research a lot, so I did not want to just rock up to any old restaurant, because I was touring Sicily and I wanted to make sure every meal counted.
How we select the best restaurants in Syracuse
First of all, we spoke to our family, who live in Italy. They gave us a lot of local recommendations, which I will get to a little bit later. We also speak the language, so we managed to chat to other people while we were sitting down at restaurants. That really helped.
And we also asked the hotels in Syracuse where we were staying at. So, between all of that, we looked at a lot of reviews, and we were looking for good service but also really good flavours. We like those kinds of places. If you want more on the area, check out our full Syracuse travel guide.
The best restaurants in Syracuse, we found in really historic buildings or piazzas. There were quite a lot of restaurants in Ortigia, the island. We also liked those restaurants in Syracuse that had al fresco dining, or views of the Greek ruins or the ocean itself.
Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Syracuse Sicily
So I will start off with the Michelin restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily. So far, there have been six Michelin-reviewed restaurants in the area. They start at zero, meaning they have been reviewed. Then there is one star, which means one of the best restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily. Two stars means excellent cooking and is worth a detour. And three stars is the absolute top. I would recommend checking their websites and booking well in advance for these ones.
Cortile Spirito Santo
Cortile Spirito Santo. This is actually a one-Michelin-star restaurant and one of the best restaurants in Ortigia, Syracuse. It is inside a 17th-century palace and is run by Chef Giuseppe Torrisi, who has worked in a load of other Michelin restaurants.
What I really like is that all the ingredients are local. He gets his truffles and meats from Mount Etna's forest and buys his fish from local fishermen off the coast. I really like the al fresco dining here, especially during summer. You can have larger tables in what feels like a little square, with modern tables. That is just really nice. It can be a bit expensive but it is definitely worth it. It is a real experience. This is why Cortile Spirito Santo is one of the best restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily.
Open 6 days a week and closed on Mondays.
Address: Via Salomone, 21, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
See the Cortile Spirito Santo Menu
Don Camillo
Next up is Don Camillo, and this is actually a small family-run restaurant in Syracuse. This one is also on the island of Ortigia. What I really like about it is that it is set in stone, with a lot of wooden finishes, but it feels like it has been carved right into the building.
It has a real traditional feel, but really good service. The menus always change, and it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Open every day except for Sunday.
Address: Via della Maestranza, 96, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
Check out the Don Camillo Menu
Ristorante Regina Lucia
Ristorante Regina Lucia. This is very close to the Syracuse Cathedral, inside a 1700s baroque palace. You have got the option of eating inside, and I love the vaulted ceilings, or you can sit outside, which I think is brilliant for lunch. Here you are going to find Sicilian food with a twist. It is well known for its swordfish and shellfish ravioli, so hopefully that is still on the menu.
Ristorante Regina Lucia is open every day for lunch and dinner except for Tuesday.
Address: Piazza Duomo, 6, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
View the Regina Lucia Menu
Best restaurants in Siracusa for fine dining
Now I am going to move on to some of the best restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily, for fine dining. These are usually restaurants that are either looking to become Michelin or are not quite there yet. You will usually save a little bit of money, but it is still one of the best dining options around.
Il Tiranno
One that kept coming up when I was speaking to locals is Il Tiranno. It is actually in one of the best boutique hotels in Syracuse, which is Caportigia. It is run by Chef Valentina Galli, who is from Milan.
The food she serves is more traditional Sicilian, but with a display of art. I personally like the views, as it has a really good view of the Syracuse Forum. In terms of dishes, the cuttlefish couscous is really, really nice, and so is the Spaghettone. I would say the seating is a bit limited here, so try and book beforehand.
Open Monday to Saturday in the evening except for Tuesdays. On Sunday you can dine at lunchtime.
Address: Viale Montedoro, 78, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
See the Il Tiranno Menu
La Terrazza del Grand Hotel Ristorante
This is in the five-star Grand Hotel Ortigia and is one of the best restaurants in Syracuse with a view. You can sit inside, but I would probably recommend sitting outside, especially during the summer. It has a view of the whole ocean. If you do not want to go for dinner, at least go for the aperitivo because that sunset is awesome.
In terms of the food itself, it is classic Sicilian with the menu following the seasons, so it always changes. If you want to be impressed and have a big belly, check out the ten-course tasting meal. Last time I checked, they also have free parking if you are travelling there.
Address: Grand Hotel Ortigia, V.le Mazzini, 12, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
View the La Terrazza del Grand Hotel Ristorante menu
Ristorante Porta Marina da Salvo
Ristorante Porta Marina da Salvo. This is actually one of the best restaurants in siracusa for seafood. The venue itself is in a building from the 1400s and has vaulted ceilings and stone walls, which is really nice. It is great to go as an intimate group or even as a couple.
The dishes when I went were absolutely amazing. I had the risotto and also the octopus. Definitely somewhere I would go back to. It has also been nominated by Michelin, so hopefully, they get a star soon.
Ristorante Porta Marina da Salvo is open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Address: Via dei Candelai, 35, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
Take a look at the Ristorante Porta Marina da Salvo menu
The best traditional restaurants in Syracuse Sicily
This is one of my favourite sections. And honestly, nothing beats a homemade local pit stop, made with love. I found quite a few of these through my family but also through the people I met while I was in Syracuse. These are my recommendations for the best traditional restaurants in Syracuse.
Trattoria La Pigna
This is a locally owned husband-and-wife restaurant. What I like about it is that it is kind of away from the tourist area, down a very quiet street. The decor is actually very nice, a little bit more modern. It is known for its seafood, such as the sea urchin spaghetti. But they also have a catch of the day that you can check out. A great place to go if you want fish or seafood.
The restaurant is open Tuesday - Sunday.
Address: Via della Conciliazione, 12, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
Osteria Il Cantuccio
Osteria Il Cantuccio. Osterias are usually very well priced. This one is a restaurant just before you get onto the island of Ortigia. So you tend to save a bit of money, as restaurants in Ortigia tend to be a little bit more expensive. Again, it is a family-run business.
Classic dishes such as cacio e pepe, tagliolini all'agricia, carciofi, and the prices when I went were around 12 to 16 euros for a main dish, which is great. They have really nice seating inside and you can tell it is a really local restaurant. But they also have outside dining, and this is where most people are sitting, in between the cars. Perfect.
Osteria Il Cantuccio is open for lunch and dinner every day except for Monday.
Address: Via della Dogana, 5, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
A Putia
A Putia. This one is on the island. It looks a little bit older, however, it is very authentic and has been around a long time, so there is a lot of history here. You get traditional Sicilian foods such as pistachio pasta and pasta alla norma. You can either sit outside or they also have indoor seating as well.
You will usually find a lot of locals there. Go a little bit earlier, around 7pm, and you should be able to get a table. You cannot reserve. Big dishes and good prices.
A Putia is open from Tuesday to Sunday from lunch to dinner.
Address: Via Roma, 8, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
See the A Putia Menu
Dessert places in Syracuse
So those were the restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily, but next I want to move on to some of the dessert places. Sometimes you do not always want to stay in the same place after dinner. You want to explore the area and check out other things to do in Syracuse. It is nice just having a little break between courses and having dessert somewhere else.
Gelateria Belfiore Gelato & Cioccolato
One of the best gelato shops in Syracuse is Gelateria Belfiore Gelato & Cioccolato. They are located just before the island of Ortigia and have lots of seats outside to enjoy a cold ice-cream in the warm weather. Top flavours include salted pistachio, mandarin and ricotta.
Gelateria Belfiore Gelato & Cioccolato also has many other treats and cakes to choose from so not just gelato.
Open Tuesday to Sunday until late.
Address: Via Luigi Greco Cassia, 5, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
Don Peppinu
Don Peppinu. This is another go-to gelato shop in the centre of Syracuse. It has a small area where you can sit down. You can get cannoli and granitas, but if you are here for ice cream, check out the mulberry or pistachio ice cream. It is very good.
What is brilliant is that they are open every single day from lunch till late.
Address: Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 39, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
Pasticceria Artale
Pasticceria Artale. If you are not that into ice cream, this is the one. Sometimes you just want to check out all the classic Sicilian desserts. This pasticceria has been around since 1980 and has gone through the family, so there is a lot of love here.
They have a special dessert called the cuccia, which is a historic dessert from the Feast of St Lucia. Try that out. It is something different. But they also have a really good cannoli that is freshly piped in front of you.
Pasticceria Artale is open 6 days a week from early morning to early evening. They are closed on Thursday.
Address: Via Saverio Landolina, 32, 96100 Siracusa SR, Italy
I hope you liked my guide on the best restaurants in syracuse sicily. If you have been to Syracuse and eaten anywhere else, drop a comment in the box below. I would love to add more value to my readers.
Restaurants in Syracuse Sicily FAQ's
Where do locals eat in Syracuse, Sicily?
What I noticed is that the island of Ortigia is a little bit more expensive than the mainland, as soon as you cross the Ponte. So most of the locals eat on the mainland of Syracuse. That is where you will find more of the traditional restaurants in Syracuse, and they tend to be a little bit less in price. They might not look like all that, but you will see the local Italians eating there.
What food is Syracuse known for?
In Sicily, Syracuse is definitely known for its seafood. They also have a lot of street food. Some of the best things are spaghetti alla siracusana, which is pasta with anchovies, capers and eggplant. Strong flavours and not for everyone, but really nice. They also have a fried version so look out for that.
They also have baked sardines with pine nuts and breadcrumbs, again a strong flavour but worth trying when you are around.
Best restaurants in siracusa with a view
In terms of the best restaurants in siracusa with a view, you have got La Terrazza del Grand Hotel Ristorante. That is just perfect because it has a view of the ocean, it is great for aperitivo, and it is quite high up.
And then you also have Ristorante Regina Lucia. I like this one when you are sitting outside because you are basically on the piazza. There are people walking around; however it does have rope, so people do not just randomly bump into you. But it is just so nice to sit outside at Ristorante Regina Lucia on a summer's night.