Best Restaurants in Taormina Sicily
Taormina is one of my favourite towns in Sicily to visit. I have been here a few times, so I have eaten at a lot of these restaurants myself.
There are so many great options when it comes to the best restaurants in Taormina, and a big part of that comes down to location. Taormina sits right on the coast of Sicily, and Sicily is really known for its fish and seafood.
It is also a very popular town, so you will find Michelin-level venues here too. Italy as a whole has over 370 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than almost anywhere in the world, and these are must-visits when you are on holiday. Today I am going to go through the best restaurants in Taormina.
How we select the best restaurants in Taormina
In terms of going about selecting the best restaurants, we seek out venues that blend the heritage of Taormina with a lot of culinary innovation. However, it is not just that. Our team also look for traditional places. We look at reviews from food critics, but we also speak to the locals. We can speak Italian, and we have family close by who give us recommendations.
In terms of searching for the best restaurants, we look for all the flavours of Sicily, good service, and nice ambiances. Eating at restaurants in Taormina that are within historic buildings or al fresco are preferred, because that is amazing in summer. We also like ones that have views of the ocean, the history, or even the coastline, or Mount Etna. We tend to prefer those that locally source seafood, which is not very hard in Taormina.
Michelin Starred Restaurants in Taormina
In terms of Michelin-starred restaurants in Taormina, there are 10, last time I checked. Michelin, since 1900, has been awarding restaurants with up to 3 stars for the best restaurants in the world. What is interesting to know is that the success of a business can greatly vary when receiving one or even losing one.
One star means a very good restaurant in Taormina. Two stars means even better, excellent cooking. And then you have 3 stars, which means exceptional restaurants worth a special journey. With those, make sure to check their websites well in advance.
So here are some of the top restaurants in Taormina that are Michelin-starred.
St George by Heinz Beck
St. George by Heinz Beck St. George by Heinz Beck has 2 Michelin stars and is in the Ashby Hotel. Chef Salvatore Luliani has been here since 2022. It has a really prestigious dining room with a bit of a British feel. If you can get a table on the terrace in summer, it looks fantastic.
It overlooks Taormina with an infinity pool as well. You can pick between a 5-course or a 7-course menu with pairings. The size of the dishes are pretty good and all the different flavour combinations were really interesting. It is a great place to go for an anniversary, an engagement, or just a special dinner with friends.
See the St George Restaurant Menu.
Address: Viale S. Pancrazio, 46, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Otto Geleng
Otto Geleng is in the Belmont Hotel and has one Michelin star. It only has 8 tables, so you do have to book in advance. It is on the terrace that overlooks Etna and the Bay of Naxos. Chef Roberto Toro is at the helm.
He tends to take traditional Sicilian dishes and modernise them with traditional ingredients and seasonal flavours. If you are into wine, there are over 400 wines from Italy and also France that they pair with your food. Some of the signature dishes I have had are the cuttlefish risotto and the black suckling pig.
See the Otto Geleng Menu.
Address: Via Teatro Greco 59, Taormina, 98039, Italy
La Capinera
La Capinera is also a one-Michelin-star Sicilian restaurant, run by Pietro D'Agostino. They have a terrace that overlooks the Ionian Sea. Pietro says himself, my cuisine reflects my region. The Michelin inspectors say something similar, that the cuisine is innovative but has regional roots.
The menu itself has locally grown vegetables, fresh fish, and has more of a real slow food focus. I would check out the land and fire tasting menu.
Address via: Nazionale 177, località Spisone, Taormina, 98039, Italy
Best restaurants in Taormina for fine dining
These are not Michelin-starred, but they are still fine dining. You may save a little bit of money going to these. Here are some of my favourite best restaurants in Taormina for fine dining. If you are planning your trip, also check out where to stay in Taormina for hotel options.
Raya Restaurant Taormina
Raya is a traditional Sicilian restaurant right in the centre of town. It has local quality dishes with really fresh ingredients in a beautiful courtyard. You will be eating under the lights, and it really is lovely.
Some of the items on the menu that I have had are the smoked catch of the day, always try that out, and for dessert the bavarese al pistacchio con caramello salato. Raya is one of my favourite restaurants in Taormina. See the Raya Restaurant Menu.
Address: Piazzetta Paladini, Piazza S. Domenico de Guzman, 2, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Nui Restaurant
Nui Restaurant is run by Sicilian chef Tino Privitera. The restaurant overlooks the Baia della Sirena. In terms of the food, it is like a modern version of traditional cooking with seafood, pasta, and cooked fish.
A popular item on the menu is the ravioli variegato, or the sea bass. Now, it can be a bit tricky to get to, through the lobby, past the pool and so on. But once you are there it is beautiful and it overlooks the bay. It is a really special evening.
Address: Via Nazionale, 161 Atlantis Bay, 98030 Taormina ME, Italy
Villa Carlotta Restaurant
Villa Carlotta Restaurant. This is a rooftop venue with views of Mount Etna in the Hotel Villa Carlotta. Some of the highlights are homemade pasta, seafood, and traditional Sicilian food.
I would highly recommend the zucchini flowers and the lobster linguine. For dessert, gelato is always good in Sicily, or the Sicilian cannolo.
See the Villa Carlotta Restaurant Menu.
Address: Hotel Villa Carlotta Via Luigi Pirandello, 81, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Best traditional restaurants in Taormina
Nothing beats a traditional meal, especially from a local restaurant in Taormina. It is great for the family, good on the pocket, and these places are usually less known by tourists. A few of these have come from recommendations and they have become some of the best restaurants in Taormina, in my opinion.
You sometimes get a lot of good family service too. One tip though: always check when they are open, because sometimes they do not alter their times on Google. Always ring ahead.
Trattoria Da Nino
Trattoria Da Nino. This was actually the first restaurant I went to in Taormina. It is a little bit outside of town, so not many people know it, which is a really good thing. However, I would advise booking. I went at a bit of a late lunch so I managed to get in without booking, but every time I have gone past it, it is always busy.
This is a traditional restaurant with Sicilian cooking and it has been through 3 generations. It has been open for over 50 years by the Nicita family. It has good portions of pasta and meat, and if you can get up there, they do have a terrace that overlooks the sea, usually open at dinnertime.
They also have a private hall for parties of around 6 to 12, and I would recommend that if you are with friends. In terms of recommendations, you can get anything there. The truffle pasta and the seafood pasta, were good. Out of all the restaurants, Trattoria Da Nino is the best restaurant in Taormina, in my opinion.
Address: Via Luigi Pirandello, 37, 98039, Taormina, Italy
Ristorante Malvasia
Ristorante Malvasia. This is another traditional venue with Sicilian dishes. It is family run and based in town, and it can also be very busy, so try and get there early or try to book in advance.
Some of the most popular dishes, and something I love, are the linguine al limone, the spaghetti alle vongole, and then something I tried for the first time there, ravioli di ricotta con gamberi e pistacchio. Those are my recommendations at Malvasia. If you are heading further along the coast, also check out the best restaurants in Messina.
Address: Viale Apollo Arcageta, 8, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Trattoria Tiramisu Restaurant
Trattoria Tiramisù Restaurant. This is a traditional restaurant in Taormina but with a bit of a modern twist. They have different daily specials based on the ingredients available in the local markets that they go to every day, so you can always get something a little bit different.
As the name says, they are known for their tiramisu. But in terms of mains, the mussels, the seafood pasta, and lobster are all good here.
Address: Via Apollo Arcageta, 9, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Da Christina
I have eaten at Da Christina many times. It is particularly known for arancini. You can get other stuff like pasta alla norma, which is traditional Sicilian, and focaccias. But they have 2 signature arancinis. One is the ragu, the traditional one. The meat is about to explode thats how much there is. And then you have the pistachio one.
I ate that one too quickly so I could not film it. But look at how much meat is in there. It is lightly battered as well, so it goes down really well. Make sure to get some napkins. This is one of my best restaurants in Taormina for arancini.
Address: Via Strabone, 2, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Dessert Places in Taormina
Being in Sicily, dessert is something you want to make time for. Sometimes you do not want to have dessert at the main restaurant because it is so nice to walk around Taormina at night. The atmosphere is amazing.
You can just, for instance, pick up a cannolo while walking around taking in the atmosphere. With dessert places, though, depending on the season they may close earlier on certain days, so always double check.
La Pignolata Guiness Cannoli
La Pignolata Guinness Cannoli. This is the go-to place for a traditional Italian cannolo. They are known as one of the best cannoli shops in the whole of Sicily and they have an original old recipe that is made with love. In terms of what to have, they are all good, but the pistachio one is the most popular.
They are open from lunch to early evening most days and they are right in the centre of town, so you should be able to find it easily.
Address: Viale Apollo Arcageta, 15, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Nove
Novè is a family-run shop that has been around for about 3 generations. It is very close to the Greek Theatre. What is special about Nove is that every item has pistachio inside.
This is what I call pistachio heaven. You can also buy many gifts that you might want to take home, pistachio panettone, liqueurs, or maybe you just want a pistachio cannolo. Check it out.
Address: Via di Giovanni, 27, Taormina ME, Italy
Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto
Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto You have got to go to a pasticceria in Taormina. This one has been around since 1989 and is a family-run business. It was founded by Michaeli in the 1960s, who was actually a head pastry chef at the Hotel San Domenico.
Now with his son Roberto, and Roberto's 2 children, they all run the business together. It is slightly off the main road so try not to miss it, but that makes it a little bit more special to find. Popular items I have had are the marzipan, fruit delicacies, and the cannoli. You will find a pastry for yourself there.
Address: Corso Umberto, 87, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy
Best restaurants in Taormina FAQ's
What are the best restaurants in Taormina?
The best restaurants in Taormina are St. George by Heinz Beck, Otto Geleng, and La Capinera.
Where to eat in Taormina for a special occasion?
For a really special occasion, St. George by Heinz Beck is the top choice with its 2 Michelin stars and terrace overlooking the town. Otto Geleng is also beautiful with its terrace facing Etna and the Bay of Naxos. Both need to be booked well in advance. For fine dining without the full Michelin price tag, Raya in the centre of town is a lovely option for a memorable evening.
What are the most popular restaurants in Taormina?
Trattoria Tiramisù Restaurant, Trattoria Da Nino, and Raya Restaurant Taormina are the most popular restaurants in Taormina.
What are the best restaurants in Taormina for families?
If you are dining as a family Raya Restaurant Taormina and Villa Carlotta Restaurant are the top restaurants in Taormina.
What are the best restaurants in Taormina for couples?
If you are traveling as a couple you will love Trattoria Da Nino, St. George by Heinz Beck, and Otto Geleng.
What are the best restaurants in Taormina with a view?
St. George by Heinz Beck, La Capinera, Otto Geleng, and Villa Carlotta Restaurant are the top restaurants with amazing views.
Where do locals eat in Taormina?
Locals tend to head slightly off the main tourist drag. Trattoria Da Nino, a little outside of town, is one of the best examples. It has been run by the same family for over 50 years and is always busy. Ristorante Malvasia in town is another local favourite. Speaking to people at your hotel or asking residents directly is always a good way to find where do locals eat in Taormina.