Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi
Don Alsonso is as much an experience as a meal – and a world-class one at that. Not only is the food exquisite, creative and true to its Sorrentino roots;…
Must-see restaurants in Southern Italy
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Naples
Head in by noon (or 7.30pm at dinner) to avoid a long wait at this hot-spot pizzeria, made famous thanks to its young, driven pizzaiolo Ciro Oliva. The…
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Amalfi
A restaurant of artists, art and artistry, Caravella once hosted Andy Warhol. No surprise that it doubles up as a de-facto gallery with frescoes, creative…
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Pompeii
At the helm of this Michelin-starred standout is charming owner-chef Paolo Gramaglia, whose passion for local produce, history and culinary whimsy…
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Pasticceria di Maria Grammatico
Erice
This cafe-pasticceria is run by Maria Grammatico, Sicily's most famous pastry chef, and the subject of Mary Taylor Simeti's book Bitter Almonds – a series…
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Tyrrhenian Coast
This wooden chalet in the hills immediately above Collesano is one of the Madonie's gems – one whiff of the delicious aromas emanating from the kitchen…
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Bay of Naples
Decked out in model boats and local artwork, casual, affable Capo Blu serves up antipasti worthy of a fine-dining menu. The multicourse assaggio di…
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Positano
Once a humble trattoria, Donna Rosa is now considered an Amalfi Coast classic despite its out-of-the-way location in the village of Montepertuso. The…
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Positano
Something of a rarity in this land of traditional trattorias, Casa Mele is one of those cool contemporary restaurants with a lengthy tasting menu and food…
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Western Sicily
Dinner is an unforgettable feast for the eyes and palate at this sensational hotel-restaurant, dramatically perched on a cliff edge overlooking Isulidda…
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Mediterranean Coast
Tucked away in a tiny alley in the old town, this formal restaurant is a culinary tour de force, with heavy tablecloths, noiseless service and an ample…
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Ischia
A good choice for those seeking a little turf instead of surf, this is one of the island’s best-loved restaurants. Family run, homely and rustic, it has a…
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Salerno
Hard to find, this new purveyor of Slow Food shines brightly amid the grubby graffiti, drying washing and overflowing bins of the centro storico (historic…
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Syracuse
This moody, boho-chic restaurant and bar makes vegan food so good even a hardcore carnivore could convert. A cast of mostly organic and biodynamic…
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Catania
Nuns taught a young Nonna Vincenza the art of baking. Today, her fragrant sweets are the stuff of glutinous dreams. Under huge chandeliers, counters gleam…
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Western Sicily
Pure paradise for meat lovers, this highly recommended Sicilian grill cooks up top-quality cuts from the adjoining butcher's shop. Be it Tuscan Chianina…
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Palermo
Countless blessings await at this extraordinary pasticceria, hidden away in a former convent. The culmination of endless hours of research, it uses once…
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Tyrrhenian Coast
Salvatore Ruvutuso, his wife Maria and two children run this Slow Food–acclaimed trattoria with its summertime sidewalk seating and wonderfully cosy…
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Peschici
Mimì sadly passed away in 2016, but his extended family keep this delightful place ticking. Sitting on wooden trestles beneath the trabucco (a traditional…
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Modica
The decorative tagines at stylish Ornato reflect Luca Ornato's love of global flavours, a fact also echoed in out-of-the-box dishes like crudo (raw…
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Capri
Local Caprese ingredients are combined into the most flavour-filled, creative dishes possible here. Expect the delights of zucchini flowers stuffed with…
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Catania
Old chandeliers, recycled furniture and vintage mirrors exude a nostalgic air at this quirky bistro-restaurant-providore, where tradition and modernity…
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Tyrrhenian Coast
At this intimate stone-walled gem of a restaurant in Cipampini, 10km below Petralia Soprana, chef-owners Diego and Patrizia seat only 30 people each…
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Milazzo
Three decades after opening as one of the region's first wine bars, this place is still thriving under affable chef-owner Chiara Surdo. Mellow music and…
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Naples
Small producers, local ingredients and contemporary takes on provincial Campanian recipes drive bistro-inspired Salumeria. Nibble on quality charcuterie…
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Enna
Slow Food and organic ingredients are harnessed for some of Sicily's best arancini (stuffed deep-fried rice ball). Flavours often showcase what is…
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Naples
That this trendy pizzeria's name roughly translates as 'good dough' in Neapolitan is no coincidence. At the helm is third-generation pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo,…
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Naples
This homey, eight-table trattoria has an epic reputation. Scan the walls for famous fans like comedy great Totò, and a framed passage from crime writer…
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Capri
Proudly eccentric (what other restaurant has a bed in its dining room?), this diligent purveyor of Slow Food is a precious secret to those who know it…
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Naples
A wine shop by day, 'Noah's Drunkenness' transforms into an intimate culinary hot spot by night. Slip inside for vino and conversation with sommelier Luca…
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Naples
At the Via Toledo entrance to Galleria Umberto I, this tiny takeaway vendor is widely considered the queen of the sfogliatella. Usually still warm from…
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Taormina
Book five days ahead come summer, when every buongustaio (foodie) and hopeless romantic longs for a table at this fabulous trattoria. Set snugly in a boat…
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Western Sicily
Travellers with their own vehicles should consider detouring 15km east of Selinunte to this venerable eatery right on the beach in Porto Palo. In business…
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Western Sicily
The atmosphere is casual-chic at this welcoming osteria (tavern) with indoor and outdoor seating on Favignana's main pedestrian street. An offshoot of the…
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Agrigento
For fine dining, head to this restaurant just outside the historic centre. Tables on little balconies offer a delightful setting to enjoy homemade pasta…
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Sorrento
Founded in 1947 and still run by the same family, this is a friendly, fast-moving joint overlooking the fishing boats in Marina Grande. There’s a large…
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Modica
While we love the modernist furniture and vintage Sicilian tiles, the food is the real thrill at this intimate, Michelin-starred maverick. Head chef…
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Ischia
Enjoying a bucolic setting among tumbling vines, wild fig trees and rosemary bushes, this A-list winery is a showcase for Ischian cooking. Tour the old…
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Naples
Could it be ingredients like prized Campanian nocciole (hazelnuts) from Giffoni and Sicilian pistachios from Bronte? Perhaps it's the absence of…
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Massa Lubrense
Not quite in Massa, but almost, La Torre has its berth in Annuziata, an attractive little borgo on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Occupying a…
