Must-see restaurants in Southern Italy

  • Ristorante Vicari

    Noto

    Low-slung lamps spotlight linen-clad tables at Vicari, and rightfully so. In the kitchen is young-gun chef Salvatore Vicari, who thrills with his…

  • Ristorante La Pantera Rosa

    Ischia

    In the long line of Ischia's portside eating establishments, the 'pink panther' might be the best. First, there's the owner, Amedeo, a skilled linguist…

  • Aguglia Persa

    Agrigento

    Set in a mansion with a leafy courtyard just below the train station, this place is a welcome addition to Agrigento's fine-dining scene. Opened in 2015 by…

  • Sangre Rojo

    Lipari

    Dazzling vistas of Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi floating in the Tyrrhenian are reason enough to visit this hilltop restaurant near Lipari's northern tip…

  • Vitoantonio Lombardo

    Matera

    Degustation menus from five to 12 courses provide a sumptuous experience of elevated Italian cuisine at Matera's most innovative restaurant. Menu options…

  • Il Geranio

    Capri

    Time to pop the question or quell those predeparture blues? The terrace at this sophisticated spot offers heart-stealing views over the pine trees to…

  • Coria

    Central Sicily

    Caltagirone's top restaurant is an established address on the island's fine-dining circuit. Its reputation rides on innovative, visually arresting cuisine…

  • L'Altro Baffo

    Otranto

    This elegant modern restaurant near the castle stands out in Otranto's competitive dining scene. It stays in touch with basic Pugliese and Italian…

  • La Cucina di Mamma Elvira

    Lecce

    An offshoot of the stylish Enoteca Mamma Elvira, 'The Kitchen' makes use of a bigger space than that available to its older sibling to deliver more…

  • Corteinfiore

    Trani

    The decking, stiff tablecloths and marquee setting of this famed Trani seafood restaurant set hopes racing, and the food, wine and service deliver in full…

  • Disìu

    Central Sicily

    This unassuming but modern cafe is one of Sicily's best ice-cream spots. Excellent gelati and granite (flavoured crushed ice with local seasonal fruits)…

  • O'Puledrone

    Sorrento

    The best fish you eat in Sorrento might be one you caught, a viable proposition at this congenial joint on the harbour at Marina Grande run by a…

  • La Tavernetta

    Calabria

    Among Calabria’s best eats, La Tavernetta marries rough country charm with citified elegance in warmly colourful dining rooms. The food is first-rate and…

  • I Vizi degli Angeli

    Matera

    'The Angels' Vices', an artisanal gelato 'laboratory' on the busy promenade of Via Domenico Ridola, is Matera's best. Alongside classics such as pistachio…

  • Lapillo Gelato

    Stromboli

    On the main street between the port and the church, this artisanal gelateria is a great place to fuel up with homemade gelato before making the big climb…

  • Caffè Sicilia

    Noto

    Dating from 1892 and especially renowned for its granite, this beloved place vies with its neighbour, Dolceria Corrado Costanzo, for the honours of Noto's…

  • Trattoria al Vecchio Club Rosanero

    Palermo

    A veritable shrine to the city’s football team (rosa nero refers to the team’s colours, pink and black), cavernous Vecchio Club scores goals with its…

  • Caseificio Borderi

    Syracuse

    No visit to Syracuse's market is complete without a stop at this colourful deli near Ortygia's far northern tip. Veteran sandwich-master Andrea Borderi…

  • Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo in Naples

    Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo

    Naples

    Day in, day out, this cult-status pizzeria is besieged by hungry hordes. While debate may rage over whether Gino Sorbillo's pizzas are the best in town,…

  • Osteria della Mattonella

    Naples

    In Italian, mattonella means tile, an apt name for this classic Neapolitan osteria, its walls clad in 18th-century majolica tiles. Matriarch Antonietta…

  • La Bettola

    Western Sicily

    Over the past few decades, chef-owner Pietro Sardo has established a reputation as one of Sicily's top chefs. At this fine-dining seafood restaurant, just…

  • La Masardona

    Naples

    Naples' remarkably light pizza fritta – deep-fried pizza dough traditionally stuffed with pork cicoli (dried lard cubes), salami, provola, ricotta and…

  • ’O Sfizio

    Naples

    It's not atmosphere that draws fans to humble ’O Sfizio, a bargain-priced takeaway by a traffic-ridden thoroughfare. It's the parmigiana di melanzana that…

  • Pasticceria Mennella

    Naples

    If you eat only one sweet treat in Naples (good luck with that!), make it Mennella's spectacular frolla al limone, a shortbread pastry filled with…

  • Pescheria Mattiucci

    Naples

    Run by brothers Francesco, Gennaro and Luigi, this local Chiaia fishmonger transforms daily into a wonderfully intimate, sociable seafood eatery. Perch…

  • Donna Romita

    Naples

    With a street-level bar and basement dining room, hip, minimalist Donna Romita serves gorgeous, locavore fare with competent modern tweaks. The emphasis…

  • L'Altro Loco

    Naples

    It might be a little overpriced, but few Neapolitan restaurants match the sophisticated ambience of this softly lit fine-diner, its booths peopled by well…

  • Da Salvatore

    Ravello

    Located just before the bus stop, Da Salvatore doesn't merely rest on the laurels of its spectacular terrace views. This is one of the coast's best…

  • Trattoria Terra Madre

    Alberobello

    Vegetables take pride of place in Italian kitchens, especially at this enthusiastic vegetarian-ish (some meat is served) restaurant. The farm-to-table…

  • La Frescheria

    Naples

    Contemporary, attentive La Frescheria serves smashing seafood at its street-level crudo bar and softly lit, basement dining room. The day's catch – much…

  • Retroscena

    Syracuse

    After running a restaurant in Greece for 18 years, Syracuse local Fabio and his Greek partner Kiri are pleasing palates at their hotspot Ortygia…

  • Fratelli Burgio

    Syracuse

    A hybrid deli, wine shop and eatery edging Ortygia's market, trendy Fratelli Burgio is all about artisanal grazing. Consider opting for a tagliere, a…

  • Zi'Ntonio

    Sorrento

    Warm, buzzing and elegantly rustic, multilevel Zi'Ntonio draws everyone from local families and couples to clued-up out-of-towners. While earthy standouts…

  • Pescheria Fratelli Vittorio

    Catania

    Cats would kill for a table at Fratelli Vittorio, a cult-status eatery whose counter glistens with Catania's freshest fish and seafood. It's not…

  • Vero GastroBar

    Naples

    Modern, casual Vero serves flavour-packed, flesh-free food at piazza-side tables and in an intimate, barrel-vaulted basement. The menu celebrates fusion…

  • Osteria RossoDiVino

    Taormina

    With seating on an intimate, candlelit courtyard, this coveted nosh spot (book ahead!) is the passion project of siblings Jacqueline and Sara Ragusa. The…

  • Agli Archi

    Ragusa

    With an outdoor terrace facing the pretty Chiesa delle Santissime Anime del Purgatorio, Agli Archi reveals a genuine passion for local ingredients and…

  • Antica Pizzeria e Trattoria al '22

    Naples

    Despite its pizza-centric menu, loud, familial Al '22 is famous for its parmigiana di melanzane (aubergine parmigiana), baked in terracotta ramekins and…

  • Dialetti

    Naples

    On-point Dialetti takes its cues from cities like New York, London and Sydney. You'll find a snug, vintage-pimped lounge corner at the front, a communal…

  • La Deliziosa

    Catania

    Affable Aurora and Carminia run this adorable little eatery, with alfresco tables on atmospheric Via Crociferi. The weekly-changing menu celebrates…

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