Best Restaurants Taormina: Where to Eat in Sicily's Most Beautiful Town

Discover the culinary delights of Taormina with this essential guide to the best restaurants Taormina offers. From your Isola Bella accommodation at Cohen House, you're perfectly positioned to explore Sicily's rich gastronomic heritage, where fresh Mediterranean ingredients meet centuries of culinary tradition.

Taormina's Culinary Landscape

Taormina's dining scene reflects Sicily's complex history, blending Greek, Arab, Norman. And Spanish influences into a unique culinary identity. The town offers everything from Michelin-starred fine dining to family-run trattorias where recipes haven't changed for generations. What unites all Taormina restaurants is their commitment to quality ingredients: sun-ripened tomatoes, fragrant citrus, fresh-caught seafood. And olive oil pressed from local groves.

Dining in Taormina is as much about the experience as the food. Many restaurants feature breathtaking terraces with views of Mount Etna or the Ionian Sea, creating unforgettable settings for your meals. From romantic cliffside dinners to casual piazza-side lunches, Taormina offers perfect dining experiences for every occasion and budget.

Essential Sicilian Dishes to Try

While exploring Taormina's restaurants, don't miss these classic Sicilian specialties:

• Pasta alla Norma: Sicily's iconic pasta dish featuring fried eggplant, tomato sauce, ricotta salata, and fresh basil—named after Bellini's opera Norma, which premiered in nearby Catania.
• Involtini di Pesce Spada: Thinly sliced swordfish rolls stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins, and herbs, grilled to perfection—a testament to Sicily's Arab culinary influences.
• Arancini: Crispy fried rice balls filled with ragù, mozzarella, and peas, or other creative fillings like pistachio or squid ink risotto.
• Caponata: A sweet-and-sour eggplant stew with celery, capers, olives, and tomatoes—served warm or cold as an appetizer or side dish.
• Granita con Brioche: A traditional Sicilian breakfast featuring semi-frozen fruit granita (lemon, almond, or coffee) served with a soft, sweet brioche.
• Cannoli: Crispy pastry tubes filled with sweet riccream, often garnished with pistachios, chocolate chips, or candied fruit—always filled fresh to order.

Top Restaurant Categories in Taormina

Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants

For special occasions, Taormina offers several exceptional fine dining establishments. These restaurants combine innovative cooking techniques with premium local ingredients, often presented with dramatic sea or volcano views. Expect multi-course tasting menus, extensive wine lists featuring Sicilian and international selections. And impeccable service that makes every meal memorable.

Traditional Trattorias & Family-Run Restaurants

For authentic Sicilian home cooking, seek out family-run trattorias where recipes have been passed down through generations. These welcoming establishments often feature daily specials based on what's fresh at the market, reasonable prices. And a warm, convivial atmosphere. Don't be surprised if nonna (grandmother) comes out of the kitchen to check if you're enjoying her cooking.

Seafood Restaurants with Sea Views

Pizzerias & Casual Dining

While pizza isn't traditionally Sicilian, Taormina boasts excellent pizzerias offering both Neapolitan-style and creative gourmet pizzas. Many feature wood-fired ovens that produce perfectly charred, chewy crusts. Casual dining options also include wine bars serving small plates (cicchetti), sandwich shops offering arancini and other street food. And gelaterias featuring artisanal gelato made with local ingredients.

Recommended Dining Areas in Taormina

Corso Umberto & Historic Center: The main pedestrian street and surrounding alleys offer the highest concentration of restaurants, ranging from tourist-oriented establishments to hidden gems. For the most authentic experiences, venture slightly off the main thoroughfare into quieter side streets.

Piazza IX Aprile & Belvedere Area: Restaurants here capitalize on spectacular views of Mount Etna and the coastline. Ideal for sunset drinks and romantic dinners, though prices tend to be higher for the premium views.

Mazzarò & Isola Bella Beach Area: Beachside restaurants offer casual dining with your feet in the sand. Perfect for lunch after swimming or relaxed seafood dinners accompanied by the sound of waves. From your Cohen House accommodation, you're just steps from these beachfront dining options.

Castelmola: The picturesque hilltop village above Taormina features several restaurants with even more dramatic views. The winding drive or hike up is rewarded with exceptional panoramas and traditional mountain cuisine.

Practical Dining Tips

Dinner service typically begins around 7:30-8:00 PM, with most restaurants filling up by 9:00 PM. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season (June-September) and for popular restaurants. Many restaurants close one day per week (often Monday or Tuesday) and may have limited hours during shoulder seasons.

After your dining experiences, return to your comfortable Cohen House accommodation just minutes from Taormina's best restaurants. For more exploration ideas, check our guides to wine tasting on Mount Etna or excursions from Taormina to continue your Sicilian adventure.