The Best Restaurants In Syracuse, Sicily

The ideal location for a romantic dinner in the Dammusi inside, outside in the Duomo square, or upstairs on the floor of Palazzo Borgia del Casale, Regina Lucia offers excellent fresh fish. Elegantly contemporary, this is the place to go for dishes like potato gnocchi in a spicy seafood sauce with tenerumi, with a special attention to presentation. Use this dining opportunity to take in the Piazza Duomo, which regular visitor and Crabtree & Evelyn founder Sue Townsend calls the ‘essence of Sicily’.

Run by local Fabio and his Greek wife, Retroscena puts a contemporary twist on traditional Sicilian classics. Retroscena is located in the Jewish quarter, a small restaurant nestled around a little inner courtyard. Reserve a table in advance to enjoy the modern, Greek-inspired interior and unique interpretation of local dishes.

Taverna Sveva is a casual tavern, tucked away on the streets behind the Castella Maniace. Far enough away from the tourist areas, this small restaurant offers traditional Sicilian dishes, both land-based and seafood, served on hand-painted ceramic ware. On a warm evening, the outdoor terrace on the cobbled square in front of Syracuse’s 11th century castle is the place to be.

A small, family-run restaurant, Don Camillo was born in 1985, the brainchild of Camillo and John Guarneri. Don Camillo has become an institution, known for its quality. The rooms are made from the remains of a church that collapsed in the 1693 earthquake, and the medieval structure, lined with wine bottles and images of old Siracusa, is filled with locals. With a wine cellar containing over 800 types of regional, national and international wines, make sure to browse their award-winning drinks menu.

Le Vin de L’assassin gives a French twist to Sicilian ingredients. The owner, Saro, spent years in Paris and brings a sophisticated style to this Ortigia restaurant. The ceilings are tall, the walls are bright and the flavors are unforgettable. There is no cover charge, making Le Vin de L’assassin the perfect place for either an extensive meal or a late-night stop for wine by the glass.

Il Veliero is the restaurant where local patriarchs treat their families to a meal. The atmosphere is plain and rustic, and lets the food do the talking. When you’re looking for a good fish restaurant in Ortigia, Il Veliero is the place to go for the freshest catches of the day and some seriously unusual options gracing the daily specials menu. What’s more, the location at the entrance of the Syracuse historic town is perfect, with a classic Latin ambience seeping in from the side street out front.

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