🦞 Best Restaurants in Catania - My secret local favourites (🍝 updated 2024)

4. 🥩 L'Horloge

📍 Via Santa Filomena: Open on Google Maps

When I'm craving a hearty plate of pasta or a succulent pork leg in gravy, and I'm in the mood to be treated with special attention, L'Horloge is my go-to spot.

The cuisine is a delightful blend of European and Italian recipes, all crafted with Sicilian ingredients.

My personal favourites? The pistachio pesto pasta with prawns and that mouth-watering pork leg in gravy.

We always opt for this spot when we're after a warm meal and top-notch service. It is located in the bustling Santa Filomena area, it offers seating both inside and out and just after dinner you can have a walk and stop by one of the bars in the road for an after-dinner.

Next up, I'm going to share one of the lesser-known but incredibly delicious spots: a traditional-style trattoria where tradition is held dear and the food is just like our nonna makes

5. 🍝 Trattoria U Fucularu

📍 Near Piazza Università: Open on Google Maps

When I'm in the mood for a cozy of Sicilian dinner that transports me back to my childhood days in Sicily, this is the place I go.

It's located in an alleyway of Piazza Università in the historical heart of Catania, and it promises an authentic Sicilian culinary journey, delivering dishes that are not only authentic but also heartwarmingly delicious.

We really appreciate the simplicity of the ingredients, combined with a flavour explosion in every bite, makes each dish a testament to Sicilian culinary traditions. Whether it's the pasta with clams, the grilled swordfish, squid and horse patties, every dish is a revelation.

And let’s not forget the quintessential Catanese salad with orange and fennel - an absolute must-try! Plus, they offer local wines to beautifully pair with your meal. A little tip - the place is cosy with limited seating, so make sure to reserve your spot in advance!

6. 🦞 Le Bistrot Napoleon

📍 Open on Google Maps

One of my top picks in Catania has to be Le Bistrot Napoleon. It's a place where a father and son duo create culinary miracles, offering a blend of performance, originality, and character.

If you're seeking a break from Italian food, give Le Bistrot Napoleon a whirl. As the name implies, it's a French Bistrot, boasting the highest quality ingredients, abundant character (evident even in the furniture), and authentic French cuisine.

Your meal kicks off with a warm, scrumptious French baguette, paired with exquisite butter from Normandy. With some incredibly helpful suggestions, we opted for oysters, a cheese platter, and shared the duck foie gras - truly memorable.

Their wine selection is thoughtfully curated, offering a wide range of price options. While the price point is a tad higher, it's unquestionably worth it, given the quality of the ingredients.

Next, we return to traditional Italian, and what's more traditional than a nice pizza place?

7. 🍕 Rasoterra

📍Near the Cathedral: Open on Google Maps

Rasoterra is a masterful pizza restaurant, serving Neapolitan-style pizzas with an ultra-thin base and a dough that puffs up around the sides, resulting in a delightfully airy crust. In my opinion, one of the top 3 pizza restaurants in Catania and the best Neapolitan pizza style.

The ingredients are locally-sourced delicacies, and the pizza options are varied. They range from traditional recipes like Margherita and Norma, with fried aubergine, to more complex and gourmet pizzas with unique ingredients.

We suggest starting with some antipasti; everything is fresh and delicious, and the pizzas are light and easy to digest due to the lengthy dough preparation process.

8. 🥪 Panineria Cristaldi Via Plebiscito

📍 Near Castello Ursino: Open on Google Maps

When I'm craving street food, I often find myself drawn to the numerous food trucks around selling sandwiches with meat and fries. My absolute favourite spot is Panineria Cristaldi on Via Plebiscito.

This road, not hugely popular among tourists, is a local street food heaven, tucked just off the beaten path. Walking down the road is a local culinary experience, with the scent of freshly baked bread and meat charring on the charcoal wafting through the air.

Panineria Cristaldi is an institution on this street, particularly famous for its horse meat selection. They have a grill and a wide variety of condiments to stuff your sandwich with.

My favourite sandwich is the horse patty filled with pistachio and Philadelphia, spicy mushrooms, and Sicilian Salad. It's one of my top picks.

9. 🍝 La Pentolaccia

📍 Near Teatro Massimo: Open on Google Maps

Another local favourite that serves authentic, home-cooked Sicilian recipes is La Pentolaccia.

Nestled in a quiet alleyway and set within a Sicilian courtyard, this spot transports you back in time, far from the bustling roads, offering a truly homely feeling.

The food is simple, comforting, and extremely delicious, showcasing genuine ingredients and a clear love for cooking from the chefs. Some of my favourites include the seafood or the wild pig ragu pasta, and the seafood and fish mixed grill.

Sometimes, street performers enhance the atmosphere by playing live music, adding an extra layer to the delightful experience.