Cuisine of Catania for gourmets. Places for dinner - best restaurants

The local cuisine is a unique combination of Greek, Arabic, Spanish, and Italian culinary traditions. When it comes to describing the traditions of Arabic cuisine, it is definitely worth mentioning the frequent use of such ingredients as dried fruits, herbs and spices, as well as rice, in numerous national dishes. Rice is the most common side dish and, depending on the component used to complement it, it can also become a great addition to meat and various creative desserts.

The national cuisine is distinguished by a huge choice of meat dishes. Tourists will find a great number of them in virtually every restaurant. Apart from rice, meat dishes are often served with such side dishes as beans, corn, and fresh vegetables. Vegetarian visitors will also not consider the menus of local restaurants modest or boring. They will surely find many delicious vegetable dishes and fruit desserts. Dishes made of seafood are also widespread there. Sea bass, tuna, swordfish, shrimp and squid remain the most popular treats in local restaurants. Shellfish may be offered as a separate dish or added to salads. Both variants are very popular here, and are very delicious.

Local restaurants will also be liked by fans of cheese. The most famous and sought-after sorts of the product produced at local plants are Caciocavallo and Pecorino siciliano. Tourists are recommended to try an interesting national dish named arancini. These are small rice balls, which can be cooked with a variety of fillings. Without a doubt, local pizza is certainly worth a try. According to the opinion of great connoisseurs of Italian cooking, there is a huge difference between the traditional Italian and local pizza. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In Catania tourists will find restaurants that will perfectly suit every taste. If you want to try national cuisine, locals usually recommend visiting Pepe Nero. This is the place where visitors are welcome to try all popular dishes of the local cuisine, including pizza and fish dishes, as well as the signature dessert of the restaurant - cakes with hot chocolate filling. The Al Gabbiano's restaurant also offers its visitors a rich choice of interesting dishes. Seafood is makes up the basis of the restaurant’s menu. The most popular dishes praised by regular customers are swordfish and involtini – a fish platter cooked on the grill. Do not forget to try blue mussels, prawns and lobster, and when its dessert time, guests are treated with crispy rolls stuffed with tender cream. Al Gabbiano is distinguished by a rich selection of Italian wine that will make any meal even more enjoyable.

Osteria I Tre Bicchieri, a legendary restaurant that specializes in the regional cuisine, is located not far from Duomo. This is a fantastic choice for everyone who wants to try popular Sicilian cuisine dishes, including home pasta with sardines, Caponata with eggplants, and mouthwatering desserts. This restaurant is owned by one of the biggest wineries on Sicily, so the choice of locally produced wine in the menu is nothing but astonishing. Sweet tooths enjoy visiting Osteria I Tre Bicchieri because the restaurant offers the signature Cassata – the traditional cake with candied fruit.

All fans of authentic Italian pizza will find it incredibly interesting to visit Vico Santa Filomena. Local youth likes this restaurant because it offers quality and delicious food that is also budget-friendly. All pizza types are cooked in a special stone oven on coals, so the ready dish has an exceptional taste. A mouthwatering pizza with cheese, ham, and vegetables costs roughly 8 euro. It is also important to mention that all food comes in quite big portions.

La Grotta restaurant offers a fantastic range of dishes with seafood. The restaurant’s chefs cook excellent fish soups and grilled fish that is served with lemon and fresh vegetables. Healthy lifestyle aficionados will be pleased with the choice of dishes with steamed fish. This popular restaurant collaborates with local fishermen that deliver a fresh catch every day. Near the entrance to La Grotta, there is always a basted with freshly caught seafood, so everyone can choose what they want to get cooked for lunch or dinner.

Gelateria Quaranta is a cozy café that is located on one of the main streets of the city. This is a true magnet for all fans of ice cream. In Gelateria Quaranta, visitors can choose from dozens of different gelato flavors. There are even very unusual variations of the all-time favorite dessert. Vacationers who prefer chocolate desserts will be in love with C&G. This popular café offers various chocolate cakes and muffins. Consider trying Cannoli, a popular local pastry that consists of tube-shaped fried dough filled with tender ricotta cream. This dessert is particularly delicious at C&G. A big portion of a dessert with a cup of fragrant coffee costs only 2 – 3 euro.

In the city, there are many interesting grocery shops and supermarkets that sell popular local cheese, meat delicacies, fruit jams, and pastries. Cervonez café and shop, which is located not far from the Duomo Cathedral, is a very interesting place that is worth exploring.