Restaurants in Sicily

In Sicily you eat in a ristorante, a trattoria, an osteria or a pizzeria. The menu usually runs antipasto, primo, secondo and dolce, and the bill often adds a coperto per person. Kitchens open at fixed times for lunch and dinner, and dinner starts later than in most of northern Europe.

What is the difference between a trattoria, an osteria and a ristorante?

The lines blur: some trattorias run a menu like a ristorante, and some osterias serve fish.

In which order do you order?

The classic menu has antipasto (starter), primo (pasta, rice or soup), secondo (fish or meat, with side dishes as a separate contorno) and dolce. Coffee follows and, if you like, a digestivo such as amaro. Nobody has to order every course: an antipasto with a primo, or a primo with a dolce, is common. Fresh fish is often priced by weight, with the price on the menu or named at the table.

What is the coperto, and what about tipping?

The coperto is a flat fee per person for the place setting and bread. It has to be shown on the menu. A servizio (service charge) can be added on top and must also be shown. Tipping is voluntary.

When do people eat?

People eat later in Sicily than in Germany, especially in the evening. Each restaurant sets its own times. If you want to know them, or want a particular table, call ahead and book.

How do you order drinks and pay?

Water usually comes in a bottle, still (naturale) or sparkling (frizzante). Wine is sold by the glass, in a carafe or by the bottle. The bill often arrives only when you ask for it: "Il conto, per favore". You pay at the table or at the register.

What should you know about allergies?

In the EU, restaurants must give information on allergens in non-prepacked food (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011). If you have an allergy, tell the staff when you order and ask about the ingredients. This matters especially for pistachios, almonds and ricotta, which appear in many Sicilian dishes.

What should you try?

An overview of dishes by region and season is on the page Sicilian cuisine. The restaurants listed in the travel guide follow below this text. Vacation rentals near these places are at sicily.vacations.