There's the bay of Isola Bella, a beach of pebbles and transparent water; there are tours to Mount Etna to suit trekking fanatics as well as first-time hikers; there is fine dining but also generous typical gastronomy. And then the magnificence of the Ancient Theater, the magic of the views, the Renaissance palaces and the alleyways of the old town: Taormina is a concentration of history, nature and culture that will win anyone over. And watch out for the long series of kermesses that enliven the season, such as the Taobuk Festival until Monday, June 19, and the 69th Taormina Film Festival from July 26 to 1.
Where to eat in Taormina: the best restaurants
Andreas Restaurant
Restaurant. Andreas Zangerl, a talented chef, austrian by birth and taorminian by adoption, is firmly at the helm of his restaurant just in front of the entrance to Villa Comunale. The cuisine is made up of few but excellent ingredients well combined with one another. Adequate wine list.
Andreas Restaurant - Via Bagnoli Croce, 88 - 0942 24011 - @andreasrestauranttaormina
Blum dell'Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace
Restaurant. Only 12 seats on a breathtaking terrace overlooking the sea. At the stove Riccardo Fazio who interprets excellent ingredients with personality and balance. Paired with selected wines but also cocktails. All in a space with refined furnishings and details. Booking required.
Blum dell'Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace - loc. Mazzarò - via Nazionale, 147 - 0942 612112 - blumrestaurant.com
La Capinera
Restaurant. Seafood taste and raw fish as totems in this restaurant with a wave-view terrace where Pietro d'Agostino, longtime chef and patron, offers two tasting routes: Sea and Air and Earth and Fire, both of which are surely satisfying. Valuable selection of sicilian cheese, extensive wine cellar.
La Capinera - loc. Spisone- via Nazionale, 177 - 0942 626247 - pietrodagostino.it
Kisté Easy Gourmet
Bistro. It is the "cheap and chic" landing place of La Capinera, in an informal and fine location. First-rate ingredients make up intriguing menus for all budgets. In the dehors lounge area with cocktails for aperitifs. In the pantry goodies for purchase.
Kisté Easy Gourmet - via Santa Maria de' Greci, 2 - 333 3711606 - kiste.it
Otto Geleng del Grand Hotel Timeo
Restaurant. Scene homage to Berlin artist Otto von Geleng - a former pro-mayor of the city - for this gourmet destination close to Teatro Greco and with a mesmerizing view of the sea and the Etna. Chef Roberto Toro aims to arouse emotions with various menus ranging from vegetable to meat and sea. Cellar lives up to the rest.
Otto Geleng del Grand Hotel Timeo - via Teatro Greco, 59 - 0942 6270200 - belmond.com
Principe Cerami dell'Hotel San Domenico
Restaurant. Elegant fine dining of an icon of sicilian (and italian) hospitality where everything expresses luxury, atmosphere, and magic. At the stove the worthy Massimo Mantarro, who enhances with a nice touch and the right amount of creativity fine raw materials. Splendid terrace, cellar of international caliber.
Principe Cerami dell'Hotel San Domenico - P.zza San Domenico de Guzman, 5 - 0942 613310 - principecerami.com
Osteria RossoDivino
Restaurant. In the downtown area, not pressured by tourism, an intimate and well-kept venue stands up with a pleasant outdoor seating. The proposal focuses on flavors of the catch, offers some options "di terra", and is made with seasonal products, raw materials and attention to the territory. The drinks are good.
Osteria RossoDiVino - vico De Spuches, 8 - 0942 628653 - osteriarossodivinotaormina.com
St.George Restaurant by Heinz Beck of The Ashbee Hotel
Restaurant. The villa and park designed in the early 1900s by english architect Charles Robert Ashbee define a glittering scene for fine dining with a view branded by Heinz Beck and "executed" with skill by resident chef Salvatore Iuliano, who puts together impeccable dishes. International wine cellar.
St.George Restaurant by Heinz Beck of The Ashbee Hotel - v.le San Pancrazio, 46 - 0942 23537 - theashbeehotel.it
Tischi Toschi
Trattoria.We are in the realm of Luca Casablanca, a passionate gourmet who makes his fruitful research of quality products available to customers. The kitchen offers typical sicilian dishes that are flavorful, authentic and definitely well done. Wine lives up to the rest. With an outdoor space.
Tischi Toschi - vico Francesco Paladini, 3 - 339 3642088 - tischitoschitaormina.com
Vineria Modì
Restaurant. Dalila and Ettore Grillo's restaurant is a gathering place for enophiles and gourmands. Few seats, which increase outside in season, and a culinary proposal of great pleasure. Cellar offer concentrates on so-called "natural" and biodynamic wines, with more than 800 labels from Italy and the world.
Vineria Modì - via Calapitrulli, 13 - 0942 23658 - vineriamodi.com
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