*Updated 9/28/2021* Several of our past top pizza restaurants have sadly closed in 2020-2021, this list has been updated to reflect restaurants that are open for business *

If you’re a pizza lover, Taormina is the spot for you. There are many of the best pizza restaurants all putting their unique spin on the Italian classic. It’s hard to find bad pizza in Taormina, but we’ve done the “hard work” of finding 8 of the best places to try during your stay.

1. La Napoletana – Our Top Pick

La Napoletana our pick for the best pizza in Taormina, they have a large menu consisting of many different varieties of pizza. All ingredients are fresh and the flavor is outstanding. This restaurant is just off the main drag, and easy to miss. Heading south on Corso Umberto, you’ll see a sign for La Napoletana on your right shortly after passing the Piazza. Take a right down the alleyway where the sign is located, and La Napoletana will be on your right

2. Vecchia Taormina

3. Vecchia Taormina – Nestled inside of what used to be an old church, Vecchia Taormina is a little ways off the main Corso Umberto, but this makes it a great spot for a relaxing evening. You can choose from historic or regular flour, and they also have a gluten free option as well.

3. Trattoria Pizzeria Santa Lucia

Like many of the restaurants on the list, pizza is not the only specialty at Santa Lucia. This restaurant offers a wide variety of pizzas but they are also known for their amazing homemade pasta. Many visitors rave about the appetizers too. If you’re looking for big portions at a fair price, Santa Lucia is the place to go.

4. Al Saraceno

If you’re looking for a pizza and a great view, Al Saraceno is the perfect place to grab lunch. It’s also a good stop for lunch on your hike up to Castelmola. It is located at the top of the ridge right next to Chiesa Madonna del Rocca, however it can be reached by a car as well if hiking isn’t on your list. The views from Al Saraceno are great, and they are well known for their extensive wine selection. Hours of operation and reservations can be found on their website.

5. Rosticceria Da Cristina

Better known for the best Arancini in Sicily, Rosticerria da Cristina knows pizza too. This is the perfect place to stop if you aren’t in the mood to sit down. Another hidden gem located down a side street just south of the Duomo di Taormina, its a great place to eat if you’re on a budget, but don’t want to sacrifice quality.

6. Ristorante Shelter

Ristorante Shelter has an extensive menu consisting of traditional Sicilian dishes, and some of the freshest seafood on the island. Also located off the main Corso Umberto, its a great place for a quiet meal, probably why it’s named Shelter. Shelter is a fine dining experience, expect a sit-down meal and wonderful service. Check their menu because their food varies by the season.

7. Pizzeria Villa Zucaro

Known to most as “Porta del Tocco”, Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro is a great pizza restaurant with tons of outdoor seating. It’s located about 2 blocks away from the main Corso Umberto, however it’s one of our favorite places for a night out. This is a wonderful place for a meal outdoors and it has great views of Taormina, looking down on the city. 
Besides Pizza
Pizza is just one of the many dishes the Sicilians have perfected. When in Taormina you’ll need to try some other Sicilian staples like the Cannolis, Arancini, Octopus, and Tiramisu. 


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One of the many reasons tourists come to Sicily is for the food. Taormina is home to some of the finest restaurants in Sicily. Cannolis are a must have when visiting Taormina, but with so many options, it can definitely be hard to choose.
So you’re left with 2 options, try them all, (not a bad option) or find the best one…

A Brief History

The cannoli as we know it today actually originated in Sicily, dating back to the Arab occupation of the island in year 902. Although the stories vary on what the cannoli symbolizes, its believed to be a descendent to the middle eastern “quanawat”, a fried dough tube filled with various sweet fillings.

You don’t have to travel outside of Taormina to find the best cannoli in Sicily, the city is home to many great pastry shops, all showing off their homemade cannolis. Here are our top 7.

1. Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto

If you find yourself looking in the window wondering why there are no cannolis, its because they fill them on order. Just go in and ask for one…or two. Get two. After trying it you’ll know why this quaint little shop is consistently named best cannoli in all of Sicily. 


2. La Pignolata Guinness Cannoli

On the south side of Taormina, these cannolis don’t disappoint.

3. Pastecceria Gelateria D’Amore

Hard to find, look for the wall in the picture and make your way through the opening.

4. Pastecceria Minotauru

This place is easy to miss, across from the half wall at the square.

5. Bar Pasticceria Etna

A great place to sit down and enjoy a cannoli. They have seating with nice shade in the alleyway next to the restaurant if you need to get out of the heat.

6. Irrera 1910

This shop is also easy to miss, it looks more like a high end clothing store from the outside, but the cannolis are great.

7. I dolci di Nonna Rosa

Also easy to miss, this shop is very small. I suggest looking it up on google maps so you don’t walk right by it.

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1. Taormina Greek Theater

If you’ve done any research into Taormina, I’m sure you already know about the Taormina Greek Theater. This is a great place to start the day because it sits high above the town, and gives you an idea of the layout, and what’s to come. The Greek Theater was built around 3rd Century BC and ownership changed many times throughout the years.

Tickets can be purchased up front for 10 Euro per person. You can go on a guided tour, or chose to stroll about yourself (we prefer the latter option). Make your way to the back of the theater to see beautiful views of the Sicily Coastline, and the deep blue water of the Ionic Sea. On clear days you can see Aspromonte National Park on Italy’s mainland!

2. Hike to Castelmola

This is our favorite thing to do mid morning, just before lunch. High above Taormina, you’ll see a small town called Castelmola. You’re going to have to earn it, but it takes about an hour to reach this town. Be prepared to sweat! This hike is paved the whole way, however it takes you on some steep inclines, but it’s totally worth it!

Once you reach the top you’ll find a quiet, quaint little town with a few cafe’s and gifts shops. If you though Taormina was high above the ocean, Castelmola has it beat! Sit down and re-hydrate, and have lunch at the Antico Caffe San Giorgio (the first cafe you’ll see as you reach the town). Grab a seat by the edge and enjoy a spectacular view looking down on Taormina!

3. Taormina Public Gardens (Villa de Comunale)

After that long and strenuous hike, make your way back into town and take a rest at the Via de Comunale – translates to Taormina Public Gardens (its just a very nice park). You can either enter off of Via Bagnoli Croci or on Via Roma in between the Hotel Villa Paradiso and Ristorante Mirage. It’s a large park with tons of shade, and plenty of places to relax for a little bit.

On the southern edge of the park there are plenty of benches that face out overlooking the beach towards Catania. On the northern end of the park, you’ll find old relics the ancient queen built when they found Taormina. Check out our in depth tour of the Taormina Public Gardens here.

4. Coffee and Granitas at Bam Bar

Just ask any of the locals for a good place for coffee and they’ll probably say Bam Bar. It’s a 5 minute walk from the Taormina Public Gardens. Stop here and have a coffee or pastry, but be sure to try a Granita.

What’s a Granita? I’d describe it as something similar to an American snow-cone, or hawaiian shave ice. However a granita is a lot smoother, with finely blended ice (and a lot better in my opinion). BamBar has a variety of flavors ranging from all kinds of fruit (you’ll need to pull out google translate to figure the flavors out) , to chocolate, vanilla, and our favorite; pistachio PRO TIP- If you don’t feel like coffee, the worlds best Cannoli is right around the corner!

5. Cable Car Mazzaro

Although it looks close on a map, if you were to walk from the main streets of Taormina down to Isola Bella it would take over an hour due to the significant elevation change. Taormina is nearly 700 feet above sea level. To get around this, take the cable car down to the beach.

The Cable car costs €3 each way, and if you plan to go back to Taormina you’ll definitely need to use it to get back up. Once you’re down there you’ll be across the street from Mazzaro Beach. This beautiful beach can become very crowded in peak vacation season, so check with staff before taking a spot on the beach.

6. Dinner at Trattoria Tiramisu

If you’re only in Taormina for a day, this is one of our favorite spots to have dinner! Ride the cable car back up, and make your way through town on Corso Umberto. Trattoria Tiramisu is at the end of Corso Umberto, but well worth the walk.

Trattoria Tiramisu is a family restaurant and is only open for dinner, they have a rotating menu (it’s always good) and the portions are enormous. Their house made bread is amazing. Be sure to call ahead if you plan on eating here, reservations are not always necessary but it’s better to check on Fridays and Saturdays.

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