Best food in Sicily! Beautiful spot, great chef and great service. Wish we could go again!read more

Dined at Trattoria Il Mare while in Catania, and it may have been our most truly authentic Sicilian…read moremeal of the trip. The atmosphere was cozy, with a small streetside feel, and the service was genuinely traditional -- it honestly felt like dining in someone's home. We enjoyed a full plate of alici fritti, Insalata Pantesca, pasta con vongole, and scaloppina al Marsala -- everything was perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and paired beautifully with the vino di casa. Overall, a fantastic spot and a definite trip highlight. I only wish we had more time for repeat visits. Saluti

Wanted seafood so tried out Trattoria Il Mare for dinner. It was packed outside but no wait for a…read moretable inside. Menu and ordering is straight the QR code. Coperto was 2,00€/person. - White wine (1,50€ for 1/4L) - Red wine (1,50€ for 1/4L) - Mixed platter (12,00€) - mix of octopus, oyster, squid, sardines, baby shrimp and mixed fried seafood. Favourite was the octopus. Came with a fried fish fritter (surprisingly tender). - Mix grilled seafood (15,00€) - swordfish was dry. Seafood wasn't grilled. Platter was better - Red peppers (4,00€) - cold, marinated style. Meh - Grilled mushrooms (4,00€) - cold, salty porcini mushrooms. Skip it

Outside. Beautiful. Table clothes. Very nice and kind service. Food came out quickly, almost too…read morequick. Didn't care for any of the food. We had two apps and left. Wine was ok they brought out two different bottles to try, place is now packed. Try at your own risk. Not my favorite here. Doris approved 3.5 stars. The whole meal everything pictured was 22.00euro Everyone else cleaned their plates so maybe we didn't pick the right meals.

Delayed flight, transfer to the hotel (which confusingly had a high name similarity to several…read moreothers, such that we initially went wrong), and in the end, it was about 10 pm before we could go hunting for food. Is that a problem. It would be in the US, but in Italy, nessun problema! We walked through the narrow and still very crowded streets of the center around the Dome. The trattoria di Antonio was packed (with mostly Italian guests), but Antonio just created an extra table to seat us. What else would you expect from Italy than having delicious food? And so it was: Antipasto siciliano, octopus salad, rigatoni and risotto pescatorio were all perfect - paired with the warm outdoor seating and the so charming attitude of the Italian staff. Bookmarked for return!

This place is MAGICAL…read more This is the most amazing place I have ever been to as a tourist in Sicily. Essentially Frutti di Mare da Nitto is a seafood market that also cooks for you if you want them to. This is essentially the tourist dream. I won't have known to come here if it wasn't for my Airbnb host, but I am so glad that I found it. Located one block from the beach, this shop is easily missed. In fact, I missed it twice because it essentially looks like seafood market. Who knew they would cook the fresh seafood for you?!? Most of the people that come here are expecting to purchase fresh seafood for home but during lunch time, some folding standing tables are set on the crowded sidewalk for people to eat at. Essentially, you can go in the store, point at the things you want them to cook for you, and they will prepare it and bring it out to you. Ugh, so amazing. This place is the perfect place for a foodie, seafood addict, basically anyone. With that said, they are not a restaurant. So if they run out of fresh seafood, they are out. When I was there, I had the fresh octopus salad, swordfish skewer, oysters, and these delicious small fishes marinated in chilly and olive oil. I wish my friend and I could eat more, but we couldn't. All in all, the bill was like 20 euros. Super affordable! Other possible dishes (from people watching) include squish ink pasta, mussels, sea urchins and more. Essentially, whatever you see in the market you can have them cook.

Absolutely DO NOT go here unless you want rushed and rude service. The food was okay but our server…read morecouldn't or wouldn't give us the time of day to answer questions about the menu (which was only in Italian) and refused to accommodate even the simplest request like a side of pasta to go with a plain piece of fish. We weren't offered coffee or dessert and he didn't check on us once after the sparse meal was delivered. When we left we requested a cab and the person they called charged us 20 euro for a 1.4 mile ride and the whole time tried to upsell us on trips to Mt etna and other things he could do for us. His girlfriend was in the front seat. The worst of the worst of Catania. AND for any vegan out there, forget about eating. They only serve fish, according to our server. Horrible.

Looking for an experience of authentic Sicilian culture? You'll find it here. Authentic, old…read moreworld, charming and delicious. It is slow food, at it's finest. Dishes that other won serve, because they require time, love and attention. Lots of seafood, freashly caught and you can taste the difference. Amazing vegetarian pasta. Lots of dishes to select from. Too many. You could dine here for a week and still not explore it all. Go! You will be delighted!

We arrived at the restaurant and was told there were no tables available for the evening and was…read moreturned away. I then informed them I had made reservations to celebrate my wife's birthday and was promptly seated. The highlight was the bread and the olive from Mt Etna, amazing splash of olive oil!. Then things went down hill from there. Service was mediocre, the food was not as expected. I had Spatola and had to search for bits and pieces of fish. The taste was off and I elected not to finish my meal. I assume they were having an off-night but after seeing some of the reviews, I don't think so. I traveled throughout Italy, Sicily and Sardinia and must say this was not enjoyable. I would not recommend this place of business until they re-evaluate their menus and staff.

Beautiful!!!! The Gambero Pazzo in Catania and popular for their local cuisine and excellent…read moreservice. I would highly recommend to try one of their fish dishes. All fish is caught local and prepared to perfection. It is very typical in Sicily to order an Antipasti (starter), a first main dish, a second main dish, as well as a dessert and a cafe (espresso) when at a restaurant. If you like to try all - I would recommend to share with your partner. The portions are very generous! Make sure not to forget to order a bottle of water. Unlike in the US you pay for water in Europe at all restaurants. However it is very affordable at about 2.00 Euro for a large bottle.

This is my favorite restaurant in Catania. The people are friendly and the seafood is fresher than…read moreanywhere else.

Unassuming and perfect. Great value fabulous grub. Staying accross the road in the NB hotel and…read morewanted to avoid the overpriced food. Spent 20 euros on 2 pasta dishes and 2 drinks. Amazing value!

This is a small "tavern" mom & pop restaurant. There is only room for about 15 people inside and a…read morefew more out front. The prices can't be beat compared to what's in the city center. I never thought grilled veggies could taste so good. The swordfish was grilled perfectly. The lemon cake was served warm with slivered almonds and I think lemon liquor. Wow!