Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 095 224 67 82;
www.locandacerami.com
; Via Crociferi 69; pizza €5.50-11)
This gorgeous pizzeria has
an excellent setting - in the summer months, the tables are on the steps of one of the many
baroque churches - and some of the most innovative pizza you'll find anywhere on the is-
land, plus an excellent wine list. Try the
principessa
pizza, with aromatic speck and
pistacchio nuts.
Traditional pizzas are also available and just as great.
Il Borgo Di Federico
BARBECUE
€
( 095 67 98 19; Piazza Federico di Svevia 100; pizzas from €5, meals €18)
The restaurants around Cas-
tello Ursino are known for their meat, particularly barbecued meat, and Il Borgo di Fede-
rico is no exception. A modest, unpretentious outfit with a bustling, TV-on-in-the-corner
atmosphere, it's a good place for a filling antipasto buffet - olives, fried croquettes, frit-
tata, cured meats, octopus salad - followed by a no-nonsense plate of
polpette
(meat
balls).
Spinella
PASTRIES & CAKES
€
( 095 32 72 47; Via Etnea 300; snacks from €1.80)
The Slow Food movement especially recom-
mends Spinella's traditional sweets - try the
frutta martorana
(marzipan sweets shaped
like fruits and vegetables) and
olivette di sant'Agata
(olive-shaped sweets typically made
only in January and February, for the festival of St Agatha). If you don't fancy a sit-down
lunch but want something tasty on the hoof, Spinella also serves the best
arancini
in town.
PASTRIES & CAKES
€
Grand Café Tabbacco
(Via Etnea 28; 7am-midnight)
Of the number of cafes on Piazza dell'Università, pride of place
goes to this elegant old-school
pasticceria
(pastry shop) with outdoor seating and a devil-
ish selection of
dolci
(sweets), fresh-fruit tarts and cakes.
Cutilisci
( 095 37 25 58;
www.cutilisci.it
; Via San Giovanni li Cuti 67-69; meals €30-35; lunch & dinner Wed-Mon, din-
ner Tue)
One of the loveliest lunch and/or dinner experiences in Catania is to be had at this
seafront restaurant, in the small harbour of San Giovanni li Cuti. When the weather is
MODERN SICILIAN
€€
