Are you wondering where to eat in Noto, Sicily? Last year, I traveled twice to Noto, Sicily, to interview local restaurant owners and learn about the region’s culinary traditions. Sicily, an island southeast of mainland Italy, is a rich land with one of the largest active volcanoes in Europe, Mount Etna. Its rich, volcanic soil, endless sunshine, and access to the Mediterranean and Ionian Sea make it the perfect terroir for growing produce such as citrus, nuts, and grapes.

From fresh seafood from local Sicilian fishermen to handmade pasta, Sicily has become one of my favorite food destinations. Noto, a small city on the southeast coast of Sicily, is not only known for its baroque architecture but also for its thriving culinary scene. Whether you go to a small family-run restaurant or a fine dining establishment, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll get a good meal in Noto. 

Here are my picks on where to eat in Noto, Sicily

Anche Gli Angeli 

Go to Anche Gli Angeli for the beautiful decor, but stay for the fresh seafood, which you can have fried or raw, followed by homemade pasta. If the weather is nice, take advantage of their outdoor seating, taking in Noto’s architecture. Once a former church crypt, the restaurant kept many of the details of the former space but added a modern touch with design furniture, eclectic sculptures, and a bar showcasing local desserts such as the cassata Siciliana. 

Pasticceria Bar Tavola Calda Piero

A culinary trip to Sicily is complete with having arancini, a fried rice ball with fillings such as ragu, cheese, or cheese and ham. When we asked locals where to eat in Noto, they all mentioned that we must go to Piero’s as they have the best arancini in town. Pasticceria Bar Tavola Calda Piero is a small restaurant and gelateria serving arancini, small dishes like eggplant caponata, and gelato. In other words, a Sicilian trifecta! It’s the perfect lunch stop after a morning of sightseeing. 

Cantina Modica di San Giovanni

We stumbled across this restaurant when walking around the city one afternoon. The space is classic and cozy, with family mementos throughout the dining room, reminding you of an old family home. At Cantina Modica di San Giovanni, I had one of my favorite dishes of my trip that I vow to recreate: pasta with mussels and pistachio pesto. I’ve never tasted anything like it, but the salty mussels tossed with the sweet, nutty flavor of the pistachios have stayed on my mind for weeks since I returned from my trip. 

Norma Bistrot

When looking for where to eat in Noto, you have to add Norma Bistrot to your list. Probably one of the most stylish restaurants in Noto, it also brings flavor with a creative menu. You will find owner Norma greeting guests at the door, serving glasses of bollicine (Italian sparkling wine), and looking fabulous doing so. Originally from Milano, Norma incorporates a Northern Italian flair with dishes like schnitzel while offering Sicilian classics like pasta topped with raw red shrimp.

Ristorante Dammuso

If you’re looking for a place to eat in Noto with traditional Sicilian dishes in a modern setting and an extensive Sicilian wine list, Ristorante Dammuso is the place. I’ve dined there several times, and my favorites are the fried sardines and the swordfish with an orange sauce. Owner Giorgio Baglieri’s mother still leads the kitchen with the family’s recipes, creating an exquisite menu featuring dishes like homemade squid ink pasta and pistachio-crusted tuna steak. 

Trattoria Fontana d’Ercole 

Lunch at Trattoria Fontana d’Ercole is an excellent spot for delicious food featuring fresh seafood and a great view of the stunning Baroque San Domenico Church. Sit at the outdoor dining space and take in the architecture surrounding the patio while indulging in a fresh crudo (raw) seafood plate and an octopus salad with a glass of Grillo, a Sicilian grape used for a crisp, mineral white wine. 

Viva IL Bistrot by Viviana Varese 

We had the most decadent aperitivo at Viva IL Bistrot, owned by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese. Although Sicily is a wine paradise, you must try Viva Il Bistrot’s creative cocktails. Their negronis are perfect but make room for cocktails like “Profumo di Sicilia” with citrus liqueur, citrus, rose, and sparkling wine. Also, order plenty of appetizers like fresh oysters, fritters, and grilled octopus, all beautifully delicious. 

W Villa Dorata Country Restaurant

Just a 20-minute drive from the city center of Noto lies W Villa Dorata Country Restaurant. Located on a farm, this upscale restaurant features ingredients sourced on-site. We went to the Saturday fire dinner tasting menu by Chef Matteo Carnaghi. Each dish is cooked under an open flame and served in a charming outdoor setting. This truly unique dining experience was one of the group’s favorites. 

Where to Eat in Noto, Sicily: Dessert Edition

Caffè Sicilia

Caffè Sicilia, known for its feature on Netflix’s Chef Table Pastry Season, is the place to grab cannoli in Noto. This classic cafe, located in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, one of the busiest streets of Noto, is a great place for a small break to have an espresso and indulge in a cannoli, a classic Sicilian dessert made with a fried pastry filled with sweet ricotta cream. The cafe is always busy, so I recommend you go early in the morning to eat in. If the wait is long, grab your cannoli to go and sit on the steps of Piazza del Duomo to have your treat and take in the views. 

Gelateria L’Artigianale Noto

Noto in the summer is very hot, so taking several gelato breaks is imperative to stay cool. That’s my excuse to eat copious amounts of gelato while in Sicily! Add Gelateria L’Artigianale Noto to the list for a dessert stop when looking at where to eat in Noto. They have creative flavors like blueberry gin and the classics like pistachio and fiori di latte, which I love. L’Artigianale Noto opened this summer; the original gelateria is in the town of Pozzalo in the south of Sicily, which has been around for several decades. 

Caffè Costanzo

Another place to grab a classic Sicilian treat, brioche stuffed with granita, an ice-based dessert similar to a sorbet, is Caffè Costanzo, a local favorite tucked away in a small side street with charming baroque buildings surrounding the cafe’s patio. They also have a great selection of gelato.