Walking through elegant Taormina makes you instantly understand the famous tourist attraction knows its worth. However, there is a list of best cheap eats Taormina that help you keep the balance between your wallet and the fascination this Sicilian resort offers.
Blessed by the gods with an astounding location and some of the most beautiful beaches (Isola Bella), Taormina’s tastes and flavours exert a powerful appeal on any visitor. And yes, in Sicily, the universal language of taste is granita, pistachio, arancini and ice cream.
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Sicily on a plate!
Best cheap eats Taormina, Sicily
Interactive map of Best cheap eats Taormina, Sicily
Sicily on a plate!
Every Italian region has its own characteristics.
In the shadow of the Etna, flavours are more pronounced and the landscape more dramatic. Being a slow volcano, Etna’s lava puts the fingerprint on the soil, giving the end-produce intensity and refinement.
Here are some of the tastiest treasures born from lava-kissed soil…
- Bronte pistachios – Often called “Sicily’s green gold”, these pistachios are prized worldwide for their intense flavour and vibrant colour.
- Citrus fruits – Sweet, juicy oranges and lemons that soak up the Sicilian sun while thriving in fertile volcanic soil. Strawberries are also amazing.
- Olives – Grown on centuries-old groves, the olives here produce peppery, golden-green oils with incredible depth of flavour.
- Hazelnuts & almonds – Nut orchards flourish on the mountain’s slopes, giving Sicily some of its finest raw ingredients for sweets and pastries.
- Etna wine grapes – Nerello Mascalese & Nerello Cappuccio for elegant reds, Carricante for crisp whites — all carrying that signature mineral kiss from the lava-rich earth.
Italian cuisine is world famous, but Sicilian bites are nonetheless spectacular and tasty! Sicily’s streets are a paradise for hungry wanderers — think warm, cheesy arancini (fried rice balls with the most exquisite fillings), pillowy sfincione (a cousin of pizza) fresh from the oven, rustic scacciata (Sicilian stuffed flatbread), and golden-crisp pane e panelle that’s impossible to resist.
Sicily’s kitchen is a feast for the senses — sweet-and-sour caponata with silky eggplant, veggies and tangy vinegar (vegetarian and lovely), rich parmigiana di melanzane (eggplant parmesan) bubbling under a golden cheese crust or, tender polpi bolliti (boiled octopus) kissed by the sea.
Must-try pasta in Sicily includes pasta con le sarde laced with fennel and plump raisins, and pasta alla Norma made with eggplant, tomato and creamy salted ricotta. Each bite is a sun-drenched taste of the island.
Pro tip!: Pasta alla Norma was named in honour of a native of Catania, Vincenzo Bellini, the composer of the opera Norma.
Sicily is a dreamland for anyone with a sweet tooth —icy, fragrant granita paired with warm brioche, colorful cassata siciliana layered with ricotta and candied fruit, and of course, the iconic cannoli, with crisp shells and creamy, sweet filling that melts in your mouth. Ideally, the cannoli should be filled on the spot.
Pro tip!: It is said that native Sicilians only eat cannoli between autumn and spring because sheep find fresh green grass between October and May. But as a tourist I reckon cannoli are a must eat anytime while in Sicily!
Best cheap eats Taormina, Sicily
This is a list of the best cheap eats Taormina in no particular order.
- With its red-and-white checkered tablecloths, Osteria da Rita feels like stepping into a warm Italian hug. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, the kind of place where you instantly feel at home. The food? Generous portions of heavenly Sicilian dishes at prices that make you smile. Just remember — in Sicily (like the rest of Italy), restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner. Their pasta is pure joy on a plate.
Pro tip!: Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations, so the best advice is to be there even before opening times to avoid the (very) long queues.
- Half-trattoria, half-shop selling traditional Sicilian dishes, New Mamma Mia is a family-run place that highlights a truly hospitable experience. The food shines with authentic Sicilian small plates—think flavourful arancini, cheeses, cured meats and desserts. My personal feast: pistachio lasagna (mamma mia!), a freshly filled cannolo, water, and a glass of wine — all for just €18. No frills, just genuine Sicilian goodness at an unbeatable price!
- Rosticceria da Cristina. This humble deli is the stuff of arancini dreams — some say the best in Taormina. Generously filled and perfectly crisp, each one is a meal in itself (and only about €4!). If you love Sicilian street food, put this place high on your list.
- If you’re in Italy, pizza is practically mandatory — and L’Arco– About Pizza delivers in the most delicious way. This little street food spot serves both pizza and arancini, always fresh and never languishing in the display. Don’t miss the pistachio and speck arancini — they melt in your mouth — or the aubergine snacks and scacciata (Sicilian focaccia).
- Arco Rosso is the kind of place that feels instantly easy — a cozy corner and a great spot of cheap eats Taormina, Sicily where you can linger on simple, tasty bites, sip something cold, and watch the world go by. Affordable, unpretentious, and sprinkled with free nibbles, it’s the perfect spot to spend time with friends and let the afternoon drift by.
- If you’re hunting for the perfect Sicilian treat, cannoli should be at the top of your list. Try fabulous cannoli with tradition at La Pignolata Guinness Cannoli. Established in 1978, it is a pastry shop renowned for its freshly made cannoli with perfectly balanced flavours and crisp shells. I bet you won’t be disappointed.
- Bam Bar came as a tip from a local, and it’s a treasure. In fact, this bar is so famous in Taormina that it is on everybody’s lips. Bam Bar is where you’ll taste granita and brioche so good, you’ll be dreaming about them for years. Their granita is silky and generously portioned — all at a fair price. And of course, very flavourful.
Pro tip!: This tremendous reputation brings along crowds and waiting lines. Therefore, it is best to be there as soon as they open or, be patient.
- For sweet lovers in Taormina, this gelateria is a must. Don Diego gelateria is another spot where you expect waiting lines, but their ice creams are divine. I particularly loved their Sicilian flavours: Taormina that blends ricotta, pistachio and strawberry, and Love Sicily that mixes ricotta, cinnamon and pistachio. That’s right, the Mediterranean Island tastes like these! Mmmm, unforgettable!
- Pizza Mania is a small, yet cozy pizza place. Why are they special, you may ask? Their pizza has a thin, soft crunchy crust and is perfectly fluffy on the inside. Simply put: simple place, great pizza. Buy by the slice if you want to save room for pastries — it’s a wallet-friendly treat in stylish Taormina.
- Don’t let the playful name fool you, Strit Fud is seriously good street food. From arancini and pizza to bomba, pane e panelle, and more, it’s all fresh and full of flavour. My recommendations include the spinach & cheese arancini, rich arancini with ragu, and eggplant calzone.
Pro tip!: The place has many gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options that are just as yummy!
- La Bottega del Formaggio is more refined and a little pricier, but worth every bite. The reason to include the restaurant here is the utmost quality and splendid flavour of the dishes. This small, charming spot in Taormina’s historic centre is heaven for cheese and cold cut lovers. The staff are warm, knowledgeable, and happy to help you find your perfect wine pairing. A deliciously memorable experience.
Interactive map of best cheap eats Taormina, Sicily
On this map you will find marked with red the eateries and trattorias that appear in the post.
Bon appetit!
