Best Restaurants in Taormina: Michelin Stars, Sea Views and Local Trattorias

Few small towns in Europe eat as well as Taormina. Within a few hundred metres of Corso Umberto you will find a two-Michelin-star dining room, a cluster of one-star restaurants, wine bars pouring volcanic Etna wines, and family trattorias serving pasta alla Norma exactly as it has been made for generations. Add the sea views from the terraces and the fish landed every morning below Isola Bella, and dinner becomes one of the reasons to come.

This guide to the best restaurants in Taormina covers the starred tables of the MICHELIN Guide Italia 2026, where to eat with a view, the Sicilian dishes you must order and practical tips for booking. Planning the rest of your stay? Start with the best things to do in Taormina.

The Michelin-starred restaurants of Taormina (Guide 2026)

The MICHELIN Guide Italia 2026 confirmed Taormina as one of the gastronomic capitals of Sicily. Prices at this level are high and tables are limited, so book well in advance, particularly for a terrace table in summer.

01 St. George by Heinz Beck — two Michelin stars

The creative cuisine of Heinz Beck, interpreted on site by resident chef Salvatore Iuliano, in an elegant setting with views over the coast. Long tasting menus built on Sicilian produce and one of the most serious wine lists on the island. The special-occasion dinner of Taormina.

02 Principe Cerami — one Michelin star

The gastronomic restaurant of the San Domenico Palace, in a former 14th-century convent, with chef Massimo Mantarro’s refined, deeply Sicilian cooking and a terrace that looks out across the sea and the gardens.

03 Otto Geleng — one Michelin star

At the Grand Hotel Timeo, next to the Teatro Antico, chef Roberto Toro cooks contemporary Mediterranean menus on a terrace facing Etna and the bay — arguably the most spectacular dining view in town.

04 La Capinera — one Michelin star

Down by the sea below Taormina, a long-standing favourite for creative seafood cooking, with tables close to the water. Perfect if you are staying between Mazzarò and Isola Bella.

05 Vineria Modì — one Michelin star

Run by Dalila Grillo with her brother Ettore, an intimate, personal restaurant where the cooking is Sicilian at heart and the wine list is a pleasure to explore.

In Taormina the view is part of the menu: book the terrace, arrive before sunset, and let Etna change colour while you order.

Restaurants with a view

Taormina has two kinds of views: from the cliff, over the Ionian coast and Etna, and at sea level, with your feet almost in the water. For the first, look for terraces along Corso Umberto, around Piazza IX Aprile and near the Teatro Antico; for the second, head down to the beach restaurants of Mazzarò and Isola Bella, where lunch is grilled fish, a cold white wine and a swim afterwards. Our Taormina beaches guide covers the bays in detail.

What to eat in Taormina

• Pasta alla Norma — tomato, fried aubergine and salted ricotta, the pride of Catania.
• Swordfish and tuna — grilled, as involtini or carpaccio; the Strait of Messina is just north.
• Arancini — fried rice balls, the classic street food (on this side of Sicily, often called arancino).
• Granita with brioche — almond, pistachio or lemon, eaten for breakfast in summer.
• Cannoli and cassata — ricotta-based pastries; ask for cannoli filled to order.
• Etna wines — mineral reds from Nerello Mascalese and crisp whites from Carricante. Many Etna tours include a winery visit.

Practical tips for eating out in Taormina

• Book: starred and terrace restaurants fill up weeks ahead in summer. Ask for an outside table when you reserve.
• Timing: lunch from about 12.30 to 3 pm, dinner from 8 pm. Many places close one day a week, and some close for winter.
• Coperto: a small cover charge per person is normal in Italy and will appear on the bill.
• Tipping: not expected, but rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated.
• Getting home: if you stay by the sea, note the cable car timetable; after the last cabin, take a taxi down to Mazzarò or Isola Bella.

Where to stay for food lovers

A home with a kitchen lets you shop at the market, cook with Sicilian ingredients and save the starred dinners for special nights. Our edit of villas and apartments in Taormina and luxury hotels in Taormina covers the best options.

Celebrating something? A private dinner on a terrace is the perfect moment for a proposal photoshoot in Taormina by VanSky Studio.

Frequently asked questions

How many Michelin-starred restaurants are there in Taormina?

In the MICHELIN Guide Italia 2026, Taormina has five starred restaurants: St. George by Heinz Beck with two stars, and Principe Cerami, Otto Geleng, La Capinera and Vineria Modì with one star each.

What is the best restaurant in Taormina?

For fine dining, St. George by Heinz Beck is the only two-star restaurant in Taormina. For a view, the terraces near the Teatro Antico and in the historic centre are hard to beat; for seafood by the water, head to Mazzarò and Isola Bella.

What food is Taormina famous for?

Pasta alla Norma, swordfish, arancini, cannoli and granita with brioche, along with wines from the slopes of Mount Etna.

Do you need to book restaurants in Taormina?

Yes, from June to September it is wise to book, especially for terrace tables and starred restaurants. In spring and autumn you can often walk in for lunch.

Is eating in Taormina expensive?

The centre and the starred restaurants are expensive, but trattorias, pizzerias and street food are reasonably priced, and eating in Giardini Naxos or Letojanni is generally cheaper.

Disclosure: Cohen House is a partner of this guide. Some links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We have no commercial relationship with the restaurants listed. Michelin distinctions refer to the MICHELIN Guide Italia 2026; opening days and menus change, so please check before you go. All photography by VanSky Studio, Taormina, unless otherwise stated.