9 Sicilian dishes you absolutely must try
Food
The Sicilian kitchen is so much more than Italian food—it’s a culinary fusion of cultures, flavors, and traditions. Thanks to centuries of influence from Arabs, Spaniards, Greeks, and the French, Sicily offers a unique and refined cuisine where fresh ingredients and local products take center stage. Whether you're a foodie, an Italophile, or simply in the mood for a delicious journey, Sicilian cuisine will capture your heart (and your appetite).
These iconic pastries feature a crispy shell filled with creamy ricotta. They’re often topped with chocolate chips, pistachios, or candied orange peel. Originally a Carnival treat, cannoli are now enjoyed year-round—and for good reason.
These golden, deep-fried rice balls are the ultimate Sicilian street food. Traditionally filled with ragù, cheese, peas, and sometimes egg, they’re crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. Today, you’ll find them in a range of flavors—from pistachio to Nutella.
A vegetarian classic from Catania: pasta with fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and grated salted ricotta. Named after Vincenzo Bellini’s opera “Norma,” this dish is so good, it deserved a standing ovation.
Pasta alla Norma
Arancine
Cannoli
Cassata is a visual showstopper: sponge cake filled with sweetened ricotta and candied fruit, wrapped in marzipan and finished with icing. Originally a traditional Easter dessert, it’s now a staple on every Sicilian celebration table.
With Sicily surrounded by the Mediterranean, it’s no surprise that seafood plays a starring role. Pasta allo scoglio is a celebratory seafood pasta featuring shrimp, mussels, clams, and squid—a must for seafood lovers.
Granita is a semi-frozen, creamy ice dessert made from fresh fruit, nuts, or chocolate. In Sicily, it’s often eaten for breakfast, paired with a soft, sweet brioche bun. Popular flavors include lemon, pistachio, mulberry, watermelon, and strawberry—ideal for hot summer mornings!
Granita e Brioche
Pasta allo Scoglio
Cassata
A classic side dish based on eggplant, stewed in a sweet and sour sauce with onion, celery, capers, and olives. Caponata is typically served cold or warm as an antipasto or alongside meat and fish. A true explosion of flavor and texture!
Pistachios are sacred in Sicily—especially those from Bronte, a village at the foot of Mount Etna. Known as the “green gold,” you’ll find them in both sweet and savory dishes: pistachio gelato, granita, pasta with pistachio pesto, and even pistachio pizza!
Swordfish is a staple in the Sicilian kitchen—often grilled or pan-fried and served with a light sauce of lemon, capers, and tomatoes. Simple, healthy, and incredibly flavorful.
Pesce Spada
Pistacchio di Bronte
Caponata
Why you simply have to taste Sicilian cuisine
Sicily isn’t just an island of sun and sea—it’s an island of food passion. Every dish tells a story of cultural influence, seasonal rhythm, and generations who’ve lovingly passed down their recipes. From street food to celebration cakes, the Sicilian kitchen is a journey in itself.
👉 Traveler’s tip: Heading to Sicily soon? Don’t miss the chance to step into a local trattoria or pasticceria and treat your taste buds to something unforgettable.
