Top Ten Restaurants in Noto
by
Matt Bird
The streets of Noto are adorned with restaurants of all shapes and sizes.
Being located by the sea, you can rightly expect menus with an abundance of fresh fish, and being Italy, there are typically lots of pasta, pizza and meat choices, too.
The Sicilian climate means virtually every restaurant offers alfresco dining - the best way to eat at any time- and some inside dining for the rare cooler evenings.
So, how do you choose where to go for dinner in Noto?
When I visited Noto for the first time, I went to Manna Restaurant and fell in love. I returned night after night, sometimes for an aperitive and sometimes for dinner. They offer great food and wine, with excellent service in a great environment. On top of that, they loved me and cared for me. Manna has now moved location from downtown Noto to the outskirts between Calebernado and Lido di Noto, where you dine in the most beautiful courtyard.
Location: Lungomare Ionio 1, Lido di Noto (NB 15 15-minute drive from central Noto)
Instagram: Manna
#2 Nache
Nache is without question the best restaurant in downtown Noto. The Dimarco family runs it, particularly the three sons, Antonio, Francesco and Stefano. My favourite dish, which, in season, comes up on their specials, is their truffle tar tufo, which is simple and delicious. Most of their seating is alfresco in a charming side street with a vintage vinyl turntable playing Italian sounds.
Location: Via Pier Capponi 4
Instagram: Nache
Retablo is relatively new to Noto but has established itself among the best dining places. The proprietor is the wonderfully charismatic Katharina, who loves to innovate classical Sicilian dishes. Recently, I enjoyed a Caponato starter under a dome of chocolate, which was surprisingly good! My favourite dish is their DIY Cannoli - served deconstructed, with the crisp shell, ricotta (in a popping bag!), chocolate and orange pieces - so you can construct it to your personal taste!
Location: Via Alfredo Baccarini 4/6
Instagram: Retablo
Dammuso is a very popular Noto restaurant, and deservedly so. The head chef is the mother of Crocifisso restaurant Chef Marco’.
Location: Via Rocco Pirri 10
Instagram: Dammuso
#5 Norma’s Bistro
Norma Gritti is one of Noto’s prominent personalities and the proprietor of Norma’s Bistrot. If you pick the right night, there will be a DJ and a party atmosphere, with customers dancing on the street and Norma leading the way. My favourite dish, and I’m not sure I should say this because I don’t think it’s classically Sicilian, is the pork schnitzel!
Location: Via Rocco Pirri 59
Instagram: Norma's
Sabbinirica Delhi has long served Noto’s best panini - it is exciting to see them open a Bistro, too. The cellar is full of the best natural and bio-dynamic Sicilian wines, and it is one of my first choices for a glass of something special. Proprietier Vincenzo and his first lady Roberta are a great team and always make you feel special and looked after.
Location: Corso Vittorio Emanele 105
Instagram: Sabbinirica
Geranio isn’t specifically a pizza restaurant, but it is my favourite place in Noto for a pizza. Proprietors Toni and Adriana Geranio work in front of the house like many family-owned restaurants, welcoming and serving their guests. Geranio boasts a secret pizza recipe, and it certainly is fantastic! It is so good that I’ve never been able to persuade myself to order anything off their lovely menu!
Location: Via Ducezio 33
Instagram: Geranio
Buco is new to my Noto repertoire of restaurants, but they have delighted me on each occasion, so I’m pleased to add them here. As you enter the city, they are located on the Corso (main street), so they always seem full of guests.
Location: Via Zanardelli 1
Instagram: Buco
#9 Al Vecchio Molo
Al Vecchio Molo is a super rustic restaurant located in the tiny seaside village of Calabernardo, a 15-minute drive from Noto. It is my favourite spot for a relaxed and slow Sunday afternoon lunch in the Sicilian sun. The owner, Giorgio, is super hospitable and loves to treat you with a delightful treat: frozen lemon slices. They are delicious and the perfect palate cleanser at the end of a meal. I make them at home, but they never taste as good as Giorgio’s!
Location: Piazza Stella Maris, Calabernardo (NB 15 minute drive from central Noto)
Instagram: NA
#10 Casa Rossa
Casa Rossa, meaning Red House, is a super rustic restaurant locate just out of town, a 7-minute drive from central Noto. It my favourite spot for midweek lunch (not open in the evenings) and love their Sicilian salsiccia or sausage and bisteca or steak and its incredible value.
Location: SS Contrade Ponte Sortino 115
Instagram: NA
Crocifisso is Noto’s Michelin-starred restaurant, conveniently located across the street from my home. Crocifisso offers a choice of tasting menus, either fish or meat and an extensive wine list, which can be viewed in the cellar room next door to the restaurant. Chef Marco is another one of Noto’s personalities, and you will see him around Noto Alta with his signature big fat cigar in hand.
Location: Via Principe Umberto 48, Noto Alta
Instagram: Crocifisso
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