Catanese cuisine is generous, flavourful and fairly “heavy”: lots of olive oil, cheese, fried food and hearty portions. Here are the dishes not to miss, with an average price at a typical local restaurant.
Pasta alla Norma
Pasta, tomato, fried aubergine, salted ricotta.
€8-10
Catanese arancino, cone-shaped
Rice, meat ragù, peas.
€2,50-4
Catanese caponata
Aubergine, celery, olives, capers in sweet-and-sour sauce.
€5-7
Swordfish rolls
Swordfish rolls with breadcrumbs, pine nuts and raisins.
€12-16
Grilled horse meat
A Catanese street food classic.
€10-14
Aubergine parmigiana
Layered fried aubergine, tomato and cheese.
€6-8
Sarde a beccafico
Sardines stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts and raisins.
€8-10
Pane cunzatu
Bread with oil, tomato, oregano, cheese.
€4-6
Granita with brioche
A Catanese breakfast or snack.
€4-5
Sicilian cannolo
Ricotta-filled pastry shell with pistachio.
€3-4Approximate average prices, not recently verified.
Tip A full menu (starter, first course, main, dessert) at a typical trattoria runs about €25-35 per person, wine not included.