Osteria da Rita (dal 1991)

Found this place on TikTok and saw they don’t take reservations, so we tried to get there a little earlier than usual—but of course, there was already a line. We ended up waiting about an hour and a half. The staff was nice, but they were super rushy; it was hard to get their attention. They gave us some stale bread to start, which I honestly wish they never brought out. We started out with: Bruschetta - very tasty and the tomatoes were seasoned well Artichoke Salad (can't remember the exact name) - The artichokes were so hard it was inedible. We had one bite, ate the parmesan from the top, and left the rest, total bummer. Fried Calamari - a little chewy but I liked the dipping sauce They also had singers come in and serenade the guests, which was a cute touch. For mains, we ordered the Spaghetti Da Za Rita and Spaghetti alle Vongole. The spaghetti with clams came out first, and it was really good, but there were barely any clams—just the shells with no meat inside. The other pasta took forever to come out, and by the time it did, I was pretty much done with my meal. I wasn’t a fan of the breadcrumbs they added either—way too many, so that’s all you really tasted. We ended the meal with Tiramisu and a ricotta cannoli. Honestly, the desserts were a 10/10. Loved them. Oh, and the plates were super cute and artsy, which was a nice touch. Do I think it was worth the almost 2 hour wait? No. But I heard this place is famous so I’m happy I was able to experience it.

the best restaurant in Taormina!! we ate here twice during our stay as it was so good! we waited an hour in the queue but it was definitely worth it! if you arrive at 530 you will skip the queue the food was amazing with a homemade feel. the staff were very welcoming and friendly great prices!! we loved it and will miss the place very much, thank you again!

This place is a hit! The food is so delicious! Must arrive 30-60 min before they open and wait in line, no reservations. We had so many pastas, here are some favorites! Pasta Alla Norma with eggplant Lasagna with meat sauce Pasta da Rita special Ravioli with Spinach and cheese

Definitely the best restaurant in Taormina! Food was so good, vibes were great - overall an amazing time (once you are in the restaurant). As they don’t take reservations, the queue is too long. I would recommend going for an early lunch as you’ll get a table much quicker.

Found this restaurant on TikTok and it looked like it could not disappoint. However the pasta I had was really salty. It was their recipe and I’ve read it was the best pasta there but unfortunately way too salty. The pasta itself however was really fresh. The ragu (that my bf had) was tasty, but not the best I’ve had. I really loved the antipasti and the bruschetta. I went here for lunch and still had to wait 15 minutes in line. The service was not amazing. It felt rushed and our pastas didn’t come at the same time. (10 minutes apart). The only thing that I would come back for is the pistachio cake, which was the best dessert I’ve ever had. The cake is from Bar Etna (just around the corner) and sooo good. Overall decent food but definitely not worth the hype it was given :(

I was not disappointed at all! What a great place! Lovely atmosphere! The owner was greeting his guests at the door - a nice touch! The food was amazing! Bruschetta, pasta, sea food, wine - delizioso!! And the staff was amazing, friendly and chatty! Big shout at Salvo who was taking care of us, you are a star!!! I also love the decor and their plates:-) Can't wait to be back next year! This restaurant is a must!

A restaurant that stands out for its wonderful location, good service and very friendly staff. The food is excellent. From appetizer to dessert, everything is carefully prepared and full of flavor. We drank good wine and had a lot of fun because street musicians were playing and it was interesting. A place where I would return with pleasure and which left great memories.

After reading trip advisor and Google reviews were were expecting an incredible meal. Unfortunately we both left very disappointed. The pasta was extremely average, perhaps even below average. I've had shop bought ravioli better than what was served here. We didn't even bother with dessert after the highly disappointing mains. I wonder if a lot of the 5 star reviews come from tourists who have only ever eaten tourist food and therefore they think this is amazing. Waiters were nice but overall I wouldn't recommend this to anyone and I would not come back. I wouldn't go as far as to call this a tourist trap but it's not good enough for Sicily.

The restaurant has a lot of seating outside, but the seating inside is very nice. Go there early because there is a long line and everyone takes their time. The inside is very well our conditioned. I'm here peak of summer and it's 92 /95 around 1pm

When we were in Taormina on vacation recently, we had Osteria da Rita dal 1991 on our list of places we absolutely had to dine at for dinner. One thing to note is that Osteria da Rita dal 1991 does NOT take reservations under any circumstance and is walk in only. I tried to go through the local 5 star hotel concierge at our resort and they didn't have access, and I also tried to secure reservations myself (I work for a high end travel/concierge company) and also was unsuccessful myself. But now, I understand why after going there. When you walk up, try to go towards the start of their dinner hours to get in line for a standby table. As tables "turn" the next table in the line is seated, that way everyone at the restaurant is treated fairly and is seated as tables are available. There were people in line with us that had dined there 2 or 3 times for dinner during their vacation, so we knew we were in for a treat because dining in Taormina is absolutely outstanding! Right across from the line queue, there in a gelato shop with a takeaway bar that sells wine, beer, and alcoholic drinks that you can take into the line while you wait for your table. At the time of our visit in June 2025, we were able to get a bottle of wine for 15 Euros that we drank while waiting on our table for about an hour to an hour and a half. When we were seated, we were greeted warmly by restaurant staff and they brought over the menus and complimentary bread and bruschetta. We also ordered the bottle of house wine to start as well and it was really good! For starters, we ordered the Spaghetti da Za Rita (15 Euros) and the Lasagna al Ragu (15 Euros). Both had homemade pasta and the quality was out of this world, everything was super fresh. For the entree we ordered the Lemon Flavored Meatballs (16 Euros) and these were out of this world, also very fresh and an amazing main course to share! We were full by the time we got through with dinner, so we didn't order any dessert but all of the desserts looked amazing! They did bring over a complimentary shot of limoncello to close the meal which was also greatly appreciated as well! It's truly an amazing restaurant and a must try spot if you're in Taormina!

Vastly overrated but not the most terrible. They have some actual Sicilian dishes on the menu but they definitely cater to the cruise fleas. Bruschetta was decent. We ordered the 2 more popular pasta dishes to see what the fuss was about - both were heavily salted and nothing mindblowing. I don't understand the long wait besides maybe social media hype. Trattoria Tiramisu was a better choice in Taormina city Centre.

We went back to Osteria da Rita for lunch based on the long line they had the night before when we were searching for a dinner place to go. We were told by a family that it was a very popular and desirable place to go. We only waited a few minutes for them to open at noon as a line had already formed. We had a great lunch of salad (tomato, onion and salted ricotta cheese), lasagna and a seafood pasta. I loved my hearty bowl of noodles and a variety of seafood (2 kinds of clams, mussels, shrimp---though no fish). Flavors were rich and perfectly seasoned. It was a great portion too. I saw many tables that had ordered this dish. My hubby's lasagna was incredible. He shared a few bites and wow! It was hot, great cook on the noodles and the bolognese sauce was wonderful. The salad was an additional highlight of our meal---fresh tomatoes, with the onions and cheese. And oh, the complimentary bruschetta was outstanding!! Service was attentive and helpful. We ate outside on their small patio and it was a delight to people-watch and dine on lovely food. Highly recommend!

Amazing food. Service was good but a some waiters were little rude, but it was fine.

Outstanding! Doesn't take reservations but the line moves quickly. Prices are very reasonable.

Osteria da Rita will almost definitely have a line. No res, no nonsense - just the line. And since it's on one of the main pedestrian areas, people that are looking for something to eat see a line and get excited...and just might hop on. If you get there on the early side you should be fine, but 7pm and onward you'll probably have to wait. We waited for about 40 minutes, and although we didn't get a table outside like we wanted, we did get a great two top right by the kitchen, which I think actually ended up being even better. Once you sit, don't mess with the wine menu, the Osteria da Rita house white wine was absolutely delicious and super inexpensive. I drank nearly the whole bottle myself and it definitely hit right. We started with the fennel salad, which was super fresh and crunch (recommend), and for our mains we got swordfish and a pasta dish with mixed seafood, and split them both. I feel like that was the right move since both were great, though I would definitely put an extra few votes in for the pasta. Those noodles and that sauce were delicious. I believe we opted out of dessert on this run, but overall I would say this restaurant is certainly worth the wait. Try for a table outside because of the ambiance of outdoor dining in Sicily, but if you end up inside, it won't be the worst thing.

Came here during my trip in Taormina and it was delightful! I love how small the restaurant is and the waiters were very nice! The food was very good! We started out with salad and bruschetta. The bruschetta is a must! Then we had pasta and dessert. We ordered everything at once and everything came out in order and pretty fast!

It will definitely have a line so prepare for that. We waited an hour and a half in line before we got a table. Although it may be as short as 30 minutes sometimes. Setting was very nice outside with friendly staff. The best part is probably the bruschetta, which was on the house. The rest of the food was ok, i would pass on the meat and cheese board. Not sure if it worth the wait but it seems like it is the hottest spot in Taormina and people love it!

Far and away........best bruschetta we've ever had ! Hard to match the quality and taste of tomatoes in Sicily. Great outdoor tables, setting.

Osteria da Rita food takes you on a trip to mainland Italy rather than sticking strictly to Sicilian flavors. Don't get me wrong, the dishes are really good, bursting with flavors and made with fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly and attentive. If you're up for a taste that's a bit different from the usual Sicilian offerings, Osteria da Rita is worth checking out. It's like a slice of mainland Italy right in the heart of Taormina. If you seeking Sicilian food then look elsewhere. Highly recommended.

Food and service very good. Expect to wait in long line to be seated. No reservations accepted. Easier to get a table with less than 4 people.

A wonderful meal and I felt like family on a crowded night. Can go on and on, but will only say best meal in two weeks and I ate high end all the time. Beats the Michelin star restaurants I ate at. Period!

Waiting for our table was half the experience. a small wine shop very nearby will sell you a glass of wine while you wait... The food...oh my! Had the caprese and the pasta di Rita. Loved it so much went back the second night. well priced and tremendous flavors. Worth the hype!

Location was excellent, the restaurant felt cozier than some we dined in, and they were able to accommodate us even though we didn't have reservations! The food was excellent and we even got complimentary bruschetta in addition to the typical house bread. We were seated by the kitchen as well so it was fun to see the chefs in action and seemed to be enjoying what they were doing! I ordered the involtini (beef rolls with pistachio) to try something more Sicilian and was very impressed! Would go back for sure!

Protip: - Make reservations or come during the off hours. - Highly recommend the Lasagna. This was one of my favorite restaurants in Taromina. They have great good, great service, and everything was reasonably priced. The location is in the center of the town with a combination of indoor or outdoor seating. The service was great as well and was very accommodating.

I thought this place was fantastic. Decided to eat here on a whim on night of our stay in Sicily. Cute, outdoor seating and extensive menu with moderate prices. What more could you ask for? We shared the Sicilian vegetable appetizer which was recommended to us by the waitress. It was delicious and a huge portion...plenty to feed four people. They gave us complementary bruschetta which was both thoughtful and tasty. All four of us ordered pasta dishes as entrees. The potions were HUGE. I could barely make a dent in mine! The dishes were flavorful and satisfying. I had a craving for pasta and this certainly hit the spot. Do yourself a favor and stop by this restaurant if In the area!

Fun ambiance, good prices, and friendly service. They have a wide selection of dishes and drinks and serve generous portions. We got the grilled swordfish, grilled sausage, pasta a la Norma, and the ragu. I found the tomato sauces in the pastas to be overpowering. The swordfish was a tad overcooked. The table bread which was a bit dry and stale. That being said, the sausage and potatoes dish was very good. However I'm not sure it's worth the wait nor the hype.

While traveling across Italy we have had many wonderful dinners. I have to say the food here is amazing and well worth the wait since there is usually a line but it moves. The food was excellently prepared and flavorful. Definitely recommend.

Despite glowing YELP reviews, this place was a disappointment. The good: the Sicilia Antipasto with one if their signature salads would have made a great dinner for two. Tons of flavor and an array of fresh vegetables. The bad: deuce tables are smashed so close together you have dining partners. We tried to order meatballs or sausages but they were out and we were there right at the opening. My pasta with sardines was barely edible. Thick heavy pasta with bland sauce and the fish was forgettable. The swordfish fillet was over cooked and under seasoned. This place is located in a conclave of restaurants, so choose carefully. I suspect the multiple positive reviews are based on the low prices and large portions or we ordered the wrong dishes. You are better off at the family operated Ristorante Al Giordano around the corner.

Osteria da Rita has many 5-star reviews, and it did not disappoint. We shared a Sicilian pizza and Mista (green) salad. The ingredients were fresh. The preparation and service was excellent and the service was delightful. Hot food, served hot. Cold food, served cold. It's also a great place to sit, sip and people-watch! Will we return? Certainly!

Long wait , you should make a reservation . Food is delicious , very tasty. Eggplant parm is delicious

Osteria de Rita is a worth walking around a little bit to find. It was hands down the best meal we had during the week we spent in Sicily. They also serve a good size portion if you have a healthy appetite. All the walking around Taormina had us famished! The table next to us seemed to be amazed at how quickly the huge plates of pasta disappeared lol We split the pistachio torte for desert, just so we could try it. It was perfectly moist and not overly sweet. The service was also efficient, attentive and not pushy. It was worth the splurge, as it is priced a bit higher than some other eateries.

This place is fantastic. After some disappointing meals on the main strip of touristy Taormina, we were able to get the extended family slightly off track. Not far, still touristy but it felt less so. The pastas were great (get the Norma!) and the bruschetta and Caprese were on point. The Tuna InsalAlate was a great mix of fresh cucumber,vinegar, savory tuna and artichokes and what not. Fabulous. Staff was very friendly!

Our FAVORITE RESTAURANT in TAORMINA, ITALY. The food was FABULOUS & the STAFF were AMAZING! We ate there 4 times in 5 days and we walked by the restaurant everyday while shopping and the Staff would wave to us and remembered our names!

At first they say you have an hour and a half wait. Wait there until someone leaves and claim the table. There is no American-style waiting list. The menu is large and straight to the point. We ordered 1/2 liter of house rose (perfectly refreshing) and the pasta da Rita (with no cheese/lactose intolerance) and the carne rustuta (grilled sirloin steak) the portions are massive and enough to save for another meal. They serve you bruschetta on the house before your meal. The steak came with a wonderful green salad (fresh romaine lettuce) and eggplant caponata. Both were incredibly fresh. The pasta was great, but would've been better with cheese & bread crumbs as originally presented on the menu. The food was good for the price, was just lacking the service and ambience. But still one of the best experiences we've had in Sicily.

Oh how we LOVED this osteria. The pasta SO fresh, the service so warm, and the wine came in an adorable chicken carafe!!!!!! No coverto - first sign this place is NOT just out for any tourists money. Love is in the air!!! For the food for the town for the customers. The outdoor patio is nestled in a more private and romantic corner ... Everyone who served us was joyful and passionate, which made for a truly comfortable and enjoyable experience. We loved it so much we came back again!!! Lasagna - incredible!!! Pizza - the cheese was unbelievable Pasta carbonara e pesto gnocchi - perfect, and the pasta perfectly fresh. Both salads - full and hearty. House Russo - delicious Cappuccino - delightful! Special dessert treat at the end!! I would eat here every night if I were staying in Taormina any longer. The prices are reasonable and affordable too. Perfecto!

This place is absolutely positively two yes two of our best meals eaten in all of Sicily. We ate lunch and promised we would be back and came back that very night for dinner. The lamb , the steak, the meat platter , pasta dishes and service are top notch. Can't wait to come back and eat here.

Having eaten in many of Taormina's posher establishments and leaving feeling underwhelmed for the most part, Osteria Da Rita was a god send. The food is proper "come cucina la nonna" (Grandmother's cooking), Southern Italian food - mounds of pasta covered in deep red sauce with lovely fresh ingredients. The bruschette were astounding, granted not the most complex dish, but they managed to work so many different flavours into it, including some chilli to give it a bit of a kick. Hands down the best bruschetta i've ever had. The meatballs were truly memorable, as was the tagliatelle al ragù - both dishes covered in a lovely home-cooked, thick tomato sauce. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed, outside in a quiet mini piazza. Antonio, his sister and the rest of the guys working there were very welcoming and friendly. We had booked a table at La Baronessa, one of Taormina's swankiest eateries for our last night. I've eaten there before and the 5-course tasting menu is impressive, however after having discovered Da Rita, we cancelled our booking in favour of eating with Antonio et al one last time. SImply put, it's much better value for money; and the food is more enjoyable. To sum up - if what you want is tasty, simple home-cooked grub, with a relaxed atmosphere this is the place

Best value for money restaurant in taormina, I have tried everything on the menu and I have yet to find anything I don't like

I arrived due to the Yelp reviews- I love knowing what to expect from the reviews- I also love that the establishment is clueless as to what Yelp is! Mafioso pizza was the best I've had in Sicily - patio is great for people watching-captures salad was excellent and the service was exceptional for the staffing. Highly recommend this place to fellow Yelpers!

Great place , friendly staff. Must visit. It looks like it has original Sicilian food

Off the main drag in Taormina in an alley like all the decent restaurants. Directed there by our bus driver. Huge salads and the food is divine. Rolled away stuffed and happy. Thank god there were stairs to work it off.

We Passed by a fee times but there was always a line. So we made it a point to come early (6 pm). And then I understand why theres a line. Cuz everything was delicious. Seafood special. The beef with pistachio even the salad. Yum

It's lovely and a safe place to eat if you don't want to be too adventurous too soon! Book a table, it gets super busy. Not just tourists (thanks to Yelp) either, lots of locals as well! The server was having multiple conversations with the ladies in the surrounding apartments. It's nice to be in Italy

Best meal in Italy and we hit some of the best. The Tuna, the pasta and the shellfish were out of this world. And the service was amazing to boot. Huge portions as well.

I loved dining at Osteria da Rita while visiting Taormina. So much so that my girlfriend and I decided to eat there twice in three days we stayed. Taormina is packed with ristorante's, but it gets hard to pick one since all have very similar menus and price points. We were sucked into a tourist trap one night (Porta Messina, DO NOT GO THERE) and regretted every second of it. So when our final night came we decided to go with the tried and true Osteria da Rita. Their wine is delicious and comes in quaint little rooster decanters (we even got one for my parents at the store next door hahaha) and it's rather inexpensive too, 4 euro for a 1/4 liter, which is fine for two. The price gets better the larger you go too. Our food was even better, the first night we had homemade pasta carbonara and gnocchi pesto, both fresh and mouth-watering. Great portions too! We had leftovers the next day for lunch!! The second time we had the sausage pizza, lasagna, and a great salad (the name escapes me). All were just as fresh and delicious. Truly what an osteria should be, Sicilian home cooking at it's best! Oh, and when they bring the check they also give you a shot of clear, homemade Italian wine and a sesame covered cookie! Both sweet and yummy! Yes please! If I'm ever in Taormina again I WILL be back to Osteria da Rita.

Not sure why everyone is 5 stars for this place!!! It is in a very cute alley and friendly service however food is just OK! It is definitely not the best pizza in Taormina. I think people need to go out more often before give out 5 stars that easily. I will go there again and maybe try different dishes however 5 stars require more quality!

We saw the number 1 rating on Yelp so we thought we'd give it a try. We were not disappointed. The waiter Carlo was super friendly as we were the first customers for lunch. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the people we met at the adjoining tables. And...there actually is a Rita. She's the mama and the cook in this nice family business. The Norma pasta was great along with the pizza. Finally they topped it off with a beautiful chupito of a chestnut aperitif. Nice place in Taormina!

Great service and good food. Everyone who works here is VERY friendly. We orders the classic bruschetta, the meat pizza and the pesto gnocchi. All was very good. The bruschetta was some of the best I've ever had. My hubbie had a headache so we asked for our check while we still had our entrees in front of us (big faux pax in Italy) -and 2 different staff members came out to see if everything was ok. Very friendly and helpful. This is a great casual place for dinner and the prices were wonderful. 36 euros for the entire meal.

Nice atmosphere, little to big antipasto. The gnocchi had a little to much pesto. Nice but slow personal. Good beer and wine. I personally think that the home made pasta was to al dente.

Just perfect. Perfect pasta, fresh salad, off the main drag. Friendly service and owners. And Nero d'Avola is divine. If you want Sicily in a tourist town this is it. Period.

Delicious fresh food. They have a fixed menu (English) and a hand written menu that changes based on what ingredients are in season. The food was very affordable, large portions, great atmosphere, and very nice staff. The secret is out so you will absolutely need a reservation!

AMAZING! To the point we eat here twice in one day!! The food was phenomenal I felt like I was sitting in my Nonna's basement! Pasta di Norma, Pasta alla Pesto, Pasta di Rita, the Insalada Verde, Bruschetta , and the Bruchetta Mista- were hands down the BOMB.COM! Service was awesome Danny did it on his time table but NEVER forgot ANYTHING!!!!! Can't wait to eat here again!!!

We visited Rita twice while we stayed in Taormina because we couldn't find any place that is more comfortable and down to earth! But more important is the fact that the atmosphere and the dishes are truely wonderful!

Was a wonderful night on Taormina, taking a dinner in Osteria Da Rita. The attention was the best I received in Italy and the dishes are super big and tasty.

Rip-off for tourists! Indeed a "tourist trap" like someone else commented above, bad service and the food has nothing special other than the size of the portions. Won't go there ever again!

Excellent, unassuming, food. Favorite meal in Taromina hands down and perhaps the best I've had in Italy, which says a lot. Casual ambiance, no pretence, and outdoor dining, the restaurant is one of my all time favorites. We made a reservation which is definitely something that only tourists do (we found out later), though the restaurant does fill up, mainly with locals, as the night wears on. We actually came back here again the night after, since it was so great. The bruschetta is delicious, as is the pizza and the carbonara. I also tried the traditional sicilian dish of pasta in black octupus ink, which was something I never had before, and as it turns out I do not love octupus ink, but for those who enjoy it or for those who want to try a local dish I'd recommend it. Get the house wine, it's local and cheaply priced, in addition to being light and delicious. I don't think it is cash only but I know that they only take certain credit cards (I know that it didn't take the one that I brought, so I would call ahead and ask). Fabulous service- love love the waiters and waitresses. Couldn't recommend this place enough.

Delicious and hearty food, we ordered the carbonara and mixed bruschetta, it was dee-licious! The service was great, the waiters were super nice. It definitely did not feel like they were out to get our money the way many places in Taormina are. There is no service charge, and at the end of the meal you get a small glass of almond wine and a choc chip biscuit with your bill.