Osteria La Gazza Ladra

Don't let the main drag/touristy location fool you -- this is the real deal! A tiny, husband-and-wife-run osteria with authentic local dishes made with heart. Seafood and vegetarian options, cash only, but very, very affordable. If possible, stop by when they open at 5:30pm to reserve a table for later (like, 9/9:30, when Italians eat).

Wonderful food, felt like I was in my grandmothers kitchen! The lemon and red sauce meatballs were incredible as well as the Pasta Norma. Will definitely be coming back!

Edit 2022: 5 stars to 3 New owners. The food is promising but doesn’t yet live up to the quality of the previous owners. Prices have increased (but at least the new owners accept card payments). Antipasti quality was mixed and the tasting-size pricing was rather steep (not much different from the full-portion price). Staff is friendly and helpful and clearly wants to succeed. I hope they can find the balance of quality, portion size, cost, and service which made the previous version of La Gazza Ladra worth returning to. (I had some of my best meals in Sicily under the old ownership).

Great little trattoria, slow food endorsed, wonderful host, mum in the kitchen . Superb food and casa wine

Definitely one of the best culinary experience during my trip back home last December!! Amazing food, locally sourced and prepared like my mother and grandmother! Lele (the owner) is always welcoming and everyone else makes the best out of it. I will go back!!

The restaurant is dedicated to the Slow Food way of preparing food... Regional, very fresh, simple but very tasty traditional recipes. Not all seafood dishes are always available, depending on what ultra fresh fish is available...A good sign, so you can be sure there is no frozen fish on your plate. The restaurant might not be as chic as the surrounding locations but the food is authentic and well prepared. Try the Siciian Antipasti with different seasonal vegetables!

We had a lovely dinner here our first evening in Siracusa. The owner was welcoming and friendly and recommended us local dishes and wine. It was all delicious and not super expensive. Highly recommend.

Amazing experience in Syracuse: real Sicilian cuisine in a real place. The menu changes often and this is also part of its attractiveness. The owner/chef is a man passionate by its job and this shows nicely in the plates. Highly recommended.