Osteria Santa Domenica Taormina

Osteria Santa Domenica is hands down the best dining experience in Taormina. The food is incredibly fresh and every dish feels like it was made with the finest ingredients straight from the market that day. You can truly taste the difference; it is a cut above any other restaurant in town. The owner is absolutely incredible, warm, welcoming, and deeply passionate about what he does. He takes the time to make sure every guest feels cared for and his pride in the restaurant shines through in both the service and the food. From start to finish, everything was flawless: homemade pasta cooked perfectly, fresh seafood that melted in your mouth, and an outstanding Sicilian wine selection to complement the meal. The atmosphere is charming, authentic, and unforgettable. If you only choose one place to dine in Taormina, make it Osteria Santa Domenica. An absolute must visit.

Amazing dinner celebrating my birthday, service and food were both incredible and staff and owner made my birthday so special. The best meal we had in Taormina and one of the best on entire two week trip to Italy. Fresh ingredients straight from the market that morning and we got to enjoy the white truffle that has just arrived that morning. Highly highly recommend!

We attended a dinner for new years eve having booked many weeks in advance. Unfortunately we were bitterly disappointed. FOOD: the food was overcomplicated. The local blue crab was delicious but the paring with mango, passionfruit and black garlic was a level of complication and imbalance that is unusual in Sicily. The Risotto lacked depth of flavor and was cooked in a large vat and the fish was dry. The granita was provided in micro sized servings. The chocolate cup around the chantilly cream was not tempered and therefore was soggy. DIETARY: I recommend avoiding this restaurant if you have any dietary requirements. Despite advising one of our diners had a lactose intolerance at the time of original booking, reconfirmation and upon arrival, all of their meals had lactose including Chantilly cream in their dessert meaning they didn't eat most of their food. No effort was made to address this other than replacing dessert with a few pineapple pieces. EXPERIENCE: We were excited to spend new years eve at the restaurant having booked many weeks in advance. Instead we were seated outside in 5°C ie 41°F weather in the rain and got wet for the duration of the 4 hour meal and the table next to us had water dripping on their table (and nothing was done to move or rectify it). We were told that we were not seated inside because we booked the day before (when in fact we had book weeks before and the restaurant acknowledged this and apologised). At no point had we been told (even when confirming our booking the day before) that we would be seated outside. Had they simply told us that, we would have found another option for NYE. They gave us some complimentary wine but it did not make up for a wet, cold new years eve which was memorable for all the wrong reasons. For 180 euro per head for food, they were too greedy in seating too many people. 12 of us were seated outside (likely the only outdoor diners in Taormina). The restaurant across the road that serves mains for EU15-25 seated every customer indoors, suffice to say, they had a more comfortable welcome into the new year than we did, and on a lighter budget. Would not recommend this restaurant.

Absolutely outstanding! We dined the first night we were in Taormina (recommended by our hotel) and was the best meal we had during our stay here. From the start, the owner was enthusiastic, friendly and made sure we were well taken care of - even took a photo with us! Food itself was delicious and fresh, we tried a little of everything. My mother has a gluten allergy and they handled it beautifully (including fresh baked GF bread). Additionally had one of the best local wines (recommended by the owner). If you are in Taormina a must try!

The food here was exceptional. The menu offered a variety of real treats that made choosing difficult across every course. The wine menu was incredibly broad but well organised with options for all and lots of wines by the glass. We sat inside in a sophisticated, welcoming and mercifully cool environment. The service was attentive, helpful and friendly. Highly recommended!

Best food in town. Outstanding hospitality. The white truffle spaghetti and wines, ambience and friendly environment was relaxing. A MUST! 🎉

The owner of this restaurant is so kind and he really made it a special night for us. The food is delicious and the ambiance is cozy and intimate. We even had a serenade during our meal. We would definitely come back.

Wonderful dinner. The host/owner was a wonderful opening giving us a brief story along with the daily dishes he curates himself, food was amazing as reflected by the prices but very well spent, service was fast, attentive and kind with a great atmosphere, while sitting on the outdoor patio we still felt well attended and were able to get a wonderful experience and meal. Thank you to the team for a wonderful last meal in Taormina