Vico Astemio

Excellent food an extensive wine menu and a very beautiful room make this restaurant a special place to dine. Quality of food and combinations of aromas are extraordinary. Service staff is very helpful. It’s all very tastefully decorated and served. A treat for eyes and mouth alike.

Celebrated my birthday here in October season so atmosphere was fairly quiet however! The food and service were so exceptional it didn’t matter if anyone else was there or not. Chef Massimiliano truly reflects the unique taste of Sicily and mirrors the volcanic essence of Etna, the balance of smokiness, salt and unique local flavours were elegant, delicious and exciting. Truly impressed by the flavours and choice of ingredients and produce were really well considered. A hidden gem I would travel back for and will crave for when I return home. As for the staff Alessia Maria and Agnieska were warm, welcoming and had a real in depth knowledge of their wines and menu. An absolute treat. I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy was awarded a Michelin star one day.

It was simply outstanding! We all had the four-course surprise menu, which was repeatedly complemented by small greetings from the kitchen. Some of us chose the meat option, others the fish, so we were able to try a wide variety of dishes. We started off with a drink, which at €10 was very reasonably priced — and turned out to be one of the best Negronis I’ve ever had. From a huge wine selection filled with fantastic niche wines and renowned vineyards, we were recommended a wonderful natural wine. Bottles range from around €20 to well over €100. What we really appreciated was that the recommendation wasn’t aimed at selling us the most expensive option, but rather a delightful bottle for just €28. The food was perfectly balanced, and I had the best artichoke I’ve ever eaten. Every dish showcased pure, intense flavors and was prepared in a way that highlighted the individual ingredients and spices, leaving you wanting to never rinse your mouth again. Even for our little three-year-old guest, they quickly prepared a simple but absolutely delicious pasta dish, followed by a fantastic white chocolate ice cream. Despite some minor language barriers, the service was extremely pleasant, friendly, and attentive. The restaurant itself charms with its historic character in the walls and personal touches in the interior design. Even with about 90% occupancy, the atmosphere remained relaxed enough to enjoy a good conversation and fully concentrate on the culinary experience. For us, it was a true 10/10 — an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area.

Despite being advised a half day in advance that one of us was vegetarian, the veg options offered were extremely sub standard. In fact the restaurant denied they had received this advice, when it was all recorded in writing, and confirmed by them as received and ok’d earlier in the day. They offered a grilled zucchini with cherry tomatoes and cheese. The fish/pasta dish was both tasteless (pasta) and generic fish like from a can. It probably wasn’t, but that was how it tasted. The service was attentive and gracious, except for the denial of being advised about our vegetarian, which was demonstrably not true. Our bill was discounted thankfully.

The atmosphere is really pleasant and the service is perfect. The food is very good, although some portions are a bit smaller than they could be. There is an extensive wine list!

Walking through Riposto and saw twinkle lights and heard beautiful music, that’s what drew us to Vico Astemio. A fabulous dining experience with exceptional cuisine and fantastic service. A must on your dinner list, appeals to all of your senses. Enjoy!

The restaurant is very bohemian, the food is fresh with a high-class visual aspect, and the taste is a real symphony for the taste buds. The waitresses are very educated on what is in each dishes. If you visit or arrive via Riposto, i recommend this restaurant.

Most likely the best restaurant in the vicinity - and they know it, too, as its reflected in the price. It's not exorbitant, but they differentiate themselves (successfully) from the local competition. Portions are perhaps a bit on the modest size; retrospectively, just antipasti, secondi and a dolce was slightly meager - most Italian restaurants will leave one amply satisfied with this choice. We didn't go home hungry, though. Staff were attentive and friendly, and surprisingly (some) spoke quite good English as well. We did not have the opportunity to sample the wines, but undoubtedly they're worthwhile. Improvements? Easy on the salt, chef - the soup doesn't have to mimic the sea.