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Piccolo Napoli (Piazzetta Mulino a Vento 4, Borgo Vecchio, Palermo, Sicily) – this unassuming restaurant, located in a neglected residential area between Teatro Politeama and Ucciardone Prison, has a solid culinary reputation (especially among locals), which means it often fills up, particularly during the later evenings. Since this is Sicily, fresh seafood is prominent among […]

Osteria dei Vespri (Piazza Croce dei Vespri 6, Palermo, Sicily) – located on the ground floor of the historic Palazzo Gangi, this restaurant (which is open for both lunch & dinner) is one of the best-regarded in Palermo. Dishes served there include pasta with octopus cooked in red wine and fennel, as well as other […]

Nino (Via Borgognona 11, Spagna, Rome) – this restaurant draws a crowd due to its very location: a stone’s throw away from the popular Spanish Steps. It serves dishes such as the Tuscan favorites zuppa di fagioli (bean soup), chicken liver crostini, homemade pappardelle with rabbit, sformato di spinaci (spinach soufflé served with chicken liver […]

L’Incontro (Piazza Della Repubblica 7, Florence) – known for its outdoor dining (and receiving accolades from TripAdvisor.com), this restaurant (which is part of the Rocce Forte’s Hotel Savoy), serves Buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, spaghetti à la vongole and fillet of beef with porcini mushrooms, Crispy baby pig chard stew, as well as various traditional […]

La Terrazza (Hotel Excelsior, Via Partenope 48, Santa Lucia, Naples) – forgot the menu, at least for a moment. This restaurant’s outstanding amenity is the panoramic view of the Naples area that it provides its diners (Castel dell’Ovo, Mount Vesuvio and beyond toward Capri, Ischia and the Sorrento Coast). Located on the rooftop of the […]

Il Convivio (Vicolo dei Soldati 31, Navona, Rome) – located just north of Piazza Navona, this Italian eatery (which earned a Michelin star) serves dishes such as porcini mushrooms and quail scallops; caramelized tuna fish with chestnut honey, ginger, green pepper, rosemary, and green apple purée; spaghetti with a ragout of sole, artichokes, and tuna […]

I Figli delle Stelle (Giudecca 70-71, fundamenta delle Zitelle, Venice) – with view across to St. Mark’s, this Venetian restaurant (located on the local island of Giudecca) serves dishes from the Puglia, Lazio and Veneto regions, such as Trancio di pesce spada alla griglia, Salsiccia pugliese al finocchio and Parmigiana di zucchine e melanzane.

Frary’s (San Polo 2559, fundamenta dei Frari, Venice) – this restaurant attracts those who want a break from Italian food in Venice. Here, Middle Eastern and Greek dishes are served, such as Tzatziki, Couscous, Mansaf (Rice with chicken, almonds and yogurt), as well as vegetarian options – prepared by a Kurdish, Iraqi, and Jordanian kitchen […]

Etabli (Vicolo delle Vacche 9/1, Navona, Rome) – this establishment is a cafe, wine bar and restaurant (depending on the time of day). Dishes served there include antipasti such as its Burrata (mozzarella with cream inside) — accompanied by grilled vegetables, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed tomatoes, and olives; the Roman style artichoke, Carciofi Alla Romana; and […]

Da Fiore (Sestiere San Polo 2202, Calle del Scaleter, Venice) – this Venetian restaurant serves a variety of dishes – some local (such as its Venetian risotto moleche), others fusion specialties, such as its Japanese-influenced tuna tataki, and the Venetian sardine cicchetti (laid on a bed of sushi rice).