The Best Sicilian Food: What To Eat On Your Mediterranean Vacation

If your appetite frequently books your travel plans for you, Sicily needs to be at the top of your list. Featuring bold flavors, sweet and sour flavor profiles and fresh, locally sourced produce and seafood, you’ll taste exactly why Sicilian food has remained globally renowned.

Sicilian food is a blend of Spanish, Arab, Greek, French and Norman influences. Palermo alone is widely considered one of Italy’s street food capitals, with over 1,000 years of communal dining traditions.

As you travel to the distinct island off the toe of boot-shaped Italy, you’ll understand just how unique the food is on the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Read on for a list of the most popular foods in Sicily.

The Sicilian Dishes You Can’t Miss

The best Sicilian dishes range from filling street food to delicate desserts rooted in generations of oral history. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover, you’ll enjoy some of Sicily’s most famous fare. 

Sicilian food satisfies that deep-down hunger for a good meal. Book your cruise to Italy and put this world-class food to the test.

To better understand what food Sicily is known for and to make the most of your great Sicilian adventure, here’s a shortlist of dishes to look out for.

1. Arancini

Delight your taste buds through a crunchy texture with a melty middle. Arancini are deep-fried rice balls made of breadcrumbs coating creamy risotto. 

Fillings are typically rich mozzarella cheese, peas or ragù meat sauce for meat appreciators. 

“Arancini” in Italian means “little oranges,” as they resemble the fruit when they’re cooked to a golden brown. They’re perfect as an appetizer, light meal or savory snack as you wander Sicilian streets.

2. “Pani Câ Meusa”

If no meal is complete without meat, try this famous Palermo, Sicily, specialty. “Pani câ Meusa” translates to “bread with spleen.” Enjoy this rich combination of veal spleen and lung that are boiled, fried and then stuffed into a fresh sesame bun. 

Toppings are typically ricotta or caciocavallo cheese and a squeeze of lemon to balance the flavors.

3. Caponata

Eggplant lovers rejoice. Picture sweet and sour flavors dancing on your tongue in a mixture of well-cooked eggplant, salty olives, sharp capers and crisp celery held together in a dense tomato sauce. 

Served at room temperature or chilled, you can order caponata as an appetizer on crusty bread or as a side dish.

4. “Involtini Di Pesce Spada”

5. “Pasta Con Le Sarde”

Sardines are a favorite traditional Sicilian staple, offering a hearty meal on a budget. Pair oily sardines with aromatic fennel, buttery pine nuts and sweet raisins, topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.

Paired with thick bucatini noodles, you have a savory-sweet meal that will fuel your Sicilian explorations.

The Best Desserts And Drinks To Try In Sicily

The next stop on your Sicilian food tour calls on the sweet side. Sicilian desserts include components like ricotta, pistachios, almonds, chocolate and fruit. The world-famous flaky cannoli filled with sweetened ricotta is an excellent example. 

You’ll also need to refresh yourself with a typical Sicilian drink that features ingredients like citrus, fortified wine and bitters. 

With all of the delicious food options Sicily offers, it’s time to plan your cruise and experience “la dolce vita,” or the sweet life.

6. “Genovesi Erice”

Bite into the crispy shortcrust of “Genovesi Erice,” and you’ll find a warm, creamy lemon custard at the center. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh from the oven with a nice cup of coffee. And if you want to eat it like a local, have it for breakfast. 

The lightly sweet, buttery crust is a specialty that hails from the town of Erice and is popular throughout Sicily.

7. “Frutta Martorana”

Mix ground almonds, sugar, lemon zest and occasionally dessert wine, and you’ll have “Frutta Martorana.” Sweeter than typical Sicilian marzipan, this concentrated confection is shaped into realistic fruit shapes. 

These sweets travel well as they’re often glazed and make perfect gifts for those not able to make the trip with you.

8. “Seltz Limone E Sale”

If you favor bubbly drinks, “Seltz Limone e Sale” is an excellent choice. This traditional drink is made with seltzer water, lemons and a pinch of salt and can be found particularly in Catania. 

Perfect on a hot summer day, this crisp drink made with fresh ingredients will revive adventure-seeking travelers. It’s also great as a digestif if you’ve rightfully indulged in eating your way through Sicily.

9. “Amaro Averna”

Join in the ritual of a typical after-dinner digestif. “Amaro Averna” is served with dessert or in lieu of it. It’s an herbal liqueur that rests on the sweet side with a touch of bitterness.

Imagine an intricate, slightly syrupy dark brown mixture of chocolate, cola, caramel, licorice, sage and rosemary served with a twist of orange neat or on the rocks. Dating back to 1868, “Amaro Averna” is a symbol of Sicilian hospitality. 

Indulging in a digestif is an excellent excuse to linger at the dinner table in good company. After all, socializing is a tenet woven into the culture of Sicily just as much as customary food and drinks.

Detour-Worthy Regional Sicilian Fare

Once you’re on the doorstep of Sicily, here are a few regional specialties you should try.

● Palermo: Panelle (chickpea fritters) and Cassata Siciliana (sponge cake).

● Catania: Pasta alla Norma (eggplant pasta) and granita (a flavored, coarse ice dessert).

● Trapani: Couscous di pesce (fish couscous) and Marsala wine (a regional specialty).

How To Plan A Sicilian Culinary Trip With Royal Caribbean

With your cravings for Sicilian street food sufficiently stirred, now it’s time to figure out just how you’re going to make your way to this food paradise.

By booking a vacation on Royal Caribbean, your accommodation, onboard meals and transportation are taken care of. You’ll just need your best walking shoes, a comfy outfit and food money for all the appetizing eats you want to try when in Sicily. 

Here are a few tips to get your plans off to a strong start:

● Solo or group travel: Are you flying solo or rallying your friends and family?

● Trip length and time of year: How long is your trip and what time of the year do you want to go?

● Ports of call: What cities are you interested in exploring? 

● Budget: How much do you want to spend on your trip, including souvenirs, excursions, spa treatments and other incidentals?

● Must-eats: Arguably the most important, what are your must-try dishes and drinks?

Let Royal Caribbean handle the logistics, then you only have to pack clothes that leave plenty of room for your appetite as you eat and drink your way through Sicily.