22 Cucina Isolana — Restaurant in Cefalù

10/10 – Unforgettable Experience!

Our time at 22 Cucina Isolana has been truly unforgettable. After spending 1 month travelling through Italy from Milan to Sicily and dining out almost every day, my wife and I can confidently say that 22 Cucina was the highlight of our culinary journey — the finest establishment we had the pleasure of dining in! Everything about this restaurant is a solid 10/10 — the atmosphere, the staff, and of course, the food. We’ve eaten at family-run gems and Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Italy, and this place is absolutely on par with the very best. A relatively simple menu with a complex twist on modern ingredients, loaded with flavour, prepared and cooked to perfection!! After our first dinner, the owner suggested seating us at a table overlooking the kitchen — an experience in itself! You personally place your orders with the chefs and speak with them directly! Watching the chefs work with such calm precision and care was incredible. The ingredients, preparation, and attention to detail were simply outstanding. Even at 10:30pm, after serving 100+ guests, the chefs still ensured every dish presented and taste the same as the first. It is clear to see this is one big family bringing a vision to life! Staff laughing with each other, calm, composed, how dining should be! Not a moment of concern or confusion. We were honestly surprised we were even able to get a reservation — the quality and reputation suggest it should be fully booked every night. Even with a full house, the kitchen delivered dish after dish with ease, freshness, and remarkable flavour.

We were lucky enough to dine here multiple times during our week-long stay and have made memories we’ll never forget as the highlight of our culinary experience in Italy! We also purchased a few bottles of wine to bring back to Australia, which we’ll open on special occasions — and each time we do, we’ll be reminded of our nights at 22 Cucina.

Grazie mille ❤️ con amore dall'Australia, hai reso la nostra vacanza ancora...

We were staying at an Airbnb and noticed a restaurant across the street. My friend suggested checking the reviews, and to our surprise, it had a 4.9 rating with people saying it could be a future Michelin-starred restaurant. The beautifully plated dishes in the photos convinced us to go.

Luckily, even without a reservation, we got a table. The prices were reasonable, and we decided to share one starter, two mains, and one dessert. When ordering, the waiter asked if we were sharing, and we said yes.

To our surprise, the complimentary croquettes were the best we’ve ever had, crispy with a slight seafood flavor. Next came our starter, and instead of one large shared plate, they served us individual portions. We were a bit confused, but the food was so good we didn’t mind. The red prawns with mozzarella foam and basil oil were perfectly balanced.

The first main was pistachio shrimp pasta, served in the same elegant style. At first, we were worried they had misunderstood our order, but we realized they simply split the portion for us, which was actually more convenient and beautiful. The second main, grilled octopus, was phenomenal – tender, flavorful, and perfectly paired with a yogurt-based sauce with parsley and lemon.

For dessert, we had a chocolate creamy topped with coconut foam, which balanced the richness of the chocolate. It was so good that we ordered another dessert, mango fishing, which was also delicious but not as standout as the chocolate dish.

The total bill was €105, a bit more than our usual meals, but absolutely worth it. The food was innovative and far better than some Michelin-starred places we’ve tried before. We left incredibly satisfied, and it was definitely an unforgettable...

Io e mia moglie abbiamo scelto il menù degustazione da tre portate (50 € a persona) e devo dire che è stata un’esperienza davvero straordinaria, quasi da ristorante stellato ma con un prezzo più che onesto.

Come benvenuto, ci è stato servito un piattino con polpettine di patate, tonno, maionese al lime e pepe: un inizio sorprendente, fresco e delicato. Piccola parentesi simpatica: tra uno scherzo e l’altro, il cameriere si è divertito con noi e ha riportato il piattino con le polpettine, creando subito un’atmosfera cordiale e piacevole.

Per quanto riguarda il nostro percorso:

Antipasto: mia moglie ha scelto la Fake Tunnina, un piatto che letteralmente si scioglieva in bocca. Io invece ho optato per la Carborana, un equilibrio perfetto tra ingredienti e consistenze, davvero indimenticabile.

Primo piatto: lei ha gustato le linguine al polpo, cucinate in modo magistrale: polpo tenerissimo e sapore delicato. Io non potevo non provare i ricci di mare: il gusto autentico del mare, dolce e intenso, un vero viaggio sensoriale.

Dolce: entrambi abbiamo scelto il cremoso alla nocciola, vellutato, avvolgente, un finale perfetto.

Come pre-dessert, ci è stata servita una panna cotta alla vaniglia con mousse di carote e una scorzetta di lime: un piccolo capolavoro che ha reso l’esperienza ancora più speciale.

Tutto è stato semplicemente sublime: la qualità delle materie prime, la creatività dei piatti, la presentazione curata nei minimi dettagli. Ma ciò che rende unico questo ristorante non è solo la cucina, bensì anche le persone: lo staff e il proprietario sono stati cordiali, gentili, educati e allo stesso tempo simpaticamente scherzosi. Ti fanno sentire accolto, coccolato e parte dell’esperienza.

Ristorante 22 Cucina Isolana è un vero gioiello di questa magnifica città, capace di regalare emozioni autentiche e sorprendenti. Lo consiglio con entusiasmo e vi invito a provarlo: fermatevi e poi ditemi se non è esattamente come l’ho raccontato! Francesco

(PREZZO INCLUSO DI COPERTO, ACQUA E BICCHIERE DI VINO EURO 60 A TESTA)

My wife and I chose the three-course tasting menu (€50 per person), and I must say it was truly an extraordinary experience — almost like dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, but at a much more honest price.

As a welcome, we were served a small plate with potato and tuna meatballs, lime mayonnaise, and pepper: a surprising, fresh, and delicate start. A fun little moment: after a bit of joking around, the waiter played along with us and brought the plate back with the meatballs, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere right away.

Here’s our culinary journey:

Starter: my wife had the Fake Tunnina, a dish that literally melted in her mouth. I opted for the Carborana, a perfect balance of ingredients and textures — truly unforgettable.

First course: she enjoyed the linguine with octopus, masterfully prepared, with tender octopus and a delicate flavor. I couldn’t resist trying the sea urchins: the authentic taste of the sea, sweet and intense, a true sensory journey.

Dessert: we both went for the hazelnut cream, velvety, enveloping, and the perfect finale.

Before dessert, we were treated to a vanilla panna cotta with carrot mousse and a zest of lime: a little masterpiece that made the experience even more special.

Everything was simply sublime: the quality of the ingredients, the creativity of the dishes, the meticulous presentation. But what makes this restaurant unique is not only the cuisine, but also the people: the staff and the owner were friendly, kind, polite, and playfully witty at the same time. They make you feel welcomed, pampered, and truly part of the experience.

Ristorante 22 Cucina Isolana is a real gem of this wonderful city, capable of delivering authentic and surprising emotions. I highly recommend it and invite you to try it: stop by and then tell me if it’s not exactly as I’ve described!

Francesco

💶 (Price including cover charge, water, and a glass of wine:...