Ristorante al Gabbiano — Restaurant in Cefalù

Al Gabbiano – A Must-Visit Spot in Sicily

We visited Al Gabbiano Ristorante Pizzeria twice during our stay — and for good reason! From the moment we arrived, the owner and staff made us feel truly welcome. There's something special about a place where the team treats you like friends rather than just customers.

The service was spot-on — waiters worked with speed and a smile, yet still managed to be attentive and warm throughout both visits.

We sat outside beneath the soft glow of streetlights, sipping cocktails as the sun set over the sea just across the road. The views were incredible, and the location couldn't be better — steps from the beach and surrounded by other lively cafes and bars.

And then there’s the food. I had the lamb, and it was absolutely superb — rich, tender, and full of flavour. Everything we tried was fresh, well-prepared, and full of that rustic Sicilian heart you hope for on a holiday like this.

To top it off, the atmosphere was just right: warm evenings, sea breeze, friendly faces, and beautiful memories shared. A perfect...

Food was delicious, but the overall experience was disappointing due to the rushed and stressful atmosphere.

From the moment we sat down, the waiter was rushing us to place our order. As soon as we finished eating, he immediately cleared the plates—even before the last person had put down their cutlery. He then asked if we wanted dessert, without giving us a chance to look at the menu, and brought us the bill without us asking for it.

When we mentioned that we hadn’t requested the bill, he simply took it back without saying a word. Less than a minute later, he returned to take the dessert order—even though it was obvious that we hadn’t decided yet.

I approached him to explain that we were feeling rushed and unable to enjoy our meal, and instead of being understanding, he responded rudely with, “I’m here to work, not play.” When I replied that I was here to relax, not feel stressed, he continued to argue.

This kind of attitude really ruined what could have been a lovely evening. Great food, but the service made it difficult to...

We ordered two pasta dishes — the food was absolutely delicious, and at first, everything seemed great. But the experience was completely ruined in the end.

After asking for the bill, the waiter, Nicolè, said it was coming — but instead of bringing it, he took another table’s order, changed tablecloths, and served other customers. We waited 15 minutes just for the check. I had already mentioned that we would be paying by card, but when I showed him the card, he waved me off, clearly showing he was "too busy" with another table.

When I pointed out that we’d been waiting a long time, he snapped: “This is a restaurant, not a fast food. If you’re in such a rush, go to the counter and pay yourself.”

His tone was rude, arrogant, and completely unprofessional. That one moment erased all the positive feelings we had about the food and the place.

We left deeply disappointed. No matter how good the food is, disrespectful service like this is unacceptable. I truly hope the management takes this seriously — because no one deserves to be...