Osteria del borgo — Restaurant in Savoca

It feels like the owner of this place has multiple personalities. When I arrived at 14:30, I saw a free table on the terrace—the only one available—and asked if I could sit there. He told me it was "reserved." I replied that I could finish eating in less than an hour, but he said, “We close at 15:00,” and refused to let me sit there, even though no one ever showed up for that table. Instead, he offered me a table inside of the restaurant - which was empty, by the way. I was hungry, and someone had recommended the place, so I accepted, but I already felt tricked.

After finishing my first course, a table on the terrace became free. I asked if I could move there (since the other one was supposedly "reserved"). He started talking to me in Italian—clearly not in a friendly tone, and I didn’t understand anything. Eventually, he came over and told me I could go to the terrace but only until 15:00. So I moved outside and had my second course, but this time under pressure to eat quickly (which, interestingly, he hadn’t mentioned when I was seated inside).

What really struck me was that everyone else on the terrace was chatting with him happily, clearly in no rush—and still there past 15:15. That’s why I said he seems to have multiple personalities. He was warm and friendly to everyone else, but cold and dismissive with me. Was it because I’m not Italian? I don’t know. But seeing how differently he treated others made the experience sad.

To be fair, the food was good. But when you go to a restaurant, it’s not just about the food—it’s also about the service and how you’re treated. Maybe he didn’t want to clean more terrace tables and preferred customers inside? Who knows. Sapora is a beautiful place, and it deserves warmer, more welcoming hosts. Also, I’ve seen how this owner responds to criticism here—and that says a lot, too. Just try to...

10/10 - We found this restaurant by accident and soooo glad we did. These was some of the most tasty (and large) pasta dishes we had during our entire trip to Sicily.

Everything was just amazing and truly homemade - the owners great hosts and it was like we were eating inside of their home.

We ordered the mixed antipasti, three of the homemade pastas, and the rolled beef entree. All truly amazing. Don't forget the pistachio tartufo for desert.

Don't miss this restaurant if you are visiting Savoca or maybe even make the trip FOR...

We loved this place. Husband and wife team with not a word of English between them which was the same for the lack of Italian between my wife and I. But with signs and Google translate we ended up having a great laugh and 2 exceptional meals. For 3 courses each of huge salads, pastas and desserts plus bottle of wine, glass of wine and 2 beers the bill was €67. Superb value. The view down to the sea is beautiful and across to Saint Nicola church (where Michael Corleone married Apollonia) is beautiful lit up at night and just 10...