A Putia — Restaurant in Syracuse

This place was good, not great. We went around 7:30 which is early for Ortigia and got in right before all the crowds came. According to their website, this restaurant does not accept reservations. So, if you want a seat here I suggest going early. That being said, this was one of the quickest meals we had in Sicily. We were in and out in about 1.5 hours and it would have been 1 hour had I not taken so long to finish my food.

We ordered the 15 Euro A Putia sampler and it was good but nothing stood out. The caponata was probably the best thing on the sampler. I ordered the pistachio crusted tuna after reading other reviews. According to another reviewer, it is possible to substitute potatoes for the salad but I was told that is not possible. The tuna was OK, it tasted a bit as if it had been fried too long or in too much oil. Since tuna is not a very strong fish, this dominated the flavor. The salad had a nice olive oil/salt dressing. My brother and dad ordered the pasta and meatball dish pictured (I forget the name). It was also good but not great. I will say, unlike another reviewer, neither of them found it to be too salty. Lastly, my mom ordered the pasta pistachio with tomatoes. This was the best thing we ordered and it was still just good.

Normally, with just good not great I would give 4 stars but there are 2 factors for the 3 star. First, they are not COVID safe in my opinion. We were asked if we had the green pass but were not required to show it. The restaurant was packed with no distance between tables and many people walking throughout the restaurant with various levels of masks. I don't see what would stop anyone from lying about the green pass and sitting at a table less than 2 feet from me. Second, the service was unfriendly and a bit bad. The server who took our order (older gentleman) was curt and acted as if he just wanted us to get out of the restaurant. The young lady who assisted in serving was hard to flag down when something was needed (like, for instance, the bill). The only server who was good was the darker toned young man who assisted us throughout our meal. However, even he couldn't save the meal entirely with all the various factors. Overall, not the worst, but we won't be back when there are so many other phenomenal options in...

A Hidden Gem for Pasta and Seafood Lovers

Tucked away in a quiet street of the city, this small, unassuming restaurant delivers what so many high-end establishments only promise: authenticity, warmth, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

The meal begins with linguine al tonno, a dish that, in less skilled hands, might have been overly rich or unbalanced. Here, it is a masterclass in restraint and harmony. The tuna, lightly seared, retains its buttery texture, while the avocado adds a velvety smoothness. Pine nuts and dried grapes introduce subtle contrasts—nutty depth and a whisper of sweetness—without ever overwhelming the dish’s delicate equilibrium.

The secondo is even more impressive: grilled octopus, a test of any kitchen’s skill. Too often, it emerges rubbery or charred beyond recognition. Not here. The flesh is tender, infused with the smoky kiss of the grill, the seasoning minimal but precise. A drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon—nothing more is needed.

What elevates the experience beyond the plate is the presence of the owner. Warm, effortlessly welcoming, she moves between tables with the confidence of someone who doesn’t need to oversell her craft. She knows: the food speaks for itself.

In an era of overcomplicated menus and Instagram-driven dining, this place is a reminder of what truly matters. Excellent ingredients, prepared with skill and...

This restaurant is geared towards turning over as many tourists as possible per night rather than giving clients a pleasant dinner experience. The atmosphere is more like a speed-dating venue than a restaurant. The servers and the proprietor are pleasant and efficient. Orders are taken ASAP, and food comes shortly after. That's when the food experience starts. Here's a quick description of what we got: Starter 1 - roasted peppers. Likely placed on the dish directly from the container they came in. No seasoning or added value (garlic, oregano, EVOO, salt, pepper, or vinegar). Peppers themselves were of good quality. Starter 2 - Octopus salad. Overcooked lumps of octopus with some raw celery chunks and carrot bits. Not at all tasty and chewy as a garden hose. Pasta 1 - Rigatoni with swordfish. This dish was so salty that was inedible. No taste could be distinguished in it, so trying to describe it is impossible. Pasta 2 - linguine with tuna. This dish would have been okay if they hadn't top it up with a massive amount of stale bread crumbs. Boggles the mind why they'd do such a thing. Bottom line, despite the thousands of good reviews for this restaurant, I can't in good faith recommend it. It is the epitome of a tourist trap and...