Cod da Saretta, Merluzzo fritto — Restaurant in Syracuse

If anyone had read my reviews before, you should know that I am quite picky and very few restaurants can earn my whole hearted recommendations to my friends and viewers. Now here it is I want to recommend. Cod da Saretta is at the edge of the Island of Ortigia. Need to walk 15-20 mins from the nearest car park (for avoiding ZTL - annoyed but not to be avoided). Place is basic (inside non-smoking). But I rated the atmosphere 5-star because we were sitting right opposite to the kitchen bench and can see all dishes people ordered (enhancing your appetite 😋). Three of us (M+2F) ordered FOUR dishes. BAD MISTAKE!!!! Not because of the taste, the portions were HUUUUGE! See photos for reference (most plates were 16 inch * 10 inches). The Mussels in tomato soup was so tasty and with the right touch of spiciness. I ordered this dish hundreds of times in my life and I can responsibly say this is by far the best taste and biggest portion I had EVER EVER! The seafood pasta was also very good but unfortunately I didn't have a real taste to it as it just got transferred almost instantly into my wife and daughter's tummy. Another favorite of mine which I am authorative enough to verdict is the Spaghetti Al Nero. Huge portion as a norm but the ink sauce was so THICK and tasty with super soft cuttle fish (I think it is rather than squid). The Chef boss is Adriano and very gentle and cheerful. All their staff speak good English and provide very good service! I also confirmed with them that their spaghetti is homemade!!! Last but not the least, make sure you carry a TOTALLY TOTALLY empty stomach to be there, otherwise do not blame me for not...

Closed Thursday

Dinner on Sunday 25 May 2025 This restaurant does not take reservations but we were seated outside without delay at 8.30 on a Sunday evening. One bottle of water, one litre of the very best chilled house white I have ever tasted (sharp lemons, soft peaches and subtle ground pepper with NO bitterness at all) at €12, two starters of Insalata della Nonna (cherry plum tomatoes, onions, salted ricotta cheese and basil) at €8 each, one Caprese (once again, with cherry plum tomatoes) at €8 and one Baccala in Umidio (saltcod in tomato sauce) at €15 cost €56. The irony of eating three salads in two meals at a restaurant specialising in fish has not escaped me but the fact that they have done them so well says a lot about the quality of the food they serve. In addition, great table service.

Lunch on Friday 23 May 2025 Pretty full outside so we had to sit inside. One bottle of water, one half litre of the very best chilled house white I have ever tasted (sharp lemons, soft peaches and subtle ground pepper with NO bitterness at all) at €7, one Insalata Siciliana (fennel, oranges, olives, anchovies and capers made it a really powerful traditional orange salad) at €8 and one Cotoletta di Pesce Spada (breaded swordfish) at €15 cost €35. The only downside is that they don't take...

5 days around Sicily, and this is the only real island-tavern-looking restaurant, simple and with delicious food! If you want to eat in the pedestrian streets of the historic center or in a square with church views, this is not your place. But you won't find a more sincerely simple and effective restaurant which is definitely not a tourist trap. Menu: great ideas for salads and for spaghetti and fish courses, normal prices, WONDERFUL taste. Eat in this quite street and you'll have time to wander around the historical center. Distances are small in Ortigia. Finally, everyone from the staff - even the cooks - where very friendly (and they speak english!!! very rare in Sicily)

Tips: 1) don't sit inside, it's too hot due to the kitchen. 2) Don't try to park in the street or in the streets near the restaurant, every spot is for the locals. You can find some very cheap close parkings nearby (or the free parking 7-8 mins away). 3) there's no music but this is also better than listening to american or brittish pop in every other restaurant existing in the island, 4) schedule to jump in the sea exactly 30m from the restaurant (before you eat), enjoying a swim and a good rest on the rocks,...