L’ Antica Pizzeria da Michele Ortigia — Restaurant in Syracuse

Italy is wonderful; we’ve visited many regions, and the island of Sicily is also truly unforgettable. Syracuse welcomed us warmly, we met many amazing people and enjoyed countless delicious dishes in different places. However, I absolutely do not recommend this place to anyone :)

The staff looked grumpy, dissatisfied, and it was unclear what they were even doing. There were only a few tables occupied, yet the bar was full of employees. It took them 20 minutes just to bring the menu. The waitresses couldn’t coordinate with each other, they were frowning and seemed unhappy with life.

Instead of bringing the meniu first, they brought a bottle of water without any glasses, placed it in the middle of the table and disappeared :D After some time, glasses finally appeared. The table was poorly set - the cutlery was simply thrown on the table. Everything was moving painfully slowly, even though there were very few guests. The man in the blue shirt, who pretends to be the manager (I hope he’s not the owner, because that would be truly sad), was wandering around doing something, but it was impossible to tell what. The staff gossiped about customers, apparently thinking that no one understood them.

It’s such a shame that a place with such a nice name carries such a poor reputation here in Syracuse. And yes, all the reviews mentioning the terrible service are absolutely true. We just decided to ignore them… and completely regret it. If you want a real delicious food and great service, go to Scchiticchio, La Lisca or Medite! AND The most paradoxical thing, the waitress actually asked us to leave a review about the service! 😅 I just couldn’t resist sharing my...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Slice of Heaven in Ortigia – Pizzeria da Michele Delivers Perfection

If you're in Ortigia and craving authentic Neapolitan pizza, Pizzeria da Michele is an absolute must. This iconic name, originally from Naples, brings its centuries-old pizza-making tradition to the stunning streets of Siracusa — and it does not disappoint.

From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed by a warm, lively atmosphere. The staff is friendly, efficient, and clearly passionate about what they do. The space is stylish yet relaxed, blending the charm of southern Italy with the vibrant spirit of Sicily.

Now for the star of the show: the pizza. Simply put, it’s extraordinary. The dough is soft, airy, and perfectly blistered from the oven. The Margherita is a triumph of simplicity — rich tomato, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and just the right drizzle of olive oil. Every bite tastes like Naples met the sea breeze of Ortigia.

You’ll also find a few local twists that set this branch apart. Whether it’s seasonal ingredients or regional Sicilian flavors, there’s always something surprising and delicious on the menu.

Prices are very reasonable for the quality, and the wine list includes some great Sicilian bottles that pair beautifully with the food.

Final verdict: Whether you're a pizza purist or just want an unforgettable meal in a magical setting, Pizzeria da Michele Ortigia is pizza perfection....

Cibo 1☆ perché: la pizza si presenta molto molto grande, molto più grande del piatto, cosi grande che trabocca il condimento tra la tovaglietta di carta, il tavolo e le gambe, macchiando i vestiti.Proprio com'è avvenuto! La base ultrasottile e cruda, si scioglie tra il sugo e la mozzarella come fosse poltiglia ed il cornicione si presenta piatto e privo di bolle. La lievitazione è giornaliera, declinando le 48/72 ore. Le ore notturne ne hanno dato prove concrete a causa dei sintomi. SERVIZIO 1☆ perché dopo aver effettuato l'ordine la cameriera ha descritto come piccoline le fritture di pasta, creando illusioni e invitandoci ad ordinarne n.8 x 4 persone! Erano grandi come arancini siciliani! Pasta scotta e fritta! Pessimo sapore e qualità. Abbiamo sollecitato più volte le bevande, l'olio... e l'assenza dei tovaglioli fa da padrone!!! N.b: le tovagliette riportano una citazione dell'attrice Julia Roberts ché è grammaticalmente errata perché la prima "E" riportata nel testo come congiunzione è verbo e dunque "È " . Bastava solo copiare bene!!! AMBIENTE 1☆ perché il laboratorio, visibile a tutti è sporchissimo. Attrezzature sul pavimento e base del forno sporco tant'è che la base della pizza lascia nel piatto macchie nere di sporco molto evidenti. Norme igieniche mancanti e non attenzionate. Un controllo igienico sanitario sarebbe opportuno. Ambiente molto illuminato sembrava di cenare in uno stadio circondata da faretti con luce fredda. Ambiente non giovanile. Il conto non è in linea alla qualità, alla competenza e al servizio che è molto bassa. I prezzi esposti nel menù sono da pizzeria superior, da grandi aspettative... volate in cielo come un palloncino!! NON CONSIGLIO AFFATTO VOTO 1 STELLA PERCHÉ NON È POSSIBILE...