La Porta Urbica Ristorante — Restaurant in Syracuse

I traveled to Scicily from USA and came across this restaurant by chance and was truly impressed.

Every dish we tried was a masterpiece of flavor and presentation. The octopus was perfectly tender, delicately seasoned, and paired with fresh herbs that highlighted the sea’s natural taste. The vegetable tower was not only visually stunning but also incredibly flavorful — a celebration of local, seasonal produce.

The lobster pasta was the undeniable star of the evening: al dente spaghetti coated in a rich, subtly spicy tomato sauce that let the sweet lobster meat shine through. And the pistachio dessert — smooth, fragrant, and deeply satisfying — was the perfect finale to an unforgettable meal.

But what truly sets this restaurant apart is the chef. You can taste the care, technique, and soul in every bite. His talent is undeniable, yet he remains warm, humble, and passionate about showcasing Sicilian ingredients at their best. A rare combination of culinary artistry and authenticity.

We left with full hearts and even fuller stomachs — and already planning...

Great ambience, food, and service!! Francesco was so kind and made this dining experience one of our favorites in Sicilia. The portions were generous without compromising on the quality. Amazing place to try traditional Sicilian classics like caponata, ficchi d'India, insalata d'arance Siracusana, and pasta alla Norma. The desserts were fantastico as well!! We had cannoli, pistachio tiramisu, and a surprise dessert to celebrate our honeymoon with local digestivos on the house!! Compliments to the chef Corradino and his sous-chef as well!! It's a hidden gem not too far from the busy city center in Ortigia; if you are looking for an authentic and relaxing place, worth the extra 500 steps from the chaotic and loud tourist traps nearby ;) Grazie...

The seafood they offered was of high quality and very fresh, especially the oysters and Sicilian red shrimp. That's why we ordered it twice.

The seasoning of the tuna tartare was outstanding and left a lasting impression.

The chef's special that day was octopus pasta, and its sauce was very flavorful and unique, unlike the common sauces used in other restaurants.

The restaurant had a rich wine list to choose from, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that their whiskey selection included local Sicilian options as well as Japanese varieties.

The experience here was definitely better than other places that only serve dishes with salt or thick tomato sauce. The next time we visit Siracusa, we will...