La Tavernetta Uno da Simone — Restaurant in Syracuse

Closed on Tuesdays.

Lunch on Monday 13 October 2025 Our last visit this year but we will come back many times next April and October. One bottle of water, one half litre of house white wine at €8, one Insalata di Arance e Finocchio (oranges and fennel) to share at €7, one amazing special of Spada in Crosta di Pistacchio (swordfish in a pistachio crust) at €18 and one Spigola alla Grigliata at €18 cost €54 (after a discount).

Lunch on Saturday 11 October 2025 Not too busy but we made reservations ahead anyway. One bottle of water, one half litre of house white wine at €8, one Insalata di Arance e Finocchio (oranges and fennel) to share at €7, one exceptional Caponata at €8 and one amazing special of Spada in Crosta di Pistacchio (swordfish in a pistachio crust) at €18 cost €44 (after a discount).

Dinner on Wednesday 8 October 2025 Really busy with people queuing up, even though extra tables had been set up outside. Good signs include (1) it was full of Italians and (2) there was no interruption in service despite the numbers. One bottle of water, one half litre of house white wine at €8, one exceptional Caponata to share at €8, one Bigola Pasta (very thick spaghetti) alla Carbonara at €14 and one Bigola alla Sarde at €15 cost €46 (after a discount). Great food and wonderful service!

Lunch on Wednesday 8 October 2025 Quiet early on but it quickly filled up. We were greeted as regulars and treated kindly with delicious (and free) bruscetta while we drank water and wine. One bottle of water, one half litre of house white wine at €8, one Peace Spada alla Marinara (swordfish) at €16 and one Spigola alla Griglia (sea bass) at €18 cost €45 (after a discount).

Dinner on Wednesday 21 May 2025 Quite busy but we had booked and were greeted warmly. Quite full today after pizza for lunch. One bottle of water, one Pesce Spada alla Marinara at €16, one Pesce Spada alla Griglia at €15 and only half a litre of lovely white wine at €7.50 cost €45.50. Quite embarrassed at the half litre of wine as we're English, sorry they are closed for five days so no more visits this Spring and we are regulars so we got a discount!

Dinner on Monday 30 September 2024 Very busy with a long queue of people (who hadn't bothered to make a reservation) waiting "patiently" in line. We have encountered several French and German groups this past week. Where did they learn to queue rather than rudely push to the front? One large bottle of water, one litre of lovely white wine at €13, one Caponata to share at €7 and two Filetto di Spada (a swordfish fillet in a pistachio crust with slices of oranges = YUM) at €17 cost €61.

Dinner on Friday 27 September 2024 Not quite so busy but still very popular. One large bottle of water, one litre of lovely white wine at €13, one Caponata to share at €7, one Filetto di Spada (a swordfish fillet in a pistachio crust with slices of oranges = YUM) at €17 and one Spigola alla Griglia (sea bass) at €16 cost €60.

Dinner on Wednesday 25 September 2024 Quite busy but our table in the corner was reserved. One large bottle of water, one litre of lovely white wine at €13, one wonderful Peace Spada alla Marinara at €16 and one Pacheri Ortigia (a local pasta dish) at €17 cost €53. We didn't order starters because we were already so full! But next time maybe the Caponata at €7 and the Verdure Grigliata at €6.

Dinner on Saturday 18 May 2024. We were seated and served water immediately but I (foolishly) asked for the wine list from Jasmine. Even though the house wine is really lovely! One litre of house white at €13, two starters of Insalata Mista (excellent mixture of lettuce, tomatoes, radicchio and fennel) at €5 each, one Pesce Spada alla Marinara (a beautiful large piece of swordfish with cherry tomatoes and olives) at €16 and one Tagliatelle alla Siracusa (ribbons of pasta with tomatoes, basil, capers and oregano) at €13 cost £59. I promised to listen to Jasmine regarding the wine selection...

Good but not great.

Ate here in the off-season in January. Came in a bit early (just after 7 pm), so the place was almost empty. No music made it feel a little weird. The food started bad, we shared a Soutè Cozze Vongole and the mussels and clams just tasted weird, so much so that we debated eating them. I think it was just the sauce, we were fine after eating the whole portion -- but it was definitely not very good. The main courses were much better, thankfully, but not in line with what the other reviewers here are raving about. I'd give 3.5/5 for the mains.

They turned on some music shortly after we had finished our mains, and by then, other patrons had come to the restaurant, ameliorating the atmosphere.

Service was OK, but the main course arrived much too soon after the starter, like 3 mins after our plates had been taken away. After the main course, I was still helping my partner finish her portion when the server asked to take my plate away...

This was a delightful restaurant to eat outside at and people watch on the street (I was a solo traveller). The food was delicious - I had bruschette with tomatoes and the gnocchi. Both were excellent and it was interesting to try Sicilian gnocchi which is traditionally made with semolina flour and water and so a different taste and texture to what you might be used to. The tomatoes on the bruschette almost deserve their own review, they were so fresh and flavourful! (A cliche I know, but there you go)

The staff were friendly and attentive. After asking for a table, the man stated “yes but I need to check with my wife” which is an energy I respect.

I had a quarter litre jug of local red wine which was also delicious and absurdly cheap.

All in all, a great dinner and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend...