Al Saraceno — Restaurant in Taormina

We are so happy with our choice of restaurant selection in Al Saraceno! It's best to make a reservation in advance for optimal table selection as the restaurant has a beautiful patio seating, with amazing views overlooking Mount Etna. One item to note though is if you are walking on foot from the heart of Etna, there are steps and not just a small amount, it's a lot (think of a huge hike) so just be mindful of that. My husband and I work out a lot and it was not an easy task for either of us.

When we arrived, we made it a few minutes before our reservation and were promptly seated for dinner on the patio, and the views throughout the entire meal were absolutely amazing!

The restaurant servers were all so friendly and welcoming and answered any questions we had.

We ordered a bottle of wine from the Mount Etna area to start as we wanted to try a wine from the area. They had wine pricing of all options and varieties.

For starters, we ordered the wild boar pasta (22 Euros) and the Taglioni with pistachio cream (22 Euros). All of the pasta was OMG so fresh and homemade, it was all outstanding!

We also ordered the Sea bass filet (28 Euros) and it was also fresh from the area as well and also truly outstanding.

For dessert, we ordered the deconstructed cannoli (10 Euros) and the presentation and quality was also outstanding and very fresh.

The entire meal and service were outstanding and very memorable. The owner closed out our check at the end and thanked us for our visit, and it was truly an amazing and friendly family establishment. Definitely try to stop by for a meal if you're in the...

I'm writing this review to warn you all. I had my worst experience in restaurants at this place. The view is great but that's the only positive thing about it. We made a reservation and when we arrived it seemed they forgot our reservation. We were placed at the last row, we asked if we could sit at the first row, as we asked for, but all tables were reserved they said. The whole evening we watched 6 empty tables infront of us (the ones with better views). Service was really poor, no attention, empty glasses, we needed to ask everything. First course, the fish platter, was tasteless. And some were frozen products, they didn't even explain to us what was presented to us! Nonetheless we continued with our main course, which was served a couple of minutes later (way to early with still empty glasses and empty bread dish still infront of me). I was shocked what I was presented for the price I was paying. It could have been a children's menu. It was a plate with some fries, dry lettuce with cheese on top and a peace of meat. I mentioned this to the waiter as this is not what I was expected. He made instantly an argument with me. That I was wrong. He asked ANOTHER GUEST to come to my table and explain to me he liked it. This is INSANE! After this my boyfriend had a word with the man. I heard him ridiculing me and he IMITATED me!!! My worst experience ever. He was blaming me of making a tantrum, but he started everything. Do not go to this reataurant!! We went to center Taormina to continue our dinner and heard as well that this is known for this place. You only pay...

It can be challenging to get to the restaurant if you walk from Taormina. We had not appreciated that. That’s probably why they charge 60 Euros for a no show, some people would turn around and not bother climbing up there. We were a bit sceptical when we arrived. The view is amazing but the tables outside at the top are mainly for couples so it was very quiet when we were there. Which is fine but I would have preferred a bit more buzz. We started with a negroni which was absolutely delicious. I don’t know what exactly they put in there but it was one of the best I have ever had. We then had the Mazara prawns with purple potatoes which was a bit bland for my liking. I missed a kick. However the main course and dessert more than made up for that. We had the tuna steak which came sliced with a sweet sour red onion reduction which was amazing. Wonderfully tasty. The red onion complemented the tuna so well and made it all very flavoursome. The waiter told me later that the red onion reduction is very typical in the region of Calabria just across the sea. As a dessert I had their own house dessert. It was ricotta with orange in a lovely deep fried pastry. There was likely something else in there that I can’t remember. It was heavenly. Also a very generous portion. They serve 3 pieces but two are actually sufficient. The tuna was also a very generous size. Overall the most memorable dinner during our 9 nights in Taormina. Just add something to the...