Gambero Rosso Taormina dal 1949 — Restaurant in Taormina

The biggest surprise was the unannounced 23.5% ‘coperta ’ AKA cover charge. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a thing in the last six weeks of travelling in Spain and Italy. Maybe this is a custom in Taormina so this review’s point is to alert you to be prepared and to make your own choices about whether to patronize restaurants that are very clearly geared toward the tourist trade.

[Edit: after doing a little research, I discovered that the custom is in fact common around here, but that the coperta must be mentioned in the menu. It would be interesting to see where that showed up at this restaurant because it was not obvious. Last night we were in a much superior restaurant for a special occasion. and at the very top was listed the much more modest COPERTA for this five star restaurant was at the top of the menu. A superior practice at a superior restaurant.]

We went here because another restaurant behaved similarly to another town we had visited yesterday where there was clearly a two tier system in place: locals versus tourist. Fair game,…again, be prepared, depending on which side of the coin you flip on. And make your choices accordingly.

As for the food, it was an adequate middle of the road margarita pizza. We had one to take away the night before for five euros in a smaller town and it was superior. The difference being the cheese was too salty on this one and the dough was flavorless. I can certainly do better at home with a little effort.

The staff were very pleasant, but also very efficient at reeling in customers from the street. So kudos to them for their enthusiasm to put bums in seats because that is clearly the aim of the game here.

It’s unfortunate that these are the tactics in places like this because our evening to this point had been unsullied by overly tourist trapping techniques. I suppose I naïvely thought it was a little different here based on the incredible elegance of the stores, the remarkable architecture, and of course, the incredible history. The ambience in Taormina is fantastic, don’t get me wrong. But I’m afraid some of the restaurant trade leaves an awful lot to be desired …quite happy to put this behind us as a minor disappointment to otherwise lovely evening wandering about and enjoying the sites and the enthusiasm of the children who are enjoying Halloween. (Still can’t quite fathom Halloween in Italy. Apparently this phenomenon is only about 15 years old in this part of the world. ). But the kids were incredibly creative in their costumes and having so much fun. It was hard not to be swept up with their beautiful enthusiasm!

Let’s just focus on that because the pizza, something which should be quite easy to do exceptionally well, simply didn’t...

During a recent trip to Tairmena, Italy, we had the pleasure of dining at Gambero Rosso dal 1949, a beloved local establishment with a rich history. While the food was nothing short of outstanding, the evening was a bit of a mixed experience due to some service-related issues.

First and foremost, the food at Gambero Rosso was exceptional. Each dish was carefully crafted, bursting with authentic Italian flavors that left us completely satisfied. From the pasta to the seafood, everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can tell that this restaurant has been honing its recipes for decades, delivering an elevated dining experience that is both traditional and inventive. It's easily some of the best food we've had in Italy, and for that alone, it's worth a visit.

However, despite the incredible food, we had to endure a lengthy wait—nearly an hour and a half—before our meal arrived. The restaurant was incredibly busy that evening, and it was clear the staff was overwhelmed. We found it difficult to get the attention of our waiters, whether to request drinks or simply to inquire about our order. While the staff was polite and professional, the pace of service left much to be desired.

The atmosphere, though vibrant and lively, added to the charm of the restaurant. It’s evident why Gambero Rosso is such a popular spot, and once the food arrived, it became clear why people are willing to wait. Still, the lengthy delay in service detracted from what could have been a flawless evening.

In summary, Gambero Rosso dal 1949 is a fantastic place for a meal if you’re in Tairmena. The food is top-tier, but I would recommend going with the expectation that service might be slow, especially during peak hours. If you’re prepared for a wait, the meal will be well worth it, and you’ll leave with a full stomach and a smile on your face.

Would I go back? Absolutely—just with a little more...

We had dinner at this restaurant and overall had a good experience. All in all, the setting and food were good, though some things brought the rating down.

Location & Atmosphere: The restaurant has outdoor seating facing a busy pedestrian street, where many restaurants compete for guests. Unlike in some larger cities, the staff here were friendly and not overly pushy. There’s also a quieter courtyard area in the back, which was a nice surprise.

Food: The food arrived quickly. The pizza was genuinely good, with a nice crust and well-balanced flavors. The lasagna was also enjoyable. Both dishes delivered what we hoped for, nothing groundbreaking, but solid, satisfying food.

Service – Room for Improvement: While the staff were polite, several young waiters unintentionally disrupted the dining experience. Throughout the meal, it felt like we were being constantly watched. At one point, four of them stood in a row observing the tables, which made it hard to relax and enjoy the food. Even the Dutch guests next to us remarked on it.

When I was pouring water into my glass, one of the waitresses started clearing the plates, which forced me to pause mid-pour with the bottle in my hand, a sign of inexperience.

Small details like this broke the flow of an otherwise nice dinner.

Other notes: We weren’t rushed after the meal and appreciated being able to sit and talk in peace for about 20 minutes after declining dessert, before we asked for the check ourselves. A relaxed and pleasant end to the meal.

FYI: There’s a standard €3 coperto charge per person, which is a normal and expected part of dining out in Sicily. Some reviewers have criticized it, but it’s just part of the local dining culture and not something that should count against the restaurant.

All in all, the setting and food were good, and we would gladly return, but only if the service felt a bit more relaxed and...