Museo della pasta — Restaurant in Taormina

Museo Della Pasta Cooking Class: A Fantastic Time Had by All!!!!

What a time we had at the Museo della Pasta! Surely this cooking class was a highlight of our Taormina experience. I had heard this was a great time…but it far exceeded all of our expectations!

We were a group of 11 family and friends all very excited to discover these Sicilian recipes. The class consisted of a five-course meal with delicious wine pairings..and believe me, the wine was flowing! While it was a cooking class, it turned out to be a party from start to finish.

Maya, the owner of the restaurant, is an absolute gem of a woman..so sweet, kind and with a great knowledge of food. When booking,Maya had told me on the phone that she would make a great experience for us...and she definitely delivered! Her staff, Violetta and Sergio simply adorable…and even Chef Paula, who was cooking for the restaurant and started work after our event had begun, joined in on our fun.

Chef Carmelo Russo led our class....he is a delightful man who taught us how to make the most delicious Eggplant Parmigiana, Sweet and Sour Caponata, Pasta alla Norma, Swordfish Involtini and Cannoli. Throughout the class he gave us great tips on why different elements are prepared in a certain way, taught us a really cool technique of frying on top of parchment paper and how to make fresh pasta the old-fashioned way. Chef Carmelo was thoroughly engaging, funny, kind and knowledgeable….and, yes, an amazing cook!!!!

Everything we prepared was absolutely delicious…so much so that my husband is planning on incorporating Chef Carmelo’s swordfish rolls into our own Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes. They were truly amazing.

I can't begin to express the fun we had cooking, drinking, dancing and singing! Too bad Trip Advisor doesn't allow videos...we have some great footage of the fun had by all.

If you plan to be in Taormina, be sure to book the class…you will...

Our visit to Museo Della Pasta was the highlight of our trip. We had a great time with Nino the chef and the owner, Maia, learning new ways to cook and learning about Italian food outside of the normal Pizza and Pasta we’re so used to. Of course the key to great Italian cooking is the ingredients and during our 3 hour session we were taught not just how to prepare dishes but how to select the best ingredients to go into them.

The restaurant itself is lovely, there is a wonderful terrace that looks out onto the street, a very romantic setting away from the sometimes overwhelming busy street below. The term “hidden gem” seems such a cliché but entering through the small, unassuming door on the street, you’d really never know what was above. That’s why I was compelled to leave a review. It’s so easy to dismiss some of the restaurants in the most touristic area, but this place is different and really should be on your list to visit while you’re in Taormina.

We opted for cooking lessons rather than simply dining, but during our time we noticed that every customer who left during this time has a smile on their face. We certainly left with the same feeling. During our time there we learned not just how to make set dishes but also how to make some key base ingredients that can be adapted to a number of different uses, such as sauces, the aubergines/eggplants that are the staple of Sicilian cooking, and caponata.

Overall it was a wonderful experience and I feel we’ve not just learned to cook new and interesting things but also made some new friends! Thank...

From the moment I walked in, there was something about the atmosphere that just felt right. The ambiance carried a subtle charm — nothing overbearing, just enough to set the tone for a lovely visit. There’s a kind of understated elegance in the way everything is arranged, and you can tell a lot of thought went into the overall experience.

What truly stood out to me, though, beyond the décor or the gentle hum of conversation in the background, was the sense of ease that settled over the entire evening. It’s rare to find a place that makes you feel both relaxed and welcome without even trying too hard. There’s an effortless grace to the way everything unfolds here — not rushed, not too slow — just a natural rhythm that’s incredibly comforting.

And as the time went on, there was this quiet satisfaction that kept building. You know those moments when you realize, partway through, that you’re genuinely enjoying yourself and there’s no need to overthink it? That’s the kind of experience I had here.

There’s a certain warmth that lingers — maybe it’s the energy of the staff, who seem to truly care about what they do without being overbearing, or maybe it’s something more subtle, like the way every small detail seems to line up just right. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but you know it when you feel it.

All in all, it was one of those places that leaves you with a sense of quiet contentment. Nothing loud or flashy — just a simple, genuine sense that things were done well. A lovely...