St. George Restaurant by Heinz Beck — Restaurant in Taormina

This certainly was one of the best dining experiences, I have ever had. The setting of the restaurant within the Ashbee hotel with a terrace overlooking the Ionian sea is stunning. I loved the service - absolutely impeccable. The little stool by the table for handbags was a nice touch. We did the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairing. Every dish was absolutely delicious - the tortellini were so delicate and the lamb so tender - definitely the best I have ever had. Even the bread selection was excellent - warm and fresh - the one with sundried tomatoes was my favourite. Another highlight for me was the china - each of the plates had a different style. When the dessert was brought up, the little lamp on the table was switched off to highlight the lighting inside the plate - such original presentation! The parting gift from the chef and him stopping by our table was another nice touch. My only regret is not doing the 7-course tasting menu but thankfully we got a reservation to come back tomorrow for it. What a truly exceptional dining experience!

Update: Came back to do the 7-course tasting menu with wine pairing. It was so worth it! This place deserves a second Michelin star! Have a drink on the terrace at the start was an excellent start. The service was just impeccable. Andrea went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic time, as did Frederico and everyone else! Looking forward to going back there on my next trip...

We dined here in September of last year, and not a week has gone by that we haven’t thought about that evening. The entire experience was transcendent — from the warm, attentive service to the stunning tasting menu and wine pairing, every detail was handled with care, precision, and genuine hospitality.

Each dish was a work of art, thoughtfully composed with flavors that were somehow both surprising and deeply comforting. The ingredients sang, the presentation was unreal, and the pacing of the meal allowed us to truly savor and celebrate each course. The wine pairings elevated every bite, and the staff’s knowledge and passion only deepened our appreciation.

We’ve been lucky enough to dine in beautiful places all over the world, but this meal stands apart. It reminded us why we love food, not just to nourish, but to experience something meaningful. This was more than dinner; it was a memory made with such care and craft that we’re still dreaming about it nearly a year later!

If you have the chance to go: do. You’ll...

This is a 3 star experience, period. Only the chef's age (28) and a recent 2 star rating (up from 1 star) in November are the reasons this restaurant is not a 3 star. Creative, gorgeous, and incredibly tasty offerings throughout the 9 course tasting menu. The 6 amuse bouche (yes, 6) had my palate lite up like a Christmas tree. Wine pairing was superb. We asked for Sicilian wines when possible to match the chef's cuisine. Perfect. The setting outside is superb. Sommelier was very knowledgeable and generous. The wait staff were flawless in their execution and friendliness. Pace of the meal was perfect. I only wish I lived closer. We've done dozens and dozens of Michelin restaurants in the US and Europe. This is one of the absolute best. We would go back in a heartbeat....