Are you a tourist in Catania? Or a local looking for a super-pistachio tour? Whatever the answer, Pistacchissimo has prepared the "Catania pistachio guide," a list of unmissable spots to savor authentic pistachio delights!
To guide you on where to eat pistachio in Catania, I have organized the article into categories. Choose what to eat and you will find various options, for which I have also indicated the area and opening hours. Some places appear in more than one category, as they offer so many pistachio items. Obviously, this is just a selection of some unmissable spots, but there are many other very valid and interesting places.
IMPORTANT
I have only included places in Catania CITY (no province),
so they are easily reachable on foot or by metro
ATTENTION: many places in Catania are CLOSED on Mondays
1. Pistachio Desserts (breakfast / snack / after-dinner)
ChocoFusion
One of the most famous pastry shops on social media thanks to products that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Unmissable for a great after-dinner treat, but in reality, the shop is open every day and at all hours (except at night), so it's also perfect for breakfast or a snack. Famous above all for their chocolate (strictly Lindt) and pistachio desserts. I particularly recommend:
- Cuore caldo al pistacchio (one of their most famous desserts)
- "Pistacchissimo" Waffle (it's the one in the photo, I recommend sharing it)
- "Cuor di Pistacchio" cake slice
Panificio La Farina
Calling it a bakery is an understatement, because it is one of the most pistachio-focused places in the city, with a vast selection of sweet and savory items. As a bakery, it is closed on Sundays. For a dessert, you can go there for breakfast or a snack (they close quite early in the evening). Among the desserts, I particularly recommend:
- Pistachio brioche (2021 novelty)
- Pistachio cornetto (2020 novelty)
- Pistachio panzerotto (rarely found)
- Pistachio cubotto (resembles rame di napoli)
- Rame di napoli (you only find them during the All Saints' period)
Chiosco del Borgo
Almost at the top of Via Etnea, located in Piazza Cavour (known to locals as "Piazza Borgo"), is one of Catania's many kiosks. Besides preparing the typical lemon and salt seltz (a classic thirst-quenching drink you must try!), they also make the best pistachio frappè in the city. The frappè is typically consumed as an after-dinner treat, but in reality, it's a bomb that works well for breakfast or a snack too. Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio frappè
- Pistachio concentrate (the base of the frappè, highly concentrated)
2. Pistachio Tavola Calda (lunch / early dinner)
Savia
The most famous bar in the city, a typical tourist stop, thanks to its central location on Via Etnea, right in front of Villa Bellini. Be careful because it closes very early in the evening! Particularly famous for their arancino, I don't particularly recommend the ragù version (there are better ones in the city), but rather the pistachio version:
- Pistachio arancino
Panificio La Farina
Let's go back to this super-pistachio bakery, where you will find a vast choice of pistachio tavola calda. I remind you that it closes early in the evening. For savory items, I particularly recommend:
- Pistachio siciliana (if it's not at the counter, they make it fresh)
- Pistachio bomba
- Pistachio cartocciata
- Pistachio pizza (slice or small pizza)
- Pistachio arancino
- Pistachio sfoglia
3. Pistachio Granita
The ones listed are just SOME of those present in the CITY CENTER. I suggest you take a look at the complete list of the best granite by clicking here.
Bar Trento
Along Corso Italia, overlooking the large Piazza Trento, in this bar you can enjoy an exceptional pistachio granita, with a good balance between naturalness and roasting. Beautiful color and quite a creamy consistency. Be careful because it is closed on Sundays. Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio granita
Bar Arabica
In the upper part of Via Etnea, on the large Piazza Cavour (also known as Piazza Borgo), in this bar you can enjoy a fabulous pistachio granita, accompanied by a classic Sicilian brioche, or by their fantastic vegan cornetti. Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio granita
ChocoFusion
Let's talk about ChocoFusion again, this time for their granite. With the new 2021 recipe, they have created a super creamy granita with a unique taste, thanks to the particular roasting of the pistachio, which makes it slightly "caramelized":
- Pistachio granita
Caffè Europa
At the end of Corso Italia, just a few steps from the seafront, a granita with a very intense pistachio taste and a consistency that is not too creamy (perfect for those who prefer a lighter granita). Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio granita
Cafè Sauvage
Continuing along Corso Italia (and not far from Via Umberto), a granita with a very intense pistachio taste, characterized by an aftertaste of "pistachio skin" that makes it unique in its kind. Personally, I love it and recommend trying it, but it might not be for everyone. Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio granita
4. Pistachio Gelato
Don Peppinu
On Via Etnea, a few meters from Piazza Duomo, this famous gelateria, with many locations around Sicily, makes the best pistachio gelato in Catania. The taste and color are authentic, intense just right, and truly delicious. I recommend exploring their other flavors too, such as the fruit ones, all delicious, or the more particular ones, made with excellent ingredients, such as Modica chocolate, Avola almonds, etc...
- Pistachio gelato
Savia
Let's go back to this famous bar in the heart of Via Etnea (in front of Villa Bellini). Besides arancini, they make a very good pistachio gelato, with a very natural taste, the best you can find in the center! I do NOT recommend the granita, however. Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio gelato
Cafè Sauvage
Let's go back to this bar on Corso Italia and, as with the delicious granita, the gelato also stands out for the aftertaste of "pistachio skin". I find it exceptional, given that you can only find a similar taste in some bars in Bronte, but it might not be for everyone. Therefore, I recommend:
- Pistachio gelato
5. Pistachio Pizza (dinner)
You can also take a look at my complete selection of pizzas by clicking here
Le Tre Farine (the most pistachio-packed pizzas)
A few steps from the Central Station and Via San Giuliano, a young pizzeria was born that has focused heavily on the abundance (and goodness) of pistachio, combined with a modern dough and many original ideas. I particularly recommend:
- Pistachio PizzaBurger - a real gem, it's my favorite product, available both in 2 layers and 1 layer (recommended)
- Pistachio pizzas
- Pistachio gnocchi inside a pizza "basket"
Volù (best contemporary dough)
(photo updating)
A very young pizzeria that has quickly climbed the Catania rankings, located on Via Sisto, a few steps from Villa Umberto and Via Etnea. Extraordinary dough for lovers of contemporary pizza, with a very soft dough and very pronounced crust. All pizzas have well-studied combinations, which I recommend you try, but if you are looking for pistachio:
- "Pistacchissimo" Pizza (at the end of 2022 they officially added it to the menu!)
Sazi e Sani (best dough in the city)
In the central Via Sant'Euplio, a beautiful tree-lined avenue behind Villa Bellini, you will find the pizzeria with the best dough (in my opinion) in the city, for those who love light and airy dough, combined with high-quality ingredients. I particularly recommend:
- "Pistachio and Burrata" Pizza (pro tip: if you like, add confit cherry tomatoes!)
- "Mortadella" Pizza
6. Pistachio Sandwiches (dinner)
N'Acchianata
In my opinion, it is the best burger joint in Catania and the pistachio sandwiches are all exceptional, with a truly intense and authentic pistachio taste, but never sickening, always perfectly balanced.
In some sandwiches, you will find "pistachio chili", which is essentially a "white pistachio ragù", truly exceptional and unmissable (one of my absolute favorite things!). In other sandwiches, you will find "pistachio cream" instead, which is a sort of "pistachio pesto" that is very dense and with very little oil, also excellent.
They have 2 locations, which make 2 different types of burgers:
- Via San Giuliano 361: historic location, works mainly for takeaway / delivery, therefore WITHOUT SEATING. You will find the "classic" burgers (i.e., the thicker ones).
- Piazza Ogninella, 12: new location, WITH SEATING, offers "smash burgers" instead (i.e., the thinner ones, because they are smashed during cooking).
Their pistachio sandwiches are:
- Oru Viddi (with beef burger)
- Pollu Ermanos Viddi (with crispy chicken)
- Others... (they update the menu often)
L'Horloge
A beautiful restaurant with a very refined style, overlooking the picturesque Via Santa Filomena (a small side street of Via Umberto that has become a mandatory culinary stop for any tourist!). It offers many pistachio dishes, including excellent meat and fish sandwiches. I particularly recommend:
- Pistachio and salmon Tartare-Burger (an unforgettable experience)
- Pistachio beef burger
7. Pistachio First Courses (lunch / dinner)
Caffè Curtigghiu
An excellent restaurant located in the lively Via Santa Filomena (side street of Via Umberto) particularly specialized in first courses, among which the delicious mezze maniche with an intense savory pistachio cream stand out:
- Pistachio Pasta with stracciatella (also vegetarian)
L'Horloge
Still in Via Santa Filomena (side street of Via Umberto), let's go back to talking about the delicate fish and pistachio combinations at L'Horloge, in this case in the first courses:
- Pistachio and shrimp pasta
8. Pistachio Second Courses (dinner)
L'Horloge
Let's talk once again about this restaurant on Via Santa Filomena (side street of Via Umberto) which completes its super-pistachio (but always balanced) offer with second courses as well:
- Pistachio sliced steak (exceptional!)
PS: L'Horloge also makes delicious pistachio "focaccias", which are served in slices, excellent as an appetizer
If you have followed this guide, I remind you to write to me on Facebook or Instagram to let me know if you liked it and to tell me about your experience!
I also invite you to tag me in your Instagram stories to let me know which dishes were the most appreciated.
If you are looking for advice on other areas, you can use the "REVIEWS" menu (top right), which is organized by location. Here are some of the most requested:
