Rosticceria Da Cristina, nestled in the charming heart of Taormina on Via Strabone, 2, is a true culinary gem for lovers of authentic Sicilian street food. This inviting eatery specializes in traditional Italian dishes that celebrate the rich, vibrant flavors of the region with a casual, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at home.
The menu is a delightful journey through Sicily’s most cherished comfort foods. Their pasta alla norma, praised passionately by customers like Olga Kht, stands out as a must-try dish — bursting with the sweet smokiness of eggplant, fresh tomato, and creamy ricotta salata. Each bite is a tender embrace of Sicily’s heritage and culinary finesse. For those craving something different, the pasta with anchovies offers an intense, savory experience that lingers deliciously on the palate.
Rosticceria Da Cristina is also renowned for its golden, crispy arancini, which have become a highlight for many visitors. Daniel Higgins and George Stewart rave about the expertly crafted arancini varieties—especially the Ragu and Burro versions—served piping hot, perfectly crispy on the outside and delightfully fluffy on the inside. These wonderfully satisfying treats offer fantastic value and are perfect to grab on the go or to share with family and friends. Additionally, the pistachio pizza is a unique and unforgettable creation, beautifully balancing rich, creamy textures with crisp, savory notes — a true standout praised by Aaron Farrugia.
The atmosphere here is relaxed yet lively, ideal for a quick bite or a casual meal. Whether you choose to dine inside the cozy bistro, enjoy your food at the charming outdoor seating, or take it away to savor later, the experience remains consistently excellent. Guests often remark on the warmth and friendliness of the staff, creating a welcoming vibe where chefs even wave goodbye from the kitchen, a perfect touch that enriches the dining experience.
Rosticceria Da Cristina's blend of authentic flavors, reasonable prices, and genuine hospitality makes it a treasured destination for both locals and tourists keen to taste the true spirit of Sicilian cuisine. If you find yourself wandering the streets of Taormina, this spot promises a memorable gastronomic escape that will leave you wishing for just one more bite.
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Olga Kht
06/12/2025
It's a real find! The most delicious pasta alla norma of the whole trip! My partner had pasta with anchovies, and it was just as incredible. I'm so sad that we were only there for a day, I would love to eat it again!
Daniel Higgins
05/12/2025
Found this local delight by accident and towards the end of our stay in Taormina. The variety of street food is fantastic and tastes amazing AND is well priced for what you get, only had the Arancini which were €4 roughly for each one. Great for filling our 16 year old son either before or after dinner. We had the Ragu and Burro arancini which were the best we've had. Served hot, they were lovely and moist and my son loved the Burro one the best (cheese and ham). The pizzas and pastas looked amazing. We also tried a locally brewed beer Tauro Beer which tasted amazingly fresh with hints of lemon/hops. Service was fantastic and staff were helpful and patient with lots of tourists questions. Would highly recommend. We had our food by the counter but there us an outdoor area to eat in.
Aaron Farrugia
29/11/2025
We had an amazing experience at Da Cristina! From start to finish, everything was perfect. The service was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making us feel right at home. The food was absolutely delicious — every bite bursting with authentic flavor. The pistachio pizza was out of this world, rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced, while the arancini were golden, crisp, and full of mouth-watering goodness. The pasta You can really taste the love and passion that goes into every dish. It’s rare to find a place that nails both flavor and hospitality, but Da Cristina does it effortlessly. Highly recommend — we’ll definitely be back!
Petr Olša
15/10/2025
A wonderful bistro in the heart of Taormina! Excellent fresh and truly Italian food, prepared very quickly and at fair prices. The staff is incredibly kind – when we were leaving, the smiling chefs even waved to us from the kitchen, which perfectly completed the whole experience. You can enjoy your meal inside, sit right in front of the restaurant, or take it away. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to experience true Italian atmosphere!
Am Nasko
01/10/2025
We tried arancini, pizza and parmigiana with bread. Everything was very delicious. The prices are reasonable. The place did not disappoint and deserves its high rating.
José Sampaio
23/09/2025
We had a very good experience at Da Cristina. The pizza was quite good and the arancini were excellent, definitely a highlight. The pasta, however, could have been better, as it was a bit cold in some parts. Despite that, the overall quality was very good and the atmosphere enjoyable. Worth a visit if you’re in Taormina!
J S
22/09/2025
This is more of a take away place for fast food which they do really well. Ordered two types of pizza slices and two types of branching and was not disappointed. They are operational throughout the day and are great for a quick meal.
George Stewart
07/09/2025
If you happen to find yourself in Toarmina, Sicily please DO NOT walk past this takeaway. It was recommended to us by our local tour guide and she was right on the money. The arancini and pizza was delicious! What you see in the photo cost €11 which to me is great value. Unfortunately we were only on the town for 2 hour or I would have been back here for more. We were there at lunch time so it was really busy but service was really fast. You take a number from a dispenser at the front of the shop and when your number is called you move forward and get served. They have a small seating area too. I can't recommend highly enough. Really great tasty food at a very reasonable price. Don't miss it!