10 Best Food Tours of Catania

Do you like to know the gastronomy of the cities you visit? I invite you to explore the flavors that Catania has for you!

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

11 min read

10 Best Food Tours of Catania

Catania Market | ©János Korom Dr.

Catania is a beautiful coastal city located on the island of Sicily. Here you will find many of the best things to do during your vacation on the island. Besides touring and seeing beautiful architecture, you will have the opportunity to do different types of tours. Among them are the gastronomic tours, because Sicily is a great place to eat.

Food is essential in any trip, so I'm sure you'll love one of these options. Some include a sightseeing tour through the streets of Catania, others take you to special places like Mount Etna. You will not only taste the typical Sicilian food, but also the wines and liquors of this region. Are you up for it?

1. Street food tour in Catania

La Pescheria| ©jim
La Pescheria| ©jim

Many times we are recommended well-known and luxury restaurants. Although it can be a good plan, there is nothing like tasting the street food of a city. In Catania you will find very good options, are you willing to try them? Your guide will take you on a walking tour of at least three hours to taste the best of Catania for only 70 €.

Walking the streets of Catania tasting its food is undoubtedly one of the best tours you can do in this city. The first thing you will do is meet your guide and your group at a pre-arranged central location. Generally, the meeting point is the Piazza del Duomo.

The first stop will be at the Catania Fish Market (Piscaria Mercato del Pesce). There you can walk among the benches and Sicilian food stalls. If you don't like seafood or are allergic, it would be best to talk to your guide and skip this stop. After this site you will pass through the Giardino Pacini urban park.

You will continue your tour to Piazza Mazzini where you can eat different special delicacies typical of Sicily offered by local vendors. Continue to Via dei Crociferi, also known as the church street, and then to Piazza dei Quattro Canti, where you will learn about local traditions. At the end you can return or continue to enjoy your stay in Catania.

Practical information about Catania

  • Means of transport: walking tour.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Price: about 70 €.
  • Advantages: usually with this type of tour you will get to know the city and its architectural works.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you must spend all the time walking and the food tastings are short.

Book the gastronomic tour of Catania

2. 6-hour private tour of three Etna wineries with wine tasting

Mount Etna and vineyards| ©Bernt Rostad
Mount Etna and vineyards| ©Bernt Rostad

Sicily is an enchanting Mediterranean island where you will find not only beautiful architectural treasures but also natural ones. Mount Etna is the ideal natural site to visit on your vacation. To make it more interesting, you can go there on an excursion that includes a tasting of international wines of the best quality.

On tours from Catania to Mount Etna your guide will pick you up at your hotel for convenience. This is great, as you won't have to take public transportation. Once there, you can start a leisurely hike. Your guide will tell you all the details you need to know about this beautiful site. Appreciate the view and don't forget to take pictures.

After the tour it will be time to head to the wine cellars. There you can learn about the production of this exquisite beverage. You will be able to taste red (good for your health), white and rosé wines from the different family vineyards. Along with each drink you will also receive a sample of regional specialties. These include different types of cheeses, salami, sausages, Serrano ham, mushrooms, olives, homemade bread and much more.

In addition to tasting all these foods and drinks, you will also be able to tour the vineyard. The view is beautiful! You will see the beautiful Sicilian countryside full of life with its lemon, almond, olive and orange groves. You will certainly be able to disconnect from the noisy city life and connect with nature. At the end, your guide will take you back to your hotel.

Practical information

  • Means of transport: private transport.
  • Duration: about 6 hours.
  • Price: about 200 €.
  • Advantages: you will get to know beautiful vineyards, taste the best food of Catania and top quality wines.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you should be prepared for a tour of Mount Etna. For some people it can be exhausting. Make sure the hike up the volcano is short.

Book the gastronomic tour of Catania

3. Gastronomic tour by night

Catania by night| ©michael kogan
Catania by night| ©michael kogan

If you plan to stay in Catania for a day, I'm sure you are looking to make your time very valuable. That's why I recommend you to include in your day a night gastronomic tour. This way, you can get to know the city at night and dine on the best of the local food.

Also, after six o'clock in the evening, the weather is the best for touring the city. You won't have to endure the high midday temperatures or the sun burning your skin. It is undoubtedly the best time of the day to walk leisurely through the streets of Catania. It is worth noting that this is a walking tour, so you will need to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

To start this tour, you must meet your guide and your group at a pre-arranged point. Normally, these tours start in Piazza del Duomo and continue to the Catania Fish Market. So you will have the opportunity to get to know this place during the night - it is always full of life!

Following the tour, you will pass through the Giardino Pacini park, the Museo Civico Castello Ursino and Piazza Mazzini. In all of these places you will find locals and food stalls worth trying. The evening favorite is almost always the crispy fried crespelle, the iced fruit granita and the delicious cipollina.

Practical information

  • Means of transport: walking tour.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Price: about 60 €.
  • Advantages: you avoid the crowds and the high temperatures of the day, as well as getting to know another side of the city.
  • Disadvantages of this option: due to the low light, you may not be able to appreciate all the beauty of the places you pass by. However, this is not necessarily a problem if you are only interested in tasting the delicious food of Catania.

Book the gastronomic tour of Catania

4. Excursion to Etna with lunch and wine tasting at the winery

Tasting wine| ©Hiltrud Möller-Eberth
Tasting wine| ©Hiltrud Möller-Eberth

The most active volcano in Europe is one of the favorite destinations of all tourists visiting Catania. If you want to know it and also want to taste a delicious meal, I invite you to take this excursion. On average this experience lasts seven hours and costs around 200 €.

From Catania your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you in an exclusive vehicle to Mount Etna. There you will be able to make a leisurely exploration of its landscapes and craters. You will find yourself at about 2,000 meters above sea level, impressive!

After the short tour, it will be time for lunch. This usually has typical dishes where fish is the favorite. If you can't eat this type of meat, I recommend you talk to your guide in advance. While having lunch, you can accompany your meal with a good wine. At the end, you can do a small wine tasting and taste the best of the vineyard.

In addition, you can also taste different types of honeys produced in this site. This way you will be able to finish this gastronomic experience with a delicious sweet taste. When you finish, your guide will take you back to your hotel.

Practical information

  • Means of transportation: private transportation.
  • Duration: about 7 hours.
  • Price: about 200 €.
  • Advantages: you will have the opportunity to see Etna and taste the delicious food of the city and its most exclusive wines.
  • Disadvantages of this option: this experience is better for the end of the afternoon. Remember that it does not include lunch but small samples of food.

Traveler tip
For all adventures that include a visit to Mount Etna it is necessary to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. It doesn't matter if the tour is short, it is always best to be prepared for a hike of at least one or two hours.

5. Private home cooking class in Catania

Cooking class| ©jbdodane
Cooking class| ©jbdodane

If you not only want to taste the food of Catania, but also learn how to cook it, then a private cooking class is the best plan for you. Even if you are traveling with kids to Catania, this can be a good plan. In the class, the little ones can prepare the simplest of dishes- I'm sure they will have a great time in this kind of experience!

These classes are usually held in the home of a local Italian family. After you are told the location, you must show up on time. This activity usually lasts an average of four hours and costs an average of 150 €.

Everything you will learn to cook is part of the authentic Sicilian food. Pay attention to everything the chef tells you, as he has more than one culinary secret to tell you - you'll even get to see his family cookbooks! With this you'll get to prepare up to three exquisite recipes.

Of course, when you finish, you'll have the opportunity to taste your work. You can even accompany your meal with a delicious coffee or wine of your choice. This is also a nice occasion to meet new people and have a nice time. At the end you can go back to your hotel.

Practical information

  • Means of transportation: transportation is not included.
  • Duration: about 4 hours.
  • Price: about 150 €.
  • Advantages: you will be able to eat authentic Catania food in one place and the best thing is that you will already know the family secrets of each dish to recreate it at home.
  • Disadvantages of this option: if you are not very good at cooking, the class may be a bit complicated. However, the chef is in charge of choosing simple recipes that everyone can follow without a problem, so you're sure to do just fine.

Book a cooking class in Catania

Why take a guided food tour in Catania?

Streets of Catania| ©Metro Centric
Streets of Catania| ©Metro Centric

Maybe some people are not very convinced to take a guided food tour in Catania, but it is really a good option. Getting to know and taste the food of a new city is always something that every tourist should do. However, it is not always an easy task, as there are many restaurants and venues.

With the help of a local guide it is easier to find the perfect place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Even desserts are often included in this type of experience, the most typical being Sicilian cannolis. With a person who knows both the streets of Catania and its food it will be easier to get to the places that offer the best options.

This way you will save the time it takes to check internet reviews or the hassle of finding bad service at a local. Moreover, guided tours are a unique experience that allows you to do an extra activity such as learning how to cook, getting to know the streets or exploring Mount Etna.

On the other hand, this type of experience can be adapted to all times of the year. If for example you travel to Catania during Christmas, you will be able to taste the typical food of those dates, closely related to the sea and sweets. It is certainly an experience that you can enjoy at any time.

Book the gastronomic tour of Catania

Tips for a gastronomic tour in Catania

Street food| ©Giovanni Milordo
Street food| ©Giovanni Milordo

Gastronomic tours are a must experience when you travel for a few days in Sicily. However, it is important that you keep in mind a few things. You should know that some recipes can be heavy, as they are fried or have many ingredients. Try to bring medicine in case of indigestion and always take care of the foods that your diet forbids you to eat.

On the other hand, I recommend you not to eat something strong before a gastronomic tour. Otherwise you will not be able to try all the dishes freely. Remember that several of these experiences include more than one dish so I think, if you don't eat much, you will have to order to go.

If you decide to do a tour from Catania that includes food tasting, make sure that on the way you have snacks or at least have had a very good breakfast. Some tours can be long, causing your hunger to increase and lunchtime is not close yet.

One last tip is to make sure you drink water. Most tours include some type of wine, and while you can taste them, it doesn't hurt to have a bottle of water handy. Feel free to ask for your own, as in most cases it is included.

Book the gastronomic tour of Catania

Let's compare the options

  • Street food tour of Catania
  • Means of transport: walking tour.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Price: about 70 €.
  • Advantages: usually with this type of tour you will get to know the city and its architectural works.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you have to spend the whole time walking and the food tastings are short.
  • 6-hour private tour of three Etna wineries with wine tasting.
  • Means of transport: private transport
  • Duration: about 6 hours.
  • Price: about 200 €.
  • Advantages: you will get to know beautiful vineyards, taste the best food of Catania and top quality wines.
  • Disadvantages of this option: you should be prepared for a tour of Mount Etna. For some people it can be exhausting. Make sure the hike up the volcano is short.
  • Gastronomic night tour
  • Means of transport: walking tour.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Price: approximately 60 €.
  • Advantages: you avoid the crowds and the high temperatures of the day, as well as getting to know another side of the city.
  • Disadvantages of this option: due to the low light, you may not be able to appreciate all the beauty of the places you pass by. However, this is not necessarily a problem if you are only interested in tasting the delicious food of Catania.
  • Excursion to Etna with lunch and wine tasting at the winery.
  • Means of transport: private transport.
  • Duration: about 7 hours.
  • Price: about 200 €.
  • Advantages: you will have the opportunity to get to know Etna and taste the delicious food of the city and its most exclusive wines.
  • Disadvantages of this option: this experience is better for the end of the afternoon. Remember that it does not include lunch but small samples of food.
  • Private home cooking class in Catania
  • Means of transportation: transportation is not included.
  • Duration: about 4 hours.
  • Price: about 150 €.
  • Advantages: you will be able to eat authentic Catania food in one place and the best thing is that you will already know the family secrets of each dish to recreate it at home.
  • Disadvantages of this option: if you are not very good at cooking, the class may be a bit complicated. However, the chef is in charge of choosing simple recipes that everyone can follow without a problem, so you're sure to do just fine.