The bastard son of Sicily, Catania stirs images of slight grit and grime, overlooked by the palatial wide avenues of Palermo and the picturesque town of Syracuse to the south. However, if you happen to spend a bit of time acclimatising, Catania begins to show you her treasures.

Tucked around the town are some of the best seafood places on the island, great underground pubs, markets to dazzle Gordon Ramsay and pastries to fill a sugar-tooths wardrobe to bursting.

Relying heavily on first-hand tips from locals in the know, the following places have all been personally visited by The Mouth, and have therefore passed the bullshit detector.

CLICK ICON ABOVE FOR ALL LOCATIONS

RISTORANTE DA ANTONIO

Avoid the fish market and all the "tourist traps" and head a few blocks over to this spot fawned over by locals. Impeccable seafood, polite service, fair prices. A true gem.

Tip: Their speciality salad with tomatoes, cheese and spring onions is dynamite.

FREQUENZA

Antipasti and cold drinks at a distinctly indie-looking bar with a radio station at the back. One of the signs that Catania is alive and kicking.

ARANCINERIA ESPRESSO

Arancini is a must in Sicily, and in Catania go where the locals do. Get the one with Ragu!

CASSETELLE E CAFFE

Catania's dessert queen.

RAZMATAZ

The perfect perch for people watching, reading a book, having a steeped tea or drinking whatever takes your fancy.

ME CUMPARI TURIDDU

Michelin Bib bestower slinger of seafood oracles and mysterious classics. Reservations are recommended.

BARNOUT

When the glow of the sun manages to peek through the narrow alleyways, then head to Barnout to grab one of the chairs and enjoy uninterrupted rays for a few hours.

SAVIA

It's a rite of passage in Catania to visit Savia and munch on a Nocciola gelato. Their sweets and pastries are also very popular.

TRATTORIA LA CANONICA

Like eating at your crazy alcoholic uncles house when all his theatre friends drop by unannounced, this local restaurant serves up honest food, on honest plates, for honest prices.

Food is forever evolving, and sometimes it devolves. Owners change, locations change, chefs change. We can only assure you that when we visited, we liked it.