Gastronomy

Messina’s cuisine reflects the richness of Sicilian traditions, with a strong link to the sea and to local products. Among the specialties not to be missed:

Arancini: Fried rice balls, usually filled with ragù, mozzarella, or other ingredients, a symbol of Sicilian street food.
Focaccia messinese: A beloved street food, this soft, thick focaccia is topped with escarole, tomatoes, anchovies, and tuma cheese, then baked until golden. Simple yet rich in flavor, it embodies Messina’s culinary soul.
Pitoni (or pidoni): Crescent-shaped fried turnovers made from pizza dough and filled with escarole, tuma cheese, and anchovies. Crispy outside and soft inside, they are a staple of Messina’s traditional street food, often enjoyed hot from local bakeries.
Swordfish: A pillar of Messina’s cuisine, often served grilled or prepared “alla ghiotta” with tomatoes, olives, and capers.
Braciole messinesi: Small meat rolls, traditionally made with beef or pork, filled with breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs, then grilled on skewers. A must-try dish in Messina’s trattorias.
Granita with brioche: One of the symbols of Messina’s culinary tradition. Unlike sorbet or slush, granita here has a creamy, velvety texture, obtained by continuously stirring the mixture while freezing. Popular flavors include lemon, almond, coffee, pistachio, and mulberry. It is traditionally served with a soft “brioche col tuppo”, perfect for dipping, and it can also be enriched with a generous topping of fresh whipped cream (panna).
Cannoli siciliani: Tube-shaped fried dough, filled with sweet ricotta cheese, topped with oranges, or pistachios, or chocolate…
Cassata siciliana: Sponge cake, layered with sweet ricotta chese and candied fruit.