If you find yourself exploring Trapani and are on the lookout for authentic spots to savor local dishes, you’ve found the perfect guide! Here, you’ll discover hidden gems that will make you fall in love with Trapani’s culinary traditions. You’ll learn which dishes are absolutely unmissable and where to taste the culinary treasures this remarkable cuisine has to offer.
Before arriving in Trapani, I made sure to get advice from a local expert on what I simply had to try, and her recommendations proved invaluable. Thanks to her insights and my curiosity, my trip was filled with delightful meals in the city’s finest restaurants and trattorias.
So, let’s dive into what to eat in Trapani and where!
1. Pizza “rianata”
Yes, Trapani has its own unique pizza, known as rianata, named after the Sicilian word “riano,” meaning oregano. Oregano is indeed the star ingredient of this Trapani-style pizza, which is topped with crushed Nubia garlic, sardines or anchovies, cherry tomatoes (or tomato sauce), pecorino cheese, parsley, and olive oil.
Photo credit courtesy of www.ricettedisicilia.site
Here’s the best part: you’ll find the best rianata at the historic Calvino pizzeria in Trapani, located at 71 Via Nunzio Nasi!
2. Arancini at “Il Pollero” by Roberto
In Trapani, some spots stand out for their specialties, and at Il Pollero by Roberto, near the port, you’ll find some of the best arancini in the entire city. The address of this gorgeous place is: Via spalti, 65!
where to eat in Trapani: “Pollero” by Roberto
As someone who doesn’t usually eat meat, I tried the one with Parmesan and eggplant, but they also have options filled with mushrooms and Asiago, five cheeses, speck and pistachio, and the list goes on!
3. Trapani-Style Couscous
Fish couscous is one of the most iconic dishes in Trapani’s cuisine, born from the fusion of Mediterranean cultures.
Before heading to Trapani, as I mentioned earlier, I did plenty of research on what delicious dishes to try, and couscous was one of the top recommendations. I tried it in several places, but the one that truly won me over was in Erice, at Cafè Maria.
And, by the way, if if you’re planning to visit the enchanting village of Erice you can checkout my guide here!
what to eat in Trapani: cous-cous
Here, in addition to delicious couscous, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea and the Egadi Islands. It really made my day!
where to eat in Trapani: cafè Maria, Erice
Another place to try couscous is definitely “Antichi Sapori,” where you can enjoy a traditional and flavorful version of this dish, made with durum wheat semolina, fish broth, and fresh seafood. The aroma and delicacy of the fish blend perfectly with the semolina, giving you a truly unique experience.
what to eat in Trapani: cous-cous
You can also enjoy couscous at: Cantina Siciliana.
4. Trapani-style pesto
Trapani-style pesto is a recipe that pairs beautifully with the classic Sicilian busiate pasta. With ancient origins, this recipe was influenced by Genoese sailors who introduced pesto to Trapani. From there, the recipe was enriched with typically Sicilian ingredients like tomatoes and almonds.
You can enjoy a delicious plate of busiate with Trapani-style pesto at the numerous taverns in the city, but at Antichi Sapori, the recipe truly stands out!
5. Genovesi and Cassatelle
For a sweet break, stop by Erice and visit Maria Grammatico’s pastry shop.
The pastry shop Maria Grammatico
Here, you can try the famous genovesi, sweet shortcrust pastries filled with custard, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
“Genovesi”
Don’t miss the cassatelle, fried treats filled with ricotta, sugar, and cinnamon—a true delight that pays homage to Sicilian tradition.
“Cassatedde”
We tried them fresh out of the oven, still warm!
If you can’t make it to Maria (but, please, try to make it!) you can always try them at Pasticceria San Carlo in Erice.
6. Cannoli from Dattilo
Just a few kilometers from Trapani, the town of Dattilo is famous for its cannoli, considered among the best in Sicily. Crunchy and flaky, filled with sheep’s ricotta mixed with sugar and chocolate pieces, they are a true masterpiece. Savor a cannolo while admiring the surrounding rural landscape, and you’ll understand why this sweet treat is a true institution.
You should especially seek out Euro Bar Dattilo, located in the village of Dattilo at Via Garibaldi 11/13!
what to eat in Trapani: cannoli in Dattilo
If you don’t have time to get to Dattilo, I have an alternative for you in the city of Trapani: try the cannoli from Pasticceria Filingeri!
7. Granita with Homemade Whipped Cream
I’ve had plenty of granita in Sicily, but I had never tried one with fresh homemade whipped cream. And believe me, once you taste it, you’ll be eager to return to this gelateria to have it again.
This is granita with homemade panna!
The gelateria in question is called Sweet Way and is located at Via Porta Galli 7, very close to the Trapani fire station, near the port.
Warning: it’s addictive!
Another delight from this gelateria (as with many others in Sicily) is definitely the “brioche con gelato”!
8. If you take a trip to Favignana, don’t miss the dish…”salame di tonno”!
For seafood lovers, a trip to Favignana (the largest of the Egadi Islands) is the perfect opportunity to discover one of its local specialties: “salame di tonno”
This unique cured meat is made with ground tuna and spices, then pressed and aged, resulting in a dish with a bold flavor. Ideal for savoring in thin slices, accompanied by good homemade bread and a glass of chilled white wine, it’s a product that best expresses the connection between the island and the tradition of tuna processing.
An authentic taste that tells the entire maritime history of Favignana.
Ask for it at the local place “Macelleria di tonno” in Via Nicotera, 12, Favignana.
The end
These were my recommendations on what and where to eat in Trapani and the surrounding area. If you like, you can also try two other typical dishes: “frascatole” and “pasta coi ricci”, but this time, I’ll leave the choice of restaurant up to you. Feel free to leave a comment on this article if you happen to find a place that prepares these dishes divinely!
I’m glad you read this content! If you travel to Italy or many other places around the world, I invite you to take a look at my travel blog, where I share stories from my journeys and offer tips and insights about unique and local spots—and it’s not just about food!
A. What to eat in Trapani
B. What to eat in Trapani (and where)
C. “Discover the culinary treasures of Trapani! Explore must-try local dishes, top restaurants, and hidden gems in this comprehensive guide on what to eat in Trapani and where to find the best flavors.”
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