La Grotta In Acireale

Exactly as we remembered from 1999. Excellent seafood. You choose what you want to eat from the day's catch and they do the rest.

Recommended for all fish lovers

This recommended local place sits in a small fishing village near Acireale, perched right above the water with a rustic patio overlooking the sea. The restaurant is known for letting guests choose their seafood from the day’s catch before it’s cooked — a detail widely mentioned in reviews . I loved trying the local abalone, along with the rest of the fresh selection. Everything is prepared in a very traditional Sicilian way: simply, with olive oil, parsley, lemon, and clean flavors that let the seafood shine. We enjoyed a fried fresh fish and a seafood salad (based on our selection), and the bread was perfect for dipping into the extra sauce. The service was attentive, even with a full patio. While it was a bit cool and crowded during our visit, the waterside setting is still beautiful — and the restaurant’s interior has a unique charm, with lava‑stone walls from nearby Mount Etna . The area is small and popular, so parking can be difficult, which is also echoed in many reviews . But once you’re seated, the experience feels relaxed and authentically local. If you’re in the area and craving fresh, made‑to‑order seafood, this spot is absolutely worth it — especially if you enjoy selecting your fish and trying local specialties like abalone. TIP: Make a reservation. Enjoy!

One of my favorite seafood restaurants. Top-notch in every way. Fresh fish, cooked to perfection.

Very fresh fish and excellent quality.

Fresh fish at it's best. This place is an experience... Before even seated you get to choose the ingredients for their specialty at the entrance right out of an iced fish storage: Insalata di mare! More pulpo, less gamberi, don't like mussels? No problem - just have it your way. Once finally seated across the street, we enjoyed the seaside view with a nice bottle of Ca del Bosco and two excellent oysters. Then the insalata arrived: so delicious with all this very fresh fish - gently cooked, marinated in one of the best olive oil, some juice di limone and prezzemolo. As simple as that - just perfect. To top off the evening, we had some grilled fish which came already filleted. All in all this place is just authentic: locals didn't stop coming in to eat even late after 21:30, the service was buzzing around with so many vibrant guests and a bit Sicilian rock'n'roll style, but helpful nevertheless. They struggled a bit with French guests: language barrier on both ends and we tried to help out. Our italiano piu o meno buono was sufficient. I think English would have worked as well. Can highly recommend - just relax and take it the sicilian way and you'll enjoy excellent food!

Everything was fantastic, excellent and very fresh fish.

Very friendly and helpful service. Excellent food, my first time trying Avalon, exquisite, some very good raw langoustines and a very tasty lobster.

undoubtedly fresh fish but excessively expensive for the overall service it offers

Great Saro: a magician of (very fresh) fish