Guidebook for Modica
Food Scene
Most restaurants don’t require reservations, but if you are on a tight schedule, I would advise you call ahead and make one. The pizzerias listed below are also restaurants so if you want something other than pizza, they have it! Modica has many good and inexpensive restaurants, but if you’re looking for Michelin starred or Bib Gourmand recommendations, Modica has a few of those too.
Very good pizzeria with tables lining the charming Via Grimaldi. A 4 minute walk from our front door. One of the only surviving Medieval sections of town.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Ristorante pizzeria La Contea
15 Via Clemente GrimaldiVery good pizzeria with tables lining the charming Via Grimaldi. A 4 minute walk from our front door. One of the only surviving Medieval sections of town.
No patio, but excellent value! Offers local cuisine: wild fennel pesto pasta, grilled local vegetables. Everything is made in-house. Call ahead for a reservation.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Trattoria Il Girasole
63 Str. MercèNo patio, but excellent value! Offers local cuisine: wild fennel pesto pasta, grilled local vegetables. Everything is made in-house. Call ahead for a reservation.
Michelin-starred chef Accursio Crapparo who used to work at La Gazza Ladra in Modica Alta is now in Modica Bassa. 6 minutes from our place. Expensive, but worth it. Modern Sicilian cuisine.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
Accursio Ristorante
41 Via Clemente GrimaldiMichelin-starred chef Accursio Crapparo who used to work at La Gazza Ladra in Modica Alta is now in Modica Bassa. 6 minutes from our place. Expensive, but worth it. Modern Sicilian cuisine.
Most delicious coffee, granita, brioche and cornetti in Modica!
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Caffè dell'Arte
114 Corso Umberto IMost delicious coffee, granita, brioche and cornetti in Modica!
A Modican institution and one of the best of many chocolate shops in Modica Bassa, but Sabadi, in Modica Alta, is better.
65 Einheimische empfehlen
Antica Dolceria Bonajuto
159 Corso Umberto IA Modican institution and one of the best of many chocolate shops in Modica Bassa, but Sabadi, in Modica Alta, is better.
Lovely setting with tables in the piazza and views of the clock tower and lovely portico across the street. Very good pizza and well-priced.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Pizzeria La Perla
14 Piazza Principe di NapoliLovely setting with tables in the piazza and views of the clock tower and lovely portico across the street. Very good pizza and well-priced.
Sabadì - slow living
105 Corso S. GiorgioBest Modican Chocolate! Next to San Giorgio Cathedral in Modica Alta
Parks & Nature
Leisurely hike in the beautiful Cava d’Ispica. Explore early Christian caves and burial sites.
87 Einheimische empfehlen
Archaeological area of Cava d'Ispica
Crocevia Cava IspicaLeisurely hike in the beautiful Cava d’Ispica. Explore early Christian caves and burial sites.
The deepest gorge in Europe and a steep climb up and down, but worth the effort. Wear sturdy shoes and if you visit during summer months, reward yourself with a swim in the beautiful kettles pools at the bottom.
362 Einheimische empfehlen
Orientierte Naturreservat Cavagrande
SP4The deepest gorge in Europe and a steep climb up and down, but worth the effort. Wear sturdy shoes and if you visit during summer months, reward yourself with a swim in the beautiful kettles pools at the bottom.
Beautiful beaches in summer, hiking and bird watching in spring!
643 Einheimische empfehlen
Oase des Vendicari-Naturreservats
Contrada VendicariBeautiful beaches in summer, hiking and bird watching in spring!
Cocktail Bar
Here are some of the best places for a glass of wine, bubbly or cocktails. Each one goes that extra mile to make your experience in Modica more memorable.
One of the few restaurants/bars in Modica with a view of the hillside neighborhood of Cartellone and the Main Street below. The tables are nestled among the trees in the stepped garden and offer a quiet shady spot to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. Very unique. Set mid-way to the Duomo di San Giorgio, the outdoor bar in the gardens of San Giorgio is not to be missed. More expensive than most but well worth it for watching the sun slip behind the hills while enjoying a cocktail at one of the tables nestled in this charming garden space. Few places in modica actually have a good view and this is one of them.
Il Bar Sabadi
One of the few restaurants/bars in Modica with a view of the hillside neighborhood of Cartellone and the Main Street below. The tables are nestled among the trees in the stepped garden and offer a quiet shady spot to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. Very unique. Set mid-way to the Duomo di San Giorgio, the outdoor bar in the gardens of San Giorgio is not to be missed. More expensive than most but well worth it for watching the sun slip behind the hills while enjoying a cocktail at one of the tables nestled in this charming garden space. Few places in modica actually have a good view and this is one of them.
If you’re looking for great Sicilian wine choices: knowledgable and friendly staff. Newly opened and so charming. A bit difficult to find but follow the signs off the Main Street on Corso Umberto. Very close to Pizzeria Napoli.
Cavatappi - Vineria con Cucina
If you’re looking for great Sicilian wine choices: knowledgable and friendly staff. Newly opened and so charming. A bit difficult to find but follow the signs off the Main Street on Corso Umberto. Very close to Pizzeria Napoli.
Charming cocktail bar on lively Via Grimaldi. They do serve food and are open from 6:30 onwards, every day except Monday.
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Hemingway - vineria | cucina | spirits
36 Via Clemente GrimaldiCharming cocktail bar on lively Via Grimaldi. They do serve food and are open from 6:30 onwards, every day except Monday.
Worth the trip to Modica Alta. Walkers will be rewarded for climbing all of those stairs with delicious Sicilian wines and snacks. Very knowledgable staff.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Rappa Enoteca
97 Corso Santa TeresaWorth the trip to Modica Alta. Walkers will be rewarded for climbing all of those stairs with delicious Sicilian wines and snacks. Very knowledgable staff.
Best Gelati
This gelateria is in Scicli and NOT in Modica, but Scicli is only 8 kms away and worth a 1/2 day visit. This is the best gelateria in town!
NIVERA il gelato di natura
14 Via Francesco Mormino PennaThis gelateria is in Scicli and NOT in Modica, but Scicli is only 8 kms away and worth a 1/2 day visit. This is the best gelateria in town!
This is one of Modica’s best gelaterie. It’s tucked away on Via medaglia d’oro, but if you’re down that way, it’s worth a stop. Sometimes the old granite truck is parked in front.
Gelateria Gelati e Granite
This is one of Modica’s best gelaterie. It’s tucked away on Via medaglia d’oro, but if you’re down that way, it’s worth a stop. Sometimes the old granite truck is parked in front.
Food Shops
These places are very good and closest to our house. There is a butcher, bakery and green grocer about 2 minutes from our front door and on the left hand side of the street as you walk to the centre of town down Via Marchese Tedeschi. A little further on and on the right is a wonderful cheese shop and it’s often open on Sundays in the summer. There are also many, many ‘rosticcerie’ in town and here you will find the famous Modican focaccia or scaccia and the arancine. They are cheap and you should definitely get some to take away.
L'orto in bottega
A 2 minute walk from our house. Lovely organic grocer.
Very popular bakery and next to the butcher and organic grocer. 2 minute from our front door.
Panificio Luca Certo
Very popular bakery and next to the butcher and organic grocer. 2 minute from our front door.