Top 15 Dishes to Try in Messina

Part of the joy of traveling is tasting new cuisines. A Dinogo® cruise through Europe allows you to discover delightful flavors with stops at picturesque seaside ports like Messina, situated on Sicily's coast in southern Italy. While you wander through this beautiful locale, it's useful to know the must-try foods in Messina.

1. Frutta Martorana

Frutta martorana are almost too beautiful to eat—these marzipan sweets are crafted to resemble small fruits and vegetables. Sicilian pastry chefs use intricate molds, vegetable dyes, and edible glaze to give these colorful creations their stunning shine.

2. Salami

Sicily has been making salami since the ninth century, and the salami from the Sant’Angelo community in Messina is especially delicious. Crafted from high-quality cuts of pork, this mild sausage boasts a coarse grain, a vivid red hue, and an enticing aroma. It pairs wonderfully with a robust red wine as an appetizer.

3. Mezza con Panna al Caffè

Imagine a snow cone served in a glass, and you’ll have granita, a beloved frozen dessert from Sicily. Available in flavors such as lemon, strawberry, chocolate, or pistachio, the most favored granita in Messina is mezza con panna al caffè, which features a rich coffee flavor and is topped with cream. This delightful treat, often enjoyed with brioche, makes for an ideal breakfast.

4. Arancini

Originating from a term that means "little orange," arancini is a beloved street food found throughout Italy. These delicious treats are made by stuffing balls of risotto-style rice with various fillings like ragu or mozzarella cheese. They are then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried, making for a delightful snack that’s easy to enjoy on the go.

5. Sciusceddu

For a taste of ultimate comfort food, indulge in sciusceddu, a dish traditionally prepared for Easter in Messina. This recipe involves simmering meatballs in broth, topping them with eggs and local cheeses, and then baking it all in the oven. It's a dish you'll want to try making at home, and be sure to serve it with slices of fresh bread to soak up the rich broth.

6. Mozzarella in Carrozza

If you’re on the lookout for distinctive things to buy in Messina, you should definitely try mozzarella in carrozza, which means "mozzarella in a carriage." This delightful deep-fried sandwich is typically filled with mozzarella cheese, but in Messina, they use tuma, a mild Sicilian cheese. Much like the classic American grilled cheese, this dish is wonderfully gooey and delicious.

7. Vermicelli alla Siciliana

For a taste of authentic Sicilian flavors reminiscent of pasta alla Norma, you must try Vermicelli alla Siciliana. This dish features vermicelli pasta coated in a luscious sauce made from tomatoes, eggplant, roasted bell peppers, anchovies, capers, olives, and basil. Finished with a sprinkle of grated pecorino cheese, it truly captures the essence of Sicilian and Messinese cuisine.

8. Focaccia Messinese

If you enjoy pizza, you’re sure to appreciate focaccia Messinese. This Italian flatbread is crafted from a dough of flour, yeast, water, olive oil, salt, and sugar, but the toppings are what truly set it apart. Chefs in Messina elevate it by adding tuna or provolone cheese, anchovies, endive, and tomatoes, all finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

9. Caponata

Eggplant is a fundamental ingredient in Sicilian cuisine, and in Messina, residents love preparing caponata. This robust side dish consists of chopped and fried eggplant, peeled tomatoes, celery, olives, capers, raisins, and pine nuts, all coated in a sweet balsamic vinegar dressing. Caponata can be enjoyed as an appetizer with toasted bread or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood.

10. Parmigiana di Melanzane

For fans of warm, cheesy casseroles, Parmigiana di Melanzane is a must-try dish that both Neapolitans and Sicilians proudly claim as their own. Much like lasagna, it features layers of sliced eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese, all baked to a golden perfection. Across southern Italy, Parmigiana di Melanzane is commonly enjoyed as a delectable side dish.

11. Pasta alla Norma

Picture macaroni tossed with slices of fried eggplant, all enveloped in a savory tomato and basil sauce, topped with a sprinkle of pecorino cheese—this is Pasta alla Norma. According to legend, the dish earned its name from a famous writer who likened its perfection to the Italian opera, Norma, composed by Vincenzo Bellini. The name has certainly endured since then.

12. Pasta con le Sarde

Few dishes capture the essence of Sicily like pasta con le sarde. This delightful recipe uses bucatini pasta and combines it with fresh fennel and sardines, both abundant in the region, alongside a medley of other delicious ingredients. Picture a harmonious blend of tomatoes, onions, sultana raisins, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

13. Cassata

For a dessert that embodies Sicilian tradition, indulge in cassata. This exquisite cake features a shortbread-like pastry layered with creamy ricotta and vibrant citrus fruits for a delicious filling. Depending on the chef's artistry, the top may be drizzled with chocolate and adorned with a maraschino cherry, or it could be frosted with white icing and embellished with marzipan decorations.

14. Cannoli

A signature dessert that puts Sicily on the culinary map is the beloved cannoli. This treat features a crispy, tube-shaped pastry that is deep-fried to perfection and then filled with a luscious, sweet ricotta cream. Common additions to the filling include crushed pistachios, chocolate chunks, and candied orange peel for an extra burst of flavor.

15. Pignolata Messinese

Typically made during the Christmas season in Messina, Pignolata consists of small, marble-sized balls of pastry dough, which are either baked or fried until they achieve a golden hue. In Messina, the pastry balls are artistically arranged to resemble a pinecone, drizzled with a zesty lemon glaze on one side and rich dark chocolate on the other.

If you're exploring things to do in Messina, be sure to indulge in the local culinary delights. From a crispy, deep-fried cheese sandwich to a refreshing iced coffee topped with cream, your palate will thank you. Looking for a vacation filled with exciting activities and scrumptious foods? Consider embarking on a Dinogo cruise.