Taormina Travel Forum

I am spending a week in Taormina in September and whilst I am really excited about my forthcoming visit, as a vegetarian I fear that my dining options will be non-existent. As a vege I always expect to rely on really basic food when abroad but it looks like Taormina is a 99.9% carnivorous town. All the internet menus seem to feature meat or fish, heavily. Does anyone know if any of the restaurants are vege-friendly (i.e have one or two non meat or fish based dishes?) Any information will be really appreciated! Thanks, Martin.

Though I have spent very little time in Sicily itself, it's my experience that all Italian restaurants offer enough more than enough veg possibilities to keep a vegetarian alive. Pastas, soups, risottos, bean dishes, salads, wonderful local vegetables and fruits. Don't worry, you'll be fine. You may get an aodd look or two if you order a pasta and three vegetables, but so what.

DN is right that most Italian restaurants offer some vegetarian-friendly dishes. For example, spaghetti alla puttanesca has tomato sauce, olives, capers, pepper flakes, and other odds and ends that don't involve meat or fish. A pizza margherita is a simple pizza that has tomato sauce and cheese.

Do some research before you go (like on www.foodtv.com) on recipes, and you should have a number of dishes to choose from. As long as you are not vegan, you should be able to eat well in Italy...

Bill

Dnwitte, you've got to be careful with those risottos - very often dishes are heavy on STOCK which certainly isn't veggie...

But Martin, no worries! We are a veggie family and had no problem whatsoever in Taormina or any other Sicilian town. Sure, the main courses are all about swordfish and meat but the "first courses" they serve in Italy are all about pasta, pizza or grilled vegetables. In a touristy city like Taormina, they are used to ALL tourists only eating one dish for dinner instead of the usual Italian 2-3, so they won't bat an eyelid if you sit down for a pizza, pasta etc.

Try the Sicilian speciality "macaroni alla Norma" with aubergine and cheese :) There are also pasta with pumpkin and the local nuts...I haven't eaten better anywhere than on that island since becoming veggie five years ago! Just avoid the main street if you don't want to pay a fortune for your meals and be with other tourists. Having said that, sometimes it is nice just to get the veranda views of the Bay of Naxos often found in the restaurants there...Enjoy!!!