This is another one of the many restaurants in Sicily that looks like it might be a tourist trap and turns out to be an absolutely magical lunch experience. In walking distance to the Villa Sant'Andrea, Da Giovanni has two informal dining rooms both of which has breathtaking views of pretty Isola Bella. The daily fish specialties are excellent and this is also a great place for a lighter lunch of grilled vegetables, salads and bruschetta. Don't miss the homemade gelato or sorbet for dessert—you may well want to linger over coffee and the beautiful view.

A dinner reservation on the terrace of this grande dame hotel is a much-coveted affair. Sitting proudly in the hillside of already lofty Taormina, the Timeo looks across terraced gardens to the sea. This is the kind of unapologetically old-school place where a team of waiters and sommeliers sweeps around your table, where meals take hours and menus fold out to the size of newspapers (female diners are given versions without the prices, certo).

But it's far from stuffy. The staff is warm and accommodating, chatting with diners and happily explaining the local dishes, all of which are incredible. Come hungry: this is definitely the place to order it all: antipasta, primi and secondi, followed by dessert if you still can. The wine list has lots of nearby winners; after all Mount Etna smolders in the distance (on some nights, you can actually see lava). It's by far the most expensive restaurant in Sicily, but a meal here is truly special and should not be missed.

This seaside seafood restaurant is a Marzamemi institution—and knows it, judging by the lofty (for Sicily) prices. But paying €18 for a plate of pasta is worth it when said plate is served on a table that’s facing the turquoise blue of the Ionian Sea. Diners sit on colorful painted chairs, shaded by a straw pergola and order the catch of the day.

All is prepared simply and without frills: tuna grilled with fennel seeds, lemon-marinated shrimp, pasta topped with mussels and the world’s most flavorful tomatoes and burratta. All is washed down with a crisp white and a strong espresso at the end of the meal. If you can’t find a spot on the sea-facing terrace, the tables in front of the restaurant, facing Marzamemi’s cute central piazza are also a fine place for a leisurely lunch. During the high season (June-August), reservations are a must.

The restaurant terrace of the Villa Athena hotel faces Agrigento's breathtaking Valley of Temples, with a dead-on view of the massive Concordia Temple. It's one of southern Sicily's most coveted lunch and dinner reservations (dinner is best for guests staying at the Villa, since there are no other high-end hotels in the area). The menu is a mix of Sicilian, Italian and international fare.

Dining on the terrace of the seaside Villa Sant'Andrea is a must during any Taormina stay. Framed by lush gardens and with glorious views of the sea, it's a great spot for lunch or dinner. Guests from the Timeo can make use of the Sant'Andrea's beach club, so come for lunch and settle into one of the beachside loungers for the afternoon. The menu is encompassing, trying to please all of the nationalities who are guests at this five-star, but there's always a selection of local, Sicilian specialties.