Il Baglietto

This small restaurant is located a short walk from the entrance of the stunning nature Reserve Vendicari. When you drive in, you can’t miss the tables set in the lovely garden on your left. In typical Sicilian understatement, Il Baglietto looks touristy, and my husband and I would have never stopped there had an Italian friend not given us a rave review. Thanks to his suggestion, we had one of the best meals of our trip.

If it’s on the menu, order pasta con le sarde (Sicily's unofficial national dish) whose Sardine-fennel sauce was a revelation. Diners sit in a most serene garden setting, the massive trees and fields of Vendicari framing the property. It’s a spot not to be missed while visiting the reserve and during the summer months, reservations are a must.