
Me Cumpari Turiddu
Experience authentic Sicilian home-style cooking in a cozy, vaulted space adorned with vintage charm.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Me Cumpari Turiddu

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Sicilian home-style cooking in a cozy, vaulted space adorned with vintage charm.
"The food was brilliant, however the service let it down somewhat."
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table at this popular spot.
Visit Off-Peak
Consider dining during less busy hours for faster service, even if you arrive early.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Sicilian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+39 095 715 0142
Address
Piazza Turi Ferro, 36/38, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
Website
mecumparituriddu.it/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Sicilian Cuisine
Savor traditional Catanese dishes and local ingredients, from donkey stew to fresh seafood.

Cozy, Family-Vibe Atmosphere
Enjoy a unique, family dinner feel with charming table settings and a cozy, vaulted space.

Adventurous and Classic Dishes
Explore unique offerings like donkey meat alongside beloved Sicilian classics such as antipasti.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table at this popular spot.
Visit Off-Peak
Consider dining during less busy hours for faster service, even if you arrive early.
Try Unique Items
Don't miss adventurous dishes like donkey stew or classic Sicilian seafood for an authentic taste.
Chat with the Owner
Engage with the friendly owner for a more personalized and insightful dining experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table at this popular spot.
Visit Off-Peak
Consider dining during less busy hours for faster service, even if you arrive early.
Try Unique Items
Don't miss adventurous dishes like donkey stew or classic Sicilian seafood for an authentic taste.
Chat with the Owner
Engage with the friendly owner for a more personalized and insightful dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Me Cumpari Turiddu is praised for its charming, traditional Sicilian atmosphere and its dedication to authentic, local ingredients. Diners often rave about unique dishes and the cozy, family-like vibe. However, some reviews mention slow service and inconsistent food quality, with occasional issues in preparation or flavor.
"We went for dinner, we did not have a reservation. They found a small table for us.
Very nice interior, no music, so you are a bit afraid to speak loudly or to say cheers :)
We had octupus as appetizer and steamed oily fish as main. Both very well prepared.
Very nice presentation on the bread balls/tomato paste/olives when you are seated.
It gets busy after 21:00/9pm."
Tsvetomir Andreevski
"Typical traditional local restaurant with a classic touch. Nice dining area with style ,but nothing too extraordinary. The actual food is simple and quite plain. Do not expect any exceptional experience. Service is slow as is to be the kitchen itself."
Ilias Pantos
"Lovely restaurant in the city center of Catania.
The food was fantastic. The restaurant itself is just beautiful. The decor, furniture and table set up is spot on and it adds to the story of the restaurant, which you get to learn as you open their menu.
The food was brilliant, however the service let it down somewhat. The front of house was properly staffed and they were very nice and accommodating, however it was clear the kitchen was struggling, with a very long wait between starters and mains.
Having said this, on our arrival, and just in front of us there was a very large party that may have just walked in without a ore existing reservation, which may have contributed to the back of house staff getting overwhelmed, however it was a but of a let down that we had to pay with the consequence."
Fernando Bocanegra
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It is highly recommended to make a reservation, especially during peak hours, to ensure you get a table.
The restaurant features a cozy atmosphere with unique table settings, vaulted ceilings, and chandeliers, creating a family dinner vibe.
Yes, they offer adventurous dishes such as donkey stew and donkey mortadella, alongside classic Sicilian cuisine.
Service is generally friendly and attentive, with some staff speaking English. However, some reviews mention slow service and kitchen delays.
Yes, Me Cumpari Turiddu embraces the Slow Food philosophy, focusing on seasonal and local ingredients.
Popular recommendations include pasta alla Norma, seafood spaghetti, donkey steak, and couscous for dessert.
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Following a Slow Food philosophy, this restaurant strives to be a typical Sicilian neighborhood destination in every sense. In the morning, you'll find just-from-the-oven breads, pastries, fresh-squeezed juice, and goat's milk yogurt at the front counter while the restaurant's main menu pays homage to the area's distinct culinary traditions, such as donkey steaks or donkey mortadella, pastas with anchovies and breadcrumbs, and macco soup from fava beans. There's also a small bodega ( p utia) that sells ingredients from the producers they use.
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Cumpare was once a jovial moniker used to greet customers in the Sicilian vernacular, and it seems as if the folk at Mé Cumpari Turiddu have continued in the vein that their name implies. Aside from the friendly atmosphere and warm Italian welcome though, patrons here can expect a range of Mediterranean fish and seafood dishes, served up in an al fresco garden during the warmer months.
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€ · Sicilian. Unfortunately there are no selected restaurants in the area you've searched for. The areas covered by the MICHELIN Guide are increasing regularly so we may have some selection soon.
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If you are curious to try the authentic Sicilian recipes but also want to experience your meal in an original and smart casual setting, then this is the place to be in Catania centre!. The name of the restaurant refers to a Sicilian say “cumpari” meaning “very close friend” or even “brother” and Turiddu is the diminutive for “Salvatore”, also called “Turi” in Sicilian dialect. The idea of this name, as explained by the owner in Stanley Tucci’s CNN series ‘Searching for Italy’, is that people dining at the restaurant should feel in a cozy place such as at a very good friend’s house.
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Mé Cumpari Turiddu – An icon of Catania’s food scene, this restaurant in the city center, opened by lawyer-turned-restaurateur Roberta Capizzi, serves traditional Sicilian cuisine with a contemporary mindset. Nearly all of their ingredients are sourced from Slow Food Presidia or from Roberta’s garden, namely the vegetables and the citrus for their jams. Their impressive cellar has over 200 Sicilian wines and 60 spirits; ask the incredibly knowledgeable sommelier Giovanni for help selecting a wine to pair with your dinner.
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In Catania’s central Piazza Turi Ferro (formerly Spirito Santo), Me Cumpari Turiddu brings together restaurant, bistro, tea room and delicatessen under one storied roof. The space enchants with its vaulted ceilings, vintage crystal chandeliers, and walls of artfully distressed plaster—a setting that has earned it a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for its excellent value cooking. The story begins with Roberta Capizzi, who left her law practice in Milan in the early 2000s to return home to Sicily and open Me Cumpari Turiddu.
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var en gang en jovial moniker brukt til å hilse på kunder i den sicilianske vernacularen, og det virker som om folkene på Mé Cumpari Turiddu har fortsatt i den venen som navnet deres innebærer. Bortsett fra den vennlige atmosfæren og varm italiensk velkomst, kan kundene her forvente et utvalg av middelhavs- fisk- og sjømatretter, som serveres i en utendørs hage i de varmere månedene. via Monsignore Ventimiglia 15, Catania, Italia, +39 095 7150 142
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This is a Michelin-star spot which is distinctively Sicilian in both décor and food. With stripped back walls, exposed brickwork and hand-woven lace hanging from the ceiling, it certainly juxtaposes its Michelin-star status, while still giving guests that homely feel. Expect classic dishes such as Spaghetti alla Turiddu, along with more unique dishes like grilled donkey steak.
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It also means it does a 3-course meal at a reasonable price. This restaurant has a very traditional feel with Jazz music, old chandeliers, chairs & tables and cooks up classic Sicilian dishes. It also has a bar and is open from midday to the early hours of the next morning.Address: Piazza Turi Ferro 36, Catania, 95124, Italy
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For those who: authentic Sicilian cuisine with local and slow food products. Discovering Mè cumpari Turiddu means to enjoy good Sicilian cuisine at all hours. Simple and good recipes, which draw from the grandmother’s ideal recipe book and the quality of seasonal products and, in most cases, slow food products.
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Me Cumpari Turiddu Classic Sicilian dishes with a focus on using seasonal, local ingredients. Owned by a former lawyer who decided to return to Sicily after a successful career. 🍝 Must try: The Pastore’s Maccheroncini pasta made with goat cheese is to die for!
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Me cumpari Turiddu è perfetto ed è segnalato sulla Guida Michelin come BIb Gourmand, per l’ottimo rapporto qualità-prezzo. Qui si vendono anche prodotti gastronomici da portare a casa. Me cumpari Turiddu Piazza Turi Ferro, 36/38 Catania, Italia
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An elegant yet warm spot that celebrates traditional Sicilian cuisine with a refined touch. The vintage decor and slow food philosophy make it ideal for a relaxed dinner. Try the pasta alla Turiddu or the caponata—both rich in local flavor.
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Lots of Sicilian restaurants are not on the Michelin list yet, but have received a mention: we recommend, Me Cumpari Turiddu* in Catania or Osteria Expanificio* in Agrigento.
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Me Cumpari Turiddu has a white-clothed-table, formality to it, as evidenced by the over-the-top, two-tiered presentation of petite breads offered as amuse-bouches.
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I can also recommend Me Cumpari Turiddu, where Stanley Tucci ate when he was in town, although I preferred Razmataz to be honest.
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