Antica Giudecca - Pizzeria, Biscotti, Arancini, Take Away

From here, head east to wander around Ortigia’s Giudecca, or Jewish quarter, one of the most picturesque parts of the island. You can learn about one of Sicily’s longstanding artisans at the Museo dei Pupi, the Puppet Museum, which highlights the importance of this folk tradition and how puppeters told stories about legendary heroes and gods to keep the public entertained in the 19th century. You can also watch a live performance at the nearby Teatro dei Pupi, head backstage into the puppet laboratory or even try your hand at making your own puppet under the guidance of a local craftsman.

For lunch, follow the locals to Antica Giudecca, a friendly hole-in-the-wall that serves up the city’s best street food. Sicily’s famous oversized arancini rice balls, filled with ragù, spinach or eggplant, come freshly fried for only €2, and the counter features a variety of savory pies and pizzas with various toppings. You’ll also find some daily specials, including a pasta, meat dish and vegetables.

If you want an inexpensive, casual meal, head to Antica Giudecca for arancini (rice balls), pizza slices, and impanata. You can choose what you want from the counter or ask for arancini, which are made to order. They do have more arancini flavours than listed on the menu—we got our vegetarian favourite, Norma (aubergine).

Antica Giudecca is a family-run Sicilian bakery, selling the best arancini I have ever tried. These fried rice balls are a staple of Sicilian cuisine, but unlike most restaurants and snack bars, Antica Giudecca makes all their arancini fresh to order. You can get it filled with beef ragu, aubergine or chopped pistachio.

I had meant to go to Antica Giudecca but I got sidetracked and stopped one shop too early at U'Sicilianu. I had a hard time choosing between pistachio lasagna or a big tray of spinach tossed with chili but I got an arancino. It was filled with ragu and peas and cheese and I ate it in my pajamas with a view of the sea.

Antica Giudecca* and U’Sicilianu* sell simple no frill bites, caring for the authenticity and freshness of products. At the latter I had a pistachio pizza carta (like a pizza slice) and the lady gifted me with half a portion of pepper with breadcrumbs because I did not know what they tasted like.

If you’ve had a long day and don’t feel like a real meal, there’s nothing better than coming here for a beer and an arancino!. I always end up talking with all the locals who stop by for takeout. No ambiance: just a few tables and chairs.

Alas, there wasn't enough time to enjoy all the places on my to try list, but next time I will definitely head to Antica Giudecca (a small takeaway shop located at Via della Giudecca, 26) to sample some of Sicily's best street food!

When I can’t decide if I really want to eat dinner or not, after a full day, I head here for a perfect arancini. And if I’m still hungry they always have something else, like fried calamari or baked pasta.