Ristorante GELSO Nero

We loved dining here! The waiter was one of the friendliest in Sicily, the food delicious, the view and atmosphere of the place are lovely. From the many restaurants we visited during our 2 weeks stay here, this restaurant is in our top 3. Thank you Ristorante Gelso Nero!

This place was a really beautiful spot and the service was great. They graciously seated us 30 minutes early and for a party of 2 even though I'd booked for 4. (Our kids opted out last minute of our little excursion to Savoca.) But the food was awful. We ordered a beef carpaccio that tasted like lunch meat. It had romaine lettuce underneath of the slices of meat, with no dressing or oil or anything. It didn't taste like a fresh, from their kitchen dish but like a prepackaged deli item. My husband had pesto pasta and I had truffle pasta. Both of our dishes tasted like they were made with Barilla spagetti. His pesto did not taste homemade, but like it was from a jar. The truffle pasta was presented as a daily special, which one would presume (obviously incorrectly) meant they had fresh truffles that day (especially since it was a 25 euro dish). But it was completely flavorless, also out of a jar, like those truffle carpaccio jars you buy in a tourist destination. The pasta was tossed in oil with a few of these truffles scattered on top. We read all the reviews before coming and are totally confused. Did we miss something? I really don't like to leave bad reviews but feel the need to share how bad we felt the food was to counter all of these good reviews!!! Again, great service, lovely spot. Come for the setting and atmosphere, not the food. Edit as a response to the owner's response: culturally we find it impolite to complain about the food. Your cooking was your cooking and we found it terrible. What would have changed if we had complained? We both barely ate the pasta after trying to politely choke down the carpaccio starter. Why didn't your server ask us why we barely touched the pasta? We didn't start the conversation because it's uncomfortable. And based on your response here, I am even more certain our opinion would have made for an uncomfortable situation. We tipped based on service. The service was lovely. I suggest others read other reviews of mine to see I am a fair reviewer. Your responses to negative reviews are frankly a bit out of line.

This place was such a hidden gem. So relaxed and the most amazing pasta (that we've had on our whole trip). Chilled vibes and wine ?

Great spot, fantastic food and service. Don’t miss this place, well worth it.

We stumbled upon this little gem, the food is incredible. Probably the best we've had in our entire two weeks in Sicily. We ended up eating here two nights and both times it was exceptional. Everything was perfect. Service impeccable, wine list is excellent, views beautiful and they play very nice music too. Deeeeelish. I wish every meal was like dining here. ? I think its very good value and fair prices too.

Perfect lunch. Products are local and fresh, service is smart and the terrace offers a beautiful point of view. On top of that huge selection of wines. A to go restaurant if you are nearby. Considering the quality price is good. I took carne di maila from Sicilian mountains with chocolate sauce it was teasty and juicy! With a glass of good nero d'Avola.

Wonderful setting and friendly staff. Meat was hot, but potatoe was cold. Price-performance ratio is wrong.We had heared enthusiastic reports and were sadly disappointed. But even if the meal was not good, with lots of humor, the evening was fun. Let's blame covid!

Possibly a best kept secret or our good fortune, as we were able to get a table in this small charming cliff-side restaurant with amazing views that are only outdone by their sensational dishes. An incredible dining experience that we will surely find our way back to . I strongly recommend all who read this do the same. Everything we ordered was incredibly fresh and delicious. Enjoy!