Hidden down a side street and a few stone steps, I Giardini di Babilonia feels like discovering a secret garden in Taormina. The setting is gorgeous, but the food and hospitality are what make it unforgettable.
Antonio, the owner, is such a kind and gracious host--he visits every table and makes you feel at home. Everything is locally sourced from their own farm: free-range chicken, beef from their cows, fresh veggies, and even berries delivered by a sweet older gentleman named Carmelo while we were dining.
Highlights:
* Eggplant & fish appetizer - to die for.
* Burrata & tomatoes - the freshest we had in Sicily.
* Tuna tartare with capers - amazing.
* Linguine with lobster - perfection.
* Gnocchi with wild boar ragù - funny story, we ordered the regular gnocchi but got this instead. I'd never order wild boar, but it was the best pasta we had across 4 Sicilian towns. Game changer!
* Sea bass for two with grilled veggies - so fresh and flavorful.
* 45-day aged beef - outstanding, served with crisp potatoes and sautéed spinach. One of the best steaks I've ever had.
This place is farm-to-table Sicilian magic with heart and soul. If you're in Taormina, don't miss read more