EAT > Cortile Spirito Santo, Siracusa, Ortigia Italy (18/20)

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Nestled in the historic heart of Ortigia, Syracuse’s enchanting island, Cortile Spirito Santo delivers Michelin-starred Sicilian refinement in a 17th-century palazzo. This gem, part of Palazzo Salomone Luxury Suites, blends Baroque elegance with contemporary flair, earning its star in 2023 for chef Giuseppe Torrisi’s masterful dishes.

AMBIENCE >

Elegant and serene, the restaurant unfolds in a renovated 1600s building with a standout external courtyard lounge overlooking the Chiesa dello Spirito Santo. It is a calm, picturesque setting down a quiet cobblestone laneway near Castel Maniace. The atmosphere is not modern and fashionable, rather it is comfortable timeless and approachable, with professional service that enhances the luxurious tranquility.

EAT >

Torrisi’s tasting menus shine with seasonal Sicilian ingredients, like the “Passeggiata in Ortigia” (€150, five seafood courses) featuring creative hits such as scallop, seabass ravioli, monkfish meunière with fennel, and red prawn innovations. Amuse-bouches, pre-desserts, and Sicily-shaped almond tartlets add delightful surprises, though portions skew petite for some. Standouts include local fish, Etna mushrooms, and precise executions blending tradition and technique.

DRINK >

The sommelier-curated list of around 100 bottles emphasizes Sicilian labels from Etna and the west coast, paired expertly with meals (€120-170 menus). Ninnì Amato guides guests through diverse, high-quality options, from local whites to international gems, complementing seafood and land dishes seamlessly.

CONCLUSION >

Cortile Spirito Santo stands as Ortigia’s premier dining destination, offering unforgettable flavours in a magical historic enclave. Worth the splurge for its sensory feast and polished execution. After a trip that followed Italy’s coast from Bari to Gallipoli, from Taormina and Syracusa back up to Tropea and Amalfi a trip that saw us eating in too many fine restaurants to remember, Cortile stays at the very top of the list.

You can read more in our downloadable PDF Siracusa Guide

Housed in the fully restored Palazzo Salomone (circa 1600), the restaurant opened in August 2020, swiftly capturing a Michelin star by November 2023.

Executive chef Giuseppe Torrisi (b. 1988, Acireale), inspired by his grandmother’s Sicilian home cooking, honed his skills over a decade in elite spots like Le Chalet d’Adrien and Relais Bernard Loiseau. Owners include Torrisi and likely his partner Giulia, bringing a personal passion project to life amid Ortigia’s cultural riches.

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