Where to eat in Scilla: restaurants, Chianalea and Costa Viola swordfish

Scilla is one of the most charming villages on the Costa Viola, where Calabrian cuisine blends with the sea of the Strait of Messina. In Chianalea, the old fishermen's quarter nicknamed "little Venice" for its houses built right on the water, restaurants serve the freshest fish, homemade pasta and the famous swordfish, symbol of local tradition. Among the alleys of the centre and along the Marina Grande seafront you'll find family trattorias, fish restaurants and spots to enjoy the authentic flavours of Scilla's cuisine, often with views of Ruffo Castle and Sicily on the horizon.

• Antrois — The name tells the story: Antrois, from the Greek word for "cave", stands at Via Grotte 53, just steps from the port of Chianalea, at the…
• Civico5: #quellidelpaninocolpescespada — Civico 5 — The true story of the authentic swordfish sandwich In the mid-1980s, in the fishing village of Chianalea di Scilla, the…
• Bleu de toi — Ristorante Bleu de Toi is a gem set in the enchanting Chianalea di Scilla, the characteristic seaside village where the sea has always…
• Cala delle Feluche Chianalea — Cala delle Feluche grew out of the experience of the historic Lido Chianalea, on the sea at Scilla since 1992. A beach club and restaurant…
• Il Casato Sea View Restaurant – Seafood Restaurant with Sea View in Scilla — Overlooking the sea of Scilla from a 16th-century palazzo at Via Annunziata 25, Il Casato Sea View Restaurant is one of the most evocative…
• Cala Sangrioli — Cala Sangrioli was founded in 1967, in the heart of the Costa Viola, in Scilla, overlooking the evocative Strait of Messina. Originally…

Chianalea: dining on the water among fishermen

Chianalea is the gastronomic heart of Scilla, a fishing village where houses face directly onto the sea and restaurants seem suspended over the water. Here the day's catch reaches the table in its most authentic form: swordfish "alla ghiotta", anchovies, pasta with sea urchins and seafood. Dining on one of Chianalea's terraces, with waves lapping at the foundations and boats moored just metres away, is an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset when the light tints the Costa Viola sea violet.

Swordfish and Scilla's seafood cuisine

Scilla has for centuries been the capital of swordfish fishing, caught in the Strait of Messina with traditional spotting walkways. No surprise, then, that it is the absolute star of the table: from the classic "swordfish alla ghiotta" with capers, olives and tomato, to rolls and carpaccio. Alongside the king of the Strait, restaurants offer anchovies, amberjack, seafood spaghetti and fish starters. The quality of the produce, often locally sourced, makes every dish a genuine experience.

Marina Grande, trattorias and evening spots

Along the Marina Grande seafront, Scilla's main beach, restaurants, trattorias and bars line up where you can dine almost with your feet in the sand. The atmosphere here is livelier and more informal, ideal for families and groups. Besides fish, there are trattorias serving traditional Calabrian dishes, pizzerias and bars for an aperitif or after-dinner drink with a sea view. After dinner, a stroll towards Chianalea or the little harbour rounds off a Scilla evening.

Frequently asked questions

Verified on 7/6/2026 · curated by Francesco De Giorgio