Lucky you if you are reading this – you must be in Sicily!
After over two decades of travel in Italy (and living here for over a decade), Sicily is one of my favorite places to visit.
I love Sicilia’s history, architecture and art – but I also love the food! The island is such a melting pot of flavors, being physically close to Africa and historically dominated by rulers from all over the world.
When I visit Sicily, I always leave enough space to bring back my most favorite food souvenirs. I’ve got something for all budgets and palates.
Let’s take a look!
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Where To Buy Food Souvenirs In Sicily
You can find food souvenirs from Sicily practically on every street corner but here are the most popular places:
Cafes or Bars
A bar in Italy assumes the role of a café, bar, snack spot, and lunch joint. It’s a great place to pick up local chocolates, candies and wines. Bars in Sicily often stock goods made by friends or neighbors.
Alimentari
Alimentari are small mom-and-pop food shops that offer a selection of carefully curated (and often locally-made) food items. Unlike grocery stores, every item is hand selected by the owners so you can be sure it’s going to be of good quality. Don’t hesitate to ask the owners for their favorite items!
Wine Shops
Wine shops or enoteche are best for buying wine and digestifs. The shop owners should have a good knowledge of the local wines and can help you decide based on other wines you like or dislike.
Grocery Stores
While grocery stores are less curated then small shops, they are great for picking up last minute items and can offer good quality at the right price. Most small grocery stores in cities will stock a variety of mainstream brands and also local food items.
Food Markets
Food markets are a great place to get some really local foods and products. The only downside is that some vendors may not be able to vacuum seal items such as cheese, bottarga or capers for you.
Learn more about Italian Markets:
How to Shop at Markets in Italy
10 Rules for Shopping at Markets in Italy
Incredible Food Markets in Italy
My Favorite Markets in Florence
Food Markets in Florence
Top Markets In Tuscany
Food Markets in Venice
Rialto Market in Venice
Food Souvenirs From Sicily
Busiate Pasta
Busiate is a local short pasta from the province of Trapani characterized by its corkscrew shape. Pasta is a great option if you can’t afford to add much weight to your checked bag. Dried pasta is also dirt cheap! And don’t forget to cook it al dente when you get home using How To Cook Pasta Like an Italian – Step-by-Step.
Where To Buy It: Trapano
Caserecce Pasta
Caserecce pasta is a typical Sicilian pasta shape which can be found in every grocery store. You can find this overseas and in other regions in Italy while busiate pasta is much more regional.
Where To Buy It: Grocery stores or alimentari throughout all of Sicily
Sicilian Cheese
Sicilian cheese is a whole world in itself but most famously, pecorino made from sheep’s milk is one of the most popular Italian cheeses made on the island. Be sure to buy an aged variety (my favorite is semistagionato) and have it vacuum packed, allowing you to bring it back to most countries.
Where To Buy It: At cheese shops or open air markets such as the Ballarò Market in Palermo
Pesto Alla Trapanese
Pesto from Trapano is made from tomatoes and almonds instead of pine nuts and basil. It’s a nice twist to the classic and can be purchased in jars to bring home as a souvenir from Sicily. Be sure to order it at a restaurant if you are visiting Trapano.
And be sure to learn all about all the best ways to use pesto in 10+ Ways To Use Pesto – How Our Italian Family Uses It.
Where To Buy It: Trapano
Limoncello
Limoncello is most famously from Campania but you can also find it in Sicily as the island is one of the leading producers of citrus. You should be sampling this after meals as you hop from one town to another (owners will often offer it to you free of charge after dinner).
Where To Buy It: Catania or Siracusa
Sicilian Capers
Capers famously come from Salina, one of the Aeolian Islands of Sicily. But you don’t have to go to these islands to get them. Most small stores, markets and shops sell these capers packed in salt either in jars or in bags. Use them in several dishes including salsa verde, Roman chicken cacciatore and baked fish.
Where To Buy Them: Northern coast of Sicily
Olives
Jarred or vacuum-packed olives are one of the best food souvenirs to bring back from Sicily. The island makes very good olive oil and a variety of cured olives which are traditionally used in Sicilian cooking and enjoyed with aperitivo.
Where To Buy Them: At open air markets across Sicily
Nuts
Sicily is one of the biggest producers of nuts in Italy, most famously for pistachios, almonds and a small supply of macadamia nuts.
If you are traveling to Sicily in the fall, this is likely when the nut harvest is, which will be evident to you by the amount of nuts piled high at markets. Don’t forget to try a granita or gelato alla mandorla or pistacchio.
Where To Buy Them: Almonds in Siracusa and Pistachios in Bronte
Sicilian Wine
Silician wine is a broad category and a little overwhelming to tackle. Keep an eye out for these wines to bring home which can be purchased at wineries, wine shops and even at grocery stores.
- Catarratto
- Nero d’Avola
- Nerello Mascalese
- Grillo, Inzolia e Grecanico
- Zibibbo/Malvasia
Bottarga
Bottarga is dried tuna roe that is salted and used like parmesan cheese, grated over pasta, beans dishes and as a general seasoning to many other dishes. This is another great item to bring home with you from Sicily but be sure it is vacuum-packed!
Where To Buy It: On the coast in Sicily at shops that can vacuum-pack it for you (alimentari)
Olive Oil
Olive oil from Sicily makes for one of the best food souvenirs or gifts from Sicily if you have space. I like to wrap mine in wine bags to reduce breakage.
All 20 regions in Italy produce their own olive oil and Sicily makes some of the best. Most notably are the Nocellara and Tonda Iblea varieties of olives which are pressed into a smooth and vibrant bright green olive oil. You can read more about my favorite Italian olive oil in 15 Best Italian Olive Oils.
Where To Buy It: My favorite is U’Ciuri by Azienda Agricola Miceli&Sensat (be sure to call or write before visiting)
Frutta Martorana
Frutta Martorana are reproductions of fruit and vegetables made from marzipan or almond paste. They are an art form in Palermo and can be found in any number of bars, cafes and sweet shops. These treats are a bit expensive but well worth it for a loved one.
Where To Buy It: I Peccatucci di Mamma Andrea in Palermo
Crema di Pistacchio
Pistachio cream is a sweet spreadable ingredient similar to Nutella but made with pistachios. You can find this all over Italy but the absolute best comes from Sicily where they are famous for their pistachio production.
This versatile sweet condiment can be used on toast, fette biscottate, bread, to make desserts and cookies or used to flavor sweet pastry cream.
Where To Buy It: Markets or alimentari in Bronte
Modica Chocolate
Modica chocolate is the best food souvenir from Sicily for travelers with a sweet tooth. The chocolate is processed with an old technique, cold working the ingredients, creating a gritty, raw texture. Choose from a variety of flavors including orange, lemon, vanilla, coffee and spicy red pepper.
If you can’t make it to Modena where you will also find the chocolate museum dedicated to this unique chocolate, don’t worry, you will find it all over Sicily in sweet shops. Just remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality! To learn all about chocolate in Italy check out the Most Popular Italian Chocolate.
Where To Buy It: Antica Dolceria Bonajuto in Modica is the most famous chocolate shop
Salt
Marsala in Sicily is home to natural salines, where salt is collected from the seawater and extracted. You can buy it either in small bags or in nicer jars if you are looking for a small but beautiful and useful gift.
Where To Buy It: Marsala
Bonus: Hand Painted Ceramics
Although not specifically a food item, hand painted ceramics can be used to serve and eat all your delicious Sicilian food goodies you picked up on your trip. Sicily’s ceramics are some of the most beautiful in all of Italy and come at a pretty good price.
Most shops can ship large items but if you are looking for something to pop into your suitcase, I suggest a spoon rest, some espresso cups or a small serving platter for things like olives, marzipan or cookies.
Last Minute Sicilian Food Gifts
If you are really pinched for time or are in need of a last minute gift or souvenir from Sicily you can pick up some items from the above list at the duty free shops at airports.
The best items to choose last minute include:
- Dried pasta
- Canned goods
- Pistachio cream
- Olive oil
Gifts and Souvenirs: Be sure to check out all of my gift guides and souvenir guides!
Curious to learn what else you should bring back from other cities and regions in Italy?
Find the best souvenirs and gifts from Amalfi Coast – Cinque Terre – Dolomites – Emilia-Romagna – Florence – Milan – Naples – Piedmont – Puglia – Rome – Sardinia – Sicily – Tuscany – Umbria – Veneto – Venice.
Or, check out my Condensed Region-by-Region Guide.
