Bar Turrisi is a multi-level bar in Castelmola, the hilltop village above Taormina. Its playful fertility-themed collection fills the rooms with wooden, ceramic and earthenware sculptures, so take a look around as you make your way upstairs. The roof terrace looks out toward Taormina, the coast and Mount Etna. Order a glass of the local almond wine, served here as a house specialty, or stay for Sicilian dishes such as pizza, seafood and bruschetta. It’s a good stop if you enjoy unusual interiors with your drink.
A bar shaped by its collection
Bar Turrisi opened in Castelmola in 1947. Its founder, Salvatore Turrisi, came from a family connected to the countryside and wine production. The bar began as a small shop selling a mix of goods, including almonds, wine and Sicilian puppets, before becoming the bar known today.
The interior is built around fertility imagery associated with Greek mythology. Wooden, ceramic and earthenware figures appear throughout the rooms, alongside paintings and smaller decorative pieces. The theme is deliberately playful and unusually prominent, extending to details such as the taps. It is an adult-themed collection, so the bar may not suit everyone; if you are comfortable with that subject, take time to look around rather than heading straight to a table.
Almond wine and Sicilian food
Vino alla mandorla is the bar’s signature drink. It is made by combining dry white wine with almonds, aromatic herbs and citrus. You can order a glass, and souvenir bottles are available to take away. The menu also includes cocktails, beer and coffee.
Food ranges from pizza and bruschetta to pasta, seafood, salads and other Sicilian dishes. Seafood spaghetti is one option if you want a fuller plate, while a mixed bruschetta platter lets you try several toppings. Gelato and cannoli provide a sweeter finish. The menu is broad for a bar, so you can make this a brief drink stop or sit down to eat.
The terrace above Castelmola
The upper terrace looks toward Taormina, the coast and Mount Etna. Balconies also overlook the village piazza, putting the bar in the middle of Castelmola’s small historic center. The setting makes the climb to the higher floors part of the visit: look through the rooms, then head up for the panorama.
Castelmola sits above Taormina, so reaching the bar means going beyond the main town. A walk between the two involves a fairly strenuous uphill route; driving or taking a bus are alternatives mentioned for reaching the village. Once there, Bar Turrisi is close to the Duomo of San Nicolò and the piazza, making it easy to include while exploring Castelmola.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is Bar Turrisi?
It is in Castelmola, the hilltop village above Taormina, at Via Papa Pio IX, 19.
What is Bar Turrisi known for?
The bar is known for its fertility-themed collection of wooden, ceramic and earthenware sculptures, as well as its almond wine.
What can you eat and drink at Bar Turrisi?
The menu includes almond wine, cocktails, pizza, pasta, seafood, bruschetta, gelato and cannoli.
Is there a view from Bar Turrisi?
Yes. The roof terrace looks toward Taormina, the coast and Mount Etna.
