Courtesy of Caffè Sicilia
Caffè Sicilia
The Cut· research-verified, not yet visited
The Corrado Assenza shop on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Noto. Four generations of Assenzas, one Netflix Chef's Table episode, and Corrado Assenza still running the counter most mornings.
Open since 1892, run by Corrado Assenza since the 1980s: granita made from raw almonds grown in Noto, La Cassatina (their individual-portion cassata) sold over the counter, candied citrus that takes three weeks to set. Open daily (typically from 8 or 9 a.m. depending on season, Mondays included); the line out the door is real, so come at opening or mid-afternoon (2–4 p.m.), since after 6 p.m. is peak passeggiata and the queue down Corso Vittorio Emanuele gets long. Order the almond granita with a warm brioche col tuppo (a Sicilian brioche with a topknot) and dip the brioche into the granita. The cannoli are filled to order with ricotta cream, chocolate cream, or orange-and-vanilla cream, never pre-filled. You will not eat better pastry in Italy.
- Price — €€
- Order — almond granita + brioche col tuppo
- walk in
- outdoor seating
- Noto · Corso Vittorio Emanuele 125
- Since 1892
- Closed Mondays winter
From the HALA guide, reviewed August 2026.
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