What is a Catanese Chiosco? Much more than just a bar

For those arriving in Sicily for the first time, the word “chiosco” (kiosk) might suggest a simple newsstand or a small summer bar. Nothing could be further from the truth! In Catania, the chiosco is a true city institution, the beating heart of social life at any time of day or night.

Born between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these small, characteristic pavilions—often octagonal and in Art Nouveau style—dot the city’s main squares. You don’t sit at a table: you step up to the counter, order, and drink standing up while chatting. Whether it’s to digest with a classic “seltz, limone e sale” (sparkling water, freshly squeezed lemon, and salt) after dinner, or to cool down with mandarin and tamarind syrups, the chiosco is the ultimate meeting place. And, naturally, it is the undisputed temple where the star of our article is perfectly prepared: the frappè. Stopping here doesn’t just mean getting a drink; it means experiencing the authentic essence of Catania.

The History: Who invented the Nutella Frappe Catania?

Catania is the birthplace of great personalities, and among them is the dear Zio Lino (Uncle Lino), the inventor of the Catanese beverage par excellence. The birth of this frappè was an act of love: Zio Lino combined a few simple ingredients to make a dear friend happy who, due to a bad accident, couldn’t eat solid foods and could only drink through a straw.

Thus, a true “straw-friendly” dessert was born, created from the heart. A recipe so delicious, smooth, and irresistible that it literally drove everyone crazy, adults and children alike, becoming an unmissable ritual in the city’s kiosks.

The Secret Ingredients: There is no frappè without Tortina Tomarchio

But how do you make the real Catanese frappè? Nutella and milk, without a doubt. But then what? The real secret lies in one small, great ingredient: the famous Tortina Tomarchio! This little cake, a true Catanese pride, is inimitable and unmistakable thanks to its delicately honeyed flavor and ultra-soft texture. It is what gives the frappè that creaminess and unique taste that cannot be replicated with any other snack.

The Recipe to make it at home

To prepare a perfect Catanese frappè, you only need these three magical ingredients:

• Milk: Ice cold from the fridge (about 200 ml / 7 oz).
• Nutella: 2 or 3 generous tablespoons (don’t be shy!).
• Tortina Tomarchio: 1 whole cake.

Instructions: Roughly crumble the tortina into a blender, add the ice-cold milk and the Nutella. Blend at maximum power for a few minutes until the mixture is thick, frothy, and irresistibly creamy. Serve immediately in a tall glass, strictly with a straw!

“Na granita e na brioscia” (a granita and a brioche) is our sweet summertime ritual. Step into any café here in Sicily during the warmer months, and you’ll quickly see that this delicious treat is the undisputed alternative to the classic Italian cappuccino and croissant.

It is a colorful, sweet indulgence that cools you down during the hot Mediterranean days. The flavors of a true Sicilian granita diversify by color just as much as by taste, creating a literal rainbow of sweet delights:

• Brown: Intense, aromatic espresso coffee.
• Green: Rich, savory Bronte pistachio.
• Red: Sweet, seasonal wild mulberries (gelsi).
• Yellow: Zesty, refreshing local lemon.
• Black: Decadent, dark chocolate.
• White: Creamy, delicate almond.

Where Does Authentic Sicilian Granita Come From?

Who do we have to thank for a dessert made from such simple, natural ingredients?

The ancestor of our beloved Sicilian granita is likely the famous Arab sherbet, an ancient, ice-cold beverage made from crushed fruit, water, and fragrant flowers. During their historical presence on the island, the Arabs brought this brilliant culinary inspiration. Over the centuries, Sicilians perfected the recipe, traditionally using the snow collected from Mount Etna during winter to freeze the ingredients in summer.

My Life Behind the Counter: How Sicilian Granita is Made

At Magica Sicily, we love sharing authentic local experiences. Thanks to my past experience working behind the counter as a barista, I had the privilege of witnessing the traditional preparation of Sicilian granita firsthand.

First come the raw ingredients: freshly squeezed lemon juice, plump mulberries, brewed coffee, or rich cocoa. These are carefully mixed with just water and sugar. Back in the day, I watched these mixtures get churned inside an antique gelato machine with crushed ice, continuously hand-spatulated. This constant, rhythmic motion is the secret to achieving its signature texture: incredibly compact, yet luxuriously creamy. It is never just crushed ice; it is a velvety masterpiece.

The Secret to the Perfect Almond Granita (Minnulata)

When it comes to the delicious minnulata (traditional almond granita), the key ingredient is everything. Artisans usually choose between a smooth block of almond paste or whole, peeled almonds.

Personally, I prefer Sicilian granita made from whole almonds. It gives the dessert that extra special touch—the tiny, crunchy almond flakes contrast perfectly with the softness of the icy mixture. It is a must-try for anyone looking to enjoy an authentic Sicilian breakfast.

The Golden Rule: No Granita Without Brioche “col Tuppo”

Now, let me let you in on a local secret: there is no granita without brioche.

And I’m not talking about just any pastry. I’m talking about the legendary Brioche col tuppo! This soft, buttery, baked delight is famously styled with a little dough “chignon” (the tuppo) on top. To eat it like a true local, it must be enjoyed abbuddata—generously dipped and dunked right into the glass. It is pure bliss for both kids and adults.

But be warned: there is a deep, unspoken jealousy surrounding the famous tuppo. That little dome resting on top of the soft pastry is widely considered the best part. It’s a sweet prize, and giving it away is a cardinal sin. You don’t even share it with your partner!

Taste the Magic of Sicily

So remember… there is no Sicilian granita without a brioche col tuppo if you want to experience a truly authentic morning ritual.

Are you planning your trip to our magnificent island? Let the sweet traditions of our land conquer your heart. Reach out to discover the hidden gems of Sicily!

If you are visiting Sicily, a Mount Etna excursion is almost essential: ancient craters, volcanic landscapes and breathtaking views create an experience unlike anywhere else.

Powerful and fascinating at the same time, Etna constantly changes its appearance through eruptions, lava flows and snow-covered winter landscapes.

For people in Catania, Etna is more than a volcano.

Many locals affectionately call it “Mamma”, because it seems to watch over the city while overlooking the sea, Messina and the Aeolian Islands.

Discovering Mongibello: the Mountain of Mountains

Throughout history, Etna has had many names.

One of the most fascinating is Mongibello.

The name combines the Latin word mons (“mountain”) and the Arabic jebel (“mountain”), creating a repeated expression emphasizing its grandeur:

“The Mountain of Mountains.”

Other historical interpretations connect the name to Mulciber, one of the names associated with Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

Even today, many Sicilians simply call Etna:

“a muntagna” — the mountain.

The myths behind Mount Etna

Mount Etna has always inspired stories and legends.

Ancient civilizations often used myths to explain the uncontrollable power of nature.

The Nymph Etna and Typhon

According to legend, the nymph Etna, daughter of Gaia and Uranus, buried her half-brother Typhon beneath the mountain.

Typhon was a terrifying creature defeated by Zeus during a legendary battle.

People believed that every volcanic eruption represented Typhon’s anger as he tried to break free.

Hephaestus and the Philosopher’s Tower

Another famous story says that the volcano contained the forge of Hephaestus, god of fire and metalworking.

One of the most fascinating legends involves Empedocles, the Greek philosopher from Agrigento.

According to tradition, he threw himself into the volcano to prove his divine nature.

The volcano rejected one of his bronze sandals, revealing that he was mortal after all.

Today the Philosopher’s Tower (Torre del Filosofo) still remembers this legend.

The history of Mount Etna eruptions

Etna’s geological history is written in lava.

Some of the most significant eruptions include:

1329 and 1381
Medieval eruptions that frightened local communities.

1669
One of the most destructive eruptions in Etna’s history. Lava reached the sea and partially devastated Catania.

1910
An eruption that created twenty-three new craters.

1917
A spectacular lava fountain rose nearly 800 meters into the sky.

1923
An extraordinary event where lava remained hot for more than eighteen months.

Nicolosi: the perfect starting point

For many visitors, Nicolosi is considered the gateway to Mount Etna.

From here most excursions begin, allowing visitors to explore lava fields, extinct craters and volcanic landscapes.

The beauty of Etna also fascinated writers and travelers.

During his journey through Italy, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described the extraordinary landscape stretching from Messina to Syracuse beneath the smoking volcano.

Many travelers combine a Mount Etna excursion with exploring Catania.

Why a Mount Etna excursion is unforgettable

Visiting Mount Etna means more than climbing a volcano.

It means walking through mythology, history and nature at the same time.

You are following the same paths imagined by philosophers, poets and ancient gods.

It is a ritual, a journey, a place where memories and everyday life meet.

For many people, it is simply a road crossing the city. For others, it becomes part of growing up.

My first memories of Via Etnea

As a child, I used to look at Via Etnea from a distance.

To me, it was where older girls went — the place of shopping, freedom and discovering the world beyond childhood.

Meanwhile, I stayed home with my grandmother, learning how to knit and listening to stories.

Then I turned eighteen.

And suddenly came my first real walks through Catania.

I still remember the excitement of taking the bus. Just thinking about walking along Via Etnea made me feel important.

I looked at shop windows even when I could not buy anything.

But it did not matter.

Being there already felt enough.

Places that defined a generation

Some places represented something bigger than shops.

There was Coin, Rinascente, and the legendary Joseph store.

For many people growing up in Catania, these places became small symbols of a particular moment in life.

Today many things have changed.

But the meaning of Via Etnea somehow remains the same.

Piazza Stesicoro: where everyone met

There was always one sentence:

“See you in Piazza Stesicoro.”

It became the center of meetings, friendships and spontaneous decisions.

For many people, Piazza Stesicoro was not just a place on a map.

It was where the day actually began.

The Botanical Garden and childhood wonder

The first time I visited the Botanical Garden felt almost magical.

I still remember an enormous tree that we used to call the chewing gum tree.

I have no idea whether it really had anything to do with chewing gum.

But as children, we believed it did.

And at that age, imagination was enough.

What Via Etnea means today

Today Via Etnea is still movement, growth and change.

But it is also memory.

Walking there means seeing tourists and residents sharing the same spaces, while Mount Etna quietly remains in the background.

The street changes, the shops change, people change.

Some feelings stay.

A tip if you are visiting Catania

If you are planning a trip, Via Etnea is one of the best places to start exploring the city.

It is not only one of the most famous streets in Catania — it is also a way to understand the city’s rhythm.

For a complete guide, read also:

What to See in Catania: Complete Guide Between History, Mount Etna and the Sea

People understand this almost immediately after arriving:

you do not simply visit Catania — you experience it.

Piazza Duomo and the Fish Market: the heart of Catania

A perfect starting point for discovering Catania is Piazza Duomo, the symbolic center of the city.

Here you will find the famous Liotru, the black lava stone elephant that has become Catania’s symbol, together with the beautiful Amenano Fountain.

Just a few steps away, you enter one of the city’s most authentic places: the historic fish market.

Voices, colors and strong aromas mix together every morning. It is not a tourist performance — it is everyday life.

Via Etnea: the street that tells the story of the city

Among the most important places to see in Catania, Via Etnea is essential.

This long street crosses the city from south to north, with Mount Etna constantly appearing in the background.

Walking here means experiencing everyday Catania: historic buildings, local shops, students, residents and travelers moving together.

If you want to discover the more personal side of this street, read also:

Via Etnea Catania: Memories, Daily Life and Stories

Piazza Stesicoro and ancient Catania

Continuing along Via Etnea, you arrive at Piazza Stesicoro, one of the city’s most fascinating historical areas.

Beneath the square you can see the remains of the Roman amphitheater — a reminder that modern Catania was built on top of ancient Catania.

Here the city suddenly changes rhythm.

Castello Ursino: medieval Catania

Another important landmark is Castello Ursino, built during the 13th century.

Once facing the sea, today it stands in the middle of the city after lava flows and earthquakes transformed the landscape.

Inside you can visit the Civic Museum and discover more about Catania’s long history.

Piazza Vincenzo Bellini and Catania nightlife

When the sun goes down, Catania changes completely.

The area around Piazza Vincenzo Bellini becomes one of the city’s social centers, filled with restaurants, music and lively streets.

Experiencing Catania at night is part of understanding the city’s personality.

Mount Etna: an experience you cannot miss

Among the best things to see near Catania, Mount Etna is impossible to ignore.

As the highest active volcano in Europe, it dominates both the landscape and daily life of the city.

From Rifugio Sapienza, visitors can join excursions through ancient lava fields, craters and landscapes that almost feel lunar.

Day trips from Catania: Aci Trezza and Caltagirone

If you have extra time, consider exploring beyond the city.

Aci Trezza is famous for its sea views and the legendary Cyclops rocks.

Caltagirone is known throughout Sicily for its ceramics and the beautiful Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte.

These places offer two completely different ways to discover eastern Sicily.

For another unforgettable stop near Catania, visit Aci Trezza Sicily: Things to Do and Hidden Gems.

Saint Agatha Festival

One of the most intense moments of the year is the Festival of Saint Agatha, celebrated every February.

For a few days, the city changes completely. Streets fill with devotion, traditions and thousands of people dressed in white.

It is something you do not simply watch — you feel it.

What to See in Catania: Quick List

If you need a short version:

• Piazza Duomo
• Via Etnea
• Piazza Stesicoro
• Castello Ursino
• Mount Etna
• Aci Trezza
• Caltagirone

Even one or two days are enough to understand the city’s spirit.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what to see in Catania is not about checking places off a list.

It means walking through a city that constantly changes its face — from Baroque architecture to volcanic landscapes, from markets to quiet churches.

Catania is not simply visited.

It stays with you.