Reggio Calabria

Welcome to the motherland of my Italian ancestors. A quick stop over on our way over to Sicily and one things for sure.. the southern Italians make the best desserts!

Cesare’s Gelato Bar: The self proclaimed best gelato in Reggio Calabria. The presentation is fantastic, all ice cream topped with a wafer displaying their logo on it. As for the gelato, not my number 1 in the area. A very strong tiramisu and a very bland almond. The elderly men serving are super cute to see if you do stop past! Plus, who says no to gelato for dinner

Gelateria Matteotti: The granita to top all granitas – FIG! Unlike the granitas of our friends up north, this wasn’t just syrup drizzled over some crushed ice and it is eaten with a spoon not drank.
They also had a special here where for €9 you received a house cocktail and a plate piled with savoury pastries and a side bowl of salad.

Taverna Marinara: A late night bowl of pasta after a long siesta, yes please! Spaghetti with vongole in a rich sauce of olive oil, butter, wine and the juices of the shellfish, topped with a good helping of parsley. A jar of tiramisu for 1 to top off this meal was perfection. Strong with the coffee and only a light dusting of cocoa on the top, just how I like it!

Sottozero: Thank you Ben for this tip as I am so forever grateful that we didn’t miss out on this experience. This my friends IS the number 1 gelato in Reggio! Service with a smile too, always goes a long way.
Upon entering the shop you are overwhelmed with choices of gorgeous cakes such as giant pesche and custard filled pastries to massive cannoli and colourful fruit topped tarts. Quick coffee stop and a delightful gelato bar where the magic really happens. A giant brioche bun cut open and filled with any gelato of your choice, fresh whipped cream and biscotti. The best breakfast ever!!!

Local Living

If you’re looking to escape the tourist crowds this is the place to be. but word of warning, siestas last for 5 long hours!!! 1pm – 5pm every day in the summer time.
After spending our day shopping down the main strip and exploring the castle in Reggio with some crazy amazing views, we ventured off to the local grocery store to pick up some goodies for our apartment.

Sometimes after travelling for 4 weeks, a home cooked meal is all you need! Just for Chauntelle, a big bowl of mushroom carbonara made the Australian way [with cream] by sourcing local cream, field mushrooms that still had parts of the roots attached and a big packet of grated romano cheese. A good bottle of prosecco and some fresh bread served with plenty of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to finish off a wonderful meal. A fun story to go with this, when my parents last visited Reggio, the relatives requested that mum make them a cream carbonara. Unintentional tradition I think we have started.

Day two’s siesta break after wandering the isles of the local the Reggio Calabria Cathedral we indulged in delicious sweet tomato salads and crisp fresh grapes followed by a good afternoon nap in the warm weather. So simple and satisfying.

One discovery that we did not expect while travelling southern Italy were these vending machine stores. Walking home one night we come across a shop that was filled with machines stocking pre packaged food, soft drinks, medical goods and BEER! After a local allowed us to use his Italian ID card to purchase a few Coronas, we ventured back to our balcony overlooking the wharf and experienced a stunning lightening display on a 28 degree night.