Messina Street Food Fest

The street food festival in the heart of Messina

The Messina Street Food Fest is one of the most anticipated food and wine events of the autumn in the capital of the Strait. Every year, the central Piazza Cairoli in the heart of Messina turns into a large open-air gourmet village, where Sicilian culinary tradition meets Italian and international street food. Organized by Eventivamente s.r.l., the event attracts thousands of visitors over a few days and has firmly established itself as a classic on the city's calendar.

Specialties in the square

The heart of the festival lies in the numerous food stalls set up along the square, offering the very best of local street food and beyond. Among the most beloved specialties, you will find:

• the unmissable braciole messinesi and the swordfish braciola sandwich;
• the arancino, available in many variations, including the "black gold" arancino from the Nebrodi mountains;
• fried pizza, panelle, and traditional croquettes;
• typical Sicilian desserts, from cannoli and granitas to artisanal gelato.

Alongside local flavors, there are also street food offerings from other Italian regions, creating a culinary journey to satisfy every palate.

Show cooking, entertainment, and music

The Messina Street Food Fest is about more than just food: the program includes show cooking sessions where renowned chefs and master gelato makers prepare gourmet dishes in front of the audience for tasting. The evenings are accompanied by shows, DJ sets, and live concerts featuring local bands, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere in the square until late at night. In several editions, the proceeds from the show cooking sessions have been donated to local charities.

A free event for the whole city

Entry to the gourmet village is free: you only pay for what you choose to taste at the stalls. The informal and convivial atmosphere, combined with the central location of Piazza Cairoli, makes it an event perfect for families, groups of friends, and tourists visiting Messina, the capital city of the homonymous Metropolitan City in Sicily, overlooking the Strait.