Vico Astemio

The story

Vico Astemio, Giarre – Michelin Recommended Sicilian Contemporary Dining in Riposto

Chef Massimiliano Vasta’s Vico Astemio in Riposto, Sicily

At Vico Astemio, Chef and Patron Massimiliano Vasta brings a deeply personal vision to the table. Self-taught and driven by a passion that began in childhood with his grandfather Wilbur, Vasta draws on the ancient aromas of his family’s vineyard and the flavors discovered on travels with his father, a wine producer. After nearly a decade running a wine shop, he opened his first restaurant, translating a lifetime of sensory memory into a kitchen of his own.

The restaurant’s location, just fifty meters from the fruit and vegetable market and the fish market of Riposto, is central to its identity. This proximity allows Vasta to select raw materials daily, meaning the menu shifts to reflect the best of what’s available. “The menu offers different experiences even after only a week from the last visit,” the chef notes. His approach is rooted in the Sicilian tradition of the area, but with a “pinch of innovation and a desire to surprise.” This contemporary Sicilian cuisine is not about reinvention, but about telling the story of seasonal ingredients through a dish with clarity and intention.

The dining room is supported by a dedicated team, including front-of-house staff and a kitchen brigade that works to realize Vasta’s vision. The atmosphere is one of quiet confidence, where the focus remains on the plate and the produce that defines it. Vico Astemio has earned a Michelin Recommended award, a recognition that aligns with the chef’s commitment to sourcing and craftsmanship. For those seeking a genuine expression of contemporary Sicilian cooking in the heart of Riposto, this is a place that rewards attention.