I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner during my stay at 'The White Lotus' hotel in Sicily, and now I understand why the characters never dined elsewhere

Mikhaila FrielMay 22, 2023, 18:56 IST

Mikhaila Friel ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner while staying at "The White Lotus" hotel in Sicily, Italy.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I dined at "The White Lotus" hotel where the cast lived and filmed during season two.
I tried some of the cast's favorite Italian food, including cannolis and pasta alla norma.

I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner during my stay at the real "White Lotus" hotel in Sicily.

Mikhaila Friel is seated for breakfast at "The White Lotus" hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

As the characters in the show rarely dined elsewhere, I was excited to see what the fuss was about.

Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya) and Haley Lu Richardson (Portia) dine at the fictional "White Lotus" hotel.Photograph by Courtesy of HBO

After checking in to the hotel in the late afternoon, I kicked things off with dinner at the piano bar.

The piano bar in "The White Lotus" hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was advised to take a seat across from the bar while I waited for my reserved table.

My table at the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was particularly impressed with the decor.

The decor in the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I order a Lover cocktail, which cost $26.

Mikhaila ordered "The Lover" cocktail.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Shortly after my drink arrived, I was given a plate of complimentary snacks.

Complimentary snacks at the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

After a couple of minutes, I was escorted to a larger table by the window.

My seat at the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

From my window seat, I could see gorgeous views of the surrounding scenery.

Taormina, Sicily.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

For my dinner, I ordered spaghetti with tomato sauce and basil, which cost $28.

A photo of my meal at the piano bar.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The following day, I had breakfast at the hotel's main restaurant.

Principe Cerami.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was seated at the outdoor portion of the restaurant.

Outdoor seating at Principe Cerami.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The restaurant offered an à la carte menu and a buffet, and I opted for the buffet.

Juice and fruit at the bar as part of the breakfast buffet.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was surprised to see cakes and tarts being served in the morning.

Cakes and tarts at the breakfast buffet.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There was also a selection of meats and cheeses.

A selection of meat at the breakfast buffet.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

However, not all of the buffet was available to self-serve, and a chef was on hand to assist.

The chef prepares a cannoli.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I also had a bowl of strawberries, a vanilla pastry, a cup of tea, and a glass of blood-orange juice.

Mikhaila's breakfast at "The White Lotus" hotel restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

A server later arrived with a complimentary plate of pancakes, crêpes, and waffles, with a tiny "welcome" sign on top.

Mikhaila received a selection of complimentary treats which she didn't order.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Later that day, I had lunch at Anciovi, the outdoor, poolside restaurant that was also featured in the show.

The Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was seated at a table that was close to the bar and that looked on to the sea below.

Mikhaila's table at the Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There were gorgeous views of Mount Etna from my seat.

The view from the Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I ordered pasta alla norma, a classic Sicilian dish that cost $39.

Mikhaila's meal at the Anciovi restaurant.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I thoroughly enjoyed the food, and now I can understand why the characters in "The White Lotus" rarely ventured outside the hotel.

"The White Lotus" guests sit at the hotel's main restaurant.HBO

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