Restaurants in Palermo

Osteria dei Vespri

The freshly caught seafood here attracts diners in droves and its wine list is also one of the best in the city. From April to November, the sommelier works with chef Alberto Rizzo to make a tasting menu that is matched with amazing Sicilian wines. The rest of the time it becomes an osteria (a simple Italian eatery) serving more affordable, traditional dishes.

Belotero

This exclusive restaurant is always packed with locals. To gain entry to the airy basement dining room, customers need to ring a bell and get escorted down. One of the few Palermo restaurants to be listed in the Michelin guide, its creative and elegant cuisine offers an interesting take on classic Sicilian dishes.

Ristorante Gadir

Opposite the church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo, this Kalsa district restaurant is one of the city’s most sophisticated with a vaulted ceiling, exposed brickwork and an exquisite menu. The wine cellar contains 200 different varieties of vino, including a good selection of Sicilian bottles. Its fine dining fare includes a wonderful sea urchin pasta.

Bellini

At the back of Teatro Bellini, this restaurant offers a romantic setting as guests sit outside underneath La Martorana Church. The food is decent, particularly the octopus caponata (cooked vegetable salad) and the prawn and pumpkin ravioli, but it’s the location that draws the punters. Arrive early to beat the crowds.

Antica Focacceria San Francesco

As the name suggests, this landmark neighbourhood bakery specialises in focaccia bread and serves a range of delicious regional specialities. Housed in an art nouveau building dating back to the first half of the 1800s, it still features wooden cabinets, marble top tables and cast iron ovens. No bookings.

Il Baro

This popular restaurant in the Liberta area has a beguiling choice of pizzas that are generally considered the best in town. Customers can choose between four different kinds of pizza bases, including a gluten-free one. Il Baro also dishes up an excellent pasta selection and some sublime desserts.

Antica Caffè Spinnato

Established in 1860, this high-ceilinged tearoom is always bustling. Open daily for a lunch of salads, pastas and sandwiches, people queue out of the doors for its bakery specials. Try the panelle (deep-fried chickpea fritters) and the arancini di riso (rice balls stuffed with savoury fillings).

Al Casato dei Ventimiglia

Situated in the shadows of the Palazzo dei Normanni, this restaurant has a tourist-friendly menu and a dark, cavernous, candlelit interior. They offer a choice of set menus at very reasonable prices, including a fish, meat and pizza one. Try the seafood risotto and the fish cooked in foil with grilled vegetables.

Trattoria Da Calogero

This wallet-friendly trattoria in the seaside resort of Mondello plates up excellent seafood pastas, fresh octopus, sea urchins, mixed fried fish and lovely langoustines. Popular with local families, it has a good selection of pizzas which makes it a hit with the kids too.