Tom & Alberto’s guidebook
Food scene
Some of our favourite restaurants, cafes, pasticcerias
Great place for breakfast, pastries, arancine and light-bite lunches. Authentic local favourite with a bustling atmosphere.
21 locals recommend
Pasticceria Massaro
24 Via Ernesto BasileGreat place for breakfast, pastries, arancine and light-bite lunches. Authentic local favourite with a bustling atmosphere.
Traditional Sicilian cuisine in the heart of the city centre. Delicious food, desserts, and wine. Reasonably priced too. One of our favourite restaurants.
77 locals recommend
Buatta Cucina Popolana
176 Via Vittorio EmanueleTraditional Sicilian cuisine in the heart of the city centre. Delicious food, desserts, and wine. Reasonably priced too. One of our favourite restaurants.
Contemporary trattoria the heart of one of the liveliest and coolest neighbourhoods in the historic city centre. Some of the best seafood dishes in town.
13 locals recommend
Aja Mola - Trattoria di Mare
39 Via dei CassariContemporary trattoria the heart of one of the liveliest and coolest neighbourhoods in the historic city centre. Some of the best seafood dishes in town.
Smart-casual lively bistro located beside the famous Quattro Canti (the very centre of the historic city). Beautiful frescoed walls, exposed ceiling beams. Reasonably priced appetisers, primi (first courses) and secondi (main courses) covering all meals, from morning cornetti (croissants) to lunch and dinner meat, fish and pasta dishes (the latter are especially good). Solo diners will appreciate the front bar seating.
TIP: No bookings so for dinner make sure you arrive before 7.30pm or prepare for a decent wait!
175 locals recommend
Bisso Bistrot
172A Via MaquedaSmart-casual lively bistro located beside the famous Quattro Canti (the very centre of the historic city). Beautiful frescoed walls, exposed ceiling beams. Reasonably priced appetisers, primi (first courses) and secondi (main courses) covering all meals, from morning cornetti (croissants) to lunch and dinner meat, fish and pasta dishes (the latter are especially good). Solo diners will appreciate the front bar seating.
TIP: No bookings so for dinner make sure you arrive before 7.30pm or prepare for a decent wait!
Sample Sicilian street food in a relaxed bar setting in the centre of town.
28 locals recommend
Passami ù coppu
195 Via RomaSample Sicilian street food in a relaxed bar setting in the centre of town.
Great seafood, pasta, and pizza in a charming, romantic setting
42 locals recommend
A'nìca Ristorante & Pizza Gourmet
135 Via AlloroGreat seafood, pasta, and pizza in a charming, romantic setting
Traveler advice
Getting around
"FREE NOW" app (mytaxi)
Uber hasn't arrived in Palermo yet, but "Free Now" (formerly mytaxi) works in just the same way and, in our experience, is very reliable.
Download it from the App Store / Google Play and hail a ride.
Free Now only permits official licensed taxi drivers to operate using their service. Never take an unlicensed taxi.