Wondering what to eat in Palermo or where to find the best restaurants and street food? Here’s a snapshot:
- Must-try dishes: arancina, pasta con le sarde, panelle, pane ca’ meusa, caponata, cannoli, sfincione.
- Best places: markets (Ballarò, Capo, Vucciria), bakeries, street food stalls, local trattorias.
- Desserts: fresh cannoli, granita with brioche, cassata, and Sicilian gelato.
- Drinks: local wines, limoncello, Averna, Aranciata, craft beer.
- Street food culture is huge – many dishes are cooked and eaten on the go.
More details on where to try each dish, insider tips, and personal experiences follow below.
If you’re exploring food in Palermo, get ready – this city doesn’t just feed you, it spoils you. From street snacks that kept us coming back for more, to pasta with flavors that tell a story, desserts we couldn’t stop eating, and chaotic markets that smelled like Sicily in every corner – Palermo is full of surprises.
Below, we share the most iconic dishes, where we loved trying them, and a few “learn from our mistakes” moments from our own experience.
👉 To make your stay even easier, don’t miss our other Palermo guides: the full One Day in Palermo itinerary and our list of 17 Best Things to Do in Palermo with all the highlights.
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The Most Famous Dishes to Try in Palermo
Arancina
Arancina is probably the dish you’ll end up eating more than once – it’s everywhere. It’s a round, crispy fried rice ball with different fillings inside, like ragù, ham and cheese, pistachio, or seasonal combinations. Palermo makes it round (not cone-shaped like in Catania), and theirs are usually crispier.
A good arancina shouldn’t taste oily – it should have a thin, crunchy layer outside and a soft, flavourful inside. We tried a few places, and honestly, not all arancine are the same. Some are heavy and greasy, so choose well.
Best places to try it:
- Ke Palle – our favourite, super light and crispy
- Sfrigola Via Maqueda
- Mica Panelle
Panelle
These chickpea fritters are one of the most authentic examples of street food in Palermo. They’re thin, golden, slightly salty, and often served inside bread. They sound simple, but the flavour is surprisingly addictive. Panelle are usually fried fresh in front of you, and you’ll smell them before you see them.
They’re especially good if you want something quick that doesn’t feel too heavy.
Best places to try them:
- Nino u’ Ballerino (very old-school and local)
- Mica Panelle
- Porta Carbone – Cala
Crocchè
Crocchè are soft potato fritters – sometimes with a hint of mint – and they go perfectly with panelle. They’re cheap and perfect to grab while walking. They’re very comforting and great if you want something less intense than other fried foods.
Where to try:
- Capo Market stalls
- Panelle e Crocché – Street Food no Zu Totò
- CapoCollo (they include crocchè in their street food tasting plate)
Sfincione
Sfincione is a Palermo-style pizza: thick, airy, and topped with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, oregano, and a layer of breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs are what make it special – they give it this slightly crunchy, savoury topping that’s so different from the pizza you’re used to.
It’s usually sold from small trucks or market stalls with huge trays of it.
Where to try:
- Mancia capo
- Caddia condivisioni culinarie
- BIGA Genio e Farina (our favourite)
Pasta alla Norma
This is one of the most iconic Sicilian pastas: tomato sauce, fried eggplant, basil, and ricotta salata.
We honestly didn’t love it – maybe because the ricotta salata was a bit too strong for us – but a lot of people adore this pasta. It’s very simple but has this sweet-salty balance that makes it unique.
It’s definitely worth trying once so you can decide for yourself.
Where to try:
Pasta con le Sarde
This pasta represents Palermo perfectly: sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts, raisins, saffron.. a mix of flavours you’ll only find in Sicily. It’s savoury, slightly sweet, and very aromatic. If you want something 100% traditional, this is the dish.
Some people fall in love with it, others find it a bit “strong” – but it’s culturally important and worth trying.
Fried and Fresh Seafood
Seafood is everywhere in Palermo, and it’s impossible not to try at least a few dishes. From crispy fried treats to fresh pasta, the flavors are intense and full of the Mediterranean spirit.
- Fried seafood (Fritto di Mare): Small fish, calamari, and shrimp lightly battered and fried until golden. We loved grabbing a cone from a street stall – piping hot, crunchy, and perfect while wandering the city.
- Pasta with seafood: Try spaghetti ai ricci di mare (sea urchin pasta). The mix of sweet, salty, and herby flavors is so Sicilian – and even if you’re usually picky with fish, it’s worth trying.
- Fresh seafood at restaurants: Places like Ciurma Maqueda serve grilled swordfish, seabass, and other fresh catches – a treat if you want a sit-down meal.
Tip: Fried seafood is best eaten immediately, straight from the stall. For pasta dishes, ask for recommendations at local trattorias – the freshest catch makes all the difference.
Caponata
Caponata is a warm (sometimes cold) eggplant dish cooked with onions, celery, olives, and capers in a sweet-and-sour sauce. It’s soft, rich, and full of flavour. If you only try one vegetable-based dish in Palermo, make it this one.
Where to try:
Pani ca’ Meusa
This is probably the most “Palermo” dish on the list – a sandwich made with veal spleen (sometimes lungs) cooked slowly and served with ricotta or caciocavallo cheese. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into trying local specialties, this is your moment.
You usually see men cooking it in large steel pots on the street.
Stigghiola
Another street food classic – lamb or goat intestines wrapped around leek stems, grilled over an open flame and seasoned with parsley and lemon. The smell is unmistakable and feels very Palermo. If you’re an adventurous eater, it’s actually very tasty and smoky.
Where to try:
- Street grills around Ballarò
- Stigghiolaro
Babbaluci (Snails)
Tiny snails cooked with garlic and parsley, usually eaten during festivals. They’re fun to try, and the flavour is mild and garlicky.
Where to try:
- Mostly in summer, especially during Santa Rosalia
- Ask at local trattorias when in season
Street Food Culture in Palermo
Eating street food in Palermo is not just a snack – it’s a cultural experience. Markets here are noisy, colourful, slightly chaotic, and full of vendors calling out their offers. It’s the best way to get a real feel for the city.
Where to experience the best street food
- Ballarò Market – the biggest and most chaotic; great for a cheap lunch
- Capo Market – easier to navigate, lots of fresh snacks
- Vucciria – now mostly nightlife, but some good food corners during the day
Tips:
- Bring cash – many places don’t accept cards.
- Don’t expect spotless stalls – that’s part of the charm.
- Some street food is very fried, so take breaks.
Desserts in Palermo
Cannoli
The king of Sicilian desserts. A crispy shell filled with ricotta and topped with chocolate chips, pistachio, or candied fruit.
We had two favourites:
- The secret cannoli at Santa Caterina Convent — we waited 30 minutes but honestly worth every second
- Cannoli Pastry Shop — amazing mini cannoli in many flavours
Granita & Brioche
This is the most typical Sicilian breakfast – cold, sweet granita with a soft brioche bun. Almond and pistachio were our favourite flavours. Perfect on warm days.
Where to try:
Cassata
A very sweet ricotta cake covered in marzipan and candied fruit. It’s iconic and beautiful, and great to share because it’s rich.
Where to try:
Sicilian Gelato
Palermo has some of the best gelato we tried in Italy. Locals often enjoy it served in a soft brioche instead of a cone – sweet, warm, and perfectly creamy. Classic flavors like pistachio, chocolate, or ricotta are everywhere, but don’t be afraid to try seasonal or unique options you won’t find anywhere else.
Where to try:
Drinks to Try
- Averna – originally from Sicily, sweet and herbal
- Aranciata – refreshing Sicilian orange soda, great for non-alcoholic option
- Local wines like Nero d’Avola, Grillo, and Catarratto
- Limoncello or Mandarinetto after dinner
- Craft beer at Ballarak Brewery
The Best Way to Discover Palermo’s Culinary Secrets
If you really want to dive into Palermo’s food scene, the best way is with a local guide who knows all the hidden gems. We loved joining a small guided food tour – walking through colorful market stalls, learning about Sicilian culinary traditions, and tasting freshly made sfincione, crocché, panelle, and arancine, finishing with a sweet dessert.
Exploring with someone who knows the city meant we discovered flavors and spots we would have completely missed on our own. It’s hands-down one of the most fun and immersive ways to experience Palermo’s cuisine.
Personal Notes & Useful Tips
- We got scammed at Taverna Canti – dishes not on the menu magically cost double. Avoid it.
- Some dishes can be heavy or very fried – totally normal in Palermo.
- Our favourite affordable meal was at CapoCollo – their €16 street food plate + cocktail is amazing.
- Ballarò Market is loud and messy, but so worth it. Make sure to have some cash because there aren’t reliable ATMs in the area.
- Cannoli are genuinely better in Palermo – the ricotta tastes fresher.
Final Thoughts
Palermo completely stole our hearts – and our appetites! From waiting around 30 minutes for the secret convent cannoli (so worth it) to discovering our favourite arancina at Ke Palle, every bite felt like a story.
We laughed over overly fried street snacks, debated if pasta alla Norma was really our thing, and got a little scammed at Taverna Canti (lesson learned!). Walking through the markets, sipping fresh aranciata, and watching the sunset at Foro Italico made us fall in love with the city even more.
Palermo isn’t just a place to eat – it’s a place to experience food, culture, and everyday Sicilian life. Come curious, come hungry, and leave with full hearts and full bellies.
