{"id":14986,"date":"2021-08-19T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/?post_type=inspiracion&p=14986"},"modified":"2021-08-17T12:41:08","modified_gmt":"2021-08-17T10:41:08","slug":"where-to-eat-palermo","status":"publish","type":"inspiracion","link":"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/en\/cities\/palermo\/where-to-eat-palermo\/","title":{"rendered":"Great to look at and great for the palate: eating out in Palermo"},"content":{"rendered":"
I have already mentioned in my article on the Teatro Massimo<\/a> that the building dominates a very central square in Palermo. From Piazza Verdi, many of the city tours meander off to explore the wonders of a city that boasts an entire UNESCO itinerary, unique in the world with its Arab-Norman style. <\/h5>\n

What I have not told you yet is that right behind the theatre, in one of the four ancient districts of the city, is one of the liveliest historic markets of the city: il CAPO. <\/p>\n

\"mercato<\/figure>\n

STREET FOOD TOURS IN THE HISTORIC MARKETS<\/h2>\n

Streaty tours<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which is now present in several Italian cities, is one of the operators that will take you off the beaten track to the most authentic areas of Palermo on its street food tours, which combine local gastronomy with art in perfect \u201cstreet style\u201d. You walk around with your mouth watering, always ready to take the perfect photo in a lively area filled with stalls, fried food, local specialities, and, most importantly, real o locals.<\/p>\n

FIRST STOP: MERCATO DEL CAPO<\/h3>\n

Setting out from the theatre<\/strong>, you immediately reach Porta Carini, the historic entrance to il Capo Market. Panelle<\/em> (Sicilian fritters), cazzilli<\/em> (croquettes) and the legendary sfincionello<\/em> (fried pizza dough) are all preceded by the queen of street food: the Arancin<\/em>a. A feminine word, because the celebrated rice ball, which is so terrible for low calorie diets, is a SHE. The Arancina<\/em> is a \u201cfimmina<\/em>\u201d (female) as all Palermitans say, in eternal rivalry with their Catanian cousins. <\/p>\n

\"arancina
A batch of Palermitan arancine<\/em>, because one is never enough!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SECOND STOP: MERCATO DELLA VUCCIRIA<\/h3>\n

Once you have finished strolling around and tasting food at il Capo, at Vucciria Market you can enjoy a glass of local wine in the iconic places that have made the history of the Market it is, involving incredible characters that inhabit it in the mornings, who have now been regulars for decades. <\/p>\n

Today, the district is among the most popular places for night-life, when the air fills with aromas and smoke from the \u201crarigghie<\/em>\u201d (grills) of the \u201cstigghiolari<\/em>\u201d (veal or lamb). On their grills, now often in the morning too, mangia e bevi<\/em>, sasizza<\/em> e stigghiola<\/em> are sizzling away. Let me explain what these are: the first is spring onion wrapped in pancetta<\/em>, followed by the legendary Palermitan sausage with fennel seeds, and topping it all off with the famous veal or lamb intestines. Ranking them is impossible: they are all specialities for which any Palermitan would sell their soul to the devil just to satisfy their desire for these sinful delights! <\/p>\n

\u201cO VU\u00d3 SCHETTU O MARITATU<\/em>?\u201d<\/h3>\n

If the arancina<\/em> is the queen of street food, u Pane ca meusa<\/em> is the king. It definitely isn\u2019t to everyone\u00b4s taste. But you cannot claim to have been to Palermo unless you have at least tried one bite. We are talking about a rolls stuffed with chopped veal lung and spleen, \u201cschettu<\/em>\u201d (single), meaning with just lemon, or \u201cmaritatu<\/em>\u201d (married), with Sicilian caciocavallo cheese added. <\/p>\n

\"\"
The legend, Rocky, busy chopping spleen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: GELATO!<\/h3>\n

Sicilian pastries are among the richest and most decadent in Italy, so our gastronomic tour can only end with a local desert: brioche with gelato in the summertime or a cannolo<\/em> with ricotta in the cooler seasons. <\/p>\n

And talking of desserts, in a previous article we talked about the best bakeries in Palermo<\/a>, which are now very common in the city.<\/p>\n

ALTERNATIVES FOR EATING, SITTING IN COMFORT<\/h2>\n

You will find the map indications at the end of the article.<\/p>\n

A FEW STEPS FROM THE THEATRE<\/h3>\n

If you don\u2019t want to be on the road, nearby the theatre there are various choices for lunch or dinner. <\/p>\n

Right in front of the theatre, via Maqueda<\/strong> is flourishing and has undergone a complete restyling: thanks to its pedestrianisation, which began around six years ago, the main street of Palermo is now strewn with bars, pizzerias, street food stalls, bistrots,<\/em> and osterias<\/em>. <\/p>\n

Walking as far as Quattro Canti<\/strong>, the now celebrated Bisso Bistrot<\/strong><\/a> will give you the thrill of a complete meal for just 15 euros, drinks included. It is a traditional osteria<\/em>, but at the same time modern in its management style and has brought new value to the original spaces of the historic bookshop Libreria Dante. <\/p>\n

\"involtini
Bisso Bistrot\u2019s swordfish rolls, colourful, and tasty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you want to taste carefully handled fresh fish, by means of a side street leading from via Maqueda you can reach Piazza Sant\u2019Onofrio and enjoy a bit of fresh air at Pani e Alivi<\/em><\/strong>, also an osteria<\/em>, specialised in seafood. <\/p>\n

Another safe bet, if it is fish you want, is Osteria Mercede<\/strong>, right behind the Teatro Massimo, not far on foot. Its chef, Helios, is a star performer with a magic touch, and has created his dream of an osteria<\/em> for just a few close friends, where he pours his heart into the strictly Sicilian recipes he cooks. <\/p>\n

\"piatto
Osteria<\/em> Mercede\u2019s Busiate tenerumi e cozze<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond via Maqueda and right opposite the theatre, is the nightlife area that we have always called \u201cChampagneria\u201d. In fact, Champagneria<\/strong>, now \u201cBottiglieria del Massimo<\/strong>\u201d, is just one of the bars in the area, but it is so well known that the whole area became known by that name by extension. It has an extensive selection of wines and beers on the menu. Also worth a mention in the area, are FUD<\/strong><\/a> and the Vespa Caf\u00e8<\/strong>, known respectively for their excellent Sicilian burgers made with local products and the delicious appetisers to share.<\/p>\n

\"FUD
FUD, Bottega Sicula<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OSTERIAS FOR ALL TASTES<\/strong><\/h3>\n

All you need to do is cross via Roma and walk 15 minutes on foot from the theatre to reach <\/p>\n