Arancina is a breadcrumbed, deep-fried ball of saffron rice, usually filled with ragù, peas and cheese or with ham and béchamel; round in Palermo, more often conical in eastern Sicily.
Where to eat it: 3 restaurants across 1 city.
The origins of the arancina are much debated. Italian Wikipedia notes that the constant presence of saffron led to a supposed early medieval, Arab-era origin, and that the first dictionary entry for the dish is in Giuseppe Biundi's Sicilian dictionary of 1851. In Palermo, Syracuse and Trapani arancine are the food of the feast of Saint Lucy on 13 December, when bread and pasta are not eaten. Ke Palle Arancine d'Autore on Via Maqueda says it was the first arancineria in Palermo and lists more than 20 flavours, among them vegan ones.
Tours, tastings and classes that match this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
3 hours
Get your hands dirty! Make arancina, roll out the traditional dough, and fill your cannolo. A unique Sicilian cooking lesson, with authentic flavors,...
2.5 - 3 hours
Discover the secrets to making authentic homemade pasta and tiramisu from a local chef. The cooking class takes place in a locally loved restaurant,...
3 hours
Roll up your sleeves and discover the flavors of Naples by making authentic pizza and creamy tiramisù with a passionate local chef. Cook, laugh, eat,...
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs
Tip from the editors. Refrigerating the cooked rice overnight is the key to the structure holding through frying; warm rice falls apart in the oil.
Ke Palle Arancine d'Autore at Via Maqueda 270 in Palermo is a street food restaurant for Sicilian rosticceria, with panelle and crocché beside the arancine.
TryArancina al ragù
TipWatch the open kitchen: the arancine are prepared on the spot, and the menu includes vegan and vegetarian versions.
Antica Focacceria San Francesco in Palermo dates from 1834 and brings together street food, restaurant and gastronomy at Via Alessandro Paternostro 58.
TryPane câ Meusa
TipThe Pane câ Meusa comes in two historic versions, the Schietta and the Maritata.
Stancampiano on Via Giovanni Campolo in Palermo is a coffee shop, pastry shop, gelateria, drinkeria and pizzeria, known for its gelato since the early 70s.
TipThe shop sends its waffles, crepes, coffee, pizza and sandwiches across Palermo in a few minutes.
More cities are in research. Want arancina covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.
