Setteveli is a seven-layer chocolate cake with bitter chocolate mousse, gianduja, hazelnut praline, sponge, ganache and a thin chocolate glaze on top, the modern Palermitan signature.
Where to eat it: 3 restaurants across 1 city.
Setteveli is the Palermitan seven-layer chocolate cake associated with Pasticceria Cappello, where AMPI master pastry chef Salvatore Cappello refined the Sicilian version. (The contemporary competition Setteveli that won the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon in 1997 was the work of a separate Italian team; Cappello's Palermo cake is the city's local standard.) The cake has become the modern signature Palermitan pastry, sold across the city alongside the historic convent and Arab-origin sweets.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Nuts
Tip from the editors. The seven layers each need to set fully before the next is poured; this is not a one-afternoon project, plan over 24 hours.
Pasticceria Cappello on Via Colonna Rotta in Palermo has run since 1950 under AMPI master pastry chef Salvatore Cappello, home of the Sicilian Setteveli.
Worth the queueTorta Setteveli (seven-layer chocolate cake)
TipSetteveli (the Sicilian seven-veil chocolate cake) is the headline order. Second branch on Via Nicolo Garzilli 19 in Politeama.
Pasticceria Costa on Via D'Annunzio in Palermo's Liberta is one of the city's senior Setteveli pasticcerie, with a parallel Via Maqueda branch and seasonal.
Worth the queueTorta Setteveli, cannolo siciliano
TipSetteveli is the headline order. The monoporzione case at the back has the seasonal flavours; cassata in spring.
Antico Caffe Spinnato's pedestrian terrace on Via Principe di Belmonte in Palermo's Politeama is the city's senior cafe-bar for aperitivo, drawing the local.
DrinkAperol spritz, Sicilian wines by the glass
FoodAperitivo plates, charcuterie
TipThe pedestrian terrace fills first in summer. Aperol spritz and Sicilian wines by the glass.
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