Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Stigghiola is grilled lamb or veal intestines, wrapped with spring onion and parsley around a wooden skewer and charred on charcoal braziers, the Albergheria after-dark Palermitan street snack.
Stigghiola has been documented in Palermo since the 16th century as the working-class street meat of the Ballaro and Vucciria quarters. The Spanish word 'estiglio' (entrail) gave it its name. The technique is to wrap cleaned lamb or veal intestines around a wooden skewer with spring onion and parsley, then grill on charcoal braziers until crisp at the edges. The brazier vendors (stigghiolari) on Piazza Carmine and along Via Castro Filippo maintain a near-unchanged form across 400 years. Standard accompaniments are a squeeze of lemon, salt and a plastic cup of cheap white wine; the snack costs two euros and is eaten standing on the cobbles.
3 editor picks for Stigghiola in Palermo, ranked by editorial score. All Palermo signature dishes · Stigghiola across every city.
The Ballaro stigghiolari fire charcoal braziers along Piazza Ballaro and Via Carmine from dusk in Palermo, grilling lamb intestines on skewers.
OrderStigghiola (grilled lamb intestines)
TipEat with lemon, no bread. The vendor closest to Piazza Carmine has the freshest skewers.
Borgo Vecchio's night market on Piazzetta Mulino a Vento in Palermo fires charcoal braziers from 20:00 for grilled meat, panelle and frittole.
OrderCarne arrostita, panelle, frittole
TipCash only. Peak hour is 23:00-02:00 on weekends; the grilled horse meat is a local order.
Antica Focacceria San Francesco on Via Alessandro Paternostro opposite the basilica is Palermo's 1834-founded sit-down street food room, serving.
OrderPane ca' meusa and a plate of panelle e crocche.
TipThe terrace facing San Francesco basilica is the seat to ask for. The full menu runs late; counter is fastest at lunch.
Stigghiola makes more sense with someone from Palermo explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Explore the markets in Palermo's city centre with a local food expert. Learn about locals' daily life, and traditional recipes, and taste a range of favorite local foo...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Eat authentic Sicilian street food unknown to tourists. Learn about Sicilian cuisine and history. Explore the backstreets with a local expert and raise your glass to c...
Guided tour · 3 - 3.5 hours
When the sun dips over Palermo's baroque squares, the city's real flavors come out. Join a small group and see centuries-old lanes, opera house shadows, and the best p...
