Antica Focacceria San Francesco on Via Alessandro Paternostro opposite the basilica is Palermo's 1834-founded sit-down street food room, serving.
Editorially verified May 21, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Pane ca' meusa, Sfincione, Arancina
Must order: Pane ca' meusa and a plate of panelle e crocche.
Tip: The terrace facing San Francesco basilica is the seat to ask for. The full menu runs late; counter is fastest at lunch.
Address: Via Alessandro Paternostro 58, 90133 Palermo
Trattoria Da Salvo on Via Torremuzza in Palermo's Kalsa quarter runs a back-street seafood-and-pasta carte with daily-changing antipasti from the Vucciria.
Signature: Pasta con le sarde, Polpo bollito, Caponata
Order: Pasta con le sarde and the polpo bollito, the day's chalkboard antipasto.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. The piazza-side terrace fills first; book a day ahead at weekends.
Osteria Mercede on Via Sammartino in Palermo's Politeama quarter is a 25-cover seafood-only room with nautical decor, carte runs raw plates.
Signature: Spaghetti ai ricci di mare, Crudo di gambero rosso, Tonno rosso
Order: Spaghetti ai ricci di mare and the crudo di gambero rosso.
Tip: Book a week ahead at weekends. The 8-course tasting tracks the day's market.
Trattoria Da Salvo on Via Torremuzza in Palermo's Kalsa quarter runs a back-street seafood-and-pasta carte with daily-changing antipasti from the Vucciria.
Signature: Pasta con le sarde, Polpo bollito, Caponata
Order: Pasta con le sarde and the polpo bollito, the day's chalkboard antipasto.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. The piazza-side terrace fills first; book a day ahead at weekends.
Moltivolti in Palermo's Ballaro quarter is the city's coworking and solidarity restaurant since 2014, employing refugees from 15 communities.
Signature: Anelletti al forno, Senegalese mafe, Tunisian brik
Order: Anelletti al forno or the Senegalese mafe, served alongside a Grillo by the glass.
Tip: Book ahead. The Ballaro courtyard fills first in spring and summer; lunch is the value entry point.
Le Angeliche in Palermo's Capo market is a four-women-owned bistro with a hidden garden courtyard, serving market-sourced Sicilian plates from breakfast.
Signature: Pasta alla Norma, Sarde a beccafico, Cassata
Order: Pasta alla Norma and the sarde a beccafico, with a cassata to finish.
Tip: Book the secret courtyard table by phone. Closed Sunday evening and Monday.
Cin Cin on Via Manin off Via Liberta in Palermo is one of the city's senior fine-edge restaurants, a Sicilian seafood and meat carte ranked steadily.
Signature: Pasta con i ricci, Carpaccio di tonno, Tagliata di pesce spada
Order: Pasta con i ricci di mare and the carpaccio di tonno.
Tip: Dinner only Monday to Saturday from 19:00. The wine list is entirely Sicilian; ask about Etna by the glass.
Osteria Lo Bianco on Via Emerico Amari near Palermo's Politeama theatre is a local-only working-lunch room, daily-changing seasonal carte under 15 euros.
Signature: Pasta al pesto trapanese, Falsomagro, Pasta con le sarde
Order: Pasta al pesto trapanese and the falsomagro, the daily mains chalkboard pick.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The set lunch under 15 euros is the value order; arrive 12:30 for a table.
