Italian€€€politeama
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.
Sicilian€politeama
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.
Sicilian Seafood€€€liberta
Corona Trattoria on Via Marconi in Palermo's Liberta quarter sources seafood daily from the city's fishermen, with a modern raw-plate carte alongside.
Signature: Bucatini con le sarde, Spaghetti al nero di seppia, Gambero rosso crudo
Order: Bucatini con le sarde and a plate of gambero rosso crudo with bottarga.
Tip: Book three days ahead at weekends. The chef's tasting is the kitchen's verdict on the day's catch.
Italian€€loggia
FUD Bottega Sicula on Piazza Olivella in Palermo runs a Sicilian-ingredient burger and hot-dog room, Modica beef in the patties, Nebrodi cured meats.
Signature: Shek burger (Modica beef), Nebrodi sausage hot dog, Sicilian fries
Order: The Shek burger with Modica beef, paired with a house Bottega Sicula craft beer.
Tip: No reservations; lunch is the easiest entry. The vegetarian Sicilian burger is the credible meat-free option.
Pizzeria€€capo
Frida Pizzeria on Piazza Sant'Onofrio in Palermo's Capo quarter runs a Frida-Kahlo-themed dining room with a strong vegetarian and vegan slate alongside.
Signature: Caponata pizza, Margherita, Pizza vegana
Order: Caponata pizza, the house signature of sweet-sour aubergine on a thin Palermitan crust.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. Book the courtyard table at weekends; gluten-free crust is available with advance notice.
Sicilian Street Food€loggia
Ke Palle on Via Maqueda between the Quattro Canti and Teatro Massimo in Palermo is the city's flagship arancineria, 20-plus daily flavours fried to order.
Signature: Arancina classica, Arancina ai porcini, Arancina al pistacchio
Order: Arancina classica (meat ragu) and the porcini, the two most ordered.
Tip: Open 10:00-22:00 daily. Vegan and vegetarian fillings are clearly labelled; the pistachio is the after-dinner sleeper.