Top 10 culinary specialities in Palermo

It’s no secret that Italian cuisine is among the best in the world. At the same time, no-one can resist a plate of melt-in-the-mouth spaghetti, a slice of crispy pizza topped with a tomato sauce that Italian chefs have mastered, or an intoxicatingly sweet dessert… It has to be said, Italy certainly attracts visitors with its sumptuous monuments, its cheerful streets, its eventful history, particularly with Rome, and its romantic side, which we owe to Venice… But behind all that, the food, as a whole, is part of what makes this country so appealing.But behind all that, the food, in its entirety, is one of the reasons why we love this country, whose flag with its green and red hues is easily reminiscent of certain colours frequently seen in dishes. Is it a coincidence, that’s the question. Come on, we’ll take you to one of Italy’s most symbolic regions, Palermo, to discover its share of cult dishes.

What to eat in Palermo

1. The Sfincione

We mentioned pizza earlier, but sfincione is a type of pizza that originated in the kitchens of Palermo a very long time ago. But be warned, it’s not a ‘copy’ of the classic pizza we all know. Sfincione is made from a very soft leavened bread dough, which makes it fun to eat, especially for children. A popular Italian street food dish, it is topped with cheese and tomato sauce. For even more flavour, Italians like to add a fine touch of olive oil.

2. Arancini

In Italy, arancini is a must. You’ll find them in absolutely every city, and Palermo is no exception. Very quick and easy to cook, they’re basically breaded and fried rice balls. Perfect for an aperitif! Inside you’ll find a variety of ingredients and toppings, including peas and ragù, a typically Italian meat-based sauce. For sure, arancini is the ideal type of dish to make you fall in love with Italy!

3. Caponata

This is undoubtedly THE most classic dish in Palermo. If you’re a fan of aubergine, you’re in for a treat! This is the main ingredient in caponata. After that, you’ll find chunks of tomato, celery, onions and green olives: it’s a bit like a salad, a low-calorie dish that’s not too heavy on the stomach and pleasant to eat. Accompanied by an exquisite sweet and sour sauce, which Italy is famous for, it’s a real ode to plant-based products.

4. Pasta with sardines

After all, this is Italy, so you can imagine that every region has its own ‘cult’ pasta dish. Well, in Palermo it’s pasta with sardines! Pasta con le sarde” is one of the most succulent dishes you’ll ever taste (if you like sardines, of course). It’s both mild thanks to the pasta, and crunchy thanks to the fish, which is an excellent source of vitamin B12. One bite and you’ll be instantly, irrevocably, unquestionably won over!

5. The Col Tuppo Brioche

Are you tempted to add a little sugar to this list? In terms of desserts that reflect the city of Palermo, we strongly recommend you try the sublime brioche col tuppo, which we love to eat as a dessert, or even for breakfast! This is a small brioche filled with ice cream, with a cute little hat on top. Very sweet, it’s very popular in Palermo, and tourists generally love it. Are you salivating yet?

6. Boiled octopus Palermo style

You love seafood: shellfish, mussels, fish, squid, prawns… Well, we guarantee that nowhere else will you taste an octopus dish as succulent as in Palermo! Octopus meat is very popular in Palermo. The most classic way to prepare it is to plunge it into a boiling pot, and once it’s cooked and tender enough, cut it into pieces and add a few drops of lemon juice. Visit a market or a seaside resort!

7. Cannoli

Another sweet treat, but at the same time, you can never have enough! The Cannoli is an eye-catcher because of its long shape and the icing sugar sprinkled on top, which gives it the air of a “king dessert”. Its special feature is that it is filled with ricotta cream, which the Romans already used a lot in their dishes. Flavoured with vanilla, chocolate chips are usually added. This is the kind of dessert that plunges you straight into a gastronomic Italian epic.

8. Parmigiana

Parmigiana is another aubergine-based dish, but this time cooked differently from Caponata. It’s actually a gratin of aubergines with tomato and cheese: crispy on top and soft underneath. The perfect combo! This culinary gem literally drives tourists crazy when they come to Palermo. In fact, many locals say that, as far as dishes go, nothing is as good as aubergine parmigiana: well cooked and hot, with the sweet smell of a carefully prepared tomato sauce. What more could you ask for?

9. Wine

There’s nothing better to accompany your dishes than a delicious glass of wine, is there? In Sicily, and more specifically in the city of Palermo, you’ll discover some of the oldest wines, with an ancient flavour and an enticing smell. Among them, we recommend “Marsala”, which is usually served with meat dishes. This highly aromatic, dry-tinged liqueur delights the taste buds of wine lovers, who love to savour it.

10. Pani Câ Mèusa

We end this ranking with a classic Palermo dish, this time meat-based (carnivores, we see you smiling). In the form of a large burger, it is made with two slices of sesame bread, into which local cow offal has been stuffed. It’s a street food dish, usually seen in Italian street food. We like to add a little ricotta for extra flavour. In fact, in the mouth, it’s an explosion of flavours!