Palermo is all about food, be it food from the markets, street food, local trattorias or full on restaurants
We had a lot to fit into our days here, so once the ferry from Salina arrived in Palermo, we were off and running…….straight to Zia Pina!
I had read a lot about this local lunch spot and was not going to miss it!
Thankfully BB22 was in the perfect position.
A five minute walk through the narrow back streets to Via Argenteria and we are there.
Just inside the entrance, an amazing array of antipasti are laid out next to the fresh seafood on ice. Behind this, large pots of water are boiling, waiting for the pasta.
We help ourselves to the antipasti. Stuffed mushroom caps, caponata, stuffed zucchini, sardines, frittata, fried eggplant, and lots more end up on our plate
Would we like pasta, we are asked? Of course!!
There are about half a dozen sauces to choose from including a great looking ragu, tomato sauce, a marinara sauce and a clam sauce.
Now for the seafood! Fried or grilled?
Decisions, decisions!
The lightly fried mixed seafood with lemon is perfect
Limoncello is offered as we sit chatting to the waiter in our basic italian
Finally the bill arrives- a scrap of paper with a number written on it!
The bill for two people including two glasses of wine and limoncello.
Now for dinner!
Eat
Zia Pina
Via Argenteria, 67
Palermo
I have spent any time in Sicily yet. I really do have to go there.
Thanks for dropping by. Sicily is so much fun- great food, fabulous people and so many different places to visit. I’ve been following your blog for a while- I think you’d love it!
What an amazing selection of antipasti, did you get to sample them all?
Loved your photos of Zia Pina. I will be there in 2 weeks and I can hardly wait to experience the city of Palermo. Are there any other notable dining spots you can recommend?
Thanks Sunnie. Lucky you being in Palermo in a couple of weeks.
Zia Pina is great- you’ll love it. We also loved eating in the street at Da Salvo and dinner at Piccolo Napoli. Don’t forget to go to both the Capo and Ballaro markets. If you read the posts about Palermo, you will see where we went and what did. Don’t miss the sweet treats! Have a great trip
I just can’t get over your blog on Sicily, I love it!!! You did such an incredible job with the photos and writing, you must be a professional or amateur photographer. I will definitely be going to both the Capo & Ballaro mkt. Do you recall what time they open and close? I also saw that you went to Piazza Armerina, I have been debating on whether to go there after finishing up my stay in Agrigento and driving to Ragusa. It is only 1 1/2 drive off my route but the reviews are mixed on the site so don’t know if I want to stretch my time and put it in or spend more leisure time in Ragusa/Modica & Noto. Unfortunately I am not in Sicily as long as you so I am seeing a lot in a short time, total of 9 days. The cooking class in Modica looks interesting I have inquired about it to see what days they offer and how long the class is etc. Thanks again for your blog and all the information you have shared on your travels. Where are you going next???? By the way I too absolutely love the flowers in the Hotel Geogre V in Paris. Again great photos. Paris is another one of my favorite cities. It seems we have the same taste in travel. I have spent a lot of time in Bali as well. Happy travels keep on blogging!.
Thanks for your lovely comments. I’m very much an amateur photographer and writer- I just enjoy sharing my travels so it’s great to hear you have enjoyed the blogs
It’s best to go to the markets in the morning. They start quite early- we usually went about 9 though we did go to for a 2nd visit to the Ballaro market around lunchtime just for a pane a panelle!
Piazza Armerina is a hard one. The mosaics are stunning but there is a lot of restoration going on at the moment and only 3 halls are open. Why don’t you visit Villa del Tellaro, about 20 mins from Noto on the road to Pachino. The mosaics there are as stunning though not as many, there are no crowds and it is much closer to where you will be.
There’s still quite a few blogs to come on the rest of our trip in Piedmont, Paris and back to Bali! We may have to stay home for the Australian summer but I am already plotting and planning next years trip back to Italy, France and Croatia!
Have a fabulous trip to Sicily. I know you’ll love it.
Jenny
We walk by this place all the time when shopping at the Vucciria market. We must say it looks incredible but I was really trying to figure out if it was really 45 Euros you paid. Read couple of other reviews, so 45 was in the range what other people paid. Gulp! This is way over our budget!!! The buffet looks incredible so might still safe up one day 😉
We like this place for lunch: http://palermo.for91days.com/2011/10/13/pasta-con-le-sarde-at-fratelli-amati/ it’s more in our price range 😉
You don’t have to have the three courses these little piggys had! I’d check out the cost of just having the antipasti. Your restaurant looks great. I’m very envious of your time in Palermo. Think I need another trip!
Ahh .. 3 courses … I should read better …. hehe .. well we will try out then. Thank you again for pointing us to Zia Pina, otherwise we probably just would have kept walking by!
Wow, that’s just made me hungry again and I’ve only just finished snacking! 🙂 Could sit there all day, slowly munching my way through all those dishes. Yummy! 🙂
Julia
It was a great place to eat Julia. I’m hoping to get back there one day!
That looks delicious and the variety pretty amazing, is it 45 Eur? Looks like an amazing meal for a little splurge!
It was a fabulous place Noel. 45E was for two people, three huge courses and limoncello, all of which was delicious!
What a feast! Reminds me so much of the amazing meals we had in the Puglia (especially for the seafood) and Emilia-Romagna regions. Quite a bargain, too. Limoncello is a lovely way to end a meal, isn’t it?
What a lovely spread, Jenny. I can see why you didn’t want to miss lunch.
Thanks for linking up this week.
Feeling hungry now.
Oh no…Sounds as though a trip to Palermo is needed Richard!
Sounds as though a trip to Palermo is needed Richard!
You are right, a trip is needed for such a delicious food .
My favorit in Palermo. Lively atmosphere and brilliant selektion of seefood and fish
It is so much fun isn’t it Michael! A taste of real Palermo!
Yes very much the essens of Palermo. The family who runs this place is good energy, and their fish and shellfish is the best in Palermo…. Will be back in may, and look forward to visit them again…