11 Best Restaurants in Palermo and Western Sicily, Sicily

Arancine—fried rice balls—are ubiquitous all over Sicily, but rarely do you find them prepared while you wait or offered in such a range as in this little snack shop near Porta Trapani. The menu lists more than 30 varieties, which include swordfish, smoked salmon, and curry fillings, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. They make ideal stomach-fillers at any time, not least as snack lunches on the go.

There's a regular trickle of locals to this gelateria conveniently located opposite the hydrofoil port. Most opt for the local favorite: ice cream in a brioche with a couple of wafer biscuits poking out. But it's not just the creamy and tangy ice creams that pull in the crowds; there are also delicious granitas, cakes, and desserts on offer, including a delicious semifreddo cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries or blueberries. There's limited seating outside, and it stays open late.

Just inside the arched Porta Garibaldi gateway to the old town, this bar and restaurant offers a handy place to pause for a snack or drink. Food choices include a fine seafood salad as well as a full menu of hot dishes. There are tables inside and out on the street, but best of all are those in the broad tree-filled courtyard across the street, providing a secluded and shady retreat from the hot Sicilian sun.

Marble-top tables, cast-iron ovens, and walls adorned with turn-of-the-20th-century black-and-white photographs characterize this neighborhood bakery, celebrated for the Sicilian snacks and inexpensive meals it has been doling out since 1834. The big pot on the counter holds the delicious regional specialty pani cà meusa (boiled calf's spleen with caciocavallo cheese and salt), but the squeamish can opt for chickpea fritters or enormous arancini. There are tables in the piazza in front of the lovely facade of the church of San Francesco d'Assisi, as well as in the two capacious rooms upstairs.

Just steps away from Quattro Canti and the cathedral, this smart snack stop has everything you could want to accompany a break from sightseeing: panini, house-made pastries and biscuits, ice cream, and good coffee. There are tables in the picture-hung interior and out on the pavement, and pastas, pizzas, and salads are also served if you want something more substantial.

There's usually a bit of a bustle in and around this ice-cream parlor near Piazza della Repubblica, popular with children and gelato fans of all ages. The ice creams are free of hydrogenated fats and come in an enticing range of flavors; popular choices include ricotta, pistachio, and, naturally, Marsala. The granitas, too, are highly rated, and cannoli, crepes, and waffles are also available. There are a few brightly colored tables and chairs in the air-conditioned interior.

This salumeria and enoteca with outdoor tables is a great choice for a midday snack of cold cuts, perhaps accompanied by a glass of cool white wine chosen from the formidable wine list. Your tagliere (tray) might include various hunks of local cheeses, a selection of salamis and hams, and a bowl of olives. Pane cunzato (seasoned bread topped with tomato, onion, anchovies, and capers) and craft beers are also served.

Steps away from the Duomo's exquisitely patterned apse, this backstreet wine bar, restaurant, and deli is enticing. You won't be disappointed thanks to the top-quality fare, whether you order a bulging panino, a tagliere (tray) of cold meats, cheeses, and preserves, or a more substantial dish of veal or pork involtini (roulades) or fennel-flavored sausages. Accompany your meal with a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail. The interior decor is warm and inviting, the stone walls are decorated with ceramics, mosaics, and hanging salamis and cheeses, and there are tables outside in fine weather. It stays open late, too.

Only the finest agricultural produce of the nearby Madonie mountains goes into the simple but satisfying dishes served in this informal eatery attached to the Palazzo Butera art gallery. The frequently changing menu—dependent on the season and what's available from their suppliers—offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes alongside meat choices, and might include busiate pasta with a sauce of cardoncelli mushrooms and breadcrumbs, and beef nuggets cooked in nero d'avola wine with carrots and mashed potatoes. Cheeses, cold cuts, and salads are also on offer, or you might settle for a "gourmet sandwich" stuffed with buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, anchovies, and mortadella. The restaurant is open for breakfast, too. Many of the ingredients used are for sale in the small delicatessen counter inside, where there are a few tables in addition to the ones on the pavement.

One of the most famous pastry shops in Sicily, this modern and capacious place is one of Palermo's best spots to find sweet favorites like cannoli and cassata siciliana. It's also a meeting place for all ages, where you can relax with a drink or an excellent gelato. Pizzas and other snack foods are also available.

A civic institution facing Palermo's old fishing port, this venerable (but modernized) snack stop has been serving pani cà meusa (calf's spleen sandwich) for more than 70 years. This local specialty comes sprinkled with a bit of salt and a squeeze of lemon and served with or without cheese to a buzzing crowd of Palermo's elders and youngsters alike. The signature dish may very well beat Antica Focacceria San Francesco's own version for the title of best pani cà meusa in town, though not everyone will acquire the taste for it. Take a look anyway—other specialties are available, and there's outdoor seating.