Palermo: Traditional Full Meal Food Tour with a Local

About This Experience

This food tour is built as a full meal, walked across the old town in a group of no more than 12. It runs over about three hours with four or more stops and drinks included. The guide, who speaks English, explains the traditions behind each dish and adds some history of the city. The route moves between Porta Felice, La Vucciria, Palazzo Gangi and Fontana Pretoria.

The first stops are street food. The listing describes a classic sandwich in soft bread, with the sandwich with spleen named in the inclusions and cheese-based fillings possible, then panelle, the chickpea fritters. Next comes a mixed fried plate that may include crocchè, arancine and seasonal vegetables. The itinerary names Porta Felice and La Vucciria for street food. The listing says the mix can depend on the season and the time of day.

The sit-down course is lunch at Palazzo Gangi, where you eat pasta alla Norma, made with aubergine, tomato sauce, ricotta salata and basil. The tour ends near Fontana Pretoria with dessert, either a cannolo or a granita in flavours such as lemon, almond or coffee. Water and one alcoholic drink, usually local wine, are included. Fontana Pretoria is the last stop, so the route ends in the heart of the old town.

Tastings can change with the season, availability and time of day. Stops are close together, though up to 15 minutes of continuous walking is possible. Tell the organiser about allergies when you book. People with mobility impairments are listed as not suitable. The listing also notes that groups larger than twelve should contact the operator before booking. The listing gives English and Italian, and double-language tours may be possible.

Highlights

• Start with street food at Porta Felice and La Vucciria
• Taste panelle, mixed fried snacks, crocchè and arancine
• Sit down to pasta alla Norma for lunch at Palazzo Gangi
• Finish with a cannolo or a granita near Fontana Pretoria
• Small group of no more than 12 people
• Learn the history and traditions behind each dish from a local guide

What's Included

• ✓ English-speaking local guide
• ✓ Tastings across four or more stops, including a sandwich with spleen, mixed fried foods, pasta alla Norma and cannolo or granita
• ✓ Water
• ✓ One alcoholic drink, usually local wine
• ✓ Small group capped at 12 people

Not Included

• Any additional food or drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Weather-appropriate clothing

Good to Know & Caveats

• Tell the organiser about any allergies or dietary restrictions when you book.
• It is a walking tour. Stops are frequent, but up to 15 minutes of continuous walking is possible.
• Tastings may vary according to season, availability and the time of day.
• The inclusions list a sandwich with spleen, so ask about alternatives if that does not suit you.
• For groups larger than 12, contact the organiser before booking.
• Children under 10 have a discounted price and infants under 5 go free but need a ticket. The listing gives English and Italian, and says double-language tours may be possible.

Meeting Point

Piazzetta delle Dogane, 90133 Palermo. The tour ends at Vittorio Emanuele, S. Maria della Catena.