Best street food in Palermo and Catania
In Sicily, **street food isn’t just a snack — it’s a way of life.** Palermo and Catania are Italy’s undisputed street food capitals, where the aroma of frying oil, spices, and citrus fills lively markets and alleyways. Eating here means tasting centuries of culinary history in one bite.
- Visit Sicily
- 4 min read
Best Street Food in Palermo and Catania — Sicily’s Boldest Flavors
🍽️ Overview
Sicilian street food is affordable, flavorful, and deeply traditional. It’s a mix of Arab spices, Norman meats, and Spanish sweetness, often sold from stalls or tiny kiosks that haven’t changed for generations. Palermo offers a rustic and daring taste experience, while Catania’s version is heartier and volcanic, reflecting Mount Etna’s fiery spirit.
🌆 Palermo — The Kingdom of Street Food
Palermo’s markets — Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo — are legendary for their atmosphere: shouting vendors, sizzling pans, and trays of freshly fried delicacies.
🥪 1. Pane con la Milza (Spleen Sandwich)
Known locally as pani ca’ meusa, this is Palermo’s most iconic street food.
- Made from boiled and fried spleen (and sometimes lung) served in a soft sesame roll.
- Topped with ricotta or caciocavallo cheese if ordered maritatu (“married”).
- Rich, bold, and not for the faint-hearted — but a true Palermitan experience.
🍟 2. Panelle e Cazzilli
A beloved combo sold from street carts.
- Panelle: thin fritters made from chickpea flour.
- Cazzilli: potato croquettes flavored with mint.
- Served together in a sandwich with lemon juice — simple and irresistible.
🍕 3. Sfincione
Palermo’s version of pizza — soft, thick, and covered with tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and breadcrumbs.
- Often sold from portable baker carts.
- Best enjoyed hot and slightly oily, straight from the pan.
🍢 4. Stigghiola
Grilled lamb or goat intestines seasoned with parsley, onion, and lemon.
- Cooked on open flames at street corners — smoky, aromatic, and intensely local.
🍤 5. Arancine (Palermo Style)
Round, golden fried rice balls stuffed with ragù, ham, or mozzarella.
- Palermo’s version is round, unlike the cone-shaped arancini of Catania.
- Found in bakeries, bars, and markets throughout the city.
🍮 6. Pani e Panelle con Ricotta
A modern twist: adding fresh ricotta to the chickpea fritter sandwich — creamy and rich, especially in local food festivals.
🌋 Catania — Street Food with a Volcanic Soul
Catania’s street food reflects Etna’s fiery influence — spicier, meatier, and heartier than Palermo’s. The main hotspots are Piazza del Duomo, Via Plebiscito, and the fish market (La Pescheria).
🍚 1. Arancini (Catania Style)
Cone-shaped to resemble Mount Etna — symbolizing eruption and abundance.
- Filled with ragù, peas, and mozzarella, sometimes with pistachio or Norma sauce.
- Crunchy outside, soft and flavorful inside.
🌭 2. Cipollina
A warm pastry filled with tomatoes, onions, ham, and mozzarella — flaky, sweet, and savory all at once.
🍕 3. Cartocciata
A soft, baked roll stuffed with eggplant, sausage, olives, or cheese.
- Similar to calzone, but smaller and perfect for on-the-go.
🐙 4. Pesce Fritto (Fried Fish Cones)
Sold near the fish market — cones filled with fried anchovies, squid, or shrimp.
- Served with lemon and paper cones for easy snacking.
🧆 5. Crispelle di Riso or di Ricotta
Small fried dough balls filled with rice or sweet ricotta — eaten hot, often with honey or sugar during festivals.
🐖 6. Horse Meat Sandwiches (Carne di Cavallo)
A Catania specialty: grilled horse steak or meatballs served in bread rolls with spicy sauce.
- Found in late-night grills along Via Plebiscito.
🍋 Drinks and Sweets to Accompany
- Lemon or orange juice freshly squeezed from Sicilian citrus.
- Granita al limone or mandorla — perfect refreshment between bites.
- Panelle e birra Moretti — a classic local combo.
💡 Tips for Enjoying Street Food Safely
- Eat where locals gather — it’s the best sign of freshness.
- Most stalls are cash only.
- Visit early evening for the liveliest atmosphere.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a mezzo panino (half sandwich) to sample more dishes.
🧭 Summary
Palermo and Catania’s street food scenes embody the soul of Sicily — humble, hearty, and bursting with flavor. From the smoky grills of Palermo’s markets to Catania’s bustling food stalls under Etna’s shadow, every bite connects you to centuries of culinary tradition. Sicily’s street food isn’t just about eating — it’s about sharing stories, flavors, and the warmth of Sicilian life.