Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo

Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo offers outstanding food for the price. The pasta is a standout dish and truly unbelievable. While slightly over-salted for our preference on the squid ink pasta, the flavor was still exceptional. However, the bread was unfortunately too hard. One unique aspect of the restaurant is that patrons are encouraged to draw on the walls, adding to the rustic charm. Overall, a highly recommended experience!

Personally I enjoyed a lot the experience (I did it quite early for lunch so not so many people there). Location is nice, very characteristic; service is ok, you can speak with the waiter, food is good; I had only pasta con le sarde but dimension and taste was good. Very close to the deep city center but a few meters apart to make it more relaxing

I loved the Pasta Gattopardo and Pasta alla norma. It's hidden on Via Venezia and on my first day in Palermo, a lovely lady I ran into on Via Roma, recommended this restaurant advising that this is better than any of the touristy places in Via Macqueda. The place was amazing and cosy even though I reached closer to end of lunch timing, they served me two dishes of pasta with great joy. I went back next day and had the Pasta Alla Norma twice! It's really amazing and fresh! In fact, I now wish I had three plates of pasta because I am really missing it ;) Grazie Mille! I loved their no frills, direct style of serving and their very strong opinions on food, it was endearingly Sicilian - I did have to gently persuade them that I in fact did want the same plate of pasta again, they were a little puzzled but obliged :) do take their recommendations if you are looking for a specific type of food but great place for vegetarians too.

Ordered fried shrimps for starters, seafood pasta and anchovies pasta, they are recommended. But the service is really bad, one staff dropped a hug box from second floor right in front me when I was on the way to the toilet, I was so scared. Later the waitress rolled her eyes when she noticed I don’t speak Italian, funny thing is she doesn’t speak English. She answered Si Si to all the questions I asked, even they were not yes and no questions.

Food is decent, but service was very bad. We got the last table available and waited for a bit to be served which was understandable having in mind that they were busy. Waiter wasn’t friendly at all, we wanted some gluten free versions and he wouldn’t give any recommendations to what is good. After a while there was around 15 people waiting in line for the restaurant and they practically stand there and look at you waiting impatiently for you to finish your food. All in all it’s a very hectic place with bad atmosphere.

The food is decent, the service is abysmal. I was in Palermo for a work trip and I went to this restaurant to have lunch by myself. A guy who must be the owner or the manager decided to greet me at my table with a very sleazy air kiss and that set the tone for a very uncomfortable lunch. Solo female travelers: avoid! Anyone else: avoid too, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable in 2025. Women should be able to enjoy a lunch in peace without being harassed.

Probably the best food I’ve had in Palermo. In terms of price and food quality this is officially one of my favorite spots. The pasta with black squid sauce was unbelievable. The restaurant opened in 1944 but I wish the owners could tell me a bit more about the history of the restaurant. Service has room for improvement. I want to thank an old man Mr. Vincenzo, walking around with a stick in his hand on the main street that would not stop talking about this place. I owe him a dinner.

A fantastic local restaurant that is a local secret Basically a Tapas style, the dishes on offer are varied suiting most tastes even fussy people One tip - arrive early or you may wait 30,+ minutes Good fresh, delicious, service great and wine by glass good Highly recommended