Our B&B recommended this restaurant. It was a great choice. We booked a table for dinner and we were not disappointed. They have great food, fast service, and good prices (for 2 ppl, we paid 100 eur incl.tip, and we had 2 appetizers, 2 main meals, and a bottle of good wine to share). We would come back there in the future.
Overview
At the heart of Palermo, nestled in the lively streets of Via Principe di Granatelli, 30, 90139 Palermo, you’ll find a gem of a restaurant called Il Mirto E La Rosa. This intimate dining spot has been a favorite among locals and tourists alike, offering a unique culinary experience that captures the essence of Sicilian cuisine with every dish.
As soon as you step inside Il Mirto E La Rosa, the warm and welcoming atmosphere strikes you. The restaurant blends rustic charm with modern touches, creating an inviting space where you feel at ease. Whether you're here for a casual lunch with friends or a romantic dinner, the ambiance ensures that you can relax and enjoy your meal to the fullest. The staff is friendly and attentive, always ready to offer recommendations from the menu or share a bit about the history behind their dishes.
The menu at Il Mirto E La Rosa is a celebration of Sicily’s rich culinary traditions, with a contemporary twist. One of the highlights is their selection of fresh seafood, which is sourced from local waters and prepared with care. The grilled swordfish, for example, is perfectly cooked, retaining its moisture while bursting with flavor. The pasta dishes are equally exceptional, and the pasta alla Norma, with its rich tomato sauce, eggplant, and ricotta salata, is a standout. The chefs here truly know how to balance flavors and textures in a way that makes every bite memorable.
For those who prefer something heartier, the meat dishes at Il Mirto E La Rosa do not disappoint. The slow-cooked lamb, for instance, is tender and full of depth, with the seasoning elevating its natural richness. Another fan favorite is the beef fillet, which comes out perfectly seared on the outside and beautifully pink on the inside. These dishes pair wonderfully with the wine list, which features a curated selection of Sicilian wines that complement the robust flavors of the food.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on the dessert menu at Il Mirto E La Rosa. The cannoli, a traditional Sicilian pastry, is filled with sweet ricotta cheese and topped with pistachios or chocolate chips. It’s a perfect way to end your meal, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors. Another dessert worth trying is the cassata, a Sicilian sponge cake layered with ricotta and candied fruit - a true taste of Palermo in every bite.
The restaurant also pays close attention to details in terms of service. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and the wines, and they take the time to make each guest feel valued. Whether it’s offering a suggestion on a wine pairing or explaining the origins of a particular dish, their expertise enhances the dining experience.
What makes Il Mirto E La Rosa stand out from other restaurants in Palermo is not just the quality of the food, but the experience of dining there. The restaurant manages to strike a perfect balance between casual and refined, offering a place where guests can feel comfortable while indulging in high-quality dishes.
The location itself is also a draw. Situated in the heart of Palermo, it’s easy to access from many of the city’s key attractions. After a day of exploring the historic sites or wandering through the vibrant markets, Il Mirto E La Rosa provides the perfect spot to unwind and savor the flavors of Sicily. Whether you're visiting Palermo for the first time or are a local looking for a reliable place to enjoy a great meal, this restaurant is a must-try.
The positive reviews speak for themselves. Guests regularly rave about the delicious food, the attentive service, and the overall atmosphere. With a perfect mix of tradition and innovation, Il Mirto E La Rosa continues to capture the hearts and appetites of those who walk through its doors.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Great coffee ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine listPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toilet ✓ Wheelchair-accessible car parkOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Coffee ✓ Healthy options ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegan options ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Toilet ✓ Wi-Fi ✓ Wi-FiAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Quiet ✓ Romantic ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairsParking
✓ Paid street parking ✓ ParkingPets
✓ Dogs allowedPhotos
Location
Reviews
Great small restaurant, nearby, with delicious food and good wine. It is not a kind of Michelin places, where you have small dishes with big presentation, but a place where you really fill it up! The only dish that is reasonable small was - desert. As it should be. But even tough, full of taste. Service was perfect too. 2 courses and a dessert was more than enough for a hungry person!
A 5 star fancy restaurant...but only if you are not hungry... small portions... and too much vegetables in the pasta dishes...but magnificent quality foos
Absolutely incredible meal! Can not recommend enough. Each individual dish was some of the best food we ever had and wish we could have tried everything! Friendly staff who didn't push you in any way and lovely building and atmosphere. Incredible fish and sea food and beautiful puddings. Cheers to @plateexpectations for the recommendation!
Lovely ambience. Great service. Great flavors. I had a very enjoyable lunch in this not on the main tourist streets. An nice shrimp salad that contrasted the sweet shrimp with an herbal mayonnaise dressing. The spaghetti con sarde was beautifully done. The semi freddo with pistachios was a light and perfect end. The Inzolia white was the right match. This is definitely a place to enjoy.
We had meals here one three occasions over a two week trip in Palermo and the reason we went back was the service and incredible food. The pork fillet and Sicilian kebab (don’t be fooled by the word ‘kebab’) were beautiful and every dish we tried we enjoyed. Wines were very good and service incredible, with an 8mth old baby girl with us the staff made things so easy and kept doting over her and us. Prices were very reasonable at around €50-70 for the two of us going for 2 courses each and maybe sharing a dessert plus beer/wine. It’s clear the restaurant staff are like family and this creates a lovely warm atmosphere. Locals regularly eat here and we chatted with many of them. They can get busy so bear with them when you turn up as often they are heaving. We’ll be returning on our next trip to Palermo for sure!
Great service and amazing food! Their pizzas were the best we had all trip in Sicily. So much so that we had to go there twice before we left Palermo. Even our baby boy had fun with the very friendly staff, especially with Marilou!