Palermo Coffee For Tourists: The Essential Guide
For your first time visiting Sicily, our essential guide to Palermo coffee is the best place to start planning your first cup of espresso.
Coming to Sicily is an amazing experience that I have had the opportunity to do a couple of times over the years. One of my fondest memories of our second trip to the island was when the train was loaded onto a boat to be carried over the straights of Messina.
Once everything was loaded, we were allowed to leave our cabins and stroll around the ferry, which was a really unique experience and one I highly recommend. The most surprising part was the popularity of the espresso machine on the top deck. Imagine seeing the straights in the middle of the night, but first needing a jolt.
While the tourist trade in Sicily continues to grow, I would say that it still is a place for truly “local” experiences. Checking out the coffee bars, listening to the dialect and having that tingling feeling of being out of place is unmatched. With our guide, I hope you will give Sicily, and more specifically Palermo, a chance to dazzle you.
The History Of Coffee In Palermo, Sicily
Like most of Italy, the history of coffee and the culture that goes with it is unique to Palermo. In this case, much of the history of coffee is tied to the Florios, a.k.a. “The Lions Of Sicily”. This wealthy family rose to prominence with tremendous social and economic power in Sicily.
The intersection of the Florios and coffee began with the maritime trade of spices and colonial goods and, subsequently, with the sale of these exotic products, including coffee, in the grocery store in the historic center of Palermo.
In the early 1800s and in the decades that followed, the Florios carried on a thriving business importing exotic products thanks to trade with the island of Malta, a crossroads of trade with the lands of origin of fine products, such as coffee, which they then resold in the city in the shop in the heart of the historic center.
In Palermo, the culture of cafés has been established since the early nineteenth century. The success of this type of establishment is closely linked to the affirmation of an entrepreneurial upper middle class.
The cafés of the 19th century resembled aristocratic homes, with game rooms, reading rooms and winter gardens. The outdoor cafés, taking advantage of the mild Sicilian climate, offered music shows, theater, soirées and dance parties.
Coffee Culture In Palermo
The culture of Palermo, and Sicily in general, is definitely unique within Italy, the coffee culture is pretty traditional. The only discernable difference is a favorable leaning towards the cooler versions of your standard coffee classics. Here are a couple of examples:
- Caffè Freddo (cold coffee) – This drink is more popular in Sicily than in other parts of Italy given the warmer climate. The drink can range from room temperature to having had ice added. I would expect the room temperature to be more traditional because of the Italian general dislike of ice in drinks..
- Granita di Caffè – This coffee granita is more like a coffee slushy than a cup of coffee. These coffee flavored ice shavings can be topped with cream and enjoyed on a hot Sicilian day.
Signature Coffee Styles And Roasters In Palermo
The coffee style popular in Palermo does not continue the trend of more bitter coffees in the south. Some coffee blends continue with a balance of Arabica and Robusta beans, but are considered mildly dark. You can also find single origin and Arabica only selections from even a larger roaster. Here are a couple of options:
- Morettino – Their selections are created through careful care and direct selection of the best coffees in the world, which takes place directly on plantations in tropical countries. For about 30 years the Morettino family has been carrying out the experimental project of growing coffee plants in Sicily, a dream that gave birth to the first native Sicilian coffee.
- Casa Stagnitta Palermo – Since 1928 they have dedicated their passion and experience to the art of coffee. From ice creams, to granita to desserts and biscuits, a place where everything is in the name of the coffee, all in the name of someone who made and continues to make the history of coffee in Palermo.
Famous Coffee Bars And Cafés In Palermo
For me, the coolest place to get a coffee in Palermo would be at the famous Palermo opera house, Teatro Massimo. Beyond that, here are some other suggestions:
- Antico Caffè Spinnato – In the heart of Palermo, the Antico Caffè Spinnato continues to be one of the ideal meeting places to spend time in company, enjoying a relaxing and at the same time convivial atmosphere.
- Bar Marocco – This hidden gem just across the street from the Cathedral is a perfect stop for a granita during a hot day climbing the steps of the cathedral. Come for the coffee, but stay for the people watching!
- Pasticceria Cappello – This pastry shop was also a dairy until 1960. The dairy continued its activity together with that of a small bar for serving coffee and cappuccinos.
- Bar Del Corso – Even though Palermo has no shortage of coffee bars, it’s not always easy to find ones that honor traditions. The Bar del Corso is one such hidden gem in the heart of Palermo.
Closing The Book On Palermo Coffee
If you enjoyed this guide to Palermo coffee and are looking for more information on Italian coffee cities, culture and history, check out these articles:
- The Best Coffee Cities In Italy: The Ultimate Guide
- Coffee In Rome for Tourists: The Beginners Guide
- Coffee In Florence For The Curious: The Beginners Guide
- Coffee In Milan For Noobs: The Essential Guide
- Coffee In Venice For Beginners: The Essential Guide
- Coffee In Naples For Beginners: The Ultimate Guide
- Coffee In Trieste For The Uninitiated: The Essential Guide
- Torino Coffee For Beginners: The Definitive Guide
- Genoa Coffee for Beginners: The Essential Guide
