Craft beer nerds...this is homey bar that plays American jazz and blues. It has an exquisite…read moreselection of world craft beers but some Italian crafts that I was shocked by. Irias Nigra (imperial stout) was amazing. Simply excellent. Also some terrific local IPAs that made me smile. Great atmosphere.

Nice little pub. Slightly off the beaten path ("gringo trail") and not touristy. Menu is all in…read moreItalian and employees didn't speak English - which is just what we were looking for . Came in the early afternoon before common lunch time (which in Italy usually starts around 1:30 or 2:00pm) so was pretty empty but seemed like a cool place. Nice pub with lots of drink and wine selection plus a selection of food. I had the grilled calamari with a simple salad. It was fresh and nicely prepared. Free wi-fi. Google Translate recommended here if you need to ask any questions. Food came pretty quickly. Service was good.

Really tasty beers and apps. The doc's bock and the avant garde (rye) were both really solid…read moreinterpretations of their respective styles. The trappist tripel is also quite good if they have it on tap.

From the owner: Ballarak è il primo vero Brewpub di Palermo. Siamo allo stesso tempo un Birrificio ed un Pub. Vieni…read morea provare le nostre birre, ti promettiamo che non rimarrai deluso ;)

Came down late one evening to Piazza dell Magione and in a second I went into Ballarak Magione…read more Learned that they have their own beer and had one, of course. Great taste. As it was a bit rainy I stayed inside and found quit soon myself involved in a couple of conversations, at the same time. And so it went on until it was time to close the pub. No problem. We went outside, the rain had stopped, and we continued to talk and share opinions and views until early morning. Had to return the next evening because people here were so gentle and easy going. And for the beer, of course. Can't tell you how many different kind of beer they have. But the one I had were all excellent. The professionalism of Ballarak Magione says it all.

From the owner: Ballarak Magione is the biggest craft beer tap room of Sicily with 30 craft beers, beer cocktails,…read morewine and a lot more

The beer nerds in our group tracked down Palermo's local beer bar. And it's off the beaten path --…read morearound the corner from the main street. There's patio seating, great people watching of passerbys and neighboring bars. There's a light bite menu (salads, sandwiches), cocktails and wine as well.

One of the few restaurants open at 7pm this evening (most open at 8 or later), we were seated…read morepromptly on the hour and then the slowness kicked in. I get "European" but we've had two other dinners in Palermo and neither of those were as slow as this. Especially since they had the full staff with only two tables occupied (at the start, it did fill in before we left at 9pm). Our staff spoke some English and we were able to get by with the usual sign language and crossover words. We ordered starters, a pizza and main courses. My beer arrived very swiftly after placing the order, so we did have an expectation that speed was turning around. Nope. My dining companion's glass of wine took a long while and needed a reminder to the waitress. The house red? Skip it. I had a taste and it was awful. I've had other house reds this weekend and this was not good at all. Even the red on the plane was better than this! The starters were decent. The tricolore salad was a huge bowl of lettuce, radicchio, arugula, a few halved cherry tomatoes and one big piece of mozzarella. Enough to share. Caponata was almost all eggplant with no tomato and one olive. Also enough to share and flavorful. My friend chose the "Risotto fruitta di mare" which was a big portion and had a lot of seafood. Delicious and worthy. For me, this would be my last carbs before I get back on the keto horse; I chose the pasta carbonara. Lots of bacon and very flavorful but the pasta was so underdone that it was just this side of hard. Our pizza arrived as a final course, well after we had finished our mains. I was hoping to have had that much earlier, ideally after starters or even at the same time as the main courses, but that was not to be. Our "diavolo" was rather plain. Yes, served with slices of spicy salami and fresh pieces of mozzarella but the tomato sauce was simple (but good) tomatoes with no spice. The crust was a bit underdone and doughy, which was surprising as we could see that they have the proper wood-burning oven. Very slightly crisped edges. And a round pizza? In Sicily? The waitstaff take the orders on cell phones. This was a little odd as it almost seems like they're distracted. Watching our waitress take two steps away from the table after taking an order and then stopping to poke at her "phone." Overall, two stars. Slow service, underdone pasta, not good wine, underdone pizza. Beer was good though. With that said, you can't beat the price. Three drinks (my friend chose a beer for her second round), two starters, three entrees. Total of €47 including 10% service charge and coperto. They clearly need the business as one side of the restaurant has a narrow alleyway with the frontage blocked due to major construction. Not my favorite meal in Palermo, but I am hoping it's just an off night. [Review 12748 overall, 60 of 2020.]

Friendly spot for a couple or group to enjoy a wine and sample local meat and cheese…read more Came across this place on a rainy night. The glow of a small group drinking and chatting inside drew me in. A great view through tall windows on the cold rain outside: In warmer months I have no doubt the guests spill out onto the adjacent footpath. Staff were welcoming and happy to help an English speaker and recommended one of the smaller mixed meat and cheese platters. Pecorino, baked ricotta, bufala mozzarella, spicy sausage, porchetta, donkey mortadella... all delicious. My eyes were (unfortunately) bigger than my stomach - I had more than enough to eat. Service was fast, and smiling.

Out late one night for a snack near our hotel and we found the perfect spot. This place is clean,…read morefriendly and has a great wine and beer selection. All wines are Sicilian and our charcuterie was also local (including the donkey). The staff was wonderful. Music was great. Just an all around great spot for wine, beer, a snack or a meal.

Love this place. So many locals, all so friendly. I go here for coffee first thing in the morning,…read morethen back in the afternoon for a beer, then back again later at night. Great atmosphere. Great locals!

Drink on the street amongst the remnants of a once glorious market. Friday night goes off…read more Wine in plastic cups and beer. Served at the door for consumption on the street. No seats, just milk crates, steps and wooden fruit cases. No pretences, just lots of people talking, drinking, having fun.