Palermo is known for its cibo di strada so much so, that in 2012 Forbes ranked it fifth in The World's Top 10 Cities for Street Food. Now the secret is out, head to this hole-in-the-wall near the port for friendly late-night counter service and their signature panini: pani câ meusa (boiled veal lung and spleen inside a soft sesame seed bun), and pani e panelle (a sesame seed bun stuffed with fried chickpea flour fritters). Expect queues and don’t order anything other than the street food: no to pasta, and yes to anything in a bun or fried – what these guys do best.

For a casual bite to eat during the day, Nni Franco U’Vastiddaru is the place to go for sandwiches and fried street food. Grab n’ go at the counter, or head to the large outdoor seating area around the back where paper tablecloths, plastic plates and enthusiastic pigeons await you. It’s certainly not a Michelin experience, and service can be very slow, but if you want a true local experience, this is the place to be.

Rotto il ghiaccio, si passa immediatamente a provare un altro indirizzo molto noto in città: Franco u Vastiddaru, in corso Vittorio Emanuele, 102. In questo rustico chioschetto, affacciato sulla strada, si possono gustare, oltre al pan ca’ meusa, anche panini farciti al momento con verdure, affettati e salse esposte sul bancone. Panelle, crocché, melanzane fritte ed arancine completano l’offerta.

Nni Franco U’ Vastiddaru is a local treasure near the marina, serving panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters), sfincione (Sicilian pizza), and even stigghiola (lamb, goat, or chicken intestines) late into the night – dishes that cost just €5–10. This low budget restaurant in Palermo offers pure Sicilian fast food, where you elbow in with workers and college students, and walk away full and smiling.

Excellent food abounds and pretty much anywhere you stop and anything you taste warrants a photo, especially Franco ‘U Vastiddaru, a beloved street food joint. Its signature sandwich is pani câ meusa, boiled then lard-fried veal young and spleen encased in a pillowy sesame seed topped bun. While not the most visually stunning, it’s certainly provocative (and delicious).

For variety and a modicum of comfort, head to Nni Franco u’ Vastiddaru, a street-food restaurant with plastic tables and chairs on an adjacent piazza. The specialty is panelle, rectangular fritters of chickpea flour, served on a seeded bun. Pair that with the fritti misti, a mix of arancine and croquettes, or the pani ca’ meusa, a cheesy spleen sandwich.

Nni Franco U Vastiddaru: don’t be fooled by the modest appearance. On Via Vittorio Emanuele, you’ll find a warm welcome and the authentic taste of Palermo’s cuisine. The star dish here is the spleen sandwich, best enjoyed with lemon juice and slices of caciocavallo cheese.

A must for street food lovers, close to one of Palermo's most beautiful squares: Piazza Marina. The panelle sandwich is excellent, to be enjoyed while strolling along the Cassaro, or sitting under the square's trees. via Vittorio Emanuele, 102 - 091 325987 – Facebook

Nni Franco U Vastiddaru – One of the most famous street food shops of Palermo. You can order everything from fried food to various sandwiches. We recommend you to try here Pani câ meusa (Spleen sandwich) and Pane panelle e crocchè (Panelle and crocchè sandwich).

Alla fine del Cassaro, nei pressi di Piazza Marina, Nni Franco u Vastiddaru è uno dei migliori luoghi di Palermo dove poter gustare il panino con la milza. Si presenta ben condito e non eccessivamente unto. Assolutamente da provare.

The restaurants and bars seemed more casual here than on Via Maqueda and there are some incredibly cheap eats, like the fried Sicilian street food at Nni Franco U Vastiddaru.

Another great place to try Palermo’s famous fritti is Francu U Vastiddaru, a street food joint down by the port.