Tucked away between Piazza Marina and the vibrant old market of La Vucciria, Gagini Social Restaurant has a focus on conviviality that takes centre stage at this spirited establishment. The congenial spirit is exemplified in the inclusion of ‘social seating’, which allows diners to mix together at a single table. The stone walls, wooden doors and low arches of the original 16th century structure have been well preserved, and are illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight from the candelabras that adorn each table.

In one of Palermo's only Michelin-starred restaurants, Gagini, Italian Brazilian chef Mauricio Zillo conjures contemporary dishes that shine a light on local ingredients—yellow Monreale plums, Palermo sumac, Ispica sesame, caper flowers from Salina, crab from the Mediterranean. The setting is the atmospheric atelier of 16th-century sculptor Antonello Gagini, where the photography of Norwegian Per Barclay now hangs on the stone walls. Book ahead for the eight-course tasting menu paired with Sicilian wines.

Occupying the brooding former studio of the 16th-century sculptor Antonello Gagini, this Palermo restaurant’s antiquity greatly contrasts the modern, slightly zany dishes on the tasting menu. Diners tuck under long, communal banqueting tables for chef Mauricio Zillo’s inventive combinations that draw on his Italian-Brazilian background – corallino with zucchini leaves and nasa prawns, a cod parmigiana… The ancient stone walls, podiums holding ceramic Teste di Moro, and wrought iron candlesticks create a dramatic setting for these ambitious spins on the classics, all of which arrive on oversized statement plates or dark, glazed ceramics. Palermo’s energetic centre may buzz and sweat in the afternoon sun just outside, but in Gagini there’s a sense that you’ve slipped into a slower, more sultry dimension, where couples confound their taste buds with seafood broth propping up beef carpaccio, and sommeliers introduce them to small-but-mighty Sicilian wines.

Rebelot, some would say, recalling the beginnings in Italy of Mauricio Zillo, chef at Gagini, the group's flagship that continues to expand the team (with Antonio Currò as restaurant manager and Vincenzo Genuardi in the kitchen, with three years as second pastry chef at La Pergola in Rome). In the group's ecosystem - in which product quality and good natural drinks are key elements - there is also Libertà, the wine bar in the street of the same name that in the next few months will expand to over 250 square metres (plus 5/600 outside) to decline the format of the classic V&M-style steakhouse, which means with a very careful search for Sicilian ingredients: from Ragusa donkey to Messina foal, from Nebrodi pig to Enna calves. Great meats, great wines in an ambience curated by a London studio “that is doing magical things in the dining scene,” says Franco Virga.

Famous for its gastronomy, Central Palermo’s world-class restaurants include the Michelin-starred Gagini, which is pioneering a slow-food renaissance in the Cala, Palermo’s marina quarter. Housed in the former workshop of Antonio Gagini, a 15th-century sculptor, it serves inventive contemporary takes on Italian classics, created by an Italian-Brazilian chef. Other noteworthy eateries include Bebop, which serves dishes inspired by Sicilian traditions, paired exclusively with local wines, and L’Ottava Nota, which specializes in fresh local seafood prepared in a contemporary Sicilian style.

Awarded a Michelin star last November, Italian-Brazilian chef Mauricio Zillo’s Gagini is easily the hottest ticket in town for local and visiting gourmands. Part art gallery, part fine dining temple, Gagini combines exhibits by local artists with mouth-watering contemporary takes on Sicilian cuisine in a stylish locale just a couple of blocks from the ancient port. Choose between a six- or eight-course tasting or an à la carte menu, with highlights including the mountain lamb with asparagus, mushrooms and Jerusalem artichoke, or the Moray eel ragout ravioli with pistachio from Bronte.

Gagini inhabits the former studio of Renaissance sculptor Antonello Gagini in Palermo’s Vucciria district, where ancient stone walls and ceramic Teste di Moro set a dramatic stage. Chef Mauricio Zillo, a Brazilian-Italian talent awarded a Michelin star, sources exclusively Sicilian ingredients – yellow Monreale plums, caper flowers and Ispica sesame – to create tropical Sicily menus that unfold through a nine-course tasting. The wine list is worth mentioning, with a focus on Sicilian labels, many natural or low-intervention, selected to match the kitchen’s ethos.

Trattoria Gagini takes its name from Renaissance sculptor Antonello Gagini, whose 16th-century workshop once sat within the restaurant's thick stone walls. The spirit of Sicily's historic grandeur feels decidedly present here: guests share long, candlelit banqueting tables for a tasting menu inspired by the island's slow food movement. Sicilian-Brazilian chef Mauricio Zillo's menu won him a Michelin star last year - a credit to his playful take on classics.

CREATIVE - RUSTIC In the beating heart of the city, between Vucciria and the small port of Cala, a restaurant with a modern design and bright colors, able to enhance even more the charm of the ancient walls that welcome it, once the workshop of the sculptor Antonello Gagini. For about a year a new chef with a double nationality - Italian and Brazilian - after many years around Europe (at starred restaurants) arrives here in Palermo.

Situated snugly in the old town among yellow and white apartment buildings, Gagini is a fashionable and stylish restaurant with a prestigious background in the arts. Awarded with a Michelin star for high quality cooking and homage to the past (i.e. the building was once home to Italian sculptor Antonello Gagini), this restaurant attracts an international crowd. Nevertheless, they still leave room for the new and exciting.

This restaurant, Gagini, is a Michelin-starred establishment located in the heart of Vucciria. It offers a contemporary culinary experience with a strong focus on Sicilian ingredients and traditions. The cuisine is extemporaneous, creating while researching, embracing the local area while studying the matter, essentially a journey through the daily products of the territory, a "hic et nunc" in pure Sicilian style.

Located on a quiet street in the historical centre, Trattoria Gagini is relaxed and friendly. Inside you will find vaulted stone walls offering a cool respite from the midday sun, in the evening candles flicker and the atmosphere is romantic. On a recent visit, highlights included outstanding sashimi, squid-ink tagliatelle with prawns and fresh ricotta followed by grilled tuna, all of which were delicious.

Nel cuore fremente del centro storico di Palermo, culla consueta di avvenimenti, cultura e integrazione, proprio a metà del cammino che dalle arie pop del quartiere della Vucciria si conclude tra le vele a riposo del porticciolo della Cala, è possibile vivere l'esperienza gourmet del Gagini, apprezzato ed elegante ristorante del capoluogo siciliano, inaugurato da Franco Virga e Stefania Milano nel 2011.

Located within the contemporary 16th-century building by the renowned sculptor Antonello Gagini, Gagini Restaurant is a true masterpiece in its own right. The restaurant is helmed by Chef Mauricio Zillo, who hails from Brazil and boasts extensive culinary experience from all over Europe. Settling in Palermo, Chef Mauricio has since been awarded 1 Michelin star for his exceptional culinary creations.

The restaurant is located near the port of La Cala (the oldest one in Palermo) in an intimate space preserving the splendor of the 16th-century building where sculptor Antonello Gagini created his works. The creations, in this culinary case, are the result of the inspiration of chef Gioacchino Gaglio. With his cuisine, he wants to express himself through the five senses.

Da provare a Palermo anche la cucina dei Gagini, ristorante illuminato da una stella Michelin, sin dall’arrivo ai fornelli di Mauricio Zillo. Lo chef (che ha doppia nazionalità, italiana e brasiliana) ha un modo tutto suo di interpretare i sapori locali, e propone piatti preparati con ingredienti di provenienza territoriale a cui non manca certo un piglio esotico.

The old is the setting – the former studio of 16th-century sculptor Antonello Gagini. The new is what’s on the plate. Michelin-starred chef Mauricio Zillo draws on influences from his Italian-Brazilian background to create surprising dishes that team beef carpaccio with mussels, or roast cabbage with raw shrimp, avocado, finger lime and nasturtium pesto.

A bustling restaurant where the seasonal traditional meals are frequently changed, nestled in the former shop’s historic chambers. Highlights include the fish involtini and bucatini alle sarde (pasta with sardines). A contemporary eatery serving the most well-known classic meals, all of which are prepared and presented beautifully.

In the heart of the city, Gagini is a pleasant spot, with a warm, comfortable atmosphere. The menu includes appetizers that go from sashimi with Mothia salt cube to roasted octopus with green sauce. Among the first courses you should try the noodles with saffron and shellfish or the gnocchi with turmeric, sardines and wild fennel.

Gagini is a Michelin star restaurant located in Palermo—the heart of Vucciria. From the moment guests step into the restaurant, they will be transported back in time to an older age of Italy. The interior of the restaurant is made up of 16th century stone walls that once hosted the laboratory of sculptor Antonello Gagini.

Gagini – A stylish, yet cozy restaurant (with rotating art exhibits) that serves tasting menus and à la carte options with a modern take on classic Sicilian dishes. Chef Mauricio Zillo will surprise you with dishes that smell of Sicily and have eyes towards the world!

Ristorante Gagini, in the former studio of Renaissance sculptor, Antonello Gagini, was the best and biggest surprise of my visit to Palermo. It is located in the bustling Vucciria (meaning “confusion” in Sicilian) district near the tourist port in the historic center.

The Mec is a restaurant located in the historical center, opposite the Arab-Norman Cathedral. The restaurant is inside Palazzo Castrone – a period building dating back to the end of the 1500s.

Gagini Restaurant – A Michelin star restaurant with cozy atmosphere and interesting design. They have their own wonderful reinterpretation of the Mediterranean food.

Spaghetti con Sardo with fennel pesto, colatura of Aspra anchovies and a fried sardine at Gagini in the Vecchuria market.