Is Nino 'u Ballerino worth it?
Worth it if…Underrated · +33Cheap, no-frills street-food joint famous for pani ca' meusa (spleen sandwich) and arancine
Worth it, with conditions. 4.1 across 2,271 reviews: the spleen sandwich is praised, other items are called solid rather than outstanding.
Hype30How famous and hyped it is
Reality63Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.1 ★ Google · 2,271 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Nino 'u Ballerino? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 food lovers vote
A cheap, authentic place to try Palermo's signature offal sandwich alongside locals.
Why Reality is 63
Lives up to its fame3/54.1 across 2,271 reviews: the spleen sandwich is praised, other items are called solid rather than outstanding.
Value for money5/5About €2.50 per arancino and €5 for a street-food lunch; reviewers say portions beat rivals like Porta Carbone.
Can’t get it elsewhere3/5Pani ca' meusa is sold at several Palermo institutions (Porta Carbone, Antica Focacceria, market stalls); this is a good-value version, not the only one.
Easy to do3/5No queue system or booking needed and open long hours, but it's a 15-minute walk out from the main sights.
What people loved
Very cheap: arancine around €2.50 and a full street-food lunch for about €5One of the best-known places in Palermo to try pani ca' meusa; reviewers find the spleen juicy and tenderVisitor-friendly: seating inside and out, staff help non-Italian speakers point and chooseOpen long hours every day, from breakfast to late eveningWhat wore them down
Outside the main sightseeing loop, a 15-minute walk from Quattro Canti in a workaday districtRating (4.1) is middling; some find the arancine good but not the city's bestSpleen sandwich is an acquired taste and the main reason to comeGruff-seeming counter staff and limited EnglishParking & getting there
Driving is possibleCorso Finocchiaro Aprile sits just outside the old-town ZTL, so driving is possible; the large APCOA Orlando car park by the courthouse is a 4-minute walk.
- Parcheggio ORLANDO | APCOAgarage · about 5 min walk · ★ 4.3 (1,112)Price not publishedMap
- Parcheggio Tribunale 1lot · about 3 min walk · ★ 4.3 (12)Price not publishedMap
- Parcheggio Custodia Sammartinogarage · about 11 min walk · ★ 4.2 (31)Price not publishedMap
- Palermo's historic-centre ZTL (Kalsa, Albergheria, Monte di Pietà, La Loggia) runs Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00 plus weekend night hours; non-resident day pass €5 (petrol Euro 3+/diesel Euro 4+), fines €81–164 via ANPR cameras. Corso Finocchiaro Aprile is outside the zone. autovia.it
Without a car: Walk about 15 min from Quattro Canti via Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the cathedral, or take a short taxi ride.
Driving rules in Palermo
Don't drive in Palermo's old town: it is a camera ZTL on weekdays and weekend nights, and the centre is compact and walkable. A car is worth it for day trips to Segesta, Riserva dello Zingaro, Capo Gallo and Monreale. If you do take one into the centre, buy and activate the €5 daily pass first.
- ZTL Centrale (historic centre). Covers the whole old town inside Via Cavour, Foro Italico, Via Lincoln, Corso Tukory and Piazza Indipendenza (Kalsa, Albergheria, Capo, La Loggia); the boundary roads themselves are free to drive. Active all year Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00. Summer (1 May–31 Oct): also Fri 20:00–24:00, Sat 00:00–06:00 and 20:00–24:00, Sun 00:00–06:00. Winter (1 Nov–30 Apr): Fri 23:00–24:00, Sat 00:00–06:00 and 23:00–24:00, Sun 00:00–06:00. Usually suspended over Christmas. sicurauto.it
- Daily ZTL pass. Non-residents can buy a daily pass: €5 petrol/diesel, €2.50 hybrid/methane/LPG, free for electric cars and disabled-badge vehicles. It is not available for Euro 0–2 petrol or Euro 0–3 diesel cars. Buy it on the Comune's online platform, at AMAT offices or ACI, or via Telepass from 4 May 2026. Activate it for your plate before entering, by SMS or the PalerMobilità app. sicurauto.it
- Fines. Camera gates (ANPR) fine cars without a valid pass €81–164. Rental companies forward your details. Garages inside the zone may still require ZTL access, so check with the operator. autovia.it
- Mondello evening ZTL. Trial ZTL in piazza Mondello and nearby streets 20:00–24:00 (to 01:00 before holidays), 8 May–30 Sep 2026. Parts of Viale Regina Elena are pedestrianised (ordinance no. 15 of 6/5/2026). sicurauto.it
- City ordinance. Ordinance O.D. 1080 of 17 June 2026 confirms the ZTL Centrale and pedestrian areas and restricts loading access hours. comune.palermo.it
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: Walk in; counter service
PriceStreet-food prices: arancine about €2.50 each; a reviewer paid €5 for a spleen sandwich, an arancino and water (2019)Source: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
HoursDaily from 7:00 a.m. to about 11:00–11:30 p.m.Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
ReservationNot needed; order at the counter, with indoor and outdoor tablesSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SpecialtyPani ca' meusa (veal spleen and lung in a sesame bun), served 'schietta' with lemon or 'maritata' with cheese; also arancine, panelle, pizzaSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Time needed20–40 minutesSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Getting thereNo metro; about 15 min walk (1.2 km) west of Quattro Canti, near the Palazzo di Giustizia and Porta Nuova side of the old townSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Second branchA separate 'Nino u Ballerino' outlet on Corso Calatafimi also trades (4.5 on Google, ~720 reviews)Source: Google Maps · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
In their words
“The spleen sandwich was very delicious. It was so juicy and the meat was very tender.”
“They were good but not the best I’ve had in Palermo.”
“the amount compared to Porta Carbone is a lot more and also cheaper. Definitely recommend!”
“Try the Milza and ask what it is afterwards!”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
What is pani ca' meusa?
A Palermo street sandwich of boiled then fried veal spleen and lung in a sesame bun, served plain with lemon ('schietta') or with cheese ('maritata').
How much does Nino 'u Ballerino cost?
Street-food prices: reviewers report arancine at about €2.50 and a full snack lunch around €5.
What are Nino 'u Ballerino's hours?
Google lists daily opening from 7:00 a.m. to about 11:00–11:30 p.m.
Do they take cards?
Yes. Google lists credit, debit and contactless payments.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Google Maps – Nino 'u Ballerino
- LiveSicilia – 'Ninu u' ballerino' (2012 report on owner Antonino Buffa)