La Tavernetta dei Briganti — Restaurant in Corleone

Wandering the sun-bleached streets of Corleone, a town whose name lies in the memory of millions of passionate fans of a well-known movie, I discovered this modest trattoria tucked away on Via Santa Lucia. What I found was something far more precious than culinary perfection. Mr. Brigantino, the proprietor, greets guests with the kind of smile that transforms strangers into family. His eyes crinkle with genuine delight as he guides you through his grandmother’s recipes, creating an atmosphere of authentic Sicilian warmth that money can’t buy. The food is not pretentious but more than acceptable. But here is why this place deserves five stars: its soul and the soul of Mr. Brigantino. This is not about culinary perfection, it is about being welcomed into a Sicilian family’s embrace. Brigantino does not just serve meals; he orchestrates encounters, treating each guest as if they have returned home after a long absence. In a world of calculated experiences, Tavernetta dei Briganti offers something genuinely rare: a place where the proprietor’s passion transforms simple ingredients into memories, where atmosphere becomes sustenance, and where authentic Sicilian hospitality remains unchanged and uncompromised. When I left, Mr Brigantino offered me an amaro from Principe di Corleone. It was as if he was saying “For you to remember us.” As if I...

If you pass by Corleone, this restaurant is a must-visit, especially if it’s lunchtime.

Located just a short walk from the city center and close to the main road, it’s easy to find. The atmosphere of this typical Italian 'trattoria' is welcoming, and the staff are incredibly friendly. The restaurant itself is small, so reservations are recommended during peak times. We discovered it by chance and were lucky to get the last available table.

The menu features a variety of typical Sicilian dishes with ingredients listed in both Italian and English, which is great for dietary needs or curiosity 😏. Firstly, we enjoyed tasty local appetizers that came with the bread. Then, I tried the 'Busiate con pesto di pistacchio di Bronte,' which was amazing and worth trying, especially for that prestigious pistachio variety, also called green gold. My tablemates agreed, and we made sure to enjoy every bit of the delicious pesto by means of 'scarpetta'🥖.

For dessert, a generous assortment of typical Sicilian pastries was served upon request. Of course, if you love espresso, don’t miss the 'caffè' to finish your meal ☕.

In conclusion, we left with full stomachs and smiles, ready to...

Let me tell you about this place. We booked a table on a bank holiday, calling them last minute and they had a table for us. We arrived and found a traditional 'trattoria', meat-based menu, not good when on a diet, but still nice. We had an amazing lunch there. The gentleman who served all tables and was the body and soul of the place was incredible. He played with the kids and let them find out themselves if they had ice-tea (and they had), he chatted with us and all the other customers, he was really good. I loved their video slides: on a not too big screen, they played pictures from the past. You could see pictures showing traditional jobs, explaining what life looked life a life-time ago. I learnt a lot while waiting for my food. We had to wait, but I really think that only three people ran the entire place. Imagine a place where plants are dying in their pots, but people are taken care of - a real family restaurant in the...