L’ottava nota — Restaurant in Palermo

If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Palermo, look no further than L’Ottava. Tucked away in a quiet street yet just steps from the city’s historic heart, this Michelin-recommended gem delivers a perfect blend of elegance, authenticity, and innovation.

From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed with warm Sicilian hospitality and a calm, intimate atmosphere. The interior is refined yet relaxed, with soft lighting and tasteful décor that lets the food take center stage.

The tasting menu at L’Ottava is a true culinary journey. Each dish is thoughtfully composed, balancing tradition with modern flair. Highlights include the locally sourced seafood – delicate, fresh, and beautifully plated – and the handmade pastas that showcase deep regional character. Every plate tells a story of Sicilian terroir, interpreted with creativity and respect.

The wine list is exceptional, featuring a well-curated selection of Sicilian and Italian labels. The sommelier is knowledgeable and passionate, making perfect pairings that elevate each course without overshadowing it.

Service is impeccable – attentive without being intrusive, and always genuinely welcoming. The team clearly takes pride in offering a world-class experience.

Whether you’re a foodie or simply seeking a special night out in Palermo, L’Ottava is a must-visit. It’s the kind of place that lingers in your memory – where flavors, hospitality, and atmosphere come together in perfect harmony.

Ps: The foie gras, tuna, and beetroot dish was a true standout – bold, unexpected, and perfectly balanced. The rich, buttery foie gras melted into the delicate sear of the tuna, while the earthy sweetness of the beetroot added just the right amount of contrast. Every bite was layered with depth and finesse, both in flavor and texture. A daring combination that worked brilliantly – both elegant and...

4 stars on a curve. Because this joint could be Michelin starred (as is the price point) except for the details. The concept is certainly Michelin: take run of the mill dishes and liven them up with wacky flavors. I’m going to do best, good, bad. Let’s start with the best: the foie gras and tuna with truffle ice cream is one of the best dishes we’ve ever had in our lives. Hands down. Amazing And the service was top notch. Extremely professional with menu and then dish explanations. Doting but not overbearing. Lots of extras along the way. For example, the amuse bouche of duck and octopus were inspired. The good: our mains of pork and beef/scallops were interesting. We did raise our eyebrows and discussed them, which is a thing! The bad: at the end of our meal a woman who seemed to be the owner stood between our table and the one next to us and spoke so LOUDLY to the four-top next to us that we were unable to have a conversation with each other over her loud talking. We couldn’t talk over her. Couldn’t think over her. After 10 or 15 minutes of hoping it would end we paid and left without finishing our wine. Overall, it was a great and interesting night. But the experience at the end was so...

Started out wonderful but somehow got lost along the way. We passed on the 7 course menu (probably part of the problem) and ordered 2 starters, one 1st and one 2nd course. The amuses were very creative as was the bread service. Tuna tartar was the best we’ve ever had and the ceviche was also very tasty. It went downhill from there as we waited over an hour to get our last 2 courses. Restaurant had gotten busy and they seemed to not know how to handle the ala carte items as the next table was served 3 courses while we waited for our 2nd. the pasta with crawfish was good but not great, lemon way subtle. lamb was a bit overcooked and we were surprised at not being given an option on rare vs well done. sparking was delicious but the red was just ok, probably our fault as a first try in the varietal. service was friendly but way too slow and not attentive while we waited for so long. check came very quickly when asked for. maybe an off night but overall mediocre experience...