Mercato Maqueda Cucina Pizza e Vino — Restaurant in Palermo

"The healthiest pizza is the one you don't eat" 😓 Such a nice location, good value for money, drinkable open wines, a waitress who speaks English... Very nice, elegant music.

Opening hours that don't conform to strict Palermitan customs, thank you!

But... Again, a watery, soggy, runny, liquid pizza... the kind I can't stand. I had asked for a crispy pizza.

And then the tuna and mozzarella just waft around like a body of water...

Oh... there are such wonderful wafer-thin, crispy pizzas in Turin, Rome, Trieste, Venice... in Berlin, Vienna, London... but not in Palermo (or I've just been unlucky so far).

I actually wanted to go somewhere else where there is sensationally delicious, spicy, homemade pepperoni salsa... I was just too early, time-wise.

By the way, there's no homemade 🌶🌶🌶 salsa here. Instead, chilli powder in an open bowl (here, however, any spiciness disappears in such a container) and a chilli oil. But adding even more liquid to an already liquid pizza?

So now I'm sitting with a glass of 🍷 - and vow never to try pizza in this city again. I'd rather spend my money on cat food for stray furries. That would at least be a culinary win for these four-legged friends.

Pizza: 1/5 Open wines: 3/5 Location: 5/5 Background music: 5/5 Friendliness of the service: 5/5 Realisation of the...

Our recent visit to Mercato Maqueda was an absolute delight, truly a highlight of my time in Palermo. From the moment we walked in, the relaxed atmosphere made us feel right at home, setting the stage for a wonderful dining experience. The food was simply outstanding. We dove into two incredible pizzas, the 4 Canti and the Pistacchio, both bursting with fresh, high-quality ingredients and perfectly cooked crusts. For pasta lovers, the Carbonara and Mazzara dishes were equally impressive – rich, flavorful, and authentically prepared. Every bite was a testament to their culinary skill. What truly elevated our evening, however, was the exceptional service we received, especially from Wayne, who took our order. He was incredibly attentive, making sure every detail was perfect and offering genuine, helpful recommendations. His dedication to ensuring a fantastic dining experience really shone through. Mercato Maqueda isn't just a place to eat; it's an experience. With delicious food, a great vibe, it's a must-visit in Palermo. We can't...

We visited Mercato Maqueda on a Saturday evening. The food and service were adequate — nothing exceptional, but fine for a casual meal. Unfortunately, what really affected our experience was the presence of a nearby family who brought their dog into the restaurant.

While we now understand that it’s legal in Italy for dogs to accompany diners, personally I don’t believe animals (other than guide dogs) belong in indoor eating establishments. In this case, the dog barked repeatedly, disturbing not just us but other tables as well. We mentioned it to our waiter, who acknowledged we weren’t the only ones to complain. Despite this, the manager seemed content to allow the situation to continue.

We considered leaving but it was a busy Saturday and alternatives were fully booked. Based on this experience, I would not recommend Mercato Maqueda, and we won’t...