Mida Lounge Bar Valdesi — Restaurant in Palermo

Okay, So if you are visiting Mondello beach, and you are not on a tight budget, I would recommend strategically paying for beach loungers by this particular bar. The business is a separate entity to the private beach - (you can opt for the public beach but it’s rammed) which for cost reference, loungers are €15 including a parasol per person - with access to toilets and showers to rinse off - plus €3 in cash for a refundable access band. I would point out that if you want a prime spot on the beach you need to book in advance online. Personally I like to have access to a beach bar with hot and cold food options and this seemed to be the defo seemed to be right place! - and while the prices are at a slight premium - you are paying for location on the most beautiful stretch of beach at Mondello - which is arguably the best beach area of Palermo hands down! So back to Mida Lounge - there is a number of tables - under shade or in the sun, if you are in a group you can reserve tables for lunch in advance. The Staff, Servers and I think even the lovely lady who seemed to be in charge are very friendly. They did seem to speak a few languages - so even if you don’t know Italian or Sicilian they can process your request - though I would say if you at least try to speak local - I think they even friendlier! Drinks wise €3 for chilled coke cans, €1.50 for a coffee. Cocktails €10 are available to drink at the bar in a glass or in plastic to takeaway back to your loungers. The bartender on duty was super professional and took great care to craft Negroni, Aperol Spritz.. even though the 1st few were in plastic glasses! There’s is a good selection of beers - and decent range of spirits - including a whole range of Hendricks Gins which I’ve never seen before! Foodwise - I opted for the Burger for €10 - which sounds steep - but was actually probably one of the best tasting burgers I’ve had! Smoking is permitted everywhere. Music playlists at the bar had me bopping along, with a welcomed lack of Reggae-ton! My only small criticism - is while the tables and chairs seemed fresh - the flooring was bit rough for bare feet and NO ARANCINI! (I’m highly addicted!) Highly recommend if you looking for a romantic place to sip a cocktail while you watch the Sunset! American Express and all major credit cards...

DON’T GO!! This place deserves zero stars. The whole place was empty when we entered and we were told we could sit anywhere we wanted but as soon as we approached a table they said not there... Anw we sat somewhere else and waited for 15 minutes but the server never came. They had a cashier so we decided to go there and place the order ourselves and we did. Paid for two glasses of wine and sat back in our table. Another 20 minutes passed and we still didn’t receive the glasses... two glasses of wine can’t take 20 minutes so we go to the bar and ask the bartender. Smiling he said that we had to wait AT the bar for the wine... We sad the cashier never told us and he apologized saying “Sorry they are playing....”...

The Italians have the, to me, the strange system of privatising major parts of their best beaches. These are monopolised by the companies renting out loungers and umbrellas and often have a bar or restaurant at the top of the section of the beach. So it is for the Mida Lounge Bar Valdesi in Palermo's favourite beach in Mondello. The prices and the quality offered often reflect the fact that the facilities have a captive audience and that their customers are paying for the location (and it's rent!). That said, the Mida Lounge Bar Valdesi was a pleasant location, essential for a beer on a hot bank holiday afternoon and with...