Panormus La Tavernetta di Mamma Ciccia — Restaurant in Paola

Unpretentious family-run business

The little gem in the village of Paola is a Sicilian restaurant with a purpose: serve genuinely good food and treat your loyal customers like family.

A converted farmhouse, the restaurant offers about 5 taverna-style tables, covered with chequered red and white tablecloth, and a modest decor of a quintessential stone-walled Mediterranean house.

The owner, Marcello, his wife and son are extremely kind and generous, only wanting you to leave with a broad smile and a belly filled up with exquisite food. They engage with their customers and treat them like they are part of “la famiglia”.

Served cubes of high-quality pecorino as a taster accompanied by fresh bread, followed by a starter of octopus with boiled potatoes flavoured with fresh parsley, and a main of linguine with seafood, there was some room for lemon sorbet and limoncello. Attending with my parents, they are regular visitors and tend to enjoy the fish of the day.

At the end of the dinner, when I was talking to the owners about pesto, Marcello was quick to spread two pieces of bread with homemade pesto Trapanese (on the house) to taste and savour.

The family-run business does not suit the grand, pretentious occasion, yet if you are after genuinely tasty food at exceptional value and an informal midweek dinner with family and friends, there are very few places that can match its qualities....

Good food with negative vibes

The person that welcome and serve people is really rude, not welcome, turned aggressive when the chef came to bring the starter to us, his attitude is unacceptable. No manner, destroying atmosphere and peace. He is not good as waiter, approach and mood. He looks like a pit-bull ready to attack if you ask something, never pleased never thankful, seems obliged and forced to do his job, hit the plates on the table, annoyed to change the cutleries and any request, he goes around silent and frustrated, like if he hates everyone. Change this man with someone that smile and does customer service.

Went there twice and same attitude (first time ‘a bad day’ I understand, second time ‘a bad daily attitude’ is not...

First place we ate in Malta! Arrived on a lazy Sunday afternoon for lunch. Ordered the pesto fusili and the chicken cutlet. Pesto was very rich and the chopped almonds added a nice but interesting crunchy texture. The chips were served separately on the side, but considering the big plate the cutlet was sitting in, could have been plated together. But now having eaten at other spots in Malta, seems like the norm to serve your sides in a different plate from your main. Big recommend if you're passing through the area 👍🏼 Made for a cheap but...