The story
Tucked along Palermo’s Via Maqueda, Che Palle is a bright, buzzy deli that has earned fervent fans for its arancine. The Frama Twins call it the best in the city, praising the “thin, crispy breading,” saffron-infused al dente rice, and flavorful ragù with peas. They single out the BBQ arancina with pork ribs as “unbeatable.”
But that polish comes at a cost. Food critic Luigi Gramma notes the shell is “technically well-executed and very crunchy,” yet the filling is “less impressive than the neighborhood option.” At €3.50, the arancina costs double a local classic. Che Palle nails the crunch, but the soul of the filling doesn’t quite measure up to Palermo’s quarter-to-quarter standards.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2022.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 7 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about Che Palle’s traditional arancina, praising its crisp shell and rich, meaty filling. The overall vibe is warmly comforting, with hearty, no-fuss Sicilian soul food.
“The first difference I notice compared to the other one is that the breading here is really really crunchy. The rice and the breading are very very good, it's hot because they just made it. The difference is in the filling — this one is also good, spiced, there's ragù and peas, but there are fewer peas here compared to the other one. It's okay, but it's nothing compared to Bar Vabres — Bar Vabres put everything into the filling, that was where the goodness of the arancina was. Here, the filling isn't bad, but it's not at the level of the other one. The breading and the rice cooking are better here, the rice cooking is maybe the same. Between the two, I prefer Vabres but not by a huge margin. The filling here is also in very small pieces of ragù, while at Bar Vabres it was big chunks of whole ragù.”
What creators say
4 creators have covered Che Palle. Most active: Frama Twins, Luigi Gramma, surmacchio
A very commercial and touristy spot on the main tourist street of Palermo with many arancina flavors, technically well-executed with a very crunchy breading, but the filling is less impressive than the neighborhood option and costs €3.50 — double the price.
Dishes mentioned
Arancina Tradizionale a Carne
The first difference I notice compared to the other one is that the breading here is really really crunchy. The rice and the breading are very very good, it's hot because they just made it. The difference is in the filling — this one is also good, spiced, there's ragù and peas, but there are fewer peas here compared to the other one. It's okay, but it's nothing compared to Bar Vabres — Bar Vabres put everything into the filling, that was where the goodness of the arancina was. Here, the filling isn't bad, but it's not at the level of the other one. The breading and the rice cooking are better here, the rice cooking is maybe the same. Between the two, I prefer Vabres but not by a huge margin. The filling here is also in very small pieces of ragù, while at Bar Vabres it was big chunks of whole ragù.
Kepalle Arancine serves the best arancina in Palermo according to locals, with a thin crispy breading, saffron-infused al dente rice, and a flavorful ragù with peas.
Dishes mentioned
- Arancino
- Frama TwinsLoved
PALERMO FOODPORN TOUR | Dove mangiare a Palermo · @ 4:02
A famous arancina spot in Palermo, also chosen by Monnalisa, with incredibly friendly staff who let us into the kitchen. Their arancine are made with a complex 4-hour process and the BBQ one with pork ribs is unbeatable.
Dishes mentioned
Arancina Carnaroli Zafferano
This is the classic saffron arancina. The rice is very al dente because they cook it slowly and leave it a bit undercooked since it will be fried later. The process takes almost 4 hours: 2 hours for the risotto, then you have to prepare it, spread it, fill it, compose it, fry it, and sell it. It's a very complex process.
- Arancino
Arancina agli Anelletti
This is an arancina with anelletti pasta, like a baked pasta arancina. It's particular, good, but we're in food porn territory so the BBQ one wins. The anelletti has a stronger, more decisive flavor. I'd put it second after the BBQ.
A fast-food style spot serving a near-flawless arancina with perfect saffron rice and generous meat, though the steep price keeps it from being an everyday choice.
Dishes mentioned
- Arancina Tradizionale a Carne
