Aja Mola - Trattoria di Mare In Palermo

Hands down, wonderful. We’ve been arguing over which dishes we liked best! Seriously professional cooking with a sense of humour and joy. Just trust them and try something you thought you didn’t like…. It’s a rare restaurant that has a product this good, without pretences. Brava!

Service definitely below the prices. Starting from the table (small for four people) on the street with pizzeria paper placemats and staff who casually hand out the plates, passing them in front of the other diners. The combination of ingredients is bizarre: beef marrow and sweetbreads on the fish and sea water on the dessert. The wine list is exaggerated! €240 for two starters, four first courses, four desserts (a scoop of ice cream €10!) served, however, with mismatched spoons as if they didn't have a full service, wine, water and four coffees.

A little expensive for what it offers, small place and very normal food, nothing special, yes, very good treatment from the staff

We had lunch when we arrived in Palermo in May 2025. We found the address on a French blog, and we were not disappointed at all. Go there with your eyes closed. Original dishes around fish, raw shrimp, fish cooked to perfection, dessert based on sea salt ice cream, excellent wine, in short a moment to repeat to give joy to our taste buds, thank you for the welcome. The only downside is that the side dishes could be a little more generous given the price of the dishes.

Non-tourist seafood restaurant in the center of Palermo near the tourist port. Interesting fish tasting menu, with some successful combinations, others less so. It definitely tastes "strong". Good execution of the dishes, I always like the open kitchen a lot. Good wine list. Service started well, they got lost a little during the dinner, but overall the staff manages to make you feel welcome. The cost of the tasting menu, due to the quality of the raw materials, is centered and sustainable.

Located in the heart of Palermo, the AJA Mola restaurant (whose name in Sicilian dialect means "here you are") offers a refined gastronomic experience that combines Sicilian tradition and creative innovation. == The culinary experience == The raw fish starter I tasted includes delicacies such as raw Mazara prawns, scampi and finely prepared carpaccio. The freshness is absolute, with combinations that enhance the natural flavors of the Sicilian sea. The octopus salad turned out to be a pleasant surprise: not the classic traditional preparation, but a creative interpretation with layered flavors and temperatures - cold on the outside and hot on the inside - which testifies to the chef's culinary research and his ability to reinvent classic dishes. My wife opted for the raw prawns, followed by the linguine, a dish with a strong personality that enhances the intense flavors of the sea. An excellent choice for those who love pronounced and non-trivial marine flavours. To end on a sweet note, I chose the black sesame ice cream with hazelnuts and toffee, which turned out to be truly exceptional. A balanced dessert, not excessively sweet, where the intensity of the black sesame creates a perfect contrast with the delicacy of the caramel. A refined closure for a memorable dinner. == Gastronomic philosophy == AJA Mola is definitely aimed at sophisticated palates, at diners who know how to appreciate not only the high quality of the ingredients but also the complexity of the combinations and the oriental influences that enrich traditional Sicilian dishes. The cuisine offers an interesting dialogue between Mediterranean gastronomic culture and Asian influences, creating a unique taste experience in the Palermo panorama. == Environment and service == The restaurant is very welcoming and with attention to detail, with the important plus of an open kitchen which represents not only an element of transparency but also a further guarantee of quality and care in the preparation of the dishes. The service is impeccable: light, competent and always accompanied by sincere smiles. It is clear that the staff works in a positive environment, where everyone feels at ease, creating an almost familiar atmosphere that significantly contributes to the pleasantness of the overall experience. == Conclusion.== AJA Mola represents an address worth mentioning for lovers of good food who visit Palermo, especially for those looking for a gastronomic experience that goes beyond tradition, while deeply respecting it. A place where Sicily meets the world, maintaining its culinary identity but enriching it with new perspectives and flavours.

I had been there several years ago, for lunch on a weekday, we always returned for lunch, on Sunday, sitting at a table outside in the street, under an umbrella, with a light breeze coming from the sea, the street, although in a fairly central area, is not involved in city traffic. The place is not very large, I think it offers no more than twenty seats inside. The kitchen is open. The staff is very courteous and friendly, the menu, not very long, focuses mainly on the sea, typical Mediterranean dishes, revisited without flights of fancy, there is no wine list but a sommelier, clearly you have to pay attention to the price, let's say that you order a bit in the dark, we had a rosé, Sicilian, very good, with an honest mark-up. Final verdict, excellent, fast service and very tasty dishes served with care.

Delicious local fresh fish. Very good local wine made by the restaurant owner. Really nice interior. I can highly recommend.

Un ristorante consigliatoci da amici come Ristorante di alto livello per mangiare pesce. Non ne siamo usciti pienamente soddisfatti a dire la verità, a volte la troppa ricerca se si scontra con il risultato finale che non è soddisfacente, delude e viene voglia di mangiare qualcosa di più semplice e dai gusti chiari. Gli accostamenti a tratti risultavano forzati, non mi è piaciuta per nulla la carta dei vini che sembra volutamente ricercata per essere difficile e senza nessun vino Facilmente riconoscibile con ricarichi e prezzi assolutamente fuori media. Tra i bianchi due proposte sotto i 30€/bottiglia e tutto il resto ben al di sopra. Il servizio è ok però avrei aggiunto almeno un entree di benvenuto. Buono il pane fatto in casa. Il prezzo pagato è troppo alto per quanto mi riguarda soprattutto a Palermo, sono prezzi da Centro di Milano ma non giustificati a nostro avviso, non torneremo. Magari abbiamo trovato la serata sbagliata o il menù che non era dei nostri gusti, a volte succede rimane il discorso carta dei vini e prezzo finale pagato.

Uno dei tanti ristoranti che affollano le scena culinaria palermitana, senza infamia ne lode. Il locale internamente e' piccolo e risulta molto rumoroso, non l'ideale per parlare. Il personale potrebbe risultare un po invadente e non professionale. I piatti che abbiamo ordinato non mi sono particolarmente piaciuti. Lista dei vini accettabile. Conto eccessivamente alto.