Pizzeria Carmen In Palermo

I ordered a plate of spaghetti carbonara, but it wasn't anything carbonara-esque: the supposed guanciale was actually pieces of ham, and the sauce was cream... According to tradition, cream is omitted and guanciale is added. However, the place is large and the service isn't bad; the waiters are courteous, and the food is generally good. Too bad about the carbonara...

In the '90s, I often came here with my mother and father; we were regulars. They're no longer here, but every time I return to Pizzeria Carmen, it's like rediscovering a piece of my history. Some places change, while others manage to retain their flavors, atmosphere, and memories intact. Carmen, for me, is one of them. The atmosphere has remained the authentic family I remembered: welcoming, sincere, without artificial embellishments. The staff is always courteous, attentive, and capable of making you feel at home. The pizzas are truly excellent: light, well-seasoned, and balanced. I can finish them without any difficulty, and—especially important for me, given that I suffer from gastritis—at night I'm not thirsty or have that annoying feeling of heaviness that often accompanies certain pizzas. And that alone, today, is worth a lot. And then there are the crostini. A delight always and, I hope, forever. One of those flavors that belong not just to a menu, but to memories. There are places that serve food. And then there are places that, without even realizing it, become part of people's lives. Carmen, for me, is this.

I've been coming to Carmen's since I was a little 3-year-old; I'm now 21. I've celebrated birthdays, first communions, and countless other events here. The atmosphere is unique, so much so that it feels like stepping back in time. The staff has always been kind and courteous, and the quality of the food is impeccable. The only downside: parking. Being in a very residential area, it can be difficult to find a spot. At worst, there's the Piazzale Giotto parking lot just a few meters away. I highly recommend it.

I'm returning to this pizzeria after several years and find everything the same as before, with worse service. I'd like to hear an explanation from the owner: what health, hygiene, and professional reasons are there for allowing the waiter to serve tables wearing latex gloves? I'll stop here with comments about other types of toilets, etc.; I might be rude! What a shame, a place where the pizza is good but the side dish is lacking. 🤷🏻‍♂️

The best pizza in Palermo, always kind owner.

Great pizza, great atmosphere, and excellent staff!

The restaurant belongs to the Di Giovanni family, a city institution. It's far from the touristy nightlife/food scene, but that doesn't mean it offers any less quality products—quite the opposite. Pizzeria Carmen is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy pizza in a warm and welcoming place, with polite and friendly staff. They have so many pizzas, you can actually be pleasantly overwhelmed by the choice. To be on the safe side, I went for the classic 😁, a capricciosa! The pizza was soft and well-seasoned, with just the right amount of thickness, and the ingredients blended well with the dough. The hot appetizers were varied and plentiful (bruschetta, crostini, onion rings, panelle, croquettes, chips, arancini)! Definitely worth trying again. Recommended!

I returned after a few years and found some changes to the decor (the legendary wooden benches were partially maintained) and I found the usual perfection and mastery in making excellent pizza! The Di Giovanni family is an absolute guarantee! See you next time.

An old-fashioned pizzeria with truly delicious pizzas, made with carefully selected, top-quality ingredients. The service is simple, fast, and courteous.

A pizzeria that never disappoints. Simple but top-quality ingredients, fantastic pizza, exquisite tomato sauce, and even their seafood appetizers are fresh and plentiful. Among the thousands of new places opening in Palermo, you're still a sure thing.