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[title]In the heart of Palermo, ORNO has already become a must-visit for anyone in search of great pizza—but that's only part of the story. With chef Cons Cerezo now leading the kitchen, the restaurant has refreshed its culinary offering. While pizzas remain the stars of the menu, they're now joined by standout appetizers, fresh handmade pasta, and other carefully crafted dishes, alongside signature cocktails and a wine list that encourages you to explore.
The atmosphere captures the lively, relaxed spirit of a classic trattoria, with soft lighting and a welcoming setting designed for sharing. It's equally suited to group dinners and more intimate dates. Rather than simply recreating Italian tradition, ORNO reinterprets it through a contemporary lens, placing regional ingredients at the center of the experience.
We kicked off the evening with a selection of starters. The garden fritters, served with spicy aioli, delivered a fresh, vegetable-forward bite, while the marinated olives paired perfectly with cocktails. We also tried the Margarita Arancini, one of the night's highlights—crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, as if a Margherita pizza had been transformed into the perfect bite-sized snack.
Cocktails have earned a starring role on the new menu, with something for every taste. We sampled the Seasonal Spritz, made with Aperol, watermelon, cucumber, and lemon verbena cordial, offering a bright and refreshing finish. We also enjoyed the Elderflower Ginto, a combination of gin, peach, and elderflower that was both fragrant and balanced.
Then came the main courses. We ordered two house favorites: the Spaghetti Pura Yema with sun-dried tomato pesto, and the Mushroom Napoletana pizza, topped with fior di latte, roasted garlic cream, sautéed mushrooms, Sbrinz cheese, and chives. Every bite showcased the care behind the handmade preparations and made it easy to understand why the restaurant has built much of its reputation around its dough.
To finish, we shared the ORNO Tiramisù, a classic take on the Italian dessert—rich, creamy, and generously dusted with cocoa. It perfectly summed up what the restaurant aims to deliver: a contemporary trattoria inspired by Italy without losing sight of local flavors, offering a broader menu full of personality and plenty of reasons to return and keep exploring.
Good to know: Upstairs you'll find Cima, ORNO's rooftop bar, where cocktails take center stage. It's the perfect place to continue the evening with a drink in a laid-back atmosphere, accompanied by good music.
Where: Guatemala 4701, Palermo.