Palermo Ristorante Italiano Reviews

The ambiance is great, people colorful and food affordable, if not haute cuisine and thank you, no dancing waiters with fake smiles and pretentions.

I started going to Palermo’s over 40 years ago and I read one review that said it was not authentic Italian cuisine. Whether it is or not or can compare with New Jersey or Rome is NOT the point—the overall delicious food, attentive down-to-earth service, homey vibe and gracious owner who on repeat visits will always remember your name is why I recommend it and keep going back. In addition I don’t know any old school LA restaurant that while you are waiting will offer you a $1 cup of house wine then will provide both a complimentary small, but tasty Pizza Rosa appetizer—then also bring you a complimentary large basket of perfectly toasted garlic bread loaded with butter and garlic (an order of garlic bread at most other local Italian restaurants costs $4-6). If you’re looking for gourmet cuisine, you may not find it at Palermo’s, but if you’re looking for good, homemade LA Italian food and overall experience, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Outstanding service and food. We were in town visiting and stopped for dinner. Free wine if you have to wait for a table! The chicken parmigiana was delicious. The tiramisu possibly the best on the planet. To top it off-an accordion player serenading you at your table. This place is your one stop place for food with entertainment.

My name is Pietro Nicassio, I play the cello as a hobby, not as a profession. I came to this place to organize an Italian dinner, I must say that the food was horrible, and the price Exaggerated, I strongly advise against this restaurant. I am so sure of what I say that I leave my phone number 8184459345.

The accordion player makes this place even more fun. The food is decent and reasonably priced, look online for a Groupon to save a good deal of money. Six of us ate appetizers, entrees, wine, and dessert for $17/each with tip! And we had food to take with us.

It was a beautiful atmosphere and felt like a family run business. The food was average but the bread they bring you was amazing.

Felt like I was at a family run Italian place in Brooklyn. Hot fresh food. Friendly service. Large portions.

Great place for lunch or dinner. Excellent service and good food. Truly Italian in style and food. A great experience with family and friends.

Fun place to hang out.

The food is very good, although there is nothing unusual. This restaurant has been around for decades, and if you want a simple Italian meal, this is a good choice. The booths are very small and the parking is a nightmare, but the atmosphere is great. Very large portions

not good.

Good food, good service, good prices. What more could you ask for. Parking is behind the place and a little hard to get to and the tables are kind of small but the atmosphere is nice and the staff was very attentive. I will definitely be back.

Palermo and I go back over thirty years, back to when it was a little hole in the wall on Hillhurst Avenue, and you waited an hour and a half in the tiny waiting area elbow-to-elbow with strangers. The (then) free wine while waiting quickly turned the wait into party time and in no time you'd find yourself happily engaged in conversation with people from all walks of life, the only commonality between you being those 12 tables in the dining area. But you waited and sipped, chatted and laughed, and listened to Tony cheerfully shouting above the din as he struggled to take telephone orders. Sometimes you even applauded when a table cleared and you knew Tony would be coming any moment to tell you your turn had arrived and it was Spaghetti Time. It was all gloriously silly yet strangely wonderful and I worried that when they moved and enlarged that some of the magic would be lost. Happily, it remained-- what did change over time was that competition crept into the neighborhood and the crowds thinned. If Palermo has any faults, it's probably that over the years it's tried to to offer something for everybody. Pizza and pasta were the staples those early days and all these years later they're still the stars. Pizzarosa (you'll be given a sample shortly after you're seated) is tangy and satisfying with a slightly thicker crust. The kitchen produces a fine, yeasty pizza crust and bakes it up so it's properly chewy. Never have I been served anything remotely doughy or soggy. Toppings are just fine-- and good as their meatballs are, I'm unable to resist the sausage. These folks sell seriously good sausage: have it with your pasta or have them crumble it over your pizza. They also have really good meat sauce and tomato sauce. An option not on the menu is that you can get most dishes baked; just ask your server. Their salad dressing is terrific-- one of those vinegar and oil based miracles which calls at you to grab a piece of bread and mop up the extra on your plate. In the early days, your choices were Italian or Italian: nowadays there are other options. I've no idea of they're good or meh, nor do I have the least desire to find out. Why tamper with perfection? Much of my life has played out at Palermo. I went there before my husband and I started dating. Tony watched our son go from infant carrier to the adult he is today. Our son, in turn, has initiated his friends and the tradition continues (Circle of Life playing softly in the background.) All these years, my family has been made to feel that we're part of Tony's family and each time we visit, we're greeted with the same giant smile and enthusiasm. But look around you-- it's not just the regulars Tony greets in this manner; it's every person who walks through the door. All guests are welcome. The decor may be a little over the top and a bit worn-around-the-edges, yet visiting Palermo is like settling into a comfortable armchair at the house of your favorite uncle-- an uncle whose eyes smile when you cross the threshold; an uncle who claps you on the back, offers you a drink, and wants to make you're that happy and well-cared for in his home. Go for pizza; go for pasta. Go for conversation with your friends and interaction with strangers. Go because they will treat you right there, and because they care. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name... and they're always glad you came. For us, that place is Palermo.

We went for a birthday party and plan to head back again. The food was delicious and worth the drive (we are 20 miles away and 40 minutes+ with LA traffic). We had the Chicken Parmigiana and pepperoni pizza. The chicken parmigiana was a huge portion of chicken with a side of spaghetti. It's definitely more authentic Italian than anything I've ever had. Sorry I can't comment on the price since it was paid by the party's host.

This is the best Italian food in Los Angeles. Whenever I have family or friends visiting, I always take them to Palermo Italian Restaurant. The pizzarosa (tip: add pepperoni) is the finest pizza I have ever had. Their owner, Tony Fanara, is the best. He treats everyone with kindness and respect. He knows his customers and he always says thank you. The service is outstanding. A few years ago my wife threw me a birthday party with about 50 people. She asked where would I want to have it - as if there was any debate. Tony made sure it was a special evening. It was absolutely perfect - delicious food, excellent service and wonderful atmosphere.

After reading the reviews from everyone I expected Authentic Italian food. Just know this is not your your place for Authentic or even close to Italian food. I’m Italian from NJ this is in no way Italian food. We was a party of 3 not one of our meals was even close to the real deal. The Bolognese hardly had meat at all the Alio Olio I don’t think even had garlic in it and dry and tasteless. Please if you want Italian Food son think this is it.

This restaurant is very good in details. First they will bring a piece of free pizza right away, even before you order you drinks. Every little piece of quisine is very delicious, even garlic bread they bring is gonna be really tasty and fresh. Of course it is Italian place, so make sure to try some great minestrone, pizza or lazagna. Portions are big, even if you order a small plate )

Super super friendly he offered a drink for free but when we picked up the food we have been quiet disappointed because the recommendations have been so good. The food was quiet tasteless but as well cheap

A wonderfully charming place with photos of countless celebrities. A definite must go to place. The servings are huge, Tony and the staff are great and the food is delicious and all for an incredible deal. Love this place.

Whenever we are in the area, we enjoy coming back to Palermo. The service is wonderful. The prices are very reasonable for the variety and quality of Italian dishes. Good inexpensive wine list. Best part, the appetizer--half way between pizza and homemade bread. Love it! Very convenient if you are going to Dodger Stadium, the Greek, etc.

Everything about this place is terriffic. The atmosphere, the aroma and the staff. Slava was our server and she is fantastic. In fact, I actually made a point of telling the manager what a terriffic job she does. If you enjoy great Italian food, then this is the place for you.

There's something of a dusty air about Palermo. Not, I hasten to add, that it is dirty or anything, simply that it seems to be a little out of time. Anyone familiar with the "Acorn Antiques" character Mrs Overall? That's what it feels like. We were there on a Sunday lunchtime and the place was moderately busy, for the most part with people turning out of various churches. Service was very polite and extremely efficient. We were served garlic bread as a matter of course. We were served a great deal of garlic bread. Far more garlic bread, in fact, than was really necessary. So by the time time I has finished my soup (which was OK, but nothing special) and the main course arrived I really wasn't hungry. I had the meat ravioli, which was pretty good, but My God! the portion size! It was enough for about three people. The rest of the party divided up between pizza (rated as "yummy") and various pasta dishes. The only disappointing dish was a gnocchi served with pesto: the gnocchi was very stodgy and the pesto really rather unpleasant. Dessert was out of the question: we would have needed to have been winched out of the place if we'd tried to take it.

What struck me initially about this place as we drove to and from the Griffith Park Observatory was the outside seating area. The evening was very nice in terms of the weather, as we left the observatory very late, @10pm. I usually am too cold to sit outside to eat but the weather was perfect for me, even without a jacket. So we parked in the lot across the street ($1/hr), behind the old theater and headed to Palermo. Upon entering we were greeted in a friendly manner and shown to a seat inside but when we asked for one of the outside tables, there was no problem at all. Well then I thought that maybe they would forget about us out there. Nope! Not at all. They were very attentive. ~ I believe her name was Antoinette and she was our wonderful waitress. But I feel funny calling her a waitress because I got the feeling she was the owner. She was so wonderfully attentive. She came outside to bring our food, drinks, napkins, refills, and a couple of times it seemed, just to smile and see if we were doing alright. I like that! That's why I felt that she had a vested interest in the place. Either that or the other option which is they really know how to make their customers feel welcome and well-taken care of. For our meal, we had the calamari appetizer and I was actually shocked at the huge amount of sauce that came with it. OH, I just remembered, something else about Antoinette. She was nice enough to bring me another serving of their complimentary bread (not the garlic bread,but the pizza shaped bread). It was soooo good! And how nice of her! For entrees, we ordered the lasagne and the veal. Delicious!!!! But we were both so full that of course the majority of these dishes went home with us. For dessert, we got both the tiramisu and the cannelloni. Wow! Rich, rich, rich!!! I wish i had another stomach! (And, she didn't even charge us for both; how sweet!!) Finally, the restaurant gives you a 3% discount for paying in cash! Very nice and I was happy to add that extra for a nice tip for Antoinette. She certainly deserved it!!! Go visit and definitely GO HUNGRY because you will have more than enough food to eat. Our total bill was less than $60 and we had lunch with the leftovers! ENJOY!

Very tasty food. Service is great and the owner is also great. We really laughed a lot here. All the food looked super tasty, just as Italian should be. The pizzas are huge and you can easily eat them with the two of them. Turns out to be very normal, but we thought we could eat it. As a deal if you ate it all we got a free dessert. We couldn't finish it, but the owner still gave us dessert and a limoncello. A really great place to go to when you're in L.A.

This delightful eatery truly exceeded my expectations! The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for a cozy dinner. Each dish bursts with authentic flavors that transport you straight to Italy. The service was exceptional, attentive without being overbearing. I especially loved the homemade pasta! Can't wait to return for another unforgettable meal. Highly recommend!

Like the title, I believe this restaurant has the best food in Los Angeles. Personally I love the pizza Rossa that they serve in the beginning, and the fettuccine alfredo.

My boyfriend took me here after a day in Los Angeles because it has always been one of his favorite places. When we walked in the back door, our waiter Julio greeted my man by name then the owner, Tony came over and hugs were exchanged. The atmosphere is so friendly and they are VERY supportive of our police & fireman, The walls are lined with patches and pictures of police departments. Now on to the food! Portions were generous and we had the Chicken Parmesan and Veal Parmesan. Each came with a side of pasta and soup or salad but the minestrone soup was too die for! So hardy it was a meal in itself. Then the desserts, the cannoli was outstanding but the Tiramisu was worthy of Meg Ryan's reaction in "When Harry Met Sally". It was my first time here but it will definitely be one of my favorite place to dine,

One of my all-time favorite pizzas ever. You can't go wrong at Palermo. The staff is so friendly, and the food is delicious and reasonably priced for big portions. My personal favorite is a pepperoni and black olive pizza. Yum!

Try the Pizza Rosa, Palermo Family owned and the owner Tony will always greet you. Prices very reasonable with all the garlic bread and complimentary stuff. Thin crust pizzas available and the complimentary Pizza Rosa are the best anywhere.

Absolutely the best. We have tried several of the chicken dishes, the pizza, and the best Tiramisu I have ever eaten. Can't go wrong with whatever you try. Their food tastes better than any Italian restaurant I have been to.

Great place to grab some wine. The atmosphere is kinda cheesy Italian but very cool. Love the canole, and the garlic bread, and and oooo yeah the pizza. Particularly the pizza Margarita. GREAT cheese on it!

some of the best Italian food in LA!

We stopped in on a Sunday afternoon for a quick lunch. Everything looked good on the menu. They even serve breakfast now. We all decided to share a pizza. We selected the Sicilian pie, with anchovies on the side. The pizza was very authentic and something you would find in Palermo Italy. The owner Tony came by to greet us and remembered me from a visit earlier this year. The service was great and of course we loved the pizza. I am sure we will return as often as we can. Look for the parking lot on the side of the building.

The pizza was absolutely delicious, it may look small for the cheapest but it feels you up easily. The salads are also amazing for vegans so its a great all rounded place. Definitely recommend it.

The evening my daughter and I had dinner at Palermo, it was a bit chilly and it was rainy too (in LA!). It was the kind of night when you want Italian (comfort) food and Palermo's gave us that, and then some. We walked there -- the place was packed. We had to wait about 20 minutes before we got a table, which was just fine. The entire place was full of people who just wanted to smile and laugh and have a good time. A man --whose name I've forgotten -- played the ACCORDIAN (yep!) and serenaded us. People danced, people sang. It was a blast. This restaurant is more than fabulous food, the vibe is not to be matched. It's lovely, lovely lovely!!!

Horrific experience, 1 hour waiting and they brought the wrong menu my husband accepted the one of the more half hour for mine until I tired and asked for the tab of my husband's menu and the owner's face wanted to charge me the two courses SHAME

Great service. Very attentive... The slice of pizza is great for when your first seated. It's so yummy. Nice cozy place with big portions and huge wine selection ;)

This place was beautiful, very friendly staff, and the food was amazingly good with big portions. I recommend trying their lasagne!

the food aint good, but it aint bad, a very east-coast redsauce joint that caters to cops and those on the other side of the law too

Excellent food, very good service and nice prices. Portions are generous too! We love this type of neighborhood restaurant!

It's been there 37 years and there's a reason. Good home-made Italian food, nothing fancy, just a wonderful red sauce that keeps em comin back.The service is terrific,they give you a free lil something to start and a free lil something to end the meal. While you're waiting to be seated there's a $1 glass of wine to get you in the mood. A great wine cellar and wonderful food. How can you miss?

Wonderful, classic Italian-American restaurant. Good food. Ample portions. Neighborhood atmosphere. Tony and his friendly staff will charm and delight.

Friendliest Italian Restaurant in LA! The owner Tony is always there making sure everyone is being served and is satisfied with their food. I realliy like their linguine with clams,lasagna,and pizza. It's always crowded,but you never have to wait a long time for a table. I highly recommend this restaurant you won't leave unhappy.

Having moved here from New York where there's great pizza on every corner (or at least that's I remember it), I was surprised to find a so-so selection of pies in LA. Until I found Palermo. I know that there are pizzerias famous for their crust (Mozza) and their sauce (Village Pizzeria), but I'm a topping guy and no one puts it together quite like Palermo. Every mouthwatering bite takes me back to Mulberry Street. Plus there's Tony -- talk about an owner who's on top of everything. He welcomes you as if you've never been away, and that's why we keep going back.

Great pizza - order the one that comes with about 7 different toppings - very tasty, very reasonably priced. A neighborhood gem, lots of families dining early, then replaced by the younger crowd dining later. Pizza so good I had it on consecutive nights!

Palermo is one of my favorite old-school Italian restaurants in L.A. Family atmosphere. Terrific chicken parmesan and lasagna. Above-average pizza. The best part: they serve complimentary miniature slices of pizza instead of bread before the meal. The downside: there's always a wait. Also, for some reason, they're closed on Tuesdays.

Tony , a Sicilian Immigrant has owned and run this place for years. All of the food is good but the deep dish pizza is the best I've had in the area.

Amazing setting first of all. Secondly the second you walk in and put your name in you get free wine. Thirdly the food is friggin legit and ridiculously delicious.

When we arrived on a Sunday evening it wasn't too busy so we were seated immediately. I love the quirky Italian decor which gives it a welcoming and cozy feel to the place. If you are into wine I am sure you will find a bottle that you like because they have two wall shelves full of wine bottles. I ordered my favorite item which is a personal size mushroom pizza. The waitress brought out small sliced samples of the pizza. The mushroom pizza was very tasty but I do not like the airy thick crust dough they use. The wait staff goes way above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The restaurant got packed when we were leaving.

This is a great place for family size Italian. Delivery is spot on and very good.

I've been enjoying Palermo's since 1982 when I worked nearby at the Studios. All these years later, it's still a joy to eat at Palermo's and see Tony (who never seems to age!) They welcome you with smiles, treat you like family, and give you huge portions of all the favorites. Their Lasagna Marinara is addictive, their Chicken Parmesan, served with a side of spaghetti is enough for three people. Their Meatball sandwich with melted provolone is legendary. And their Pizza Rosa is SO delicious, when I order out and take it all the way back home, I buy one for the guests in my car, so we can make it back without going crazy from the delicious aroma! Since I was driving a long distance, Tony graciously made a Cappuccino to go. Yum! It was creamy perfection and piping hot all the way home. Order enough and treat yourself later to the best "leftovers" you'll really enjoy. I love to cook, and I've eaten great pizza & Italian food throughout the country, but their recipes are truly special and it's like enjoying your grandma's favorite meals of yesteryear! When you're in the mood for REAL comfort food, this is L.A. at its finest. Judging from their crowds of people who sip wine & happily wait for a table on the nights they are open, we ALL LOVE Palermo's. Thanks, Tony, Bardo, and all the friendly servers for a lifetime of memories and delicious Italian food!

Good tasting food at a cheap price. Can't go wrong with that. What I especially liked are the assortment of red wines.

Walking into Palermo is like a time warp, the interior seems stuck in the 60's. I don't mean that in a negative way, necessarily, but it seems the owners may have been coasting on their success for awhile, based on our experience anyway. We waited, standing and very crowded about half an hour for a table on a Saturday night. The crowd was definitely old-school, a lot of older patrons who appeared as if they had been coming here forever. We were seated in a narrow room on the far side, which worked well as it was somewhat quieter there. The "pizza" appetizer they brought was ordinary looking, but turned out to be the best part of the meal, don't pass it by. I got the minestrone, others got the side salads. The soup was nothing special, too tomatoey I thought, too much potato and what appeared to be canned veggies (peas). I sampled the salads and thought they were also very plain. Two of us had the lasagna. My non-Italian wife makes lasagna, and I have to say hers is much better. What I got was a rather thin piece that had very little of interesting sauce (meat, mushrooms, etc.) and very little cheese of any type inside. It was covered with a meat marinara sauce that tasted as if it had been in a warming tray all day, slightly bitter and metallic. Very very disappointing. My son had a pasta in a cream sauce that I didn't try, and can't comment on, though he loves pasta and ate only about half of it. There was a very long table nearby, perhaps 20 people, who were seated when we arrived, and still hadn't gotten their entrees by the time we left. We also waited a long time for our food. Towards the end, an older man who I assume was a family patriarch came by to ask, seemingly by rote, if everything was ok. Generally I don't say much at times like this, it would have sounded like griping, and quite honestly I don't think they would know what to say if someone said "I really didn't like this meal." Nice old guy though. Moderately priced, which would be fine if the meal was good. To me, not good, and definitely overpriced. Excepting their appetizer, it looked like they hadn't put much effort into their food. Like the décor, I think their glory days might be way behind them.

Homemade pasta, wine, warm atmostphere, etc. When you step into Palermo's the staff is super welcoming and sweet. They also have an extensive wine section, so be sure to check that out as well. You can either sit inside or outside.

Palermo is an old-fashioned Italian restaurant on Vermont (not "Vermone") Avenue in the trendy Los Feliz district. MY definition, in this case, of "old fashioned" means that the food is very Americanized and not terribly good. I've tried it twice and was disappointed both times. While the calamari appetizer was exceptionally light and well-prepared, it came with only a big saucer of marinara sauce. I'd have preferred at least a choice of sauces, but no such luck. I should have stuck with that, since it's a pretty large portion. I chose as my entree, however, the Chicken Piccata, which was pretty awful. Instead of a lightly breaded cutlet in a lemon-butter and capers sauce, this was a huge oval plate of unbreaded chicken chunks (calling them "medallions" gives them too much credit), swimming in way too much lemon butter, with capers and the tiniest pieces of mushroom I've ever seen outside of a can of Campbell's soup! Not so much as a single sprig of parsley or anything else of color on the plate. Thus, the entire platter was the color of wallpaper paste. On top of this poor presentation, the side dish was spaghetti marinara---yes, the exact same marinara that came with the calamari---which simply clashes with a lemon sauce. On the plus side, our waitress was extremely friendly, although rarely present, and the free dessert was really delicious. Maybe they have a specialty that draws customers, but I have yet to discover what that is and it will be a long time before I give it a third chance. Too bad: I do like the atmosphere.

Portions huge. Great staff. Homey feel. Loved it. We ate there twice in one week. Tried several dishes, everything prepared well. Cannot wait to go back!

We ordered a takeaway and it was lovely, the portions were large so no-one went hungry! The staff are delightful and was offered a free beverage while waiting for the food to be prepared! When back we will come and eat at the restaurant next time!

The pizza looked good but we had the chicken masala - the portions were very generous...definitely could have been shared. The food was tasty...perhaps a little bit sweeter than most I have had...a little too sweet for my taste - but still delicious. And we took the extra home for later. Our friends who brought us here have been coming for years - and we definitely see the warmth that is shown to regulars at the family/neighborhood restaurant. The decor is nothing short of cliche - but who cares? We enjoyed our meal and would return if we are in this area again.

The veal in white mushroom sauce is like nothing you have ever had or will ever have. Not to mention hand made spumoni.

I was in LA last Friday, and drove by Palermo on my way to a meeting. I used to go there 30-ish years ago, when I worked in the area. Loved it then. And, it turns out, love it now. I walked in and the owner--the SAME owner all these years later, greeted me. And he actually remembered me! (Mind you, last time I was there I was in my 30s. I'm in my 50s now.) the ambience is the same, and so is the food. It was a gastronomical flashback of the highest order.

We came here and got calamari (i didnt like it because its literally like little squids with legs and all) they had a special where you buy one spaghetti get one for $1 so, we did BUT it wasnt very good...sorta like canned sauce ... thankfully we ordered a pizza too and it was AWSOME! love their crust...yes, and cops were here of course but who cares...they gotta eat too!

Great food, service and ambiance. Really enjoyable experience. Convenient valet parking, great dinner spot when on your way up to Greek theater, a great spot to take family and friends.

We were staying down the street at Hollywood Hotel and was recommended to eat here from a Trip Advisor Forum. If you enter from the back or use the restroom you will see photos of all of the famous people that have eaten here. Our waiter was very attentive and even told us how he came here from Ecuador. My kids ordered pizza that was REALLY good and my husband and I split the mannicotti. Everything was really good along with great service. If your in town make sure to check it out!

This is a fantastic Italian restaurant. You cannot go wrong with anything you order. Their sauce is simply divine!! Tony who owns this restaurant really knows how to serve up quality as well as quantity. You will leave here feeling very satisfied.

Had lunch here with my work colleagues. Atmosphere is classic old school Italian. Amazing!! I had the eggplant parmigiana and the sauce was just out of this world. I will definitely be back when I travel to LA next time.

visited this restaurant on a wednesday night and was most impressed. It's like a genuine local, homely restaurant offering excellent food. The menu was extensive and portions very large (opt for the smaller sizes of mains if you are not famished!) Service was personable and effective. Prices very reasonable indeed. The food was wholesome and very tasty. I really don't think you would be disappointed with this place if you're after classic italian food. The wine was reasonably priced too. You can see that this place is very popular (justifiably) with the locals - always a great recommendation.

The place is a good representation of Italy, for sure. I went there with my wife and son, we had good time, good wine at reasonable cost per glass (~$7/glass). My son simply loved the spaghetti, my wife had a chicken ceasar salad that was amazing but I was less enthusiastic with my gnocci al pesto due to the unbelievable amount of garlic! I even asked the waiter if he had mistaken my order and brought me a gnocci al garlic and oil. He said "no, pesto is supposed to have lots of garlic". This is the thing: yes, it is supposed to have garlic but not tons of garlic in pieces of rice grain sizes... he offered me to prepare another gnocci with less garlic. I accepted but again it was still heavy on garlic. I think his attitude and kindness were great, he tried to solve my problem. Overall, I left with a good impression.

My friends and I love Palermo. The food is fair, I often find it too greasy; but the owner loves us and treats us like family! Has a good wine selection, and you can buy California and Italian wines at the little shop in the front. The shop also sells little Italian treats such as cookies, pizzelles, and Pannetones,

I recently traveled to sicily and rome and the food i ate here was what i was hoping for when i traveled to rome and sicily! The pizza rosa was very tasty! They bring you a sample to try when you first sit. We ordered the spaghetti with italian sausage and meat sauce, the full order fed two people because it came with soup and garlic bread, which by the way was the most phenomenal bread EVER! Lightly crispy, very chewy, and very well seasoned... Perfecto! A little pricey if ordering individually but the food is just so worth it. Waitress was very nice, atmosphere was great, this is my new favorite italian place :)

My wife and I had a delicious chopped salad. Not very Italian but delicious never the less. Are nephew had a great pizza. The meat balls were really excellent. May not be the best Italian restaurant but it certainly is a do over. It is also very popular.

I have been going here for over 25 years, even before its current location (last 20+ years) in the Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. I was born in an Italian town in New Jersey and when I came to live in Los Angeles in the late 1960's, I was so dissapointed that I couldn't find good Italian Food . . . there is Italian Food, just not the kind I grew up with. But then a friend of mine, back then, introduced me to Palermo's. I know the entire Family that owns and runs it, and I know all the secrets too. if you go more that 2-3 times then Tony, the owner will remember you name (no idea how he does it). When I lived in L.A., my friends and I went EVERY Sunday for dinner. But on to the food. You can't go wrong with almost anything you order, and you can order it with special sauces that don't appear on the menu. For example if a Red Sauce is to acid for you (add a bit of sugar) then try the Pink Sauce, or for a really special treat ask for the Tony Sauce . . . and then have it "baked" (topped with cheese and put under the broiler) delish!!! Their Pizza's are top notch, and the White and Pizza Rosa are specialties, and don't forget desert, like the Tiramisu, Cannoli, or the Spummoni. Enjoy!

We've been here several times and the place never disappoints. It can be busy but the wait in line is never long. When you're here, expect to eat well. The portions are huge so don't be shy about asking for a box to take leftovers home. My favorite is the lasagna but the pizza is amazing! I could just eat the appetizer pizza bread they bring before serving the meal. It is so good with a light tomato and herb sauce and a small amount of cheese. The salads are always fresh and topped with a great Italian dressing. And the garlic bread...oh my the garlic bread!!! Everyone at the table needs to eat the garlic bread because it is so rich and full of garlic but it is so delicious. Now don't even think this is like some Olive place with heat-and-serve bread sticks. This is family-style food that is hot and flavorful. I would recommend ordering a couple entrees and sharing with the table. And if you do have room for dessert, the cannoli and tira misu are the perfect end to a great meal. I feel at home when I'm here. You will too!

I really enjoyed the atmosphere inside this restaurant. They also served Tortonis, which I rarely find in Italian restaurants nowadays. Palmero's appears to be a neighborhood favorite.

Palermo has been feeding hungry Los Felizans for decades. Tony has run this place with good service and good cheer forever. The pizza is excellent, particularly when ordered with a thin crust. The lasagna is good too. The food is heavy on the tomato sauce and the recipes remind me of the more traditional Brooklyn places back East. Drinks are of good size and there is an extensive offering of Italian wines. This is a family restaurant, fairly priced, where the cops eat too.

First, I wouldn't call it a real Italian restaurant. Just another classic American-Italian cuisine, like many others in the area: they have, for example, pizza, but it's an American-style pizza (crust, toppings, taste), not the Italian one. Second, it's too casual, I wouldn't recommend it for a romantic evening. However, it's a fine place to grab a bite in the evening and our server was really great. Portions are very big.

Nice and old restaurant with large portions of good Italian food. Don't expect for find modern dishes .....they have the old basics: spaghetti and meat balls, lasagna, etc. but everything is very good

Fantastic write from the start. Before our first bite the customer service left us in awe. Great business, delicious food, and customer service like I havent experienced in years!

There are plenty of Italian restaurants all over town. However, if you find yourself cruising around this side of town; pay TONY( owner ) and his top of the line STAFF a visit! as I say "good stuff". Good food , Good vibes. Come before or after a concert, after sightseeing around Hollywood or in need of a hip/quality spot that is located in an area of town that is not yet saturated with that touristy synthetic feel. An organic spot where world travelers and those of us locals can share a moment. I have been coming here and ordering takeout as well as eating inside for almost 20 years.

Delicious food! Portions are quite large...I shared the lasagna with an order of fried zucchini with my husband and we still had leftovers.

We were visiting LA and found this place nearby and thought we would give it a try. Boy are we glad we did! This business is no doubt a family business and everyone there is so pleasant and attentive! The great food is the icing on the cake! We loved this place and know you will too!

Went here yesterday, was fantastic the waiter was very friendly and the food was fantastic. If I would visit L.A. Again I would eat here.

This restaurant could come right out of Brooklyn in the '50's--from the checkered tablecloths, pictures of celebs covering the walls and a wonderful picture map of Sicily under the glass tabletop, to the brightly colored mural of Palermo harbor across one wall. Besides this comforting, old-fashioned decor, the food is authentic and delicious. My daughter and I each ordered pasta--wonderful sauce. Be advised: the designated "small" portion really means individual size rather than family size. Comes with a nice salad of mostly Romaine and a lot of fresh, crispy garlic bread. Fairly large wine selection and some by the glass that are not house wines. Good coffees. Friendly, helpful waitress. Pay cash for a 3% discount.

After a recommendation from our hotel, we visited Palermo's on our first night in LA. We were very impressed. The servings were huge, (maybe too huge) the wine was great and the service was impeccable. We were really looked after and all at a great price. Everything was so good, we went back 2 nights later. Cannot rate highly enough.

I had not bee here in a long time, gotta love this old school Los Feliz institution. We ordered chicken parm, fried calamari and a caprese salad...(I have had a pizza in the past and thats probably what should be ordered here)..the sauce is not season very well. the portions are huge and there was lots to take home...now having said that the food wasn't great the atmosphere was great and Bruce our server was fun and super polite.

Anytime I'm in LA I make it's a point to get by here. A terrific classic Italian menu. I love the chicken Parmesan but the pizza and lasagna are great to,did I mention the ravioli, lol ! The owner Tony is usually close by and always the consummate host and if you have to wait ( which is the norm ) there is always free wine or sometime .25 thanks to a new stupid ABC law. This is a can't miss spot, go early and often !!!

Greaseland...

There are so many better places nearby - everything was below average and lackluster. Don't waste your money here!! Do NOT order the gnocchi!!! Is was disgusting. The garlic bread was gross. One bright spot was the service. The waitress was attentive and nice. AVOID!

I’ve been coming here for over ten years, and will continue to come back as long as I am able. Great pies with wonderful finely ground sausage! The friendliest staff and owners! A real sense of family and warmth permeates this place! The lasagna, the eggplant Parmesan, and the soups are also excellent! It’s an old-school Italian paradise. Five stars!

Finally tried Palermo’s pizza for the first time this evening and it did not disappoint! It was so cheesy & delicious. I used to spend a lot of time in Los Feliz and had driven/walked by it perhaps a hundred times. I suppose better late than never, haha. I just wish they had a branch location closer to where I live in Woodland Hills. I highly recommend.

There are other restaurants that have great pizza as well, but here they know what they have and they give out small slices of their Pizzarosa as free appetizers and most new guests end up just wanting more of the same. We usually call in and pick up the pizza, but we do enjoy when we take the time to sit down and enjoy a meal there as well.

I've been there many times for pizza and it's very good. The service is good too. I need to go back soon.

Thank goodness we found this place! Staying at the Hollywood Hotel and we were wandering around looking for a restaurant. We happened upon this restaurant and so lucky we did! Just as we entered, another patron getting take-out told us we came to the right place and we agree! The portions were so large, our 3 boys couldn't finish and the pastas were very yummy. The pizza was AMAZING! We were greeted by the owner who could not have been more welcoming! The staff were incredibly nice. And let us just say, the fresh homemade cannolis were the BEST we have ever had, hands down! No wonder they have been here for over 40 years. Thank you so much for a wonderful meal and the hospitality.

I’ve never left a negative review before, and I feel bad writing this, but I thought I should warn others. My husband and I ordered this food for our date night, and it was really bad. The lasagna was inedible and had a rancid metallic taste that I can’t even describe. The garlic bread was okay at best, which was all we ate after ordering about $80 worth of food. I’ll give the benefit of the doubt that the food here is better in person, but do not order this in.

We just happened to come across this place while returning from the Griffith Observatory and are glad we did. Cute area of town with easy parking across the street. Pasta and salads were great but our favorite was the samples of the pizza rosa and the garlic bread. Our waitress was so friendly, and for being first time customers the manager sent us out some complementary tiramisu. If I lived in LA, I'd be back in a heartbeat!

My first time at Palermo Ristorante Italiano was like going to someone's home, they treated us like family! Our table wasn't big enough to accomodate everyone but they quickly wisked out another table and attached it to the first, so we could all be together. The service was attentive but not over bearing. The food was great, it reminded me of a by-gone era where old-school quality cooking was paramount. The lasagana was great and very filling! I can't wait to go back!

Been coming for years - in grade school we used to love to stop by when it was on Hillhurst a few blocks from where it is now. Tony has the rare ability to remember practically everyone's name and their personal details. After having been away for at least 10 years I stopped by to get some dinner with friends and Tony greeted me by name and asked me about my family (he recalled their names too) Feels like coming home! The food here is great, big portions and not overpriced. Yes, the restaurant gets quite crowded at times and you have to wait to be seated but it is well worth the wait. I love the Veal Scallopini in white sauce, and their cannolis are awesome!

Love this place. Great food with super atmosphere. I eat here with the family and with work colleagues. Don't miss this place. It's the best.

I lived near Palermo for over 13 years and rarely went there. Now that I'm over 30 miles away, I go there a lot. It was a gem I had failed to appreciate back in the day. The people are very nice; it feels like you're eating a good home-cooked meal in a friend's home. The food is consistently good, the fresh-baked bread is addictive, and the prices are reasonable. I particularly like the chopped salad, but I've had a little of everything, from the pizzas to the pastas to the winning lentil soup, and I've never been disappointed. They have a full bar, but I like the simple house red wine personally. And the location is a plus, also. The Los Feliz Cinemas (3 screens) and Skylight Books (one of those rare indie bookstores that still exist) are both a short block away, so one can eat and then see a film or browse in the bookstore afterward. In the entry area, bottled wine and some Italian products are sold, which is a nice touch, and there are a few tables on the Vermont Avenue side for those who want to eat outside. Parking in the Los Feliz area can be a challenge, but there is monitored valet parking behind the restaurant. In short, it is always a treat to have a meal at Palermo.

We recently had a family meal here (two sets of grandparents and a mom and dad with their 4 month old). We waited a bit for a table on a Saturday night but were eventually seated at a table that readily accommodated all. The food was good, but not spectacular. The type of stuff you would expect at an Italian family restaurant with reasonable prices. Service was efficient and friendly.

Why people go to this "Italian" restaurant, I'll never understand. I won't complain about the prices, although I should. I ordered Chicken Parmesan (they didn't have Chicken Francais - after all it's only an "Italian" restaurant. The garlic bread was bland and plain. The chicken parm was way over-salted and dry. The tomato sauce was thick, over-salted and tasted like canned tomato paste. I make far superior sauce at home using fresh tomatoes... and cutlets.. hard to top mine... and I'm a NY Jew! They gave a big table sautéed mushrooms on the house - one medium plate for over 10 people. I also had a chopped salad. How can you ruin a salad? Easy. Put on the worst "house" dressing and make sure the lettuce is iceberg-style and soaked in water. Not crunchy and delicious. Someone ordered a personal pizza. OMG. A thick glob of dough with "stuff" on it IS NOT PIZZA!! I had a sample and it was awful. Yet others in the restaurant were ordering this. They're probably from California or other non-NY places, so they have no idea how real Italian food or pizza taste. They did not put bread on the table... and it was probably a good idea. California Italian bread is like buying it from Ralphs. My meal was $22.00; the drink was an overpriced $3.50 (iced tea). It was a waste of money. Strongly suggest doing your research to find much better Italian restaurants in southern California. OH. parking. Took me half hour. Streets were loaded up, as were the few parking lots. Palermos needs to find new chefs, recipes, cooks.. and take a serious look at what they serve. For those who are from NY, it had an ambiance of Pizza and Brew. If the public thinks this is a real Italian restaurant, they must believe they can get real Mexican food at Taco Bell.

First of all, looking above, the restaurant is on Vermont Avenue. Been going there for at least 25 years....same large portions of good old fashion Italian food. I say old fashioned because the portions are large of basically pasta, pizza or chicken and veal. Don't expect for find modern dishes like in some of the trendy Italian restaurants.....they have the old basics and continue to make them well. Spaghetti and meat balls, lasagna, etc. Atmosphere fits in with the neighborhood.....cozy, murals on the walls, booths, and very traditional Italian food that you have known since the 50's. Very fair prices. Will continue to go there for years to come.

We were only in Los Angeles for 2 nights, and we ate here on both nights it was so good 👍 Fodd fab service excellent atmosphere brilliant 👏 if your ever in the area it's a must the owner Tony is so personable if I lived here I would have voted him in Julio was a fantastic guy serving a packed restaurant but still time for a friendly word

Everything was very satisfying--hospitality, service, taste--except the parking, which seems to be a problem everywhere in LA.

It is in a family setting and a good atmosphere that we were served in a hearty way. I recommend it. Great location. Very welcome.

The food is great, some of the best we had on our vacation to LA. The price is very good. The service was excellent. As soon as we walked in they treated us like family. Can't say enough good things about this place. If your in the area definitely check it out you won't be sorry.

Tony at Palermo brings Sicily to L.A. in a reasonably-priced delicious way. His pizza crust is perfect, his sauces are like you'd expect from his mama and the bar pours a great drink. I've been going there for 30+ years.

We have been coming here since 1977 when we lived nearby. We moved to NCAL in 1980, but make a point to stop here whenever we are in SoCal. We have had many things on the menu: pizza, lasagna, chicken parm, pastas, etc. If you like simple southern Italian (i.e. red sauce) cooking, you can' t beat Palermo's, especially at their prices. Did I mention that their wine is very reasonably priced? It also seems to be a favorite of the LAPD, as we always see several men in blue when dining there, so that makes me feel a little safer when dining there (not that the hipster Los Feliz location isn't safe). They even have a small parking lot with free valet parking (though you'll want to tip the guy of course).

A previous reviewer mentinoned that this place is frequented by cops. That is true because they like to eat good tasting food at fair prices and this place fits the bill. Addiitonally, the whole staff, from the owner to the busboys, make you feel welcome. The casual atmostphere alwys makes me feel like a local even though we drive in from the suburbs to eat here when we to to Hollywood or Dodger Stadium. I like the complimentary slices of Pizza Rosa. We usually buy a pizza to take home too. You'll enjoy.

You come here and you are offered a slice of pizza as appertizer. I believe MOST of the stuff you order comes with garlic bread and soup or salad. Soup is minestrone, lentil, or chicken noodle. The salad is a bag of dole salad with your choice of dressing. I'd skip on the salad. I usually get a small order of pasta and the portion is too big so I have leftovers for the next day. The service here is excellent, the waiters do really care about your experience here so kudos on that. If you use cashe there's a 3% discount which is less than a dollar, but hey it's something. Haha.

THE best deliver pizza EVER. Try the capaccollo with onions and peppers.

I went there with a local friend. An old-fashioned neighborhood Italian place with a mixed clientele. Meaning, that everybody likes it. Every table is immediately brought an appetizer of their pizza. It convinced me to order a slice, with a salad. Perfect amount of food, which left enough room for dessert, a nicely done tiramisu. There is a small bar, with bartenders who know what they are doing. The owner, Tony, is everywhere, greeting people and directing traffic. On Friday and Saturday they have a strolling accordionist who composes custom songs for guests. They're corny as all get out, but lots of fun. Tony is a generous and pleasant man. He has a nice collection of police patches on display and there are often a couple of officers enjoying meals. It can get a bit loud, but I wouldn't call it noisy. I wish they had a place like this near where I live.