In Bagheria, among some of the most beautiful villas of the Sicilian Baroque, a traditional Sicilian restaurant born from the dream of Giacomo Galbo and chef Francesco Fricano to give new life to the nineteenth-century Villa Scaduto.

Bagheria, a neighborhood of Palermo, also known as “the City of Villas” for the many wonderful baroque residences that can be visited, is the heart and soul of the Kàlamo restaurant.

The project was born from the dream of two friends from the neighborhood: Giacomo Galbo and Francesco Fricano who studied aerospace engineering and then dedicated himself to his passion for good food and the most authentic Sicilian flavors with experience at the famous starred restaurant I Pupi in Bagheria.

Oil, wheat, wine and ground, for millennia. It is this ancestral philosophy that inspires our work every day.

With the idea of ​​reviving Giacomo’s family villa, the 19th-century Villa Scaduto, and making it a landmark in the neighborhood, in 2021 they opened Kàlamo, a name chosen from the Greek that means “marsh reeds” and which represents a tribute to the ancient sugar cane crops typical of Sicily also widespread in Bagheria.

The wonderful interior design of Kàlamo was strongly inspired by the bond with the territory. The architect Massimiliano Masellis and the interior designer Marta Marasà have, in fact, created a suggestive aerial scenography that recalls a wheat field.

1511 wooden strips decorate the ceiling of the ancient stables of the Villa, drawing signs of plowing of a land that envelop the guests in the beautiful room with volumes, color palettes, and materials treated by local artisans, while in the summer you can book in the two dehors set up in front of the restaurant.

Giacomo and Francesco have developed a friendship with many suppliers, born from lifelong relationships like those who work in the nearby seaside village of Aspra and its small port, where every morning fishing boats arrive loaded with local fish.

The beauty of the Sicilian landscape “enters” into every dish that comes out of the open kitchen with a menu with delicious and perfectly orchestrated combinations. From the toasted Panbrioche with butter, goat cheese mousse, purple shrimp tartare, orange teriyaki sauce among the appetizers, to the Fusilloni, raw amberjack, sea urchin emulsion, toasted bread with squid ink, but also the typical dishes of the Sicilian tradition such as the Cannelloni of fresh pasta “alla Norma” or the Catch of the day with chickpea hummus and labneh.

In the kitchen Francesco Fricano is helped by chef Salvatore Bonanno and everything is homemade, from the pasta to the delicious bread with ancient Sicilian grains. In the dining room Giacomo and the maître Alessio Giammarresi know how to pamper guests by recommending tastings and special itineraries, even vegetarian.

Giacomo, a wine enthusiast, has selected about 100 labels to pair with the dishes, where each bottle is also available by the glass to enjoy various tastings in total freedom.

The desserts prepared by pastry chef Alessia Fastampa are extraordinary, such as the iconic La Pera, a Pear Bavarese with Tuma Persa, a cheese produced by Caseificio Passalacqua, and honey with chili pepper.

Kàlamo is the perfect stop to discover the famous Villas of Bagheria, among the most beautiful of Sicilian Baroque art.

A few meters away you can visit Villa Cattolica which since 1973, following the legacy of his most significant works, has hosted the masterpieces of Renato Guttuso donated by the master to his hometown.

In addition to Guttuso’s production, the Museum also houses works by 20th-century artists such as, among others, Mario Bardi, Mario Schifano, Cagli, Onofrio Tomaselli, Silvestre Cuffaro, Domenico Quattrociocchi, Pina Calì, Vincenzo Gennaro and Giuseppe Pellitteri, Mimmo Pintacuda, Giuseppe Tornatore and Arrigo Musti.

Also nearby, you can also visit Villa Palagonia, built in 1715 at the behest of Don Ferdinando Gravina and Crujllas, IV Prince of Palagonia, which, already in the 18th century, visited by illustrious travellers, was defined as the “most original place that exists in the world and famous throughout Europe”.

The Secret

The restaurant hall was the warehouse of the 19th century villa where they used to meet as kids in the neighborhood.

Useful Info

Kàlamo
Corso Baldassarre Scaduto 11
90011 Bagheria, Palermo
Tel. +39 091 8432875

Starters: from 12 euro
First courses: from 16 euro
Second courses: from 14 euro
Tasting menus: from 35 euro for 4 courses, wine pairing 30 euro