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Lacto
Italian
Organic
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
A family-operated bistro in the historical center of Ortigia. The menu offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and toasted bread, craft beer and local wine. Uses organic produce. Reported fully vegetarian October 2023. Open Tue-Wed 12:00-14:30, 19:00-22:30.
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- Outdoor seating
- Reservations required
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Last update on 17 Jun 2025 by zenzero
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Added by dil89 on 03 Aug 2016
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77 Reviews
First Review by Liah
BBandT
Points +137
Vegan Sicilian Favorites - Edit
So many options, it was difficult to choose. They also had multiple gluten-free menu items.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Multiple options, Inexpensive wine
Cons: Don't be in a hurry. Service is very...relaxed.
Guest
ChromaticApparition
Points +75
Old-school and delicious - Edit
The food here is excellent. It feels homemade because it effectively is. There are just the two older owners and they do everything. Hence it can be slow, so don't go if you're in a rush. Take your time and enjoy it! The owners are friendly and happy to explain things to the extent they can in English. Most everything is veganizable; they'll give you avocado instead of dairy cheese where appropriate.
Read moreI had wild fennel pesto pasta that was incredible. (I'd just seen wild fennel growing a couple days prior in the countryside so it was quite a treat.) My partner had a birek, basically a flaky burrito-style wrap with vegetables and rice, and that was also delicious. I also had a date desert that was quite tasty.
Pros: Great quality, Very vegan friendly, Tasty
Cons: a bit slow
Guest
LauAgeless
Points +209
Fresh food - Edit
I loved the salad with orange and fennel! Also the big plate full of great veggies.. Everything was very good and prepared with care. The owners are incredible! The real Sicilian couple😄
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-12-20
Pros: Fresh food, Lots of vegan options, Great atmosphere
Guest
hermanellert
Points +34
Cozy place - Edit
Really relaxed and nice vibe. Great food also.
Read morePros: The atmosphere , The food
Guest
Pilinatha
Points +20
Hervorragende gesunde, hausgemachte Küche - Edit
Wir fühlten uns wie zu Hause im Zenzero. Das Wirtepaar ist sehr nett und kocht sizilianische Spezialitäten, alles hausgemacht und frisch zubereitet. Die Karte ist äusserst veganfreundlich, allfälliger Käse in den Gerichten wird durch Avocado ersetzt. Das Essen schmeckte hervorragend und war schön gesund, wir fühlten uns danach sehr gut. Zum Dessert hatten wir Datterinelli (Dattel-Schokolade-Pralinen) und ein Cannolo mit einer Dattelfüllung, beides sehr sehr fein. Herzlichen Dank ans Zenzero für dieses Erlebnis!
Read moreGuest
kalkwerk
Points +25
An authentic taste of Sicilian hospitality! - Edit
This restaurant is a true gem. Run by a lovely couple, you immediately feel like you've been invited into their home for a family dinner in Sicily. The atmosphere is warm, quiet, and full of charm.
Read moreThe food is incredible. We were blown away by the rich, flavorful caponata and the unique, delicious wild fennel pesto. I loved the many vegan options. The prices are fantastic for the quality and experience.
It feels wonderfully local and original, yet it's conveniently close to the city center. An unforgettable dining experience—we can't wait to return!
Guest
TheSheriff
Points +72
Cute and a bit crazy - Edit
Run by a funny old couple, very friendly and a bit chaotic, in a good way. Boho cave vibes. Not a place for a 'quick' bite, everything is made fresh to order and the two of them handle the cooking and the service, so expect to wait. I spent two hours in there, but was happy to do so. I had the platter and a connolo, the latter was okay, but the platter was top drawer.
Read moreGuest
Meli.Frrr
Points +25
Sogno veg a Ortigia! - Edit
Cibo fatto con il cuore, ingredienti freschi e di stagione! I proprietari sono gentilissimi e il locale unico. I prezzi sono più che onesti e la qualità altissima!
Read morePros: Qualità del cibo, Freschezza degli ingredienti , Servizio ottimo
Guest
leej
Points +98
Very nice - Edit
Food was very good, owners super friendly. Good prices for fresh, organic, tasty food.
Read moreThey are vegan/vegetarian but offer every dish in a vegan version. Instead of cheese they use avocado. I like it when a dish is not “veganised” by simply leaving the cheese out. A recommendation!
Guest
Nirali07
Points +54
Ok service, ok food - Edit
Cute shop for sure, run by a couple. Given that the restaurant is only run by 2-3 people expect to wait an hour for your food. They also forgot our dessert and overcharged us (for our dinner dishes) on the final bill when compared to the prices on the menu. Ravioli tasted like whole food / healthy taste (whole wheat dough) and I would not recommend if you are looking for the original taste.
Read moreGuest
samaste
Points +423
Idyllic, Authentic & Cozy Atmosphere - Edit
Amazing little spot with a truly authentic, local feel. We would highly recommend this place if you want to immerse yourself into the local Sicilian feeling. The restaurant is owned by a couple that gives you grandparent vibes with possibly their grandson as the waiter who is very friendly and helpful and speaks decent English. All the food is homemade, fresh & seasonal, and cooked essentially in front of you as the small kitchen is in the dining area.
Read moreFirstly they put some fresh Lupin Beans & some lightly salted, dried 'small chickpea' type things on the table to snack on while you wait for your food, which was a nice touch and very morish! The local Sicilian Ciaurusa Beer was extremely nice & recommended for Beer lovers!
For starter, we shared a Bruschetta, which was really tasty, the tomato on top was nicely seasoned and accompanied the toasted bread well.
For main, we had the Pumpkin Ravioli with Caper and Almond Pesto. This was really nice and homely.
For dessert, we had the Vegan Cannoli which was too hard not to gobble up in a matter of minutes. The filling was very tasty surrounded by a nice crunchy fried pastry.
Warning - when you go down the street before it is open, you might think it looks deserted and won't be open as the door has a huge padlock on it, however the restaurant opens on the opposite side of the street to this door at 7pm.
Pros: Local Atmosphere in a Quaint Building, Tasty, Homely Food, Service with Smile
Cons: Food temperature not super hot, Some of the seating a bit uncomfortable on legs
Guest
abrel
Points +31
Favorite place in Sicily - Edit
Great food and charming ambiance, the owners are very welcoming. We had a pumpkin ravioli with a caper pesto (vegan) and a ricotta ravioli with a fennel pesto (vegetarian), along with a fava bean dish.
Read moreBest ravioli I’ve had
Pros: Cozy, Homemade, Inviting
Guest
MichelePiemonte
Points +27
A place you didn’t know you wanted - Edit
Just as it says in the description. Family operated, genuine, cozy and warm. Real food, real people and super friendly atmosphere for a meal you won’t forget easily. We loved our experience here and if we’re ever back to these shores we’ll surely be back. We’re just thankful that places like this exist!
Read morePros: People, Food, Atmosphere
Cons: Nope, Nope, Nope
Guest
JuliaRunova
Points +24
Like to visit your Italian grandparents - Edit
Absolutely lovely couple with amazing food. Cosy restaurant with homemade food. I mean they cook Infront of you. We will definitely come back
Read morePros: Lovely warm atmosphere , Authentic food, Good prices
Guest
JoséPacheco
Points +111
Best place in Sicília / Lovable family restaurant - Edit
It's a homemade restaurant owned by a sweet old couple. The food it's awesome, the place is very nice and cozy. It's slow food made by the owner. If you like to be spoiled by waitress, this is not your place. If you want to feel love and eat somewhere where people love and respect Vegans, this is your place. You will not regret
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-01-02
Pros: Food, The owner, The restaurant
Guest
Rebecca25
Points +178
Go go go - best pasta ever - Edit
There are a few low reviews on here so wanted to give a view from someone who loved it.
Read moreThe entire menu can be made vegan. They have an option for everything to be vegan if you ask. They have a sign (in english) that asks you to tell them if they are vegan and all allergens are clearly marked on the menu. Yes, their English isn’t amazing but tbh you’re in Italy so I think expecting someone to speak your language is a bit ignorant. They managed to communicate perfectly with me in English in any case.
This is run by two people (partners I think). They are characters and it’s an experience but they were never rude and we thought they were lovely and so so funny. We ordered ricotta ravioli (veggie for my husband) and pumpkin pasta (vegan for me). We also got the bruschetta which was lush.
The pumpkin pasta was INSANE. Some of the best pasta I’ve ever had - and my husband is Italian so we have very high standards! I’d go back for this pasta alone.
The food does take a long time - but it still literally written everywhere. They couldn’t make this clearer so it didn’t bother us.
Go for the experience, the incredible food and a chance to relax and forget about the time. It’s worth it.
Pros: Pumpkin pasta was AMAZING , Funny owners - a real experience , Cute, cosy homemade place
Guest
jessicabrunetti
Points +47
Pessimo - Edit
La signora è scortese, i piatti arrivano dopo parecchio tempo (il minore dei problemi), per i vegani ha solo verdure nel menù (no proteine vegetali) e i prezzi sono molto elevati per quello che offrono.
Read moreL'unico pro è che le verdure sono di qualità, ma la scortesia, la maleducazione e la scelta dei piatti non mi farebbe più tornare, oltre che sconsigliarlo vivamente.
P.S.
70 euro in due persone per delle bruschette, un piatto di pasta, della verdura e un cannolo in due.
Updated from previous review on 2024-09-07
Cons: Scortesia, Maleducazione , No proteine vegetali
Guest
kahola
Points +16
Don’t bother - Edit
I wouldn’t bother.
Read moreI ordered bruschetta, ravioli, and vegan cannoli. The ravioli and cannoli never arrived after I had been at the venue for 2 hours. The two workers constantly argued so loudly that it was audible to me and other patrons who sat outside in the street. After I was served the bruschetta I wasn’t checked on once so I assumed that this meant the ravioli was on the way. I eventually went up and asked about it and the woman became agitated and said that she didn’t know I wanted the ravioli or cannoli and said it wasn’t written on her docket… she insisted on me waiting 10 minutes while she quickly prepared it. But I felt like this experience was a waste of my time in Syracuse so I insisted on leaving. I would rather support other businesses who treat their customers with more kindness, attentiveness and respect!
JoséPacheco
Hahahaah stop being a spoiled baby. Its a family restaurant, you should understand better where you are. It all happened probably you were no respectful to them
Read morekahola
No need to be rude! I was kind and patient with them
Read moreGuest
giuterzus
Points +20
Very good - Edit
The restaurant is really nice and typical, the food is really nice, especially the vegan cannolo, which is not easy to find.
Read moreGuest
lostemma
Points +50
Highly recommended - Edit
Creative, delicious dishes. Also nice, super fresh drinks.
Read moreFully vegetarian, lot's of vegan food and most dishes have a vegan option as well.
Nice, cozy atmosphere and the owners are super kind.
Guest
Nikkia_
Points +152
Simple, home cooked food - Edit
Simple home cooked food that is tasty, not full of flavour and slightly on the pricier side for what you get. It was nice to have a healthier meal whilst on holiday. Th restaurant and couple certainly are eccentric, but a good laugh. Be prepped for a wait whilst they make your food fresh (two of them only) and enjoy a slower evening.
Read morePros: Healthy, Tasty, Relaxed
Guest
gameday93
Points +13
Amazing food and atmosphere - Edit
Lovely service and food. Many options for languages for menus and everything we had was amazing.
Read moreGuest
chrisward2244
Points +32
Lovely place - Edit
This place has a terrific atmosphere and really great food. Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
fifo130
Points +144
🤪 - Edit
Lol this place is crazy af, but we loved it. It's a (really quite) old couple who runs it. Very Italian, hard to communicate or order food with them.. They just keep repeating the vegetables they have and how fresh everything is. So we just looked to each other like wtf and ordered whatever we understood. The food was a bomb tho!! Slowly cooked, Italian, homey and healthy meals. I'd recommend to sit inside as close to the counter, there you can see them preparing everything. Looking at the guy cutting an apple for a salad so deliberately, joyfully and leisurely is an experience on it's own.
Read morePros: Made me think a lot about life , and death
Cons: wish I could speak Italian
agd3000
Love this, might go later as we've just arrived in town!
Read moreGuest
Laughinggnome
Points +44
Unique place! - Edit
Bijou place. The couple are very interesting. The only place I’ve been where it takes 15 minutes to tel me they’ve run out of what I ordered! There were only 4 others there. Very expensive salad. Bought desert in a gelatoria because they’d run out of vegan desserts! A funny experience shared with another couple there!
Read moreGuest
antonio1
Points +67
Fresh and healthy - Edit
I've eaten lunch in this little restaurant in Ortigia on one occasion in September. Both the vegetable soup and the rice dish were well cooked and tasty. The owners were very friendly and willing to explain the ingredients of each dish and how it will be cooked. I particularly liked the fact that they use primarily wholegrain cereals for their pasta and rice dishes. So emphasis is placed on the healthiness of the meal. I would highly recommend this restaurant and wish I had the chance to go back to try more of their dishes.
Read morePros: Quality ingredients (fresh and local), Wholegrain cereals, Staff is friendly and prepared
Guest
Mknof
Points +25
Worth the Wait - Edit
Everything is vegetarian or vegan. The owners are willing to explain things and you watch as they cook the food in front of you. Because of that, it's a bit of a wait, but the food was incredible. I had vegan food and my friend had vegetarian and both were incredible
Read morePros: Good vegan and vegetarian food, Cute atmosphere , Nice owners
Cons: Long wait time
Guest
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