The I Segreti del Chiostro patisserie is a sweet gem hidden in the middle of a monastery. The name of the patisserie “I Segreti del Chiostro” (translated as “Secrets of the Monastery”) is absolutely fitting. The patisserie is very easy to overlook, only a sign in front of the entrance to St. Catherine’s Monastery points to it. But once you are inside the building, just go up the stairs and follow the crowd of local people standing in line in front of the shop’s door. It’s definitely worth the wait, the queue moves quickly and you’ll spend only a few minutes in it.
The patisserie focuses on traditional Sicilian sweets, which are made on site. And believe me, if I could, I would want to taste everything on the menu – it’s that tempting.
The choice eventually fell on the most typical Sicilian dessert – a sweet tubes cannoli filled with ricotta. The tube is filled right in front of you, just as tradition dictates. The second dessert was St. Agatha’s breast. Each of the desserts cost 3 EUR, and you can get coffee here for a friendly 1.20 EUR.
Not only the quality and variety of products are extraordinary, but also the garden in the middle of the monastery where you can eat the pastries. Without exaggeration, I think this is one of the most beautiful places to have something sweet. The garden is large and its centerpiece is a fountain with a statue. Sitting here is not a problem.
As I mentioned earlier, the I Segreti del Chiostro patisserie is indeed a bit hidden, and only this sign in front of the entrance to the monastery invites you to visit it. Before visiting the patisserie, I recommend climbing the stairs to the roof of the monastery itself (entrance fee is already 5 EUR), offering a beautiful view of Pretoria Square and a large part of Palermo. On the way down, a stop at the patisserie is a great place to recharge.
If I had to visit only one patisserie during my next visit to Palermo, it would be this one.
Bon appetit!
More information can be obtained by clicking on the map link:
