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-Sun 12:00-14:30, 19:00-00:00.
62 Reviews
First Review by Liah
Rebecca25
Points +162
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 +41
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!
Guest
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 +24
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
Susa7
Points +44
Lecker, originell und ungewöhnlich ! - Edit
Die beiden Besitzer machen alles mit sehr viel Liebe. Es wird frisch zubereitet, dauert daher vielleicht etwas länger, aber es lohnt sich! Ungewöhnliche Kombinationen die sehr gut geschmeckt haben. Absolut empfehlenswert für Menschen die Wert auf gute, gesunde, frisch zubereitete, vegane Küche legen! Die veganen Cannoli sind ein Gedicht !
Read morePros: Viele vegane Speisen auch vegetarische , Sehr guter Geschmack, Leckere Salate
Cons: Keine
Guest
gulda
Points +18
Wegańskie odkrycie w Syrakuzach - Edit
Prawdziwa perła w morzu turystycznych, podobnych do siebie, lokali w mieście. Nigdzie w Syrakuzach nie ma takiej domowej, rodzinnej atmosfery, dzięki której świetne, proste i bezpretensjonalne tradycyjne potrawy, oparte wyłącznie na lokalnych produktach, smakują podwójnie dobrze. Trzeba koniecznie zostawić miejsce na niezwykłe, jedyne w mieście wegańskie cannelloni.
Read morePros: Lokalne produkty , Miła obsługa, znająca angielski , Tradycyjne sycylijskie smaki
Guest
GiuliaLentini
Points +37
Opzioni vegan e buonissime - Edit
Ci siamo fermati per una merenda e i proprietari sono molto gentili.
Read moreAbbiamo mangiato vegamisu e cannolo siciliano vegano
Consiglio!
Guest
burburbur
Points +17
great little place - Edit
Good food and drink, nice little place tucked away in one the streets. Book ahead using e.g. Google chat.
Read moreGuest
markprwyatt
Points +102
Quaint little restaurant - Edit
The food was amazing and the owners were very helpful listing the ingredients used. They also sang whilst cooking for us which was great!
Read morePros: Amazing flavours, Friendly staff
Guest
g_m
Points +101
Unique experience - Edit
A unique experience. This humble restaurant is an authentic gem in an ocean of touristy places. The owners, an amusing couple, are the real treat of the place. Be patient with them, and you'll be rewarded with great local food and a good bit of entertainment. Fair prices. Mostly vegan.
Read moreGuest
annscally
Points +79
Fresh full of vegan generosity - Edit
What a delightful piece of Ortigia, not far from the bridge. Bruschetta was delicious, the zuppa, a well of flavour, goodness and deep sea green and a salad crafted with perfect balance from autumn produce. We highly recommend this small restaurant, not only for it’s food but also the family who make and serve it with such pride, high standard for freshness and locally secured ingredients.
Read morePros: Seasonal fresh ingredients , Knowledge of the alchemy of cooking, Complex yet pure
annscally
I meant 5 stars!
Read moreGuest
AlexKalopsia
Points +672
Great food in a beautiful small place - Edit
The couple running the place is really cute and welcoming. They don't have AC but they placed tons of fans everywhere (even, by request) under our table.
Read moreThey have a fixed menu but also offer many daily options (both vegan and vegetarian).
They also have a great vegan tiramisu.
Pros: Vegan options were great , Lovely people running the place, Gorgeous indoors
Guest
FrancescaTintori
Points +51
Piatti veg tipici, ottimo servizio, locale autentico - Edit
Esordisco dicendo che e' stata veramente una bella esperienza.
Read moreSiamo stati attratti dal fatto che la maggior parte dei piatti sono vegetariani o vegani/veganizzabili.
Nell'attesa ci hanno portato dei ceci croccanti e dei lupini: idea originale e molto apprezzata. Ho poi ordinato una bruschetta con pesto di pistacchi, rucola e avocado (nella versione originale c'e' il caciocavallo) e due contorni: "bobbia" (tipico mix di verdure locale, servito tiepido) e tenerumi con pomodori secchi. Le verdure erano proprio buone e saporite, specialmente i tenerumi.
Il mio ragazzo ha provato ravioli con ricotta fresca che erano davvero eccezionali.
Come dolce abbiamo provato i "datterinelli" - dolcetti crudisti con cioccolato di Modica, datteri e frutta secca (spero di non star dimenticando alcun ingrediente...). Buonissimi!
Cameriera gentilissima che ci ha spiegato nel dettaglio i vari piatti, arredamento molto tipico - sembra di fare un salto nel tempo. Siamo stati seduti in uno dei due tavoli all'esterno ma l'interno e' veramente molto accogliente. Da' proprio la sensazione di ristorazione di una volta, a km 0 e "slow food". Prezzi onesti per la cura e la qualita' dei piatti. Consigliatissimo.
Pros: Accoglienza e servizio, Ottima materia prima, Ricette originali
Cons: Location non molto visibile
Guest
Ebsveg
Points +2398
Lovely dinner experience - Edit
I had such an enjoyable time at zenzero, the owners were extremely friendly and it seemed like a very authentic experience (felt like we were at nonnas house). The food was very nice and they could easily make all the things we ordered vegan, and were happy to put cheese on the side for our omni relatives. The pasta was quite different then some i have had, and would recommend adding a bit of salt to it. We really enjoyed the rice dish with Avocado on top and the differnt types of bruschetta.
Read moreGuest
LucaCiaccariniMavilla
Points +19
Buonissimo e caratteristico - Edit
Il ristorante nel cuore di Ortigia è un eccezionale esempio di cordialità e specialità siciliane. Accogliente, sia per il posto che per i proprietari, e buonissimo di sapori locali.
Read moreGuest
AnnikaKögel
Points +78
Schrulliges Restaurant mit vielen veganen Optionen - Edit
Sehr kleines Restaurant mit vielen kleinen Details zum entdecken. Bietet sehr viele vegane Optionen. Die Portionen sind eher klein.
Read moreWir hatten Pasta mit Pistazienpesto und Caponata und eine leckere creme und eine Art Crepe als Nachtisch
Guest
Peter Kalmstrom
Points +110
Not recommended - Edit
False marketing, not even vegetarian.
Read moreLots of fish options. Honors the local fish killers.
Cons: False marketing, neither vegan nor vegetarian , Honors the local fish killers, Fish, honey and cheese
Peter Kalmstrom
Of course - thank you :-)
Read moreGuest
lotti1234
Points +46
Very Great Carbonata - Edit
Wie had a lovely Dinner at Zenzero!
Read morePros: Viele Vegane Optionen, Bio, Regional
Guest
ChristinaWölfchen
Points +488
Families paradise - Edit
My family and me had a lovely lunch here. For the kids it’s paradise, so much to explore and play. The food was nice and the couple who runs the restuis super friendly.
Read moreGuest
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