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 Mon-Sun 12:00-14:30, 19:00-00:00.
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- Outdoor seating
- Reservations required
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Last update on 07 Oct 2023 by MackDaddy
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Added by dil89 on 03 Aug 2016
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62 Reviews
First Review by Liah
fabienroche
Points +1521
Great place hosted by adorable people. - Edit
We ended up here after exhausting all vegan options that were closed and couldn't have been happier. The owners were the most attentive and adorable couple and made all efforts to accommodate our diet.
Read moreThey can veganise all dishes upon request.
I definitely recommend this place for a quiet peaceful moment and the freshest local ingredients.
Guest
Jakub
Points +70
Lovely place with lovely owners - Edit
This place is really small but i it's really pretty and has a great vibe. The owners are very sweet, I ordered caponata (I had no idea what it was) and i didn't like it but not because it wasn't prepared well, there were just multiple things I don't like. The owners were so sorry that i didn't like it and they didn't even let me pay for it. I only had a coffee and didn't try something else but I felt very welcomed at this place and I will try it again the next time I will be in Siracusa for sure.
Read moreGuest
Cam
Points +2089
In Ortigia - Edit
Good choice when visiting Ortigia. Small restaurant with a changing menu and some staples. Food was fresh and tasty
Read morePros: Location
Cons: Few tables
Guest
Karanpatel
Points +16
Terrible - Edit
cibo terribile e servizio scortese. il cibo era insipido e freddo.
Read moreTerrible service. Food was bland and cold. Avoid. Overpriced and worst service we have ever had
Guest
ElisaCretti
Points +360
Pietanze fresche siciliane - Edit
Locale molto "alla mano", coppia di proprietari tipica siciliana, offre piatti vegetariani e pochi vegani. Su consiglio della proprietaria abbiamo provato un "tagliere" di verdure locali molto buono, che però abbiamo trovato piuttosto caro (20€). Comunque consigliato se volete cibo di buona qualità.
Read moreGuest
AmericanPhil
Points +238
Such a cute little gem that I stumbled upon while walking around. - Edit
Wandering the streets I walked into the alley and found this place. It was insanely hot and we were about to faint and we were immediately brought a fan. Everyone was so kind and authentic. The dishes are a vegan and veg version of traditional Sicilian dishes. I love trying local food rather than an americanized version of something from america(burgers, etc). Go here if you wanna try local dishes.
Read morePros: great service, cute ambiance, lots of options
Cons: serves cheese, no AC, it’s called ginger but has no ginger shots/drinks
Guest
MarcelTornow
Points +42
Hidden gem of the beaten track - Edit
Little hidden gem! We found Zenzero by coincidence and are more than happy we did.
Read moreIt’s a small family-run Italian restaurant with heaps of vegetarian and some vegan options. The raviolis are a must, handmade and extremely delicious!
For us, the portions were a little small, so keep that in mind! (:
The owners are really kind and, even with the language barrier, got everything right!
Definitely recommended!
Pros: Heaps of vegetarian option , Vegan alternatives
Cons: Small portions
Guest
remremm
Points +15
Authentic sicilian cuisine - Edit
Excellent sicilian slow food that will feed your body and soul. The staff was very nice and attentive, explaining everything on the menu in detail and offering vegan specials of the day. They even offer to veganise typical sicilian fish dishes. A charming family restaurant that pays attention to local and seasonal ingredients.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, great atmosphere, Great value, excellent quality, fresh ingredients
Guest
Andypandyhungry
Points +27
Wonderful ricotta pasta with wild finocchio! - Edit
Sweet staff, delicious organic produce.
Read moreThe ravioli with ricotta, wild fennel sauce and sprinkled with "dried fruits" were special.
Pros: The ravioli
Guest
katejfb
Points +13
Freshly cooked, tasty food - Edit
Great selection of tasty, fresh, mostly vegetarian food. Good choice for vegans too. The salads are delicious; I can recommend the avocado salad. Friendly staff & welcoming to children too.
Read moreGuest
NathalieLeBorgne
Points +56
Un havre de paix - Edit
Un accueil très sympathique avec en plus la jeune fille de la maison qui sait parler un très bon français et s’est assurée que nous ayons bien des plats vegan. C’était délicieux!
Read morePros: Quasiment tout peut être vegan à la demande, Cuisine faite en direct avec des légumes frais, Délicieuse pâtes à base de blé sicilien
Guest
vegannomad2
Points +2431
Check for hours - Edit
Closed during the day before dinner. In a very small narrow pedestrian street
Read moreGuest
aliceperkes
Points +13
Great family-run restaurant & local produce - Edit
We really enjoyed our lunch at Zenzero. We ordered the ravioli with pistachio pesto, avocado salad, and burika - all dishes were incredibly fresh and delicious. Staff were really friendly and great at recommending what dishes to try, also is nice to know you are supporting a family-run restaurant as well. Would definitely return for another meal !
Read morePros: Tasty food , friendly service , good array of menu items
Guest
mezzzy
Points +331
All vegetarian with vegan options - Edit
Interesting menu with different items in addition to traditional dishes. I got a brown rice and vegetable dish and my family got the vegetarian ricotta ravioli. We all loved it. Tiny, quirky restaurant with the kitchen located within the dining area.
Read moreGuest
Anais1992
Points +83
Cute little restaurant - Edit
Cutest little restaurant with an amazing host. We shared the vegetarian platter which can easily be made vegan. We felt home at that place immediately!
Read moreGuest
kimsidaway
Points +99
Lots of Personality and Delicious Food - Edit
We went here for lunch around 2.45pm, by which time many restaurants are closed in between lunch and dinner so was pleased to find it open. We were unsure what to order but the waitress helped us pick a delicious rice dish with olives and avocado's. We felt very welcomed to this family run establishment and watched as our food was cooked fresh. Look out for the colourful sign (see photos) for directions down a narrow passageway as the Happy Cow (? Google Maps) directions don't show that you need to turn off the main street.
Read morePros: Very friendly service
Cons: Difficult to find according to directions
Guest
jodyfishy
Points +17
Magical and delicious! - Edit
Served by Luna Lovegood herself (from Harry Potter), in her own home! Had an amazing vegan salad with mangos and pistachios and my girlfriend had a personalized homemade pasta dish with ricotta and tomato sauce. They were very good about her nut allergy. Would give 5 stars if possible... a couple dishes had anchioves. Average price for Ortigia (10 euro for main course). Highly recommended!
Read morePros: Mostly vegan and veggie options
Cons: Not easy to find, so find it!
Guest
olivebridge
Points +67
Delicious - Edit
Best food we have eaten in Sicily so far. The ladies were great and helpful. Language barriers do not matter they helped us pick three vegan items to share we are going to go back ASAP. I’d rather give my money to a delicious family run establishment than a soulless one. This had character and SOUL really delicious nothing we had seen before and great wine
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, No meat as far as we could see?, Cosy cheap and delicious
Cons: None
Guest
Salvidor
Points +18
Deliziosa scoperta - Edit
Abbiamo cenato in questo delizioso locale con la mia compagna. La signora Cettina e il marito Vincenzo ci hanno guidato nel loro mondo pieno di attenzione e cura per i particolari. Cibo squisito e atmosfera accogliente hanno completato una serata da ripetere quando torneremo a Siracusa.
Read moreGuest
finkirene
Points +11
Small vegetarian restaurant - Edit
A very friendly family run restaurant. The food was tasty and wholesome. The service was fast and the waitress helped us with our selection. The decor was charming and interesting to look at.
Read morePros: Very reasoable, Many options as to vegetables in meal
Guest
erikjo
Points +13
Cooking with heart - Edit
I stayed for two months in Syracusa and went to Zenzero at least once a week.
Read moreZenzero, which means Ginger, is a special place to me. The restaurant is cosy and feels like a living room. The couple who run the place and the waitress are friendly, welcoming and know a lot about Sicilian food.
Communication was sometimes a bit difficult, because of the language barrier, but with a translating app, gestures and a lot of goodwill we managed just fine.
The food is fresh and tasty. I wouldn't call it cheap, but I think it's a good price for the fresh, local ingredients which are prepared one meter away from your table. And if you're lucky you might get some special treats in between the dishes.
I recommend everyone staying in Syracusa to check it out at least once.
Grazie mille, Zenzero. I'm sorry I couln't say goodbye.
Saluti,
lo scrittoro olandese :)
PS. I want to give 5 stars, but I can't somehow. I guess because HappyCow thinks it serves meat, but I don't think they did.
Pros: excellent food, friendly staff, nice atmosphere
Guest
JonJon
Points +20579
Expensive, slow and small portions but cosy place - Edit
Zenzero was originally 100% vegetarian with many vegan options but they now have anchovies on the menu. The place is small and cosy in the centre of Ortigia, the young waitress is friendly. However, for the rest, the place clearly needs improvements. We were the only customers and we were served very slowly after 45 min of wait for one salad and one pasta dish. The pasta dish was disappointing and hard to finish (quite no sauce, very dry), the salad was good but very small for the price (12 euros). The menu is not very clear and you finally have few vegan choices. Besides, this evening, the cook (an old lady) was not very friendly, specially with the waitress. On the whole, we payed 12 euros for something very simple and quite small. Disappointing! Better go to MOON!
Read morePros: many vegan options, cosy place, friendly waitress
Cons: expensive, slow service, small portions, average food, not 100% veggie place, unfriendly cook
Guest
Ben.
Points +51
Great food and lovely service - Edit
Small vegetarian restaurant with plenty of vegan options (most dishes are vegan or can be modified for vegans).
Read moreThe place is small and cozy, with a really nice atmosphere. It is family owned and operated by a lovely and really friendly couple. The kitchen is in the same room as the tables, so you can see how they cook.
Apart from the regular menu, they also offer a variety of specials made from whatever veggies are in season.
Food was great and made with love.
Pros: Plenty of vegan options, Healthy and minimally processed ingredients , Great food and lovely staff
Guest
theexternvoid
Points +459
Good Service - Edit
Food is tasty and healthy, minimally processed / unprocessed foods. It's part of Italy's slow food movement.
Read moreI tried a pasta made with Sicilian grains. Its flavor was unlike any pastas I've had in the US. It also had the option of 4 or 5 different pestos, again unlike what you see in the US. For example, arugula pesto (or rocket pesto for you Brits). Or a pesto made with capers.
I also tried an amaro liquor. Very unusual (and good) flavor. Hints of black pepper spiciness under a subtle but pleasant bitterness.
What made them really stand out was shortly after I walked out, a monsoon hit and flooded the street. I was soaked as though I jumped into the Mediterranean fully clothed. I ran back and asked if I could stay until the rain settled down. Not only did they say yes, they gave me towels to dry off, then found a blow drier and they dried my hair and shirt with it. Full service!
Pros: Healthy, Unique flavors
Guest
Zhenli
Points +83
cooked with love - Edit
This is an ideal place for those looking for good quality local food. Family owned cafe, many vegan options. They use locally seasonal organic vegetables. Be sure to try artisanal wholegrain pasta -made by local farmers.
Read morePros: English menu, kids friendly (lots of toys)
Guest
MaaikeDerKinderen
Points +15
Great evening! - Edit
This is what we where hoping to find in Sicily, great in season food and dispose language barrier super friendly service!
Read morePros: Great food, In season produce, Friendly family restaurant
Guest
SalvoLaRosa
Points +97
A homely place with lots of warmth and flavour - Edit
Zenzero is a lovely vegetarian restaurants with some good vegan options available. The space is homely and the family that runs it are wonderfully friendly and warm. I went there with 3 omnivore friends who finally agreed to come to a veggie place after initially been quite fixed on the idea of having to have meat or fish everyday, they were happy with the food. I am vegan and I had a pesto bruschetta and an AllegriadiSicilia, a dish with amaranth, avocado, dried fruits, nuts and veggies which was delicious. Most dishes can be made vegan if you ask.
Read morePros: Lots of local flavour and charm, The owners personality , The food is delicious
Cons: Maybe a little pricey for portion size, Menu could be easier to understand for vegans, Would like to see more entirely vegan dishes
Guest
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