Arà: è Sicilia
Experience authentic Sicilian street food and desserts in the heart of Florence. Arancini, cannoli, and gelato that transport you to Sicily.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Arà: è Sicilia
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Sicilian street food and desserts in the heart of Florence. Arancini, cannoli, and gelato that transport you to Sicily.
Arrive Early or Takeaway
Seating is limited; arrive early for a table or opt for takeout like the locals.
Try Diverse Arancini Flavors
Explore various arancini fillings, including classic ragu and vegetarian options.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Sicilian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+39 055 292548
Address
Via degli Alfani, 127, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Sicilian Arancini
Crispy, fried rice balls bursting with flavorful fillings like classic ragu or eggplant. A must-try street food.
Freshly Filled Cannoli
Delicate, crunchy shells filled to order with sweet ricotta cream. A taste of Sicilian tradition.
Refreshing Sicilian Granita
A refreshing icy treat, perfect for a hot Sicilian summer day. Flavors like lemon are highly recommended.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early or Takeaway
Seating is limited; arrive early for a table or opt for takeout like the locals.
Try Diverse Arancini Flavors
Explore various arancini fillings, including classic ragu and vegetarian options.
Counter or To-Go Lunch
For a swift lunch, consider dining at the counter or getting your food to go.
Sweet Ending: Cannoli & Gelato
Don't miss the cannoli, filled fresh, and the authentic Sicilian gelato. Pistachio and ricotta are standouts.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early or Takeaway
Seating is limited; arrive early for a table or opt for takeout like the locals.
Try Diverse Arancini Flavors
Explore various arancini fillings, including classic ragu and vegetarian options.
Counter or To-Go Lunch
For a swift lunch, consider dining at the counter or getting your food to go.
Sweet Ending: Cannoli & Gelato
Don't miss the cannoli, filled fresh, and the authentic Sicilian gelato. Pistachio and ricotta are standouts.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Arà: è Sicilia is celebrated for its authentic Sicilian street food, particularly its highly praised arancini and cannoli. Diners often highlight the friendly service and the genuine taste of Sicily, making it a worthwhile stop. However, a few reviews mention less positive experiences with rude staff and overpriced items, suggesting inconsistency.
"We never came to the physical store but we had the Ara e Sicilia products when we were at the Il Mercato Centrale Firenze.
I ended up ordering a Cannoli and we shared some arancini which were both fantastic.
The young lady working there was so nice as well.
Highly recommend, especially the arancini!
5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
MJG
"One of the best Arancini I had in my life till now. The young lady behind the counter was so nice and kind. My only regret was not trying their cannoli. If you are going to see the David, make a stop here and trust me you will thank me."
Koel Ganguly
"Visited this place based on online recommendations, but I’d suggest skipping it.
Surprisingly, there was no queue — which probably should’ve been a sign. The staff was rude.
I tried the arancini ball: it was cold, tasted just okay, and cost €3.90. Definitely not worth the price or the stop."
L C
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Arancini are fried rice balls with savory fillings, and cannoli are crispy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cream, both iconic Sicilian treats.
Yes, takeout is a popular option for both snacks and quick lunches, especially if seating is limited.
Arancini with ragu or eggplant, and cannoli filled fresh are highly recommended. Pistachio and ricotta gelato are also popular.
Absolutely! It's ideal for a quick lunch, snacks, or a sweet treat, with counter service and to-go options available.
The restaurant is located in Sant'Ambrogio, Florence, near popular attractions like the Synagogue and Santa Croce cathedral.
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The 22 Best Restaurants In Florence - Florence
Ara’ e’ Sicilia is a fast-casual Sicilian place in Sant’Ambrogio with a small patio on the street that’s good for lunch. You’re coming specifically for the plump arancini stuffed with meaty ragu and melted cheese, plus a cannoli or an icy lemon granita to top things off. You can use it as a spot to refuel after a tour of Florence’s Synagogue or the Santa Croce cathedral since it’s near both, but we like it best to grab some snacks for a picnic at the park just down the street or along the Arno.
A Curated Guide to Restaurants & Food in Florence, Italy (2017)
For gelato- off the bat my favorite places are Perche No’ because of their pistachio and summertime granite, Il Procopio for anything they do with Pistachio and the inventive flavors and quality of milk they source and Carabe’ or Ara e’ Sicilia near the Academia for a taste of Sicilian gelato. Gelateria de’ Neri because it is a classic, they do a ricotta & pistachio cremino I usually want to marry the owner over. La Sorbettiera is gourmet gold (best dark chocolate and salted caramel) and has a few spots around town now and not just in Piazza Tasso.
Ice-cream in Florence
Arà è Sicilia – Arà is Sicily – says the name of this place and undoubtedly you can find here a bit of Sicily, its tastes and traditions. Sicilian ice-cream, being strongly influenced by Arabic sorbets, is different than creamy and milky ice-cream from Florence. Arà offers this kind of Sicilianice-cream produced with ingredients coming the sunny island: Sicilian pistachio, mandarins and chocolate from Modica.
Budget Food Guide for Florence, Italy
Though cannolis are from Sicily, this delicacy can be found throughout Italy. Here, you can order one cannolo for 3 euros. It is stuffed in front of your eyes with fresh cream at the time of order to preserve the integrity of the crispy shell.
Restaurants in Florence | Top 39 in 2025
Chef Carmelo Pannocchietti has created a restaurant in Florence, Arà è Sicilia, that has become a staple for locals and tourists seeking authentic Sicilian street food.
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