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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
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 +347
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 +21015
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 +537
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 +87
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 +116
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
sarah.esmith
Points +16
Great vegan and vegetarian food - Edit
Ordered the bruschetta which was delicious and my non vegan family really enjoyed the special which was ravioli but my sister commented that it could have done with more seasoning. Apart from that, everyone was very happy with their meals. Overall, a lovely restaurant with very friendly staff.
Read moreGuest
lauragangemi
Points +70
Cosy vegetarian restaurant - Edit
This is a real cosy place with a nice atmosphere. The menu is mostly vegetarian but for almost all the dishes with cheese, there is written that it can be substituted with avocado to make it vegan. I had a nice salad with mango and avocado, however it was quite small for the € 12 I paid for it.
Read morePros: Vegan-friendly, Proper salads (instead of only side-salads)
Cons: Quite expensive
Guest
Dinahmike
Points +33
Wonderful bistrot - Edit
What a wonderful place. Easy to find on a side street and a delightful welcome from the owners. One speaks excellent english but practising your Italian makes it more fun. Extensive menu (though does include anchovies) but the ideal option is to be told the best ingredients in the kitchen and have these put together to suit you as long as they are not rushed off their feet. For instance I chose ravioli with spinach and a pistachio pesto, partner had artichoke. Any combo of the suggestions would have been possible and equally delicious. Do not miss a chance to visit.
Read morePros: the freshest of ingredients, super friendly atmosphere, wonderful value
Cons: none
Guest
buessa
Points +11
Una allegra e gustosa cena in un posticino molto carino - Edit
entrando nel locale si respira subito un'aria positiva e simpatica, accoglienza perfetta, cibo molto buono con molte alternative e possibilità di modificare i piatti in base ai propri gusti e alle proprie preferenze - vegano, vegetariano - e soprattutto tantissima fantasia nel mettere insieme gli ingredienti con risultati davvero gustosi, e ancora più piacevole il riferimento alla cucina tradizionale siciliana. Il dolce all'avocado poi è spettacolare. Il vino non mi è molto piaciuto, la prossima volta magari lo sceglieremo con più cura. Ci torneremo sicuramente, spero presto.
Read moreGuest
Elena_fp
Points +18
Cozy vegetarian restaurant - Edit
Very nice little restaurant with friendly owners and great food. It's vegetarian, but they have enough vegan options and they are happy to give information about any dish. It's worth going if you are in Siracusa :)
Read moreGuest
JonathanP
Points +402
Great little family-owned place - Edit
Very welcome and accommodating little place, a welcome relief from the glitzy or ostentially 'authentic' places to eat in Syracuse. The family-owned vibe is strong, and the womb-like niche of restaurant a unique expression of the owner's eclectic tastes. They completely understand vegan cooking, with simple meals and a great, very different dessert in the boreke.
Read morePros: Warm, welcoming atmosphere, Earthy home cooking
Guest
Lampky
Points +1810
Delicious family run restaurant - Edit
An excellent family run restaurant. The food was really good. We had the brushetta. Salads brukkah. And grilled veggies. All excellent fresh good quality. I highly recommend this place
Read morePros: lots of vegan options
Guest
Liah
Points +59
Lovely Home cooked Vegan Food ! - Edit
Our first night in Ortigia, we found ourselves drawn to this quirky little place, that has great vegan choices. We were made very welcome by two friendly ladies, who couldn't speak much english, and we had no italian. The menu can be veganised easily by taking out the cheese, or in one item there was anchovies.Everything was made fresh as we ordered it, we had a feast of different things off the menu, such as potato cakes, a mango and avocado salad, a 'brike' or buriki which was like a wrap, little spicy fried potatoes .I would definitely recommend this place, they were so friendly and kind, it was like being invited to a meal in someones house ( we were the only people there on a Tuesday night) This was a great place to go for our first night in Ortigia, a bit eccentric but really charming, and great food, go there and see for yourself !
Read morePros: Friendly Service, Menu can be easily veganised, Lovely Quirky Decor
Guest
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