Palermo Restaurant Italian Cucina

Palermo Restaurant Italian Cucina

310 H St, Modesto, CA 95351, United States

+1 209-521-5000

Italian restaurant
(449)
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About This Place

Located in the heart of downtown Modesto, Palermo Restaurant Italian Cucina is a true gem for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance enhanced by soft oldies playing in the background instantly sets a welcoming and nostalgic tone, perfectly complementing the rich flavors served up in every dish.

The dining experience begins on a high note with their signature freshly baked, slightly crunchy warm bread accompanied by a fragrant olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip—a simple yet unforgettable start that many patrons, like Mila Love, rave about. This thoughtful touch signals the genuine care Palermo puts into every detail of your meal.

Palermo’s menu is a treasure trove of Italian classics infused with fresh, bold flavors. The Meat Lasagna boasts layers of rich, savory sauce and perfectly melted cheese, a comforting embrace for the palate. Seafood enthusiasts will delight in the hearty Cioppino Soup and the crisp, flavorful Calamari Frite. For those who crave a crispy, golden crust with delicious fillings, the Pesto Chicken Calzone is irresistibly generous in portion, an item customers often find delightfully filling.

Pasta lovers have a divine selection as well—creamy and decadent ravioli options like the Pesto Ravioli, Cheese and Spinach Ravioli with Mushrooms and Alfredo Sauce, and the distinctively rich Protabella Mushroom Ravioli showcase expert craftsmanship and fresh ingredients. The Vegetarian Three Meat Blend Mix Sauce offers a unique twist, providing robust flavor that satisfies even the most discerning diners. For a touch of indulgence, the classic Italian desserts like the velvety Tiramisu and crisp Cannoli leave a lasting impression.

Palermo also thoughtfully caters to families with a dedicated kids’ menu featuring comforting favorites like Spaghetti & Meatballs with homemade marinara, savory Chicken Strips & Fries, and mini pizzas, all made to please younger appetites without sacrificing flavor. The portions here are generous, ensuring everyone leaves satisfied, a sentiment shared by Sir Diggeti who appreciated the attentive service and portion sizes.

Salad options are thoughtfully crafted to provide fresh, vibrant flavors—such as the Warm Spinach & Prawns Salad with garlic, sundried tomatoes, and feta, or the nutty, sweet combination found in the Spinach Salad with honey mustard dressing and walnuts. These perfectly balance the hearty main dishes and add a fresh brightness to your meal.

Customers frequently highlight the exceptional hospitality, with servers who are not just attentive but sincerely friendly and knowledgeable, elevating the dining experience beyond just the food. John Sudderman notes that while Palermo may appear unassuming from the outside, the warmth of the staff and excellence of the food make it a destination worth discovering. The little wait involved is a testament to the freshness and quality of every ingredient, especially the breads and calzones baked to perfection in-house.

Whether you’re indulging in the robust Carnivore Pizza loaded with pepperoni, salami, prosciutto, and sausage, or savoring the delicate flavors of their Crab Cake with Lemon Sauce, Palermo Restaurant Italian Cucina delivers an authentic taste of Italy with welcoming charm. Every visit feels like a special occasion where the food, atmosphere, and service come together harmoniously.

If you’re craving a genuine Italian culinary experience in Modesto that combines heartfelt hospitality with classic flavors crafted to perfection, Palermo Restaurant is an unmissable destination. From the first bite of their crispy garlic bread to the last spoonful of creamy crème brûlée, you’ll find yourself eagerly planning your next visit.

Service options
Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Great coffee Great wine list Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Small plates Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Quiet
Crowd
Family friendly Groups Locals
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday
    Closed
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    04:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    04:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Mila Love
    3 week ago

    I liked that they had oldies playing softly. Made for a nice atmosphere. Waitress was friendly, answered all our questions and made some great suggestions. They serve warm slightly crunchy great tasting bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I enjoyed every dish that was ordered. I’ll definitely be back if only for the warm bread.

  • Sir Diggeti
    4 week ago

    The food was excellent. I forgot how big the calzones were and was only able to finish 1/2 of it. The server was nice and remembered a few faces from our large group. Small restaurant in downtown. Never would’ve known it existed had it not been for my sisters. If you ask, they can make a kids size plate of pasta.

  • Anna
    1 month ago

    Food is DELICIOUS. When we sat down soft bread was served prior to the meal, which was really good. They have a wide range of wine selection too. Would go back soon. Love everything about it.

  • John Sudderman
    3 month ago

    This place is well worth a visit! The staff are friendly and helpful. The food is excellent and served fresh. Expect to wait a bit while they prepare your food because they are freshly baking items like bread, calzones, etc. They serve freshly backed bread and provide oil and balsamic vinegar while you wait. The portions are generous and the flavors are rich! This place doesn't look like much from the outside, but you will definitely find the food to be far beyond the outside appearance. While the bars on the windows can attest to this place maybe being in a slightly rough area of town, we went during the day and didn't really see anyone loitering on the streets. I did ding the place a little for Atmosphere because of the appearance of the neighborhood in general, being a bit run down, the outside of the restaurant not looking like a nice restaurant (bars on the windows don't help), the inside not having booths, and the decor and ambience not quite hitting the marks. That being said, it is a restaurant and the food is completely worth the visit. Try it yourself and you'll know!

  • Jail Cop
    3 month ago

    Great food, servers. I had the seafood linguine, clam chowder and the wife had the chicken pesto calazone. It was huge and she liked it. We sat down and the server brought fresh hot bread with oil/balsamic to dip. Will definitely go again.

  • kli Tapia
    3 month ago

    Great place great food good portion for price great people

  • Katherine Dice
    4 month ago

    Pleasant place,more of a traditional family eatery. beer and wine selections. Outdoor seating available. Not many vegan options. Fresh bread, olive oil/vinegar(delish) while you wait. We had a meatball and spinach Calzone- although we found no spinach in it, it was still good. And an antipasto salad. Both were large portions.

  • Danielle Marty
    4 month ago

    So good! Huge portions. Everyone was happy with their dinner and we have enough for lunch tomorrow too. Some dishes are really garlicky.

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