On Via Garibaldi, among the narrow streets of Palermo’s historic center, POT Cucina & Bottega is the restaurant run by sisters Michela and Isabella Lareddola, who decided to turn their passion for cooking into an ethical, responsible business deeply rooted in their community.
We were probably born inside a restaurant
says Michela.
Their story begins in Sferracavallo, where their aunt ran a seafood restaurant. As little girls, they took their first steps in the world of cooking there—watching the rituals of the trade, breathing in an atmosphere of warmth, hospitality, and dedication to work.
After university, Michela launched one of the first food blogs in Sicily, and what had started as a game soon became a life choice.
She then trained at Gambero Rosso in Rome, gained experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, and eventually felt the desire to return to Palermo to create something authentic that truly reflected who she was. That’s how, in 2017, POT was born: a place where cooking means experimentation, but also memory and a deep connection with the city.
The name “POT,” Michela explains, is simple, international, and full of meaning: in English it means “cooking pot,” while in French it recalls the convivial pot-au-feu, a traditional farmhouse dish of beef, potatoes, and vegetables. The word itself suggests the idea of a container, of mixing, of encounter—all the things the restaurant stands for.
At POT, the cuisine is a constant dialogue between local tradition and global influences: from sardines reinterpreted in a modern way to dishes inspired by Asian flavors. The menu changes frequently—not only to respect the seasons but also to avoid repetition and keep curiosity alive.
The customer eats and leaves, but we live inside this space,” Michela says. “We need new stimuli.
Recently, the restaurant joined the Addiopizzo network, openly declaring its refusal of all forms of extortion and intimidation.
It was something we’d wanted to do for a long time,” Michela explains, “and the opportunity came when we met some Addiopizzo representatives through Davide Grassi, the son of Libero Grassi.
For Michela and Isabella, joining the network is more than just a symbolic act. Running a business in the historic center of Palermo also means dealing with vandalism and territorial markings that make it even more important to reaffirm the values of legality and civil coexistence.
Despite this, Michela emphasizes how a real sense of solidarity has grown among local shop owners and residents:
“We help each other out; we all know one another. They even asked us to help provide meals for the Magione school canteen. There’s a community here that works, that wants to grow.”
Sitting down at one of POT’s tables means enjoying creative, honest food—but also taking part in a collective project: one that promotes an economy based on respect, freedom, and the dignity of those who work.
