I Pupi

The story

I Pupi: Michelin-Starred Sicilian Contemporary Cuisine in Bagheria

Chef Tony Lo Coco and the Birth of I Pupi

Tony Lo Coco’s passion for cooking began early. As a child, he couldn’t be kept away from the stove, and family celebrations saw him creating endless sauces and dishes. That vocation grew into a professional career, strengthened by meeting his wife Laura, who comes from a family of famous pastry chefs and rotisserie cooks in Bagheria. After formative experiences at “Don Gino” and the opening of “Cozzo dei Ciauli” – first a restaurant then a high-level catering business – Lo Coco undertook extensive training, visiting great chefs across Italy. In 2009, he and Laura realized their dream: I Pupi, their own design restaurant where they could cook for guests as if welcoming friends into their home.

A New Home in Villa Palagonia

I Pupi has recently moved into the lower levels of historic Villa Palagonia, at number 11 Vicolo Cavallotti in Bagheria. The new space gives more room to the restaurant’s signature cuisine, blending contemporary techniques with deep Sicilian roots. The original location now houses Osteria TuMa, a more convivial expression of the same culinary spirit.

The Michelin-Starred Experience

I Pupi holds a Michelin star, recognized for high-quality cooking that respects tradition while embracing innovation. The menu offers several tasting paths: Essenza (5 courses, €100), Identità (7 courses, €120), Inaspettato (7 courses, €120), and La Nostra Storia (10 courses, €160). Each path showcases Chef Lo Coco’s contemporary Sicilian cuisine, with optional wine pairings ranging from 5 to 10 glasses, including a Luxury selection.

Highlights from the Menu

Dishes change with the seasons, but the menu reveals the kitchen’s precision and imagination. Antipasti include a “Cappuccino di funghi e tartufo” (mushroom and truffle cappuccino), “Riccio nel suo fondale marino” (sea urchin in its natural environment with potato foam and Tumminia crumble), and “La Sicilia nel piatto” – an arancina with meat sauce, saffron rice cream, pulled Nebrodi black pork, and creamy peas. Primi feature “Anelletti al forno ai frutti di mare” (baked anelletti with seafood and Saint Peter fish eggs) and “Cannellone con ragù di coniglio” (cannellone with rabbit ragù, scampi bisque, crispy artichokes). Secondi include “Il maialino alla brace con crema di broccoli viola” (charcoal-grilled suckling pig with purple broccoli cream) and “Ricciola alla carbonella” (charcoal-grilled amberjack with mantis shrimp sauce, almond milk, olive powder). Desserts finish with classics like cassata and chocolate soufflé.

Atmosphere and Philosophy

The restaurant is a personal project for Tony and Laura Lo Coco – a place where guests are treated as friends. The setting in Villa Palagonia is elegant yet welcoming, with outdoor seating available. I Pupi is open for dinner Tuesday through Friday, lunch and dinner Saturday, and lunch only on Sunday (closed Monday). The kitchen’s contemporary Sicilian cuisine, recognized with a Michelin star, makes I Pupi a destination for those seeking refined flavors rooted in the island’s traditions.