Do you know how to find the best restaurants in Puglia? If you leave it to Google, chances are you won’t have much luck. Sure, you might find some restaurants with decent reviews, but unless you speak Italian and know the culture, you likely won’t get to the heart of the Pugliese cuisine. And that, dear Italy-goers, is where I can help when you are traveling to the heel of the boot.
That’s because the Puglian region is home to great food and much of my Italian family. You see, I first went to Puglia, not as a traditional tourist, but to visit family. My family comes from a tiny town outside of Foggia, considered one of Italy’s best regions for olives.
As I drove six hours down the Adriatic coast from Florence, past the rolling hills of Tuscany, I couldn’t believe how different Puglia looked from other regions of Italy I had visited. Forests were replaced with cacti, there were flat stretches of olive groves as far as the eye could see, and cities constructed in white stone perched above the sea.
Puglia felt like Italy but different. It was more rustic, more authentic, and even somehow more Italian. While this was many years ago, Puglia remains a paradise for me and lovers of good Italian food and hospitality, without all the crowds of Rome or Venice.
My family lives in Southern Italy, among the many local farmers who own and cultivate land around Bari. They use this land to grow their own olives, grapes, tomatoes, and more, turning their products into olive oil, wine, and pasta sauces. One of my aunts makes all the family pasta, an uncle is in charge of brining and preserving the olives, another has the oil press, and a cousin makes all the dough for the top secret family focaccia recipe. Over the years, these same family members have shown me what makes good food, what is authentic, and how to find true quality.
In my countless trips to Puglia for vacations and celebrations, I have also eaten at my fair share of trattorias and osterias. Now, I am bringing that insight to you, as these are some of the absolute best restaurants in Puglia to eat traditional cuisine. The great thing about Puglia is that there are many simple restaurants where a Michelin star is not necessary to have one of the best meals of your life.
That’s partially because Puglia, wonderfully, is one of those magical destinations in Italy where you can still fully immerse yourself in traditional Italian culture, southern charm, and cuisine, often without hoards of tourists.
Of course, in the high season, the whole country of Italy becomes a tourist mecca. But the boot of Italy has enough small towns, stretches of perfect coastline, and bustling cities to have space for everyone.
5 Best Restaurants in Puglia
You may be heading to Puglia to escape the “tourist” side of Italy or because you love Italian food and want to sample Puglia’s version of la cucina povera. In that case, I have compiled a list of 5 of the best restaurants in Puglia where you can eat the most authentic food from this region. From pastries to pasta, these are the best restaurants in Puglia to sample the best of Puglia.
These five places are a mix of restaurants, a creamery, a winery, and pastry shop so they’re unique experiences beyond your standard restaurants. I’m highlighting them because they are truly the best at what they do and take great care in preserving the heritage of traditional Pugliese food. I also happen to think these are five types of food not to miss in Puglia to get a taste of the food culture. Read on if you want to go beyond just good restaurants and to have some of the better food you’ll have in your life.
Best Restaurant In Puglia For Seafood
Puglia has almost 600 miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea. Therefore, fresh seafood is a standard part of every Pugliese’s diet. As such, numerous places along the coast offer seafood, but one of the best restaurants in Puglia for seafood is in Bari at Al Pescatore. Bari is famous for its raw seafood, “sagre,” or festivals, and this restaurant brings the festival vibe to life every day of the week.
If you’re adventurous, opt for the “antipasto misto di mare,” a massive platter of raw and cooked seafood and shellfish of every kind. This might include everything from local ricci, sea urchins, to tuna caught that day off the coast. When you’ve had your fill, walk to the fresh fish counter with your waiter to discuss which day’s catch might suit your fancy. You can also specify how you want it cooked by speaking directly to the chef. This is the best restaurant for quality seafood, so it gets busy. It’s a good idea to be early or call ahead.
Al Pescatore, Piazza Federico II di Svevia, 6/8, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Best Restaurant In Puglia For 100% local food
If you’re interested in genuinely fresh, local ingredients (known as KM0 in Italy), consider Origano and Menhir Salento winery. This vineyard, Masseria or farmhouse, and restaurant is located in Minervino di Lecce, about 35 minutes south of Lecce.
Two brothers started this restaurant concept to show off all that Puglia has to offer and it is now one of the best restaurants in Puglia for farm-to-table cuisine. Not only do they grow their own vegetables, they also expertly combine local dishes, with local primitivo wine and olive oil made on site to allow visitors to experience real Pugliese tradition.
Origano Vino e Cibo,Via Giuseppina Scarciglia, 18, 73027 Minervino di Lecce LE, Italy
Best Restaurant In Puglia For A Traditional Pastry
If you’re visiting Puglia, a must-have breakfast item is a pasticciotto. This egg or ricotta cream-filled pastry has a buttery shortcrust pastry crust and is one of the traditional dishes that defines local cuisine. Legend says it was created by Andrea Ascalone in 1745 in the small town of Galatina, when he used discarded cake ingredients to make these small “cakes.” Supposedly, he called “pasticciotto” from the word “pasticcio” or “wrong cake.”
They’ve since proven that the Scalone family didn’t come to Galatina until sometime after 1745, but the fame of the family and the first pasticciotto shop lives on. Today, you can still visit the original pastry shop and try a pasticciotto hot out of the oven. Though it is a pastry shop and not a full-fledged sit down spot, we still have it on our list of the best restaurants in Puglia. Thought pasticciotto it’s a breakfast food, nowadays, these pastries are served all day, so feel free to arrive anytime.
Pasticceria Andrea Ascalone, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 17, 73013 Galatina LE, Italy
Best Restaurant In Puglia For Orecchiette Pasta
Pasta is one of the pillars of Italian food, and following suit, Puglia is home to many famous pasta shapes. Perhaps the most renowned pasta from Puglia is orecchiette, or little ears. It’s also the pasta used in the most classic Pugliese pasta dish, orecchiette with broccoli rabe, or orecchiette con cime di rapa.
For the most authentic experience with orecchiette, head to Bari and the Strada Arco Basso. This is not one of the best restaurants in Puglia but rather a whole street. Known as “Strada delle Orecchiette,” or Via Delle Orecchiette, it is one of the most popular destinations in Bari, and with good reason. It is where Italian women make pasta right outside their homes, a tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years.
The nonne, or grandmother-like women, are friendly, often yelling out to each other in the local dialect, and are always happy to let you try your hand at making your pasta or share a recipe or two. They also sell bagged pasta for you to buy and cook at home. If cooking isn’t your thing, wander the street through the “Old Bari” and pop into a nearby trattoria or osteria with orecchiette on the menu like the classic Osteria delle Travi il Buco.
Strada delle Orecchiette, Strada Arco Basso, Bari, Italy
Best Restaurant In Puglia For Pugliese Cheese
Located just 40 minutes southwest of Bari, Baby Dicecca is a creamery and a great place to fully immerse yourself in cheese making and its history. If an organized tour is less your style, wander up to the rustic wooden kiosk and create your own Italian cheese and wine experience. Cheeses are made in-house, all in the classic Pugliese tradition. You can find everything from burrata, pecorino, and mozzarella to unique creations found only on-site.
It’s worth noting that this place is for real cheese lovers, as many cheeses are unpasteurized and heavily aged (i.e., some of them are fragrant!). Pair them with local wines under the guidance of the joyful owners Roberta and Vito, or chat with Chiara, their daughter and fellow cheese lover and cheese “heir.
Baby Dicecca Foresta Mercadante, 70020 Cassano delle Murge BA, Italy
How To Find The Best Restaurants In Puglia For Traditional Food
When you travel to Puglia, there are many different ways to taste the cuisine, from visiting a family-run restaurant to visiting a local farm. Eating at these spots will give you the best time experiencing the region’s southern charms.
However, here are a few more tips to find other equally lovely places:
Family-Run Operations: Family-owned restaurants are often passed down through generations and maintain a deep connection to local cuisine.
Seek Out Agriturismi: Look for agriturismi, farm stays serving fresh, farm-to-table meals as they often highlight regional ingredients .
Eat At The Trabucchi: Trabucchi are ancient fishing structures found along the coast of Puglia, particularly in the Gargano Peninsula. Many trabucchi have been transformed into charming seafood restaurants and they provide an immersion into the coastal heritage of Puglia.
Local Ingredients: Look for restaurants that emphasize using ingredients sourced directly from nearby local producers and farms. These establishments often highlight seasonal and traditional Puglian dishes.
Slow Food Affiliations: Restaurants that are part of the Slow Food movement or emphasize Slow Food Presidia products are likely to focus on sustainable and authentic practices, making them excellent choices for a genuine meal.
Traditional Menus: Authentic restaurants typically serve menus based on regional recipes, such as orecchiette, burrata, and dishes featuring local vegetables like fava beans. Avoid places with overly extensive menus, as they may cater more to tourists and you may up having a bad meal in Italy.
Word of Mouth: Ask locals for recommendations. They can point you toward lesser-known restaurants that might not be heavily advertised but offer genuine, high-quality dining experiences
Traditional Food To Eat In Puglia
Now that you know some of the best restaurants in Puglia for traditional cuisine, you may want to learn about the Puglia food that makes up the region’s traditional cuisine.
The fertile plains of Puglia produce abundant ingredients such as fava beans, green beans, tomatoes, and durum wheat, which form the backbone of the local diet. Olive groves and vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, yielding some of Italy’s best olive oil and wine.
One of the most beloved dishes is orecchiette, the favorite pasta of Puglia. It is shaped like little ears and often served with cime di rapa (broccoli rabe) or a hearty tomato sauce. Another iconic snack is taralli, a ring-shaped cracker flavored with fennel seeds or black pepper, perfect for pairing with local wines.
Inland, where the landscape is more rugged, horse meat is a traditional delicacy, often slow-cooked in rich stews. Vegetables like fave e cicoria (fava beans and chicory) and fagiolini (green beans) are commonly used in rustic dishes, celebrating the region’s agricultural bounty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Puglia is known for its rich culinary heritage, and there are several restaurants celebrated for their traditional Pugliese cuisine:
- Osteria Gia Sotto L'Arco in Carovigno is renowned for its innovative take on classic dishes, using fresh, local ingredients.
- Al Fornello da Ricci in Ceglie Messapica offers a rustic yet refined dining experience with dishes that highlight the agricultural bounty of the area.
- Trattoria Terra Madre in Alberobello focuses on organic and locally sourced ingredients, serving traditional recipes with a focus on health and sustainability.
When dining in Puglia, there are several iconic dishes you shouldn't miss:
- Orecchiette con cime di rapa: Ear-shaped pasta served with broccoli rabe, anchovies, and garlic.
- Fave e cicoria: A puree of fava beans served with sauteed wild chicory, a dish that epitomizes Pugliese peasant cuisine.
- Bombette: Rolled meat filled with cheese and spices, typically cooked over a wood fire, popular in the Itria Valley.
- Panzerotti: Fried or baked turnovers filled with tomato and mozzarella, a beloved street food in the region.
To ensure an authentic dining experience in Puglia, consider these tips:
- Choose local over touristy: Opt for eateries where you see more locals than tourists. These places are more likely to offer authentic dishes that are typical of the region.
- Ask for local wine pairings: Puglia produces some excellent wines, such as Primitivo and Negroamaro. Asking for local wine pairings can greatly enhance your traditional meal.
- Seek out family-run trattorias: These establishments often have a long history of serving regional cuisine and provide a warm, inviting atmosphere.
- Inquire about the source of ingredients: Many top restaurants in Puglia pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients, which contributes to the authenticity and flavor of their dishes.
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Photo Credit: Masseria by Giulio Martino; Pasta by Rebecka G. Sendroiu; Sea Urchins and Pastry by Sabino Parente; Orecchiette by Fabrizio Troiani; Trabucco by Enrico Pescantini
