Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Read More110 Cavalli Mozzarellabar
While the name highlights their excellent mozzarella and tapas, 110 Cavalli is also perfect for an after-dinner drink. Stop by this cozy spot, which is just outside Cisternino, for lively music, great views and an expertly crafted cocktail.
Read MoreAnticalama
With an ivy-covered masseria, beautiful courtyard and interior lined with candles, this charming restaurant is a lovely place for dinner. The white-painted wooden tables are covered with beige linen runners and pots of herbs, dried Italian peppers and cacti, which...
Courtesy Veronica GarraRead MoreBros
Opened in 2015, this highbrow dining establishment serves modern renditions of Italian classics to Lecce’s elite–think gnocchi made out of white fava beans and linguine with pistachio cream. Reservations recommended.
Read MoreDa Tuccino
This restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists alike thanks to its vast seafood selection and setting overlooking the Adriatic.
Read MoreDoppiozero
The al fresco Doppiozero is one of the best places in Lecce for a casual lunch or dinner. The hip, delicatessen-style restaurant serves Italian fare in a dining room that is defined by long, communal tables, overflowing baskets of fresh bread...
Read MoreGelateria Caruso
Known as the best gelateria in Puglia, the popular Caruso is located in the main square in Monopoli. The shop offers around 20 gelato flavors and cones that can be lined with hot white chocolate, milk chocolate or caramel before the...
Read MoreIl Cortiletto
Upon settling in at a table at Il Cortiletto, a server will ask you three simple questions: Do you want antipasti? Do you want pasta? Do you want meat? Patrons who answer yes are given a list of three to...
Read MoreIl Tempo Nuovo
Chef Tommaso Sanguedolce serves delicious regional dishes at this restored 16th-century castle restaurant at Castello di Ugento; the Puglia Culinary Centre is also located here and teaches Culinary Institute of America students (and hotel guests) the art of cucina povera.
Read MoreLe Zie
Italian for “the aunts,” Le Zie is run by a duo of doting local women, who make guests feel at home in their small dining room. Diners should let their server guide them, as apart from favorites like the homemade...
Read MoreNatale
This gelateria and pasticceria is a must-visit for its gelato, granita (Italian flavored ice) and pasticcini di mandorle, (small almond cookies characteristic of the region).
Read MoreOsteria Briganti
Located in the old town of Gallipoli, this authentic Italian trattoria serves up traditional Pugliese food with a focus on seafood. Don’t let the red-and-white checkered tablecloths dissuade you from eating here – the food is delicious. Take your waiter’s...
Read MoreOsteria del Porto
Perched overlooking the Salvelletri harbor, this seafood restaurant is a favorite with locals as well as visitors, who come for the uber-fresh carpaccio and seared tuna. The al fresco terrace is perfect for a midday break or a candlelit evening.
Read MoreOsteria del Tempo Perso
Located in the so-called “White Town” of Ostuni, Osteria has been a classic on the Apulian dining scene since opening in 1983. The dynamic eatery features two dining rooms: one is carved into a 16th-century cave, while the second is...
Read MoreOsteria di Chichibio
This classic Italian spot serves some of the best seafood in the region. With vaulted ceilings and dim lighting, the romantic restaurant is ideal for enjoying one of the biodynamic wines on offer, paired with a whole-baked fish or the...
Read MorePescheria 2 Mari
Located right in the center of the tiny town of Savelletri di Fasano, Pescheria 2 Mari has a sleek, contemporary design that poses a striking yet beautiful contrast to the historic church and ocean port that surround it. The family-owned and -operated restaurant is currently run...
Read MorePiazza Palmieri
This restaurant serves up a delicious, seafood-focused menu. If the weather is good, request a table on the patio, which is shaded by umbrellas. Be sure to try the lobster pacchieri, a type of pasta shaped like large tubes that is...
Read MorePremiato Caffé Venezia
Set on the main square in Monopoli, this is the oldest café in town and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Premiato also serves delicious cocktails, making it a fun pre- or post-dinner celebration.
Read MoreQuanto Basta
For expertly crafted cocktails, this Lecce hot spot is the place to go. The lively bar draws a wide range of clientele, including both old and young locals as well as visitors. The charming location in the historic city center...
Read MoreRistorante La Tavernetta
Tucked at the end of a winding alley in Martina Franca, the charming Tavernetta conjures rustic Italian living in its cozy, convivial dining room. Often filled with locals, the neighborhood spot serves delicious antipasti in small ceramic dishes that makes...
Read MoreRistorante Trullo D’Oro
Set in a trulli house (a typical Apulian hut), Trullo is known for serving heaping portions of traditional antipasti and pastas. The slightly off-the-beaten path spot is perfect for a low-key meal.
Read MoreZio Pietro Il Fornello
This no-frills, down and dirty butchery is known for its excellent bombettes, an Apulian specialty of succulent grilled meat and cheese that cannot be beat. Enjoy your meal with a glass of the house wine for a truly authentic experience.
