Puglian restaurants in Puglia
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A
La Locanda di Federico
An elegant restaurant in the corner of Piazza Mercantile. Its pseudo-medieval décor - colourful canvases of crusading knights - is tasteful and the service is impeccable. The focus is on simple seasonal dishes, including risotto with potatoes and mussels, horsemeat in a tomato ragu, as well as fresh fish.
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La Ripa
Near the Chianca Amara, this family-run restaurant in a converted stable has lots of character - and plenty of half-melted candles that would do a goth proud. The meat and vegetables are home-grown and organic (as is the podolico cheese). For a pasta mouthful try the foglie d'ulivo con gamberi, rucola, ricotta e julienne di zucchini (olive-leaf shaped pasta with prawns, zucchini and rocket).
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C
Terranima
Peep through the lace curtains into the cool interior of this rustic trattoria. Worn flagstone floors and period furnishings make you feel like you're dining in someone's front room. The menu features earthy offerings like capocollo (thin slices of lard), potatoes and cardoncelli mushrooms, and sporcamusi (lemon custard in filo pastry).
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Al Focolare da Emilio
An unobtrusive restaurant which attracts a crowd of lunching families and local bigwigs. The décor is plain, but the food is something to shout about, especially the homemade pasta dishes. When ordering pasta it's best to order the same dish as it's all cooked on the spot and can take some time. The tagliatelle with mussels is their signature dish.
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E
Alberosole
Dine alongside bankers in Brioni suits at this elegant restaurant. The contemporary menu is complemented by a traditional dining room, complete with old stone floor and cathedral ceiling. The linguine con gamberi di Gallipoli, pesto di fave fresche e zenzero (linguine with prawns, fava bean pesto and ginger) comes recommended. Reserve ahead.
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F
Alle due Corti
For a taste of sunny Salentina, check out this no-frills, fiercely traditional restaurant. The seasonal menu is classic Pugliese, written in a dialect that even some Italians struggle with. Go for the real deal with a dish of tajeddha (layered potatoes, rice and mussels) or ciceri e tria (crisply fried pasta with chickpeas).
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Scoglio delle Sirene
With tables out on the ramparts overlooking Purita beach, this restaurant couldn't get much closer to the sea if it tried. The kitchen is devoted to all things marine: mussels with gorgonzola, macaroni with prawns and mint, and great big lobsters that you have to do battle with. The word is, if you can't afford La Puritate, come here instead.
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H
Al Cantinone
Run by a charming Italian-Spanish couple who have a passion for cooking; the food is exceptional and exquisitely presented. Try the asparagus risotto or penne with fave beans, potatoes and pecorino cheese. Out of the approximate 100 restaurants in town, this is one of the 15 or so that stays open all year – hooray!
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I
Al Dragone
Colourful palaeolithic pieces from local artist, Circiello add a distinctly stone-age touch to this intimate cave restaurant. The chef uses local seasonal products with an innovative twist. A recommended dish is orecchiette con cime di rape e acciughe rosse washed down with a bottle of Puglian wine.
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J
Al Duomo
Tucked away in a narrow alley in the heart of the old town, this restaurant has a cosy cave interior and outdoor seating under a shady arbour. Home-made pastas with seafood sauces feature prominently. Try the cavatelli con ceci polipetti e rughetta (pasta with chickpeas, octopus and rocket).
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La Taverna di Giò Peppe Macchia
Of all the restaurants in the historic centre, Peppe Macchia stands out for its style and originality. Traditional favourites like the seafood antipasti are combined with original recipes mixing fish and vegetables. Try the signature dish, the tagliolini with swordfish and rucola pesto.
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L
Pelikano
Opening directly onto Vieste's main beach, this restaurant is beach-chic at its best. Cane chairs, wooden tables and palm trees on the beachfront gives a Polynesian feel but the cuisine is typical Pugliese with fresh seafood and homemade pasta dishes. Also has an extensive pizza menu.
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M
Osteria La Banchina
Packed amid a host of other restaurant hopefuls overlooking the port, La Banchina is a cut above the competition with a shaded outdoor eating area in the shadow of the Ognissanti church. Fresh fish is the order of the day - grilled, baked in a salt crust or fried in a light batter.
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N
PerBacco
Ring the bell to enter this intimate dining room, where romancing couples murmur over their PerBacco gnocchi (with a tomato and cream of aubergine sauce and rucola) and bell-sized glasses of wine. Other treats included the codfish and slices of fillet in a sweet balsamic vinegar.
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O
La Puritate
A great place for fish in the old town of Gallipoli with picture windows and sea views. Follow the excellent antipasti with delicious primi (first courses) such as seafood spaghetti, then see what’s been caught that day – the swordfish is usually a good bet.
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P
Borgo Antico
Probably the most pricey place in Lecce, Borgo Antico is a tiny restaurant, again specialising in fish. Dine in refined rusticity on Gallipoli-inspired dishes such as maccheroncino with prawns and clams or potato gnocchi with shrimps.
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Q
Box 19
You might feel like a fish in a tank dining in a box on the street but Box 19 is renowned for its excellent seafood. Tuck into a plate of linguine all'astice (linguine with lobster) while the crowds surge around you.
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Blu Notte
Highly recommended by locals, this place is famed for its spectacular antipasti and wonderful seafood. It’s a relaxed, pretty place, just by Porta San Biaggio at the edge of the bar district, with outside tables.
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Osteria delle Travi
This rustic old town osteria has great traditional cooking, with a splendid antipasti buffet as well as delicious pasta containing all things fishy and lots of fried delicacies. Book ahead at weekends.
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T
Guido & Figli
A big cavernous restaurant with well priced food and few pretensions. The self-service buffet with its large choice of antipasti is what everyone comes for although you can order off the menu or have pizza.
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Il Rifugio della Buona Stella
A self-consciously rustic restaurant, decked out in gingham. It's friendly and popular and the simple local cooking is tasty, with dishes such as mushroom lasagne and lemon and pine nut pastries.
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U
Vecchia Vieste
A cosy stone-vaulted interior equals a cosy setting for dining on reliably good local dishes like orecchiette, cozze e rucula (‘little ears’ pasta with mussels and rocket).
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Pane, Olio e Fantasia
If you're all fished out try the very good Pane, Olio e Fantasia. It can look very empty but that's no reflection on the food, it just shows how fish-mad this town is.
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W
Gusto
Gusto has great views over the Villa Comunale.
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