Matera
'To the Ovens!' is the cry of this stylish ristorante in Matera's new town, noted in particular for its seafood. Clear perspex chairs and stiff white…
Must-see restaurants in Southern Italy
Minori
The old sage of Minori restaurants has been around as long as the Fiat Cinquecento and is arguably just as good. Sit on the terrace underneath a canopy of…
Bari
Excellent service and a quiet and shaded interior garden make Piccinni 28 a good option for lunch or dinner. Pizzas feature innovative toppings, dishes…
Stromboli
West of town on the main road to Piscità, this wine bar–cafe dishes up small but delicious portions of homemade lentil soup, pasta and local fish,…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Stone walls, beamed ceilings, tile floors and delightful smoky aromas contribute to the rustic atmosphere at this cosy pizzeria-trattoria. Along with wood…
Matera
This elegant cave restaurant makes atmospheric use of its rock-hewn interior as the setting for great traditional Lucanian (Basilicatan) cuisine. Local…
Cilento Coast
Set opposite the charming town beach, epicure favourite Perbacco offers an expertly curated wine list and unconventional takes on local seafood…
Noto
Costanzo is justifiably famous for its gelati, torrone (nougat), dolci di mandorla (almond sweets) and cassata (with ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit)…
Ionian Coast
Right by the harbour, this polished stalwart is where locals come for quality fish and seafood, tucking into tried-and-tested dishes like tuna tartare,…
Central Sicily
For many locals, Saturday night means a meal at La Piazzetta. That might mean a pizza and beer or something more substantial such as fresh pasta with…
Salina
Homemade pasta and fresh-caught fish predominate on the menus posted daily outside this cheerful yellow house, tucked just back from Via Risorgimento,…
Calabria
In Rotonda, this is a winner, with wonderful local meat and seasonal woodland products such as truffles, mushrooms and even nettles (in a dish of ravioli)…
Matera
Delightful Basilicatan food is de rigeur at this friendly, family-run restaurant. Seasonal produce such as peas, artichokes and cimi di rape (turnip tops)…
Calabria
Da Annibale offers local seafood served in a wisteria-draped outdoor area. Swordfish, tuna carpaccio, stuffed pumpkin flowers and handmade pasta dishes…
Ischia
With bamboo furniture, surrounding greenery and wonderful views of the Castello Aragonese, this makes for a fantastically romantic sunset dinner spot. It…
Lecce
This sweet courtyard restaurant is dependably one of Lecce's better eating options. There are pizzas, but why would you, when the seafood's so good? Try…
Tyrrhenian Coast
La Fornace's rather sterile dining room won't win any design awards, but its impressive array of mountain specialties – Nebrodi pork, porcini mushrooms,…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Located in the grain stores of the castle, this Slow Food–acclaimed eatery has a panoramic terrace for summer dining and is renowned for its assured…
Ristorante Aglio, Olio & Pomodoro
Ischia
Garlic, olive oil and tomatoes are the base for a lot of simply executed dishes at this warmly welcoming trattoria serving local dishes such as rabbit,…
Reggio Calabria
Offering a long wine list and locally caught seafood such as pesce spada (swordfish), this restaurant looks like a sophisticated version of a fisherman’s…
Matera
This old-school pasticceria, established in 1946, is all gleaming glass, polished tiles and gaudy, delectable cakes. Buy a paper bag of delights to take…
Sorrento
The postmodern decor – imaginative lighting, exposed steel pipes and jujube-coloured seating – is a far cry from that of Sorrento’s traditional trattorias…
Matera
In Sasso Barisano, this lofty and convivial cavern is styled as a Neapolitan pizzeria. It has a great, cheery atmosphere with excellent, substantial…
Capri
On the path up to Villa Jovis, this trattoria-cum-pizzeria often grabs wilting tourists for a post-sightseeing meal. It's a relaxed, down-to-earth place…
Procida
A portside fish restaurant that'll get you started with some stuffed anchovies, before heading on to linguine pesce spada e melanzane (linguine with…
Mediterranean Coast
In contrast to the scruffy portside streets, La Lampara is a modish, contemporary restaurant serving a modern, creative fish menu. Highly recommended is…
Catania
If people-watching and devilish dolci (sweets) give you a thrill, nab a table at this old-school cafe. Wedged in between Piazza dell'Università and Piazza…
Cefalù
For over three decades, this small, family-run restaurant just off Corso Ruggero has been serving up a flavourful mix of antipasti, seasonally driven…
Alberobello
Although tourists have discovered this place, located to the side of a little Doric temple, it has maintained the high standards established back in 1958…
Salina
This family-run place in Pollara, with a sprawling outdoor terrace, specialises in old-fashioned Sicilian home-cooking, including several vegetarian…
Cosenza
Beloved of the locals, this unpretentious trattoria is one of Cosenza's best. Simple, robust dishes such as fagioli con cozze (beans with mussels),…
Ravello
One in a quartet of refined cafes lined up al fresco in Ravello's Piazza Duomo, Calce supposedly serves the best coffee. You'll have to seek out its far…
Agrigento
This eatery, resembling a Wild West ranch, is the perfect place to enjoy wood-fired pizza on the summer terrace while gazing out over the temples. You…
Basilicata
On the main coastal highway in the village of Cersuta (about 5km north of Maratea), the flower-bedecked Da Cesare is worth seeking out for its simple,…
Vieste
Al Cantinone is a convivial, welcoming place set in a deep, vaulted room. Pugliese classics are rendered with aplomb, and there are more unusual dishes …
Stromboli
A Stromboli institution, the panoramic terrace of this all-purpose cafe-gelateria-pizzeria is busy throughout the day as islanders come for their morning…
Syracuse
It's not just the location off Piazza del Duomo that's the attraction – the house-made gelato is pretty good, too. It's all preservative free and made…
Caserta
Located an easy 250m east of the Reggia di Caserta is this popular local cafe. Great coffee aside, the counters heave with freshly made panini (sandwiches…
Cosenza
Traditional Calabrian cuisine, such as cavatelli con cozze e fagioli (pasta with mussels and beans) and grigliata mista di carne (mixed grilled meats), is…
Cefalù
Tucked away in the marina (called Porto Turistico) east of the historic centre, this is a favourite among locals for its first-rate seafood, pizzas and…
