Trattoria le Zie - Cucina Casareccia
Lecce
Where better to eat cucina casareccia (home cooking) than a place that feels like a private home, with patterned cement floor tiles, paper-strewn desk and…
Must-see restaurants in Puglia, Basilicata & Calabria
Matera
Easily Matera's most spectacular wine bar and restaurant, enoteca dai tosi's subterranean space enlivened with shimmering green glass is a top place to…
Brindisi
Named after the Rabelaisian giant Pantagruel, this trattoria three blocks from the waterfront serves excellent fish and grilled meats. Expect fresh…
Polignano a Mare
Huddled against the eponymous 'Old Walls' of Polignano, this delightful little restaurant features a vaulted cave-like interior with lanterns and bells…
Alberobello
Vegetarians will be pleased here, as vegetables step timidly out of the contorni shadow, into the primi limelight. Alongside the swordfish, shrimp and…
Alberobello
The cheerily cluttered interior of this excellent trattoria is papered with photos of smiley diners, obviously put in the best mood by dishes like…
Matera
Pasta is highly recommended at this popular sassi osteria, perhaps cavatellini ceci e vongole (little hand-made pasta curls with chickpeas and clams) or…
Calabria
For a taste of traditional Calabrian cooking, modest, welcoming Ristorante a Squella makes for a great lunchtime stop. It serves reliably good dishes,…
Matera
While al Casale's secondi are uniformly meaty, this osteria does offer more vegetarian options than most. Antipasti such as sformatino (a 'mis-shapen'…
Matera
With a sleekly decorated bar and dining areas and a menu that goes beyond Basilicatan classics, 'The Good Cat' is another feather in the cap of Matera's…
Matera
Basilicata's rugged, flavourful produce stars in this upmarket, split-level cave restaurant in Sasso Barisano. Try local specialities you may not find…
Calabria
Soak up the atmosphere at this lovely little restaurant, where blue lampshades, a Blue Note soundtrack and glimpses of the blue Tyrrhenian set the mood…
Lecce
Rosalba de Carlo, a noted repository of Salento gustatory wisdom, is the presiding authority in this authentic-as-it gets Pugliese kitchen. 'The Two…
Calabria
This family-owned restaurant just off Pizzo's main square has a stylish outdoor deck, the ideal spot to enjoy local seafood like spada (swordfish), prawn…
Martina Franca
A friendly delicatessen and cafe showcasing Slow Food ingredients from around the Valle d’Itria, Cibando is a good place to try the area's renowned smoked…
Trani
This compact and happening spot soundtracked by classic soul music combines good-value gourmet salads and panini sandwiches with a thoughtful selection of…
Cosenza
Just off Cosenza's pedestrian-friendly shopping street La Locanda is a centrally-located and versatile spot that's a favourite with local families. Pasta,…
Matera
Dedalo's motto sensi sommersi (submerged senses) will either hint at pretension, or indicate the lengths this classy fine diner goes to to wow its…
Martina Franca
Formerly a more casual osteria, this restaurant in Martina Franca's centro storico has been relaunched with a fine dining focus and an improved wine list…
Matera
Baccanti is as classy as a cave can be. The design is simple glamour against the low arches of the cavern; the dishes – perhaps ash-baked potato with…
Ostuni
This compact osteria serves up great food in a setting that manages to keep it classy, despite a kitsch chandelier and muzak soundtrack competing with…
Cosenza
This venerable cafe behind the duomo has been run by the same family since 1803 when the founder arrived from Naples and began baking gooey cakes and…
Calabria
Follow signs from Mormanno’s church to this humble but much-lauded eatery. The menu stars the region’s highly prized lentils, which accompany local…
Valle d’Itria
In a narrow side street off Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, this well-regarded trattoria serves robust Itrian fare such as pork cheek in a primitivo reduction…
Gallipoli
Book ahead to ensure your table at the place for fish in this seafood-loving town. Follow the practically obligatory seafood antipasti with delicious…
Lecce
You'll eat handsomely at the in-house restaurant of the Patria Palace Hotel, right in the heart of old Lecce. The food is Puglian, mainly elevated…
Matera
'The Deck' marries views over Sasso Barisano with traditional Lucanian food and a 17th-century cellar carved into the rock. Adventurous gourmets might go…
Basilicata
Don’t miss this authentic Lucano restaurant in Castelmezzano, which serves excellent regional cuisine based on seasonal local ingredients. It also offers…
Trani
Renowned for its seafood, swish La Darsena is housed in a waterfront palazzo. Outside tables overlook the port while inside, photos of old Puglia cover…
Bari
Peep through the lace curtains into the cool interior of this rustic trattoria, where worn flagstone floors and period furnishings make you feel like you…
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…
Matera
This welcoming little cave restaurant is a great bet for Materan classics and spanking fresh seafood. Try the tuna tagliata, stuffed mussels or…
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…
Matera
This elegant cave restaurant makes atmospheric use of its rock-hewn interior as the setting for great traditional Lucanian (Basilicatan) cuisine. Local…
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
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)…
Calabria
Da Annibale offers local seafood served in a wisteria-draped outdoor area. Swordfish, tuna carpaccio, stuffed pumpkin flowers and handmade pasta dishes…
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…
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…
