Your Special Dining Experiences in Puglia

Otranto historical Center:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/snRM87pVAepyJju56

Alberobello:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZzCVzF2tG1HoEJ3v6
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hg24XDFvpnPYgews7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hg24XDFvpnPYgews7
(the last one I tried to get in more than once, but always booked. If you go let me know if it's really that good)

Lecce:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tkXZSNhGBVWxMWVo6

10 people nearly always require advance reservations.

Thank you Roberto, much appreciated.

And the first 2 have outstanding reviews.

So important to have received "local" knowledge when visiting a new place.

Ok...I will give you a couple of my favorite restaurants in Puglia/Matera; none of the Pugliese ones is in those cities but with a car you can reach them easily. Without a car, forget it.

CIBUS. Ceglie Messapica, about a 20 minute drive from Ostuni

ANTICHI SAPORI. Montegrosso, near Andria. Look at map; not a bad drive from Bari

MASSERIA BARBERA. Near Minervino Murge; worth the drive from Bari

TRATTORIA STANO. Matera

LA LOPA. Matera

LE ZIE. This has become famous in past ten years but still very good for Salento food in dining rooms that feel like a home.

ANTICA LOCANDA. Noci..easy 15-minute drive from Alberobello

MASSERIA GATTAMORA. Easy drive from Otranto in Uggiano la Chiesa; not as superb as the ones, above/below

RUA DE LI TRAVAI. Short drive from Novaglie in Patu

In Bari's we had a lovely meal at TERRANIMA; for focaccia Barese style, PANEFICIO RITA is quite a place; prepare for a line and try to have close to exact change. Many tourists, but really delicious. This is only one of a few great places for focaccia in the city; it's at the entrance to Bari Vecchia.

For spaghetti all'assassina, AL SORSO PREFERITO was good. I'm glad I tried this legendary Barese pasta but for me, I guess once is enough.

In Polignano a Mare: l'Antica Muraglia ("the old wall"). One of the best meals I've ever had, anywhere. Not cheap, worth the splurge, worth a side trip. Get reservations in advance, it's popular (in September we waited 24 hours for a table for 2, with 10....I'd start calling them now!)

Il Poeta Contadino was recommended to me by a couple of Alberobellesi. Across the street there is also another restaurant called Terra Mossa, which was recommended. Wanted to try it but I like Il Poeta Contadino so much that we always end up going there every time we go.

If you visit Alberobello you should also visit Locorotondo, a very quaint white washed village 5 min drive from Alberobello. Last summer I ate there at the restaurant called ‘U Curdunn’ (U curdunn is the name of Locorotondo in Pugliese dialect). Great food. A couple years ago I went to another restaurant near that one in Locorotondo, but don’t recall the name.