Restaurant File: Puglia, Italy

Elegant dinners, see-and-be-seen bars, traditional seaside dining & more

I was so lucky to visit Puglia twice in one year, especially because it gave me the chance to try the restaurants I missed on my first time around. There is so much that is locally grown and harvested in this region that the menus are just brimming with the freshest produce and seafood you can imagine. My insiders Vittorio Muolo and Michela Lanteri helped me navigate the Puglian restaurant scene and passed along some of their favorites too.

Peccato di Vino

Peccato di Vino is a great combination of tradition and innovation—with amazing wines, says my Insider Andy Levine. With a chef that focuses on what is in-season and fresh in that particular moment, the menu, specializing in fish, changes daily, except on Tuesdays when the restaurant is closed.

www.peccatodivino.com | Phone: +39 083 680 14 88

Via Rondachi, 7/9 | Otranto, Puglia Italy

La Forcatella

"Great for lunch", says Vittorio. Located right on the sea in Savelletri, La Forcatella has local fisherman that bring the fish of the day right to the restaurant's kitchen. And try the local Puglian delicacy of fresh (raw) sea urchin with hot bruschetta.

www.ristoranteforcatella.it | Phone: +39 080 482 03 64

C.da Forcatella | Savelletri, Puglia Italy

Grotta Palazzese

Grotta Palazzese has an amazing location, a decked area in a cave overlooking the sea, you can even see Greece in the distance. Unfortunately the beatutiful setting does not match with the very expensive, average food and poor service. Michela Lanteri says you are better off going there for drinks and skipping dinner altogether.

www.grottapalazzese.it | Phone: +39 080 424 06 77

Hotel Grotta Palazzese, Via Narciso, 59 | Polignano a Mare, Bari Italy

Osteria del Tempo Perso

a family run trattoria, is the best to taste regional specialities, like local lamb with wild herbs, in Puglia, Italy

My Insider Michela Lanteri says Osteria del Tempo Perso, a family run trattoria, is the best to taste regional specialities, like local lamb with wild herbs. One downside is that they don't have a terrace—the location is unique though, tucked away in one of the city's winding alleys.

www.osteriadeltempoperso.com | Phone: +39 083 130 60 46

Via G. Tanzarella Vitale, 47 | Ostuni, Puglia Italy

Restaurant Egnathia

A beautiful and amazing restaurant in old restored stables set among olive trees, says Insider Michela Lanteri. Part of Masseria Torre Coccaro, Restaurant Egnathia works with local farms to source the menu items like Murgia lamb and Podolic beef, local foragers for porcini & cardoncelli mushrooms and local fisherman for the freshest seafood.

www.masseriatorrecoccaro.com | Phone: +39 080.482 93 10

Masseria Torre Coccaro, 72015 Savelletri di Fasano | Brindisi, Puglia 72015 Italy

Taverna della Gelosia

A typical trattoria in the casbah of Ostuni, Taverna della Gelosia has fantastic terraces overlooking a nice garden says Vittorio. Local produce, cheeses and meats are woven throughout the menu and the dishes are highlighted by a Puglian inspired wine list.

Phone: +39 083 1334 7 36

Via Andriola T., 26 | Ostuni, Puglia 72017 Italy

Riccardo Caffe

Fashionable cocktails and the fashionable people of the area gather at Riccardo Caffe for the best mojitos in town, says my Insider Vittorio Muolo, owner of Masseria Torree Maizza. The American style bar is the place for a pre-dinner drink.

Phone: +39 083 130 60 46

Via G Tanzarelle Vitale 61/63 | Ostuni, Puglia Italy

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Topic: Epicurean
Geography: Italy
Tags: puglia, butcher, fruit, vegetables, trendy, lounge, wine bar, aperitif, cocktail, balcony, terrace, gourmet, lobster, lunch, romantic, seafood, sea urchin, local seafood, olive grove, hotel restaurant, good for lunch, bar, city-bar, country restaurant, views, casual dining, local fare, local specialties