MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Discover the incredible culinary scene of Salento with this brief selection of quality restaurants and typical trattorias where good cuisine and sense of hospitality come at good value for money
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LECCE TOWN
Check the SF’s gourmet guide to Lecce Town
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Taverna del Porto, Tricase
Eatery with seaview in the town of Tircase, serving everything fish and seafood with a slight contemporary twist. The way fish comes displayed is already spectacular, but the whole dining here is a real experience. The rooftop has been converted into a gourmet pizzeria that offers a suggestive sea-view experience. Ah they bake awesome bread too. They have just entered the prestigious Slow Food Italy 2023 guide.
Il Diavolicchio, Otranto
Quality, beauty and style come all together in one place at “the gluttonous devil”, Otranto’s unrivaled countryside eatery. Popular among the local jet-set and international celebrities, it is fully worth the bit higher prices because overall it is another level.
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Puntarenas, Roca
Open may to october, this restaurant & small beachclub lets you dine all the way by the sea. I really mean it. More informal at lunch and slightly sophisticated at dinner – hey don’t worry it’s nothing fancy!- the atmosphere is nice and smooth here. You can really feel the sea with their seafood plates that are state of the art, and come in abundant portions. In very high season service might result a bit confused sometimes, but overall it’s ok and those into seafood will find Puntarenas highly satisfying
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La Bitta, Gallipoli
Gallipoli is Salento’s former capital of Seafood, which is generally very good if you know the right places amonng the several options: there are seafood restaurants at every corner here, watch out… Well, this one, La Bitta, is one of the very good ones. A recent discover for me too, here i found the perfect compromise between old school and contemporary cuisine, prompt service, a notable and well presented wine list with a good choice of bubbles too. Also the decor is interesting. You just can’t go wrong here, it’s gooood trust me.
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Lilith, Vernole
A family business since over 20 years, Lilith is a dynamic mixture of authenticity, research and hospitality aimed, all moved by a tight connection with the land. More than a restaurant it is a laboratory where they experiment with new dishes, patisserie and a wide range of organic goods. Not formerly a fine dining but in fact it really is, without killing your wallet. A member of the Slow Food Italy network.
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Vegan @ Samhadi
Formally a yoga retreat, Samhadi is popular among a mostly international clientele loving this place’s transcendental atmosphere… and well, the food, which is expressly macrobiotic (and when they say macrobiotic they get down to it seriously!). Some world famous chefs have regular residences here, yet the local residents obviously have a certain knowledge of the local plants so that they really know what to do with the generous harvest that they pick up daily. Serious super food-people, Samadhi is the place you have dreamed of..
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Il Follaro, Giuggianello
Not far from Otranto, this restaurant & bar is one of a kind, with the captivating interesting cuisine blending land & sea into what turns always to be a new experience. Thus expect some unusual combinations that will surprise you. Wonderful location on top of a hill, especially in summer where the large garden turns into a cool bar with good drinks and dj’s till late
Vegan @ Piccapane
This 100% bio-agriturismo is way more than just a common farming company, it represents a spark of vitality and a hub for people and projects to develop new and positive ideas. The owners define themselves as “farmers, cooks, and artisans with the mission of balancing their vital time to nature”. On this premise they have built this 100% eco-friendly structure, which is now a Salento’s cult for those in search of an authentic, fully sustainable plant based experience
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