Italy is the home of pizza, true, but don’t take it for granted that everywhere you go it is going to be the best. Certainly during pe ak season it is not a given that you will find the best every single place you go. Don’t worry though, check these five spots that we have selected for you and you’ll definitely enjoy some of the best pizzas Italy has to offer.

Five top pizza places in Puglia

La Succursale, Lecce

At this trendy eatery just outside the old town (Porta Napoli) they make outstanding pizza accompanied with a small but good choice of local treats (think Pocia, a delightful panino with meatballs, or Deep fried Pizza with ham and stracciatella cheese). We love the location’s fine design, and the large alfresco area adjacent to the Baroccio Bar, with occasianl live music and dj sets

400 gradi, Lecce

Strictly Neapoletan pizza made the good, old school way, even though the venue has got a cool contmporary feel. If not the best, this is surely one of the best pizzas in toen and one the best that we have ever tried in Italy, Napoli included. The tens of gourmet variations are strictly out of local ingredients, plus the beer list is one of its kind. Fast, friendly service and an impressive open air space that, in summer, feels a lot like a South-Beach Miami spot.

Don Vincenzo, Gallipoli

Gallipoli is renowned for seafood, but the pizza at Don Vincenzo is a must-try during your stay in town. It does really tastes like in Napoli, in fact owner Vincenzo hails all the way from the pizza capital. Don’t be scared by the long wait, you will be rewarded very soon after you’ll try their unique speciality

Dei Mille, Corigliano D’Otranto

Not far from Otranto, at pizzeria “Dei Mille” their approach to food is “spiritual” –religious- as pizza here is celebrated as a divinity. The scenario here is authentically Italian, with the pizza boys displaying their dynamic stunts and the walls proudly showing many awards and recognitions. The fact is that pizza here tastes really, really good. (Note it includes a vast choice of interesting vegetarian options).

L’affaccio, Otranto 

This fine restaurant overlooks the port of Otranto, offering fantastic alfresco dining with excellent food and attentive service. Good food abounds here, and it’s the pizza we keep coming back for, it is their real key asset and, as far as we know, Otranto’s #1. Everything here is obviously made with dedication and lots of love, professionally, including the pizza. We love their strict “no “00” flour policy”, and the well balanced, gourmet ingredients they use which result in high digestibility and serious taste.