On this submit, I’m going to deal with my favourite factor about Puglia. Whereas this southern Italian area has no scarcity of unbelievable locations to go to and issues to see, for me, the meals in Puglia is the actual purpose to go to.
A number of of my favourite dishes are Puglian classics. There’s simply one thing concerning the simplicity and freshness of typical Puglian meals that I actually love, and it pairs so nicely with the area’s scrumptious wine.
I not too long ago hung out in Puglia and ate extremely nicely day by day that I used to be there. Listed below are 15 of the very best and hottest meals in Puglia – I like to recommend making an attempt as many of those as you presumably can!
15 Meals to Strive in Puglia
No matter your dietary necessities or preferences, you’re positive to search out meals in Puglia that you simply’ll love. From contemporary pasta and seafood to baked treats and (after all) gelato, you received’t go hungry right here.
I eat the whole lot, though for numerous causes I do attempt to scale back the quantity of meat that I eat. Fortunately, a few of the finest dishes in Puglia are vegetarian, and much more are pescatarian.
I’ve eaten all the following must-try dishes in Puglia, and may wholeheartedly advocate all of them – fascinated with them makes my mouth water!
1. Orecchiette (Most Well-known Puglia Meals to Strive)
This scrumptious and conventional pasta is likely one of the hottest meals in Puglia and might be the area’s most well-known dish. It’s made merely of durum wheat flour and water and is molded by hand into a particular ‘ear’ form which supplies it its title (“orecchio“, the phrase for “ear” in Italian).
The historical past of orecchiette goes again centuries and the dish has been an vital a part of Puglian delicacies for generations. Within the slim alleyways of Bari’s outdated city (Bari Vecchia), you’ll be able to watch ladies making orecchiette by hand on wood tables – it’s one of the vital iconic issues to see within the metropolis.
Orecchiette is often served with a easy sauce and greens, although there are various variations. My private favourite is “broccoli rabe“, a sauce created from a bitter leafy inexperienced vegetable a bit like spinach, and loads of garlic.
Yow will discover orecchiette on the menu of most eating places in Puglia. The perfect I’ve ever tasted was at a tiny place referred to as Assaporando le Delizie Pugliesi in Bari Vecchia.
Assaporando le Delizie Pugliesi Info
Deal with: Vico San Cristoforo, 1, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 327 375 0130
Working Hours: 10:30 am–10:30 pm, Tues-Solar (closed Mondays)
Common Price of Dish: €8
Web site: assaporando-le-delizie-pugliesi.enterprise.website
2. Focaccia Barese
This conventional Puglian bread initially comes from the town of Bari and is often served as an appetizer, paired excellently with native olive oil. It’s manufactured from a easy dough that’s seasoned generously with rosemary and salt, then topped with tomatoes, onions, and olives.
The result’s unimaginable. Good focaccia barese is wealthy but mild, crispy on the surface, fluffy on the within, and by no means too oily. It’s one among my favourite issues to eat in Puglia and I’m at all times excited each time it arrives on the desk.
For those who’re planning to spend time in Bari (and it is best to), decide up some freshly baked focaccia from Magda. In addition to being an incredible bakery, that is additionally among the best locations to eat in Puglia should you’re touring on a finances.
Magda Info
Deal with: Through Prospero Petroni, 32A, 70121 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 080 524 2207
Working Hours: 7am–8:30pm, Mon-Sat; 9am–8:30pm, Solar
Common Price of Dish: €4 for a big one
Web site: panificiomagda.com
3. Fave e Cicoria
This conventional dish from Puglia combines fava beans, chicory, garlic, and olive oil. This straightforward mixture of components creates a hearty soup that’s filled with taste and diet.
Fave e cicoria is often served as a starter however will also be loved by itself. It’s one among my favourite dishes in Puglia and I really like how comforting it’s – good for cooler winter evenings, however really scrumptious any time of yr.
An awesome place to do this dish in Monopoli is the upmarket Angolocinque Restaurant, subsequent to the Largo Fontanelle park.
Angolocinque Restaurant Info
Deal with: Through G. Barnaba, 7, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 348 374 2987
Working Hours: 7:30 pm–11:30 pm, Mon; 12 pm–3 pm & 7:30 pm–11:30 pm, Tues-Solar
Common Price of Dish: €10
Web site: N/A
4. Polpette di Ricotta
These scrumptious cheese and herb balls are typical Puglian snacks. They’re created from stale bread, ricotta, garlic, parsley, and grated parmesan, and are deep-fried till they’re golden brown.
Polpette di ricotta is often served as an antipasto or starter however will also be loved by itself. Good ones aren’t too heavy however are extremely flavorful.
In addition to the ricotta selection, polpette is available in numerous different kinds, together with ones containing meat, greens, and/or fish. Typically they’re served by themselves, or different occasions in a wealthy sauce, the place they tackle the consistency of dumplings.
Polpette might be discovered on menus all through Puglia. The perfect ones I tasted have been at a spot referred to as Per Bacco in Bari.
Per Bacco Info
Deal with: Through Francesco Saverio Abbrescia, 99, 70121 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 080 558 8563
Working Hours: 1 pm–2:30 pm & 8 pm–11:30 pm, Mon-Fri; 8 pm–11:30 pm, Sat; closed Sundays
Common Price of Dish: €9
Web site: N/A
5. Taralli
Taralli is available in many shapes, sizes, and flavors, however the conventional selection from Puglia is usually made with flour, white wine, olive oil, and salt. They’re crunchy rings of dough which have been boiled earlier than baking – this offers them an additional particular texture which makes them actually addictive!
My favourite sort additionally comprises both chili or fennel seeds. They pair completely with wine or an ice-cold beer.
Taralli is a good snack to take pleasure in when you’re out exploring or throughout a picnic lunch. Each time I’m in southern Italy, I eat so many of those, (I believe I may need a slight drawback).
You should buy luggage of taralli in just about each store and grocery store in Puglia for a few euros, and plenty of bars and eating places will serve them as a snack to take pleasure in with an aperitivo. Taralli Mitica is my favourite model – should you see these wherever, purchase them!
6. Burrata
No journey to Puglia can be full with out making an attempt burrata, a kind of cheese made with mozzarella and cream. It’s one of the vital common meals within the area and also you’ll discover it on many restaurant menus.
Burrata is creamy and scrumptious – good for spreading onto salty focaccia or pairing with tomatoes and basil as an appetizer. Historically it was made utilizing buffalo milk, however cows’ milk is used extra usually now. I’ve tasted each varieties and, actually, they’re equally as tasty!
Yow will discover burrata on most menus in Puglia. Most not too long ago, I had it at Cime Di Tapas in Monopoli and it was very good.
Cime Di Tapas Info
Deal with: Corso Umberto I, 8-10, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 080 645 6624
Working Hours: 12 pm–2 am, Thu-Tue (closed Wednesdays)
Common Price of Dish: €5
Web site: fb.com/cimeditapas
7. Tiella
One of the crucial conventional dishes in Puglia, tiella is a layered combination of rice, potatoes, and mussels. It’s often cooked in a terracotta pan over an open fireplace which supplies it an unimaginable, subtly smoky taste.
Even should you don’t like mussels, you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in different forms of this wonderful dish. A preferred vegetarian selection is made with eggplant and zucchini.
The mix of components in tiella makes it a hearty meal that’s good for any event. It’s usually served with some crusty bread and accompanied by a glass of white wine.
Ristorante Tiella is a good place to take pleasure in this iconic dish in Bari.
Ristorante Tiella Info
Deal with: Through Salvatore Cognetti, 13, 70121 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 080 523 6960
Working Hours: 12:30 pm–3 pm & 7:30 pm–12 am, Tues-Fri; 12:30 pm–3:30 pm & 7:30 pm–12 am, Sat-Solar; closed Mondays
Common Price of Dish: €8
Web site: tiellapulia.it
8. Fritto Misto
This scrumptious dish combines a collection of seafood and/or greens, that are frivolously coated in flour and fried. Consider it as a bit like Puglian tempura.
Fritto misto is often simply served with lemon juice and salt, though some locations supply different sauces on the aspect too. It’s one of the vital common dishes in Puglia and might be discovered on many restaurant menus, in addition to from meals vehicles and outside stands in most main cities.
As an inexpensive and fast meal on the go, fritto misto is difficult to beat. A tiny meals truck in Monopoli referred to as Mare Chef serves the very best fritto misto I’ve ever tasted. For those who’re on the town, it is best to undoubtedly do that place.
Mare Chef Info
Deal with: Through Procaccia, 1, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 380 383 5269
Working Hours: 7 pm–12 am, Mon-Tues & Thurs-Fri; 7 pm–12:30 am, Sat-Solar; closed Wednesdays
Common Price of Dish: €6 for 250 grams; €11 for half-kilogram
Web site: N/A
9. Gelato
I do know you may get gelato all over the place in Italy, however the gelato in Puglia is a few of the absolute best. It’s creamy, easy, and extremely wealthy.
Scrumptious at any time of day (or evening), a scoop or two of high-quality gelato is likely one of the finest issues to take pleasure in after a typical meal in Puglia.
A number of the tastiest gelato I discovered in Puglia was at Gasperini, in Monopoli. Strive their pistachio crunch and their chocolate orange fondant. Though it’s technically not gelato, their darkish chocolate sorbet can also be unreal.
For those who’re in Bari, Antica Gelateria Gentile, subsequent to the Castello Svevo, is equally wonderful.
Gasperini Info
Deal with: Largo Plebiscito, 9, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 348 541 3485
Working Hours: 7 am–12 am, Mon-Solar
Common Price of Dish: €3 for two scoops
Web site: gelateriagasperini.it
10. Cartellate
These fried pastries are often served as a dessert and are historically eaten through the festive winter interval, though you could find them in bakeries all year long.
They’re created from flour, white wine, olive oil, and sugar, and are pressed into shapes like small stars or flowers.
The cartellate are then soaked in heat honey and sprinkled with icing sugar. The sweetness of the pastry mixed with the sticky honey is actually divine. They make the right ending to a typical meal in Puglia.
An awesome place to select up some genuine cartellate is Pino Ladisa Pasticcere Cioccolatiere – a unbelievable little pastry store in Bari, simply south of the town middle.
Pino Ladisa Pasticcere Cioccolatiere Info
Deal with: Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 199, 70124 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 080 523 2161
Working Hours: 7 am–9 pm, Tues-Solar (closed Mondays)
Common Price of Dish: €1 every
Web site: pinoladisa.it
11. Pettole
These are primarily Puglian donuts, and so they’re an actual deal with! They’re small balls of dough which have been deep-fried and are often served with numerous sauces or sprinkled with sugar.
You may get candy pettole and savory pettole, and a few are even savory-sweet. Any method you have got them, they’re extremely moreish – it’s nearly inconceivable to simply eat one!
The savory ones are usually served as appetizers (generally filled with cheese or mushrooms), whereas the candy ones make nice desserts (particularly in the event that they’ve been dipped in honey).
Pettole will also be present in bakeries and avenue meals stalls all through Puglia, and in addition characteristic on many restaurant menus in numerous kinds. In Bari, they’re recognized domestically as popizze however are in any other case the identical.
Top-of-the-line locations to attempt them in Bari is Atena Focacce, which is situated just a few doorways down from Magda, so you may also decide up some unimaginable focaccia Barese on the similar time.
Atena Focacce Info
Deal with: Through Scipione Crisanzio, 8/A, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 348 383 7725
Working Hours: 9:30 am–3 pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30 am–2 pm, Sat; closed Sundays
Common Price of Dish: €1 every
Web site: N/A
12. Melanzane Ripiene
A well-known dish of Puglia, that is primarily an eggplant filled with a meat combination (although you may also get veggie variations), tomatoes, and herbs. The ensuing taste is just scrumptious – the sweetness of the eggplant combines with the salty flavors of the filling to make one thing really mouthwatering.
Melanzane ripiene is often served as a predominant course and is ideal with some crusty bread and a glass or two of purple wine. It’s one among my favourite dishes from Puglia and I prefer to recreate it at house every so often too.
If you end up in Ostuni, I like to recommend making an attempt this unbelievable Puglian specialty at Osteria Monacelle.
Osteria Monacelle Info
Deal with: Through Cattedrale, Through P. Vincenti, 72017 Ostuni, Italy
Telephone: +39 083 133 4212
Working Hours: 12 pm–3 pm & 7 pm–11 pm, Mon-Solar
Common Price of Dish: €15
Web site: osteriamonacelle.com
13. Panzerotti
One other well-known dish in Puglia is panzerotti. These are small parcels of pizza dough with a pocket of filling – a bit like mini calzones. They’re often deep-fried and served heat, so that they make the right fast lunch or snack on the go.
There are every kind of fillings obtainable, from cheese and tomato to spinach and ricotta, however my favourite must be the normal model with mozzarella and tomato.
You received’t battle to search out these tasty treats throughout Puglia, so be sure you give them a attempt whenever you’re there. In Bari’s Previous City, Bakery Santa Rita serves notably good ones.
Bakery Santa Rita Info
Deal with: Str. dei Dottula, 8, 70122 Bari BA, Italy
Telephone: +39 346 616 9152
Working Hours: 8:30 am–2 pm & 6:15 pm–9:15 pm, Mon-Sat; closed Sundays
Common Price of Dish: €2-3
Web site: N/A
14. Caciocavallo
For those who’re a cheese lover, you then’ll undoubtedly wish to attempt caciocavallo. This Puglian laborious cheese is created from the milk of sheep or cows and has a barely tangy taste.
It’s usually served as an appetizer with some slices of cured meats and olives, however will also be utilized in cooking too.
You’ll discover this in cheese retailers and bigger supermarkets throughout Puglia. For those who occur to search out your self in Martina Franca, take a look at Caseificio Pioggia – a really unbelievable cheese store.
Caseificio Pioggia Info
Deal with: Through Gaetano Grassi, 26, 74015 Martina Franca TA, Italy
Telephone: +39 080 480 0550
Working Hours: 8 am–1 pm & 5 pm–8:30 pm, Mon-Sat; 9 am–12 pm, Solar
Common Price of Dish: €8 for 500g
Web site: pioggiastore.it
15. Pasticciotti
Pasticciotti is a standard Puglian pastry that’s made with a candy crust and full of custard. It’s often served at room temperature, however will also be heated and served with cream or gelato.
They make a fantastic snack or dessert and might be present in just about any bakery or cafe all through the area.
In Ostuni, they’re notably good at Bar Pasticceria da Pasquale.
Bar Pasticceria da Pasquale Info
Deal with: Through Fran. Tanz. Vitale, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy
Telephone: +39 083 133 5872
Working Hours: 5 am–1:30 pm, Mon; 5 am–9 pm, Tues-Solar
Common Price of Dish: €1.50
Web site: N/A
Finest Meals Excursions in Puglia
Top-of-the-line methods to expertise as lots of Puglia’s iconic dishes as potential is to hitch a meals tour. There are lots of to select from, however listed here are a few of the most extremely reviewed:
Bari Strolling Avenue Meals Tour
This three-hour strolling tour is the right technique to familiarize your self with the Puglian capital and a few of its tastiest delicacies.
Alberobello: Strolling Meals Tour
This strolling meals tour takes place within the distinctive UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Alberobello. Your information will train you concerning the well-known trulli homes that the town is thought for and provide the alternative to style a variety of native cheeses, meats, and wines.
Bike Tour & Pasta Making Expertise
Discover Bari by bike and discover ways to make your individual orecchiette by hand the normal method on this enjoyable 2-hour tour.
Bari Avenue Meals Tour on Segway
This Segway tour of Bari focuses on the most well-liked varieties of avenue meals in Puglia and can take you to discover a few of the metropolis’s prettiest corners and hidden gems.
Bari Rickshaw Avenue Meals Tour
For those who, like me, can’t fairly get the grasp of driving a Segway, you might favor this rickshaw avenue meals tour as a substitute.
Puglia Meals: FAQs
Listed below are solutions to a couple commonly-asked questions concerning the typical meals in Puglia.
Essentially the most conventional native meals in Puglia embrace orecchiette pasta, focaccia, taralli, polpette, and tiella.
Dinner in Puglia usually begins round 8 pm, though it may possibly begin earlier or later relying on the actual restaurant you’re visiting. If you wish to eat in a preferred restaurant for dinner, it’s finest to make a reservation forward of time as many locations replenish rapidly.
Lunch in Puglia often begins at 12 pm and goes on till 2-3 pm.
There isn’t actually a set time for breakfast in Puglia and plenty of locals are inclined to skip it altogether. A typical breakfast in Puglia usually consists of a espresso and a easy pastry, everytime you get up and really feel prefer it. Cafes usually open round 8 am.
Bari, the capital of Puglia, has the widest collection of glorious eating places and cafes serving up every kind of regional dishes. Lecce and Monopoli are additionally recognized for his or her excellent seafood.
A small tip is at all times appreciated, though not strictly mandatory. For those who obtain glorious service in a restaurant, a ten% tip can be nicely acquired.
Pasta is a staple meals of Puglia, particularly orecchiette. Bread resembling focaccia Barese can also be common. As you’d anticipate, seafood is especially widespread on the coast.
In Conclusion
With a lot number of meals on supply, it may be laborious to resolve what to eat in Puglia first. Wherever you go and no matter dishes you attempt, it’s positive to be an unforgettable expertise.
I really like the easy, home-cooking fashion of Puglian delicacies, and having fun with it’s at all times a spotlight of my journey. My two favorites are orecchiette with broccoli rabe and focaccia Barese – if I may eat these each week, I completely would!
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