On this submit, I’m going to concentrate on 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 true cause to go to.
A number of of my favourite dishes are Puglian classics. There’s simply one thing in regards to the simplicity and freshness of typical Puglian meals that I actually love, and it pairs so properly with the area’s scrumptious wine.
I just lately hung out in Puglia and ate extremely properly daily that I used to be there. Listed below are 15 of the perfect and hottest meals in Puglia – I like to recommend making an attempt as many of those as you probably can!
15 Meals to Attempt in Puglia
No matter your dietary necessities or preferences, you’re certain 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 every part, though for varied causes I do attempt to scale back the quantity of meat that I eat. Fortunately, among the finest dishes in Puglia are vegetarian, and much more are pescatarian.
I’ve eaten the entire following must-try dishes in Puglia, and might wholeheartedly suggest all of them – occupied with them makes my mouth water!
1. Orecchiette (Most Well-known Puglia Meals to Attempt)
This scrumptious and conventional pasta is without doubt 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 identify (“orecchio“, the phrase for “ear” in Italian).
The historical past of orecchiette goes again centuries and the dish has been an essential a part of Puglian delicacies for generations. Within the slim alleyways of Bari’s outdated city (Bari Vecchia), you may watch girls making orecchiette by hand on wood tables – it’s one of the crucial iconic issues to see within the metropolis.
Orecchiette is often served with a easy sauce and greens, although there are lots of variations. My private favourite is “broccoli rabe“, a sauce produced from a bitter leafy inexperienced vegetable a bit like spinach, and loads of garlic.
You’ll find orecchiette on the menu of most eating places in Puglia. The very best I’ve ever tasted was at a tiny place referred to as Assaporando le Delizie Pugliesi in Bari Vecchia.
Assaporando le Delizie Pugliesi Info
Handle: 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.web site
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 made 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 gentle, 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 all the time excited every time it arrives on the desk.
In case you’re planning to spend time in Bari (and it is best to), choose up some freshly baked focaccia from Magda. In addition to being a tremendous bakery, that is additionally among the finest locations to eat in Puglia if you happen to’re touring on a funds.
Magda Info
Handle: By way of 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 stuffed with taste and vitamin.
Fave e cicoria is often served as a starter however can be loved by itself. It’s one among my favourite dishes in Puglia and I really like how comforting it’s – excellent for cooler winter evenings, however really scrumptious any time of 12 months.
A fantastic place to do this dish in Monopoli is the upmarket Angolocinque Restaurant, subsequent to the Largo Fontanelle park.
Angolocinque Restaurant Info
Handle: By way of 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 produced 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 can be loved by itself. Good ones aren’t too heavy however are extremely flavorful.
In addition to the ricotta selection, polpette is available in varied different kinds, together with ones containing meat, greens, and/or fish. Typically they’re served by themselves, or different instances in a wealthy sauce, the place they tackle the consistency of dumplings.
Polpette might be discovered on menus all through Puglia. The very best ones I tasted had been at a spot referred to as Per Bacco in Bari.
Per Bacco Info
Handle: By way of 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 were boiled earlier than baking – this offers them an additional particular texture which makes them actually addictive!
My favourite variety additionally incorporates both chili or fennel seeds. They pair completely with wine or an ice-cold beer.
Taralli is a superb snack to get pleasure from whilst 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 might need a slight drawback).
You should buy baggage of taralli in nearly each store and grocery store in Puglia for a few euros, and lots of bars and eating places will serve them as a snack to get pleasure from with an aperitivo. Taralli Mitica is my favourite model – if you happen to 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 crucial well-liked meals within the area and also you’ll discover it on many restaurant menus.
Burrata is creamy and scrumptious – excellent 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 typically now. I’ve tasted each varieties and, actually, they’re equally as tasty!
You’ll find burrata on most menus in Puglia. Most just lately, I had it at Cime Di Tapas in Monopoli and it was very good.
Cime Di Tapas Info
Handle: 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
Some of the 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 hearth which supplies it an unimaginable, subtly smoky taste.
Even if you happen to don’t like mussels, you may nonetheless get pleasure from different sorts of this wonderful dish. A well-liked vegetarian selection is made with eggplant and zucchini.
The mixture of components in tiella makes it a hearty meal that’s excellent for any event. It’s typically served with some crusty bread and accompanied by a glass of white wine.
Ristorante Tiella is a superb place to get pleasure from this iconic dish in Bari.
Ristorante Tiella Info
Handle: By way of 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 number 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 provide different sauces on the facet too. It’s one of the crucial well-liked 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 affordable and fast meal on the go, fritto misto is tough to beat. A tiny meals truck in Monopoli referred to as Mare Chef serves the perfect fritto misto I’ve ever tasted. In case you’re on the town, it is best to undoubtedly do this place.
Mare Chef Info
Handle: By way of 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 in all places in Italy, however the gelato in Puglia is among the 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 without doubt one of the finest issues to get pleasure from after a typical meal in Puglia.
A number of the tastiest gelato I discovered in Puglia was at Gasperini, in Monopoli. Attempt their pistachio crunch and their chocolate orange fondant. Though it’s technically not gelato, their darkish chocolate sorbet can also be unreal.
In case you’re in Bari, Antica Gelateria Gentile, subsequent to the Castello Svevo, is equally wonderful.
Gasperini Info
Handle: 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 in the course of the festive winter interval, though yow will discover them in bakeries all year long.
They’re produced 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 proper ending to a typical meal in Puglia.
A fantastic place to choose 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
Handle: 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, they usually’re an actual deal with! They’re small balls of dough which were deep-fried and are often served with varied sauces or sprinkled with sugar.
You may get candy pettole and savory pettole, and a few are even savory-sweet. Any means you could have them, they’re extremely moreish – it’s virtually not possible to simply eat one!
The savory ones are usually served as appetizers (generally full of cheese or mushrooms), whereas the candy ones make nice desserts (particularly in the event that they’ve been dipped in honey).
Pettole can be present in bakeries and road meals stalls all through Puglia, and likewise characteristic on many restaurant menus in varied kinds. In Bari, they’re identified regionally 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 choose up some unimaginable focaccia Barese on the identical time.
Atena Focacce Info
Handle: By way of 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 full of a meat combination (although you may also get veggie variations), tomatoes, and herbs. The ensuing taste is solely 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 important course and is ideal with some crusty bread and a glass or two of crimson wine. It’s one among my favourite dishes from Puglia and I prefer to recreate it at residence once in a while too.
If you end up in Ostuni, I like to recommend making an attempt this unbelievable Puglian specialty at Osteria Monacelle.
Osteria Monacelle Info
Handle: By way of Cattedrale, By way of 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, in order that they make the proper 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 needs to be the standard model with mozzarella and tomato.
You received’t battle to search out these tasty treats throughout Puglia, so make sure you give them a attempt once you’re there. In Bari’s Previous City, Bakery Santa Rita serves notably good ones.
Bakery Santa Rita Info
Handle: 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
In case you’re a cheese lover, then you definately’ll undoubtedly wish to attempt caciocavallo. This Puglian onerous cheese is produced from the milk of sheep or cows and has a barely tangy taste.
It’s typically served as an appetizer with some slices of cured meats and olives, however can be utilized in cooking too.
You’ll discover this in cheese retailers and bigger supermarkets throughout Puglia. In case you occur to search out your self in Martina Franca, take a look at Caseificio Pioggia – a really unbelievable cheese store.
Caseificio Pioggia Info
Handle: By way of 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 conventional Puglian pastry that’s made with a candy crust and stuffed with custard. It’s often served at room temperature, however can be heated and served with cream or gelato.
They make an important 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
Handle: By way of 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
Greatest Meals Excursions in Puglia
Top-of-the-line methods to expertise as a lot of Puglia’s iconic dishes as potential is to hitch a meals tour. There are various to select from, however listed here are among the most extremely reviewed:
Bari Strolling Avenue Meals Tour
This three-hour strolling tour is the proper option 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 Website of Alberobello. Your information will train you in regards to 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 learn to make your personal orecchiette by hand the standard means on this enjoyable 2-hour tour.
Bari Avenue Meals Tour on Segway
This Segway tour of Bari focuses on the preferred kinds of road meals in Puglia and can take you to discover among the metropolis’s prettiest corners and hidden gems.
Bari Rickshaw Avenue Meals Tour
In case you, like me, can’t fairly get the dangle of driving a Segway, chances are you’ll desire this rickshaw road meals tour as an alternative.
Puglia Meals: FAQs
Listed below are solutions to some commonly-asked questions in regards to the typical meals in Puglia.
Probably the most conventional native meals in Puglia embrace orecchiette pasta, focaccia, taralli, polpette, and tiella.
Dinner in Puglia sometimes begins round 8 pm, though it might 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 refill 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 lots of locals are inclined to skip it altogether. A typical breakfast in Puglia typically consists of a espresso and a easy pastry, everytime you get up and really feel prefer it. Cafes typically open round 8 am.
Bari, the capital of Puglia, has the widest number of glorious eating places and cafes serving up every kind of regional dishes. Lecce and Monopoli are additionally identified for his or her excellent seafood.
A small tip is all the time appreciated, though not strictly essential. In case you obtain glorious service in a restaurant, a ten% tip will probably be properly obtained.
Pasta is a staple meals of Puglia, particularly orecchiette. Bread corresponding to focaccia Barese can also be well-liked. As you’d count on, seafood is especially widespread on the coast.
In Conclusion
With a lot number of meals on provide, it may be onerous to resolve what to eat in Puglia first. Wherever you go and no matter dishes you attempt, it’s certain to be an unforgettable expertise.
I really like the easy, home-cooking type of Puglian delicacies, and having fun with it’s all the time 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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