Must-see restaurants in Southern Italy

  • La Brace

    Praiano

    Located on the main street in town, this long-established restaurant has a decent reputation for seafood and pizzas. The dining room has sweeping views…

  • La Bella Idrusa

    Otranto

    You can't miss this pizzeria right by the huge Porta Terra as you enter the historic centre. Despite the tourist-trap location, the food doesn't lack…

  • Il Giardino

    Brindisi

    Established more than 40 years ago in a restored 15th-century palazzo, sophisticated Il Giardino serves refined seafood and meat dishes in a delightful…

  • La Caffetteria

    Basilicata

    The outdoor seating at this cafe in Maratea Borgo's central piazza is ideal for people-watching. The cafe serves snacks such as panini and crostata with…

  • Soul Kitchen

    Matera

    This cavernous restaurant with sharp colour accents is a favourite with visitors to Matera, but we were slightly underwhelmed with the service on our last…

  • Ristorante Micomare

    Calabria

    For expansive sea and castle views dine at this bright and airy seafood specialist. Try the squeaky-fresh crudo di mare (raw seafood) antipasto, the…

  • Gran Caffè Vittoria

    Ischia

    At the smarter end of the port, this posh cafe employs old-school bow-tied waiters to serve an artistic-looking selection of cakes, pastries, coffees and…

  • Top-Vip Cetarell

    The Amalfi Coast

    A deli-cafe in Bomerano’s main square where you can load up on caffeine and cornetti (croissants) before embarking on the Sentiero degli Dei. They also…

  • Trattoria Concordia

    Agrigento

    Rough stone walls and wood-beamed ceilings lend a cosy atmosphere to this quintessential family-run trattoria, tucked up a side alley in the old town…

  • Raki

    Sorrento

    Looking more like a science laboratory than an ice-cream parlour, Raki displays a long list of esoteric gelati, all of the flavours are homemade and…

  • Vecchia Pizzeria Margaret

    Salerno & the Cilento

    Dull building on outskirts of Polla serving notably less dull wheels of pizza, cooked in a wood-fired oven; it also dishes up antipasti and pasta dishes…

  • L'Ambasciata di Sicilia

    Agrigento

    The 'Sicilian Embassy' does its utmost to improve foreign relations, plying tourists with tasty plates of traditional Sicilian fare and good seafood. In…

  • Bar Gelateria Ercole

    Calabria

    Pizzo enjoys something of a reputation for its gelato, and, on the main square, Ercole is reckoned by many to serve the best in town. The most admired…

  • Bar Gelateria del Corso

    Agropoli

    Fairly scruffy, old-school bar that sells some unusual ice cream flavours, including marron glacé (candied chestnut) and limone sicilia (Sicilian lemon),…

  • Da Giorgio

    Procida

    A retro, no-frills neighbourhood trattoria close to the port. The menu holds few surprises, but the ingredients are fresh; try the spaghetti con frutti di…

  • Pimm’s

    Tropea

    Set on the lip of Tropea’s stunning cliffs, Pimm’s serves up simple but excellent local seafood, as well as salads starring the town’s prized red onions…

  • Pasticceria Mery Diano

    Salerno & the Cilento

    Tucked around the corner from the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore (note the magnificent carved door) in Teggiano's main square, this small bar with its…

  • I Due Fratelli

    Cilento Coast

    Run by two brothers, this long-standing roadside restaurant is renowned for its top-notch seafood. Enjoy dishes such as risotto alla pescatora (fisher's…

  • Osteria del Pescatore

    Tropea

    Pesce spada (swordfish) is a speciality on this part of the coast and it rates highly on the menu at this simple seafood place tucked away in the…

  • La Fenice

    Sorrento

    It’s too large and bright for a romantic dinner for two, but locals continue to recommend this place for its down-to-earth, well-prepared dishes,…

  • Tha'am

    Western Sicily

    A North African theme is evident in both menu and decor at this popular restaurant, which dishes up fish and chicken couscous beneath tented canopies in…

  • Al Cortile Alessi

    Catania

    Catanians of all ages – but especially students – flock here on weekend evenings, drawn by the pizzas, draft beer, cocktails and outdoor courtyard, shaded…

  • Casa del Pane

    Matera

    If you're looking for a snack on the go, grab a slice of just-baked focaccia or a knobbly, deep-brown Matera loaf from this popular bakery on Matera's…

  • Le Cuspidi

    Agrigento

    This fabulous gelateria is the perfect antidote to Agrigento’s oppressive heat. Especially scrumptious is the pistachio, flecked with nuts and super…

  • Sgagliozze

    Bari

    Check out this simple corner stall for Barese street-food sgagliozze (deep-fried polenta cubes). You may need a lie-down afterwards.

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