Where to Eat in Lecce

During our Week in Puglia tour we spend three nights in the baroque town of Lecce. Located in the heart of Salento (the southern part of Puglia) the town is sometimes called the Florence of the south. It is easy to get to by both train and plane and makes a perfect base from which to explore both the south and central parts of Puglia.

The town itself is gorgeous, with most of the buildings in the center dating from the last baroque period and crafted out of a honey colored local stone.

Since our guests often arrive ahead of our tour, and also have at least one night free to eat out on their own, we’ve prepared a list of some of our favorite places.

We are always happy to hear your suggestions too! Leave them in the comments below. Thanks!

Zio Pesce – Fish (closed Monday)
Via Piero Gobetti 19, Lecce, 0832 316857
Great fish restaurant about a 15 minute walk from the center.

L’Ostrica Ubriaca – Fish
Viale della Liberta’ 99, Lecce 0832 091986
Casual fish restaurant located just outside the walls of the historic center. Great seafood.

Nonna Tetti
Piazzetta Regina Maria 17, Lecce 0831.246.036
We head here with our group to order mixed antipasti. Very casual, simple great food.

Da Angiulinu Closed Sunday
Via Principi di Savoia 24 0832.245.146
Very old fashioned, traditional restaurant. Like eating in someone’s home.

Le Zie Trattoria (closed Monday)
Via Costadura 19 0832.245.178
Very old fashioned, like eating in someone’s home.

La Cucina di Mamma Elvira (closed Tuesday)
Via Ludovico Maremonti 33 331.579.5127
Historic trattoria in Lecce. Everyone loves it.

Mamma Elvira Enoteca
Via Umberto 19 0832.196.2011
Wine bar opened by the owners of Mamma Elvira. Not a real restaurant, but they do serve food. And of course wine!

Corte dei Pandolfi
Corte dei Pandolfi 3, 336.141.2692
Historic fish restaurant in the center of Lecce. Has been taken over by the owners of Mamma Elvira. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s located on an adorable small piazza.

Tabisca
Via Dietro Ospedale dei Pellegrini 29 380.634.4345
Known for steak. But they also have great cured meats, cheeses, salads. Recommended by our friend Silvestro who runs a great cooking school.

Quanto Basta – Cocktails
Via Marco Basseo 29
Lecce’s most famous cocktail place. Sophie loves it.

Cafe Alvino
Piazza Sant’Oronzo 30
This is the most famous coffee bar in Lecce, located in the main square. Great any time of day, from coffee to spritz. Known for its savory pastry called Rustico Leccese.

Crianza
Via Principi di Savoia, 64
Mostly bruschetta, and other wine bar food, with a great wine list

Pizza & Co
Via Giuseppe Libertini, 39
If you’re feeling like pizza.

400 Gradi
Viale Porta d’Europa, 65,
Neapolitan style pizza

Tentazioni
Piazza Sant’Oranzo 49
A big bar located in the main piazza. Great gelato.

Green
Via Francesco Rubichi 27
Just around the corner from the main piazza, they specialize in big made to order salads. Not very Italian, but maybe you feel like a salad? Sophie and I usually do

Dolciumi Stella
Via Ernesto Alvino , Lecce
Small candy store that has amazing local specialities like candied almonds.

If you’re curious about Puglia and it’s food, see my books Eating My Way Through Italy and The Italian Table

And if you’d like to join us in Puglia for a week, we’d love to have you!