If you are planning a trip to Puglia, Ostuni is a truly unmissable stop. Known for its extraordinary beauty, the town encompasses all the culinary tradition of the region. In particular, Ostuni dishes reflect the essence of a simple and genuine gastronomy, where high-quality ingredients such as olive oil, homemade pasta, durum wheat bread and seasonal vegetables are the undisputed protagonists.
From traditional dishes passed down from generation to generation to delicacies masterfully reinterpreted, this journey through the best restaurants in the village is an invitation to discover the beating heart of local cuisine. Discover where to eat typical dishes in Ostuni and prepare to delight your palate with land and sea recipes that capture all the flavor of the wonderful Puglia region.
La Grotta degli Avi Restaurant
The first restaurant where to eat typical dishes in Ostuni is the restaurant-pizzeria “La Grotta degli Avi“. Just a two-minute walk from the main square, this meeting place is an authentic culinary gem located in a 14th-century cave in the heart of Ostuni. The atmosphere created by this unique environment offers the opportunity to savor all the flavor of traditional Apulian recipes in a rustic and exquisitely intimate setting.
With a history rooted in the fifteenth century, the cave that houses the restaurant was originally a 180 sqm underground oil mill, which became known under the name of “a cucchiaredda” during the 18th century. Today, this fascinating space exudes authenticity, welcoming visitors with prestigious Apulian wines and a selection of innovative and typical dishes, prepared with fresh and genuine ingredients.
The mission of “La Grotta degli Avi”, in business for over twenty years, is to revive the warmth of the past through the encounter with local tradition, a heritage at risk of disappearing, and more elaborate and refined creations.
The rustic and carefully detailed environment makes this place the ideal destination to enjoy the scents of Puglia. Here, every dish is prepared fresh with passion, offering an authentic gastronomic experience that awakens emotions and tells the story of this land. The restaurant’s offerings are strictly tied to the seasonality of products and among these you cannot miss tasting the following:
orecchiette with turnip tops: this recipe represents a culinary icon of the Apulian territory. Its preparation involves making fresh pasta with a characteristic rounded shape, which is carefully combined with turnip tops, garlic, chili pepper and olive oil. To complete the dish, a generous portion of bread crumbs toasted in a pan with anchovies is added. The final result is a combination of authentic flavors that best embodies the essence of local cuisine;
bread or meat meatballs: the delicious spheres of bread or meat, prepared with skill and then subjected to frying or baking, often become the inevitable protagonist of Apulian tables. Accompanied by a delicious tomato sauce or served plain, these delicacies are a constant presence at festive moments and on Sundays for Apulian citizens. Absolutely must try;
fava beans and chicory: the simplicity and freshness of the ingredients make this dish an authentic expression of peasant cuisine, rich in flavor and tradition. In particular, to prepare this extremely widespread dish in the territory, dried fava beans are softened until reduced to a puree and harmoniously combined with chicory, finally enriching with garlic and olive oil.
In short, if you are looking for a place to savor the true essence of Ostuni cuisine, “La Grotta degli Avi” is the ideal option. With customized menus for special occasions and a welcoming atmosphere, this restaurant offers an authentic experience in the heart of the village, allowing you to conclude your visit to the city with the flavors of Puglia.
Osteria del Tempo Perso
The renowned Osteria del Tempo Perso, positioned a short distance from the Cathedral of Ostuni, elegantly fits into the heart of the old quarter. This characteristic restaurant, founded in 1983, consists of two unique spaces: a 16th-century cave, an ancient oven carved from millennial rock, and a quiet and private granary. The peculiar structure of this establishment welcomes visitors in an atmosphere steeped in history, perfectly harmonized with the Gothic beauty of the Cathedral, an attraction that is on the list of what to visit in Ostuni at all costs.
The osteria’s dishes, inspired by the culinary tradition of Ostuni and the region, delight diners’ senses in a culinary experience wrapped in a fascinating atmosphere. In the two unique spaces of the establishment, in fact, the magic of genuine flavors merges with the evocative power of the spaces, transporting visitors on a journey full of taste.
The Osteria del Tempo Perso delights palates with a rich selection of appetizers, where the explosion of flavors begins with seasonal vegetables accompanied by local dairy products and cured meats from Martina Franca. This culinary journey is further elevated with delicacies such as octopus with onion, stuffed cuttlefish and buckwheat salad enriched with basil, oil, oregano, cherry tomatoes and cubes of ricotta marzotica.
Among the first courses, prepared with fresh pasta following tradition, there are delights such as:
the casserole of cardoncelli mushrooms in bread crust;
orecchiette with clams and zucchini flowers;
laganari with puntarelle and cardoncelli mushrooms.
As for the main courses, you cannot miss a taste of the sea bass en papillote with clams and baby squid and the donkey brasciola with small meatballs with a hint of mint, just some of the delicacies offered. In this context, it is essential to highlight that the chef, while preserving the authentic taste of Ostuni cuisine, also takes care to create customized menus to satisfy every palate, including those who follow a gluten-free diet or adhere to a vegetarian regime.
The osteria also has a cellar where you can count over 200 labels of regional and national wines, which allows you to complete the experience with a selection of fine spirits. In short, at the Osteria del Tempo Perso, despite the name suggesting otherwise, time is always well spent. Here you can immerse yourself in a journey of flavors, where culinary art harmoniously merges with the millenary history of the White City, offering an unforgettable experience for all the senses.
Try the Food Truck service
An equally valid alternative to traditional meals in Ostuni’s small restaurants is the Food Truck service, an ideal option for snacking, having a quick lunch or dinner between visits. The street food offered in different corners of the city allows you to savor the typical dishes of the area without giving up Ostuni’s attractions and pleasant walks in the historic center.
The territory’s food trucks offer a variety of delights, including hot panzerotti, focaccia, tasty aperitifs, first courses, main courses and other dishes, prepared with selected ingredients to guarantee an authentic gastronomic experience while strolling through the alleys of the White City.
Furthermore, with the home delivery Food Truck service, it is possible to enjoy the pleasures of traditional cuisine wherever you want, combining quality with comfort. Whether it’s a dinner on your home terrace, a pleasant convivial moment with friends at sunset or to savor your favorite dish comfortably on the sofa, the flexibility of Food Trucks allows you to enjoy what you want when you want it. Thanks to this option, Apulian cuisine is always at hand.
