3 Best Restaurants in Lecce, Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria

Renowned local culinary experts run this cove-ceilinged trattoria, where traditional Salentine cuisine is treated with both respect and originality. The white-walled interior is stark, but there's plenty of character in the simple, tasty fare and the gregarious chatter of local families. Menu mainstays include ciciri a tria (homemade pasta partly boiled and partly fried, with chickpeas), rice with potatoes and mussels, and crispy deep-fried squid.

This historic caffè-gelateria is in the heart of Lecce, with handsome interiors and seating out on Piazza Sant'Oronzo. From early morning to late at night this is a buzzy place where Leccesi come to meet and refuel on classic Salentino pastries like pasticciotti (ricotta- or egg-filled pastry) and zeppole. Those after savory can feast on local cheeses like burrata and hot aperitivi snacks like arancini and croquettes.

Local families favor this tiny old-fashioned trattoria, where no-frills charm is matched by wholesome, unfussy food. Cucina casereccia (home-cooked) specialties include polpo in teglia (stewed octopus), baccalà al forno (baked salt cod), and the ubiquitous rustic purè di fave e cicoria (bean puree with wild chicory).