Bari is an important port city in the Adriatic Sea that also serves as the capital of Puglia. Although the city boasts a plethora of activities and excursions, it is still an offbeat destination in South Italy, visited chiefly by tourists looking for an unconventional adventure. Known for its churches, castles, and shopping, the city’s culinary landscape is equally fascinating. Therefore, the best restaurants in Bari are your gateway to experiencing a different side of Italy’s diverse culinary offerings.
Ferryscanner helps travelers plan trips to unique destinations like Bari through its endeavor to provide easily accessible ferry tickets. Moreover, reaching the city by boat sets the mood for a relaxing vacation full of fascinating discoveries, extended beach time, and the opportunity to savor deliciously good Apulian food.
Nunzia
Address: Arco Basso, 11, 70122 Bari BA
Nunzia is the name of the most famous pasta lady in the city.
Sitting out in the open, on the streets of Bari Vecchia, pasta ladies are known for expertly making fresh orecchiette and cavatelli pasta by hand. Orecchiette is a particular favorite, known as the “little ears” pasta, because of its ear-like shape.
Most visitors and locals take the uncooked pasta home to prepare their own versions of Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa. This orecchiette pasta dish is simple to make and comprises garlic, broccoli, olive oil, chilies, and anchovies.
However, Nunzia has a small private space upstairs where she and her family serves an entire meal to enthusiastic food lovers. This quaint little spot is unquestionably one of the most fun restaurants in Bari. On the menu here, you’ll find fried panzerotti, involtini, and, of course, orecchiette. The food is homemade, rustic, and cooked with a lot of love.
Ai 2 Ghiottoni
Address: Via Nicolò Putignani, 11, 70121 Bari BA
A part of Bari’s culinary scene since 1973, Ai 2 Ghiottoni is a family affair that believes in serving its guests the best in Apulian cuisine. At the heart of the restaurant is the passion for using organically cultivated, local-sourced produce that gives the dishes a fresh regional flavor.
With the owners always present on-site, the service at Ai 2 Ghiottoni is warm and friendly. At the same time, the interiors celebrate Bari’s traditionality through a rustic décor that consists of arches, stone walls, and regional art.
The must-try dishes at the restaurant include fried octopus, grilled lamb, risotto Ai 2 Ghiottoni, and spaghetti with seafood. They also have a lovely wine list with several Italian wines that pair beautifully with the food.
Bari Seafood Market
Address: Molo San Nicola 6, Bari BA
A culturally relevant and engaging gastronomic experience in Bari is consuming freshly-caught raw seafood at the city’s fish market. Sold by local fishers and still unknown to most tourists, a snack here is about appreciating food in its basic form.
Located next to the Old Port, behind Teatro Margherita, locals typically come here to drink beer, munch on seafood, and chat about everything while standing around wooden tables.
The most popular eats at the Bari fish market are sea urchins, baby octopus, shrimps, and oysters. The only garnish for most of the seafood is a drizzle of lemon to balance the saltiness of the sea. There’s also bread available should you want it.
Most residents buy seafood to cook it later at home. However, the experience of having it raw with the locals is a rare opportunity that allows you to immerse yourself into the city’s everyday lifestyle.
Pizzeria Enzo e Ciro
Address: Via Matteo Renato Imbriani, 79, 70121 Bari BA
The family-run Enzo e Ciro is arguably the best pizzeria in Bari. Centrally located, it offers a range of pizzas with toppings for seafood lovers, carnivores, and vegetarians. Thin crust and cooked in a wood-fired oven, the pizzas taste all the more delicious when eaten fresh, sitting down at the restaurant. You can, however, have them packed for later consumption.
The staff at Enzo e Ciro is amiable and accommodating, happy to give recommendations. Besides the pizzas, it’s also worth trying the involtini zucchini and tiramisu from the menu.
Among the most popular restaurants in Bari, especially for being reasonably priced, Enzo e Ciro has traditionally modest interiors. Food, as a result, takes center stage and doesn’t disappoint. Due to its excellent reputation, the pizzeria stays relatively busy. Thus, service can be a little slow during lunch and dinner.
Gola Caffe Bistrot
Address: Via Camillo Rosalba, 47/K, 70124 Bari BA
Gola Caffe is a quaint little eatery in the residential neighborhood of Poggio Franco. Offering indoor and al fresco dining arrangements, it can seat up to 50 guests, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere at meal times.
The food at Gola Caffe is a mix of classic recipes from around Puglia and their contemporary renditions. The latter, in particular, allows the chef to experiment with different ingredients, resulting in some genuinely novel preparations. However, no matter the dish, attention to detail when it comes to taste and look is paramount.
A place for food lovers, Gola is forever busy, and thus, you should book a table in advance. Owner Maurizio, passionate and eternally present, adds to the restaurant’s personality.
The menu here offers plenty, but we recommend asking the host about the specials for a truly delectable experience. Moreover, don’t be surprised if the chef randomly sends over a dish, asking you to taste his new creation.
Terranima
Address: Via Nicolò Putignani, 213, 70122 Bari BA
The owner of Terranima is exceptionally passionate about preserving Apulian cuisine. Consequently, this is one of the best restaurants in Bari that serves authentic regional food with a spotlight on local produce and cooking methods.
Popular with the locals, Terranima is a 14-year-old, no-fuss, casual eatery. Photos on the walls, a piano on one side, and show-cupboards with distressed wood finish, the ambiance is rustic with a dash of old-world homely charm.
The menu at Terranima is extensive, seasonal, and features a combination of seafood and popular Apulian recipes. The antipasti platter and seafood sampling menu are two must-haves when dining here. As for homemade pasta, there’s orecchiette, cavatelli, and spaghetti.
Whatever you decide to eat for mains, do save some space to try sporcamuss in the end. This traditional Puglia dessert consists of a flaky pastry with a custard cream filling and a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top.
Maria delle Sgagliozze
Address: Str. delle Crociate, 13, 70122 Bari BA
An excellent way to capture the essence of a city is to indulge in its street-food culture. Across Italy, you’ll find several iconic eateries where locals serve provincial specialties. Often these places are famous for mastering just the one dish that draws in curious food lovers from around the world.
One such legendary hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Bari is Maria delle Sgagliozze. Named after the matriarch of the establishment, this immensely popular fast-food joint is primarily known for its fried polenta or sgagliozze.
Served hot, fresh, and with a sprinkle of salt, the polenta is comforting to the point it will surely warm the cockles of your heart. Also available at Maria’s is Popizze, pasta dough deep-fried in sunflower oil and garnished with powdered sugar or salt.
Although not advertised, Maria and her daughter serve a full meal to a limited number of people at a time. They often take tourist group bookings, so it can get crowded. But if you do decide on a meal, expect no menu.
The food magically starts arriving on the table as soon as you sit down. A typical dinner usually includes orecchiette pasta, sgagliozze, and rice with potatoes and mussels. While the language of interaction at Maria’s is mostly Italian, the admiration for her food is universal.