Italy, on its southeastern coast, stands the city of Bari-a vibrant and full of flavors, rich in good culinary riches. Bari, whether walking through the old town or dining amidst the view of the Adriatic Sea, offers a wide variety of dining experiences.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best restaurants in Bari, where all the essential go-to places, hidden gems, and everything in between can be found.
Key Takeaways
- Old Town Bari Vecchia offers authentic Puglian cuisine at places like La Uascezze and Osteria delle Travi, where you can enjoy traditional dishes like orecchiette alle cime di rapa and braciole in tomato sauce.
- Scenic Restaurants like Ristorante Al Pescatore and Terranima provide stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, offering fresh seafood and a mix of traditional and modern Italian dishes.
- Pasta Lovers’ Haven includes restaurants like Donna Carmela and Ristorante Biancofiore, where classic Puglian pasta dishes like orecchiette con le cime di rapa and seafood pasta are the highlights.
- Best Seafood Spots such as Al Sorso Preferito and La Tana del Polpo serve the freshest catches in Bari, including specialties like fritters di paranza, grilled fish platters, and a variety of octopus dishes.
- Unique Dining Experience at Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare offers dining in a natural cave, blending local and international flavors for a unique culinary experience.
- Top Pizzerias like Pizzeria Il Rustico and Lievito Pizza e Dintorni provide a range of pizzas with crispy crusts, baked in wood ovens using high-quality ingredients.
- Street Food Culture in Bari is vibrant, with options like focaccia barese from Panificio Fiore and fried polenta squares (Sgagliozze) from street vendors.
- Quick Finds are made easy using services like TheFork and Google Maps, allowing you to locate the best restaurants nearby with reviews and ratings.
Best Restaurants in Bari Old Town
Old Town Bari Vecchia best holds up to the heart of Bari’s cultural and culinary heritage. Narrow streets house traditional restaurants that serve genuine classic Pugliese dishes.
La Uascezze is one of those places that give a taste of the real local experience. This rustic restaurant emphasizes Puglian cuisine: lots of antipasti, fresh pasta, and regional wines.
The cozy, warm ambiance has made it very popular with locals and tourists alike. Do not miss orecchiette alle cime di rapa, a pasta dish for the simplicity and freshness of local ingredients.
Another gem in the old town is Osteria delle Travi. This family-run restaurant specializes in homemade recipes handed down to it through the centuries.
Steaks are sure to be great, pasta or meat proportionally bountiful, and the seafood is plentiful. Try their braciole in tomato sauce; it is simply a classic dish imbued with origins from Bari.
Restaurants with a View in Bari
Those who like sitting down to a meal with a very beautiful view have several restaurants in Bari offering great food and wonderful scenery.
Ristorante Al Pescatore sits directly overlooking the sea, offering a panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea. It is also considered to be a seafood restaurant where you can have dishes such as grilled fish, seafood risotto, and fresh oysters.
Their seafood platter is probably one of their most popular dishes, comprising various catches of the day.
Another great place with a view is Terranima. By the seaside, this restaurant will let you dine over a beautiful view of the sea while serving a mix of more traditional and modern Italian dishes with fresh ingredients and locally sourced foods. The regional wines served are fine combinations to accompany the menu.
Best Pasta in Bari
Pasta is quite famous, and some of the best places for pasta are few in Bari.
Another place pasta lovers adore, dear to Donna Carmela. The house specialty must be orecchiette, the classic Puglian pasta, always handmade.
Here it comes in several variations, but the classic orecchiette con le cime di rapa is still the masterpiece simple dish of turnip greens, garlic, and chili.
Here, if you’re looking for something more sophisticated in pasta, Ristorante Biancofiore is the place to be. The menu has an ample variety of pasta dishes perfectly blurring tradition and innovation.
Seafood fans will love their spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), a seafood dish that belongs to Bari’s seafaring culinary tradition. Its elegant atmosphere, so rich with proper service, sets this restaurant up for some special culinary experiences.
Best Seafood Restaurant Bari
However, due to its proximity to the sea, Bari is quite famous for its fresh as well as delicious seafood. If you wish to relish the freshest catches in town, make sure to add Al Sorso Preferito to your must-try list.
For several decades already, this restaurant has been a favorite in Bari, and most notably, for seafood dishes. Good seafood dishes abound, including frittura di paranza (mixed fried seafood), grigliata di pesce (grilled fish platter), and cozze ripiene (stuffed mussels).
If you are a true seafood lover, then look no further because their seafood variety and freshness are unbeatable.
La Tana del Polpo, literally “The Octopus Den,” stands out since, as the name says, they contain a series of octopus dishes, for example, polpo alla brace (grilled octopus) and Insalata di polpo (octopus salad).
Other seafood choices are also available, such as pasta in a seafood sauce and risotto alla pescatora. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff that make it a favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Bari Restaurants Near You
Discover Bari and enjoy the best restaurants with TheFork. You can search through restaurants in your neighborhood, by postal code or by rating, then narrow them down by price range, score, and cuisine. Find a great restaurant close to the city center or near the waterfront in Bari.
For a fast snack or casual dinner, you might stumble upon something such as Mastro Ciccio. The restaurant primarily serves sandwiches and street food but offers a contemporary taste of some of the traditional flavors.
They utilize great ingredients, and their menu contains vegetarian as well as seafood-based options, which is quite versatile for a quick yet delicious meal.
Bari Italy Restaurant in a Cave
If it is a unique dining experience that you are looking for, Grotta Palazzese would feature on your must-visit list. The restaurant, is located just off the motorway connecting to Bari in Polignano a Mare.
It has an entrance that leads directly into a natural cave. The waves crash at the foot of this theater while lit candles create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Grotta Palazzese provides high-class dishes that blend local flavors with international flair. The menu keeps changing with the seasons, hence the freshest ingredients are used at any given time.
Though expensive, the atmosphere of dining in a cave with the sea as a backdrop makes it all worthwhile. It is a good place to have a romantic dinner or a celebration of some kind.
Best Pizza in Bari
Pizza is one of the finest things in Italian cuisine and some of the top pizzerias are located in Bari. Of course, locals prefer Pizzeria Il Rustico. The pizzeria offers a whole host of pizzas: from the classic Margherita to more creative options topped with seasonal ingredients.
Their thin, crispy crust is the mark of a well-made pizza while a casual, friendly atmosphere makes it a great place to let it all go.
Another great choice for pizza lovers is Lievito Pizza e Dintorni. Its philosophy is based on the usage of high-quality raw materials and traditional baking techniques.
Pizzas are baked in a wood oven, so the crust can be crispy outside and soft inside. Select the most simple toppings, such as fresh basil with mozzarella, or elaborate combinations-you will find something to satisfy your pizza needs.
Street Food Bari
There’s much more life and great flavors served within Bari’s street food culture in a much more casual environment and really, much cooler environment.
Panificio Fiore has its special focaccia barese which is a type of flatbread, typical of the area, topped with tomatoes, olives, and olive oil.
It would make for a good quick eat as you roam around the city in such a simple yet delicious meal.
Sgagliozze is another kind of extremely popular street food in Bari-a kind of fried polenta square, crispy outside and soft inside. Several street vendors sell such delicacies in Bari Vecchia.
More fast-food street food you can find in Pasticceria Boccia. There you will enjoy a wide range of sweets and salty snacks. You have panzerotti (fried dough with tomato and mozzarella filling inside).
They are usually small. This type of dish is famous for being dipped in hot oil. Pasticiotti is filled with custard.
Restaurants near you
Just type “Restaurants near me” in Google Maps, and you can find the best-spotted restaurants around your location. They provide reviews, ratings, and sometimes even menus to enable you to make a better choice.
Conclusion: Taste the Best of Bari
Food is something that is cherished and savored in Bari City. Be it a noisy old town or peaceful coastal scenery, Bari’s culinary scene has it all. Whether in the mood for a simple street food snack, fresh pasta, or an elegant seafood dinner, look no further.
These best restaurants in Bari stand ready to give your palate a memory to relish. Next time you’re in Bari, do not forget to indulge in its rich flavors and hospitality. Your taste buds will thank you!
