Salento is not only about beaches and baroque towns – it is a place where food and wine are part of everyday life. Here, eating is never rushed: mornings begin with coffee and a sweet pastry, lunches are long and casual, aperitivo stretches into the evening, and dinner is about community as much as cuisine.
This guide brings together insider tips on where and what to eat in Salento – from the best pasticciotto in Lecce to fine dining rooftops and rustic street food.
Traditional Flavors of Salento
- Pasticciotto: Shortcrust pastry filled with cream, best eaten warm in the morning.
- Rustico leccese: Puff pastry with béchamel, tomato, and mozzarella.
- Puccia: Local flatbread stuffed with vegetables, meats, or cheeses.
- Orecchiette: The famous “little ear” pasta, often with turnip tops.
- Seafood: Octopus, tuna, and prawns feature heavily along the coast.
- Negroamaro & Primitivo wines: Full-bodied reds and elegant rosés.
- Caffè Leccese: Espresso served over ice with almond syrup – the signature coffee of Salento.
Breakfast & Morning Coffee in Lecce
- Pinti’s: Locals standing at the bar for coffee and cornetto (€2–4).
- Martinucci: Famous for pastries and pasticciotto (€3–6).
- Natale: The best pasticciotto in town, perfect to take away (€2–4).
- Alvino: A Lecce classic on Piazza Sant’Oronzo (€5–8).
- Branci: Trendy spot for breakfast or brunch (€10+).
- Patria Palace: Luxury buffet and à la carte breakfast (€28 p.p., reservation required).
- Tip: Try a caffè leccese at any of these bars – a refreshing espresso over ice with almond syrup, especially popular in summer.
Lunch & Casual Bites
- Al Ventuno: Casual and friendly, great for lunch or aperitivo (€10–15 p.p.).
- Pescaria: Famous for fish sandwiches (€10–15).
- Pizzicotto: Pizza by the slice, cut with scissors – try the truffle and potato (€2–4).
- La Rusticana: For puccia, rustico, or calzone – authentic and cheap (€2–5).
- Mezzo Quinto: Tiny spot with 3–4 dishes per day, local and affordable (€6).
Aperitivo & Drinks
- Quanto Basta: Cocktail institution (€10–14).
- Alvino: Afternoon wine and tarallini (€6–8).
- 300 Mila Lounge: Huge gin collection, €12–16 per drink.
- Patria Palace Rooftop: Luxury cocktails with cathedral views (€14–18).
- Mamma Elvira Enoteca: Wine bar with Pugliese wines (€6–9).
- Drinker: Creative cocktails in a relaxed vibe (€10–12).
- Café Letterario: Cultural café with outdoor benches, €5–8.
- Palazzo de Noha Rooftop: Intimate and quiet rooftop bar (€12+).
Dinner – From Rustic to Refined
- Pescheria con Cottura: Choose your fish, cooked on the spot (€35 p.p.).
- Pietra Bianca: Modern Italian with flair (€40 p.p.).
- La Cucina di Mamma Elvira: Traditional, hearty, and warm (€35 p.p.).
- Terra: Courtyard dining, pasta and pizza (€20–30 p.p.).
- Doppio Zero: Known for focaccia with burrata and figs (€20–30 p.p.).
- 50 Cinquanta: Excellent steakhouse in Lecce (€35–50 p.p.).
- Atenze Rooftop – Patria Palace: Fine dining with cathedral views (€80–120 p.p.).
Sweets & Gelato
- La Romana: Artisanal gelato, best in a waffle cone (€3–5).
- Natale: Also excellent for ice cream and cakes (€2–4).
- Martinucci: Reliable chain for gelato and pastries (€3–5).
- Pinti’s: A local favorite for sweets and coffee (€2–4).
Wine & Olive Oil Experiences
- Wine tastings at Mamma Elvira Enoteca in Lecce.
- Vineyard tours in Leverano and Copertino, focusing on Negroamaro and Primitivo.
- Olive oil tastings at masserie across Salento, showcasing the region’s agricultural roots.
Food and wine in Salento are not just about flavors – they are about slowing down, savoring, and sharing. From a quick rustico on a street corner to a luxury rooftop dinner, every meal is a glimpse into Salento’s culture and soul.
