My Puglia Google Maps List

Welcome to Italy's Food Mecca

My month in Puglia is coming to a close and just WOW. Growing up Italian, food was crucial, and it took part in most of my memories. Discovering Puglia’s gastronomy has solidified my love for Italian cuisine more than I thought possible. The flavors are more alive in all categories - their soft pasta, the exquisite fish, their world-renowned bread, the colorful vegetables, their cheeses, the meaty olives, the baked goods…

If you’re dreaming about tasting these flavors while traveling around the heel of Italy, admiring its picturesque coastlines, and appreciating its rich food culture, then this article will make it easier for you to plan and make your dreams a reality.

Bari

I suggest this port city as your base, the capital of this region. From here the central train station will connect you to all other smaller towns scattered throughout Puglia. Bari itself is worth exploring, of course, and is not to be taken for granted. In the last 5-10 years the historic center has finally become safe for tourists - I considered myself lucky as I was wandering through its curvy vias and admiring the Adriatic Sea from its muraglia thinking how these adventures wouldn’t have been possible only a few years ago.

What You Need to Eat in Bari

1. Panzerotto

   The best way I can describe this is an Italian empanada. The dough is thin and soft with countless options for fillings. My favorite is tuna and onion - my first bite is something I’ll never forget because I wasn’t expecting the mozzarella (all panzerotti have mozzarella) so it was creamier than I imagined - a stringy surprise!

   Venezia 40 - Via Venezia, 40: This restaurant is famous for panzerotti, located on the Muraglia di Bari, it offers views of the sea as you enjoy this typical street food!

   

   Left: Panzerotti with Rape Right: Venzia 40

2. Crudi or Raw Fish

   Whatever you thought wasn’t possible to eat raw, scratch that, because in Bari it’s possible. Octopus, shrimp, squid, prawns… all raw! My top recommendations are slices of squid which they call Tagliatelle (also a name for a type of pasta), red shrimp, and whole squid. Tagliatelle are salty and buttery slices of heaven. Red shrimp have a sweeter taste and enough of these will never be enough. Lastly, you can’t leave Bari without trying allievi or whole squid. These are small and if you want to act like a true Barese, you eat them whole!

   

   Left: Tagliatelle, oysters, prawns, and whole squid Right: Me with raw octopus