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Writer's pictureManuela Lenoci

Food in Monopoli. Where to eat in Monopoli?

There are always so many of you who ask me where to dine well in this city while paying attention to the price. I point out my personal list to try if you come to these parts.


Over the years you have all become crazy about the city of Monopoli..


Without a shadow of a doubt, this city offers more than one reason to stay. For its historic center, for its climate, for its crystal clear coves, but also for its cuisine. Poor cuisine the result of centuries-old traditions and quality raw materials that today are charged dearly, unfortunately.


Whether the menu is seafood or land, what proves to be successful is the ability to enhance the flavors without covering them, enticing the diner with original proposals, delicate "as if" homemade "as it used to be."


Adriatic fish, seafood. urchins and mussels, meat and lots of cultivated or wild vegetables. Recipes from the Apulian culinary tradition that populate the menus of cooks and chefs in osterias, restaurants and trattorias.

Needless to say, the "seafood" we all like so much, especially if fresh, are expensive and drives up the price.

So unless you have a burning desire, I suggest you buy seafood from your local fishmonger and include it on your Sunday lunch menu at home.


dove mangiare a monopoli

-Via Cristoforo Colombo, 10/11 - In my opinion this is one of the best seafood restaurants in Monopoli. Excellent value for money. Regional fish and typical Italian dishes, in a cozy inn with outdoor tables and a view of the harbor. The chef in this restaurant, cooks fish with great delicacy, juxtaposing more classic flavors with custom seasonings, and when quality meets flair, memorable dishes are born. High end. The appetizer is fabulous. The first courses very tasty. Here I succumbed to the seafood.








When you call to make a reservation, ask for Francesca right away and say I suggest you to come here. A typical trattoria in the historic center. "Revisited typical dishes of Apulian and Monopoli cuisine, pizzeria and extensive wine list, with over 300 labels from around the world. Order in advance "la parmigiana di mare" excellent meatballs with sauce

Via Barbacana, 77

+39 080 937 6447


Among the alleys of the old town, it is a cozy place, simple but at the same time nice. The smells come through but the food is really good. There is also a Gluten Free proposal. I usually stop at the appetizers: the rawfood is excellent, I remember eating some large raw shrimps I think Spanish, they were stunning. Also delicious are hot appetizers cooked with local dressing. The entrees are a real masterpiece.

Via Cavaliere, 17


It is my parents' favorite place which means there is really good food and the owner of the place, Rocco, is a great restaurateur. Imagine a combination of tasty seafood meals and friendly staff-that's exactly what you find at this place. Even if you think you've eaten a lot, don't pass up dessert after tasting the appetizers and calamarata. The roasted octopus served on a bed of creamed purple potatoes is delicious. What you can do after your meal is a nice walk overlooking the City Palace.

Via S. Domenico, 3/5


Since the venue changed locations, but especially since I am always on the road, I overlooked them. But Antonella and Sergio always hold a special place in my heart. The atmosphere is familiar, it is a trattoria in which enjoy a meal without hurrying. Many of the products are Slow Food presidia, they offer Mediterranean and Apulian cuisine. The spaghettone with hanging queen tomato, burrata and oregano or the fritters but also the artichokes, such as donkey chop and meatballs with sauce are worth a taste. Of course, the entire menu is subject to daily availability, to follow the principle of freshness of raw materials

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 39



A condominium of a historic building used as a classy restaurant, Place ,very cozy and quality cuisine. Despite being in the heart of the historic center it manages to provide privacy at the tables.











A pizza restaurant outside the old town but close to the sea, with easy parking. I walk there living in the area. I discovered it by accident. A friend had invited me for dinner on a boat in Monopoli harbor, and this restaurant was doing takeout service. A fabulous takeaway not only because of the goodness of the food but also because of the quality of the service: table cloths, clay plates and cutlery that come to take back dirty at the end of the meal. I found it brilliant. The fried shrimp and fried seafood in general were mind-boggling.

Via Giuseppe Ungaretti, 5

080 404 7141


It is the favorite restaurant of my uncle Giorgio, originally from Varese but in love with Puglia. Every time he comes to Monopoli with his wife, uncles and the whole family tree, he makes a date with us at this trattoria. The place is very familiar. The dishes are simple and plated like at home. But the fish and the quality of all the courses is really excellent. The pizzas are also very good

Via Marina del Mondo - ang. Via Ippolito Nievo, Zona Pantano

. +39 080.9301304


Historic seaside restaurant. The story of a family that has been cooking since 1947 The location is beautiful, by the sea, especially intimate the part hollowed out in the rock, overlooking the sea. Classic seafood menu that combines tradition and innovation. Interesting is the possibility to choose the fish at the moment, very fresh fish that melts in your mouth and smells of the sea. For an aperitif, a dedicated menu is available outside in the lounge cocktail bar when the sun peeps through.


The restaurant is located in the heart of Monopoli's historic center, directly on the Santa Maria waterfront, near one of the historic cannons that adorn the city's ancient walls. Overlooking the harbor arm, the venue is a casual restaurant and cocktail bar, also perfect for a leisurely breakfast in the morning. 080 403 3110







Excellent food. Fine trattoria restaurant with attention not only to the raw material but also to the service. The restaurant is very quaint, you eat on the patio of a historic building in which the dining room has been converted. It is a sophisticated setting that nevertheless preserves the simplicity and goodness of typical Apulian cuisine. Go there.

Via Barbacana, 79,



Typical Apulian cuisine with wide selection from fish to meat to pizza. This restaurant is famous for COCCIO and I recommend going there specifically for this dish. An earthenware bowl filled with linquine with fish sauce and seafood (mussels clams and scampi). "The terrine" is sealed by a bread pizza, lid-like. The pizza is cut revealing the goodness inside as well as the irresistible smell of sauce. The pizza is served as a base for pasta. One crock is very large can eat 3 people.

Largo Giuseppe Garibaldi, 29


Of good, familiar and cozy places to eat in Monopoli there are many. In addition to the 8 trattorias I suggest you also go to these places to eat, with various price ranges but mostly national popular..


  • Lo Squalo Ristorante Friggitoria – Via Fiume, 37 329 3128670 (Fa anche take away e la frittura è ottima. Ha una selezione di piatti fronti a base di pesce)

  • Cime di tapas - Corso Umberto I, 8-10 080 645 6624 Una vera chicca. Piatti semplici e gustosi, cucina tradizionale rivisitata, ambiente accogliente e giovanile. Cozze gratinate, polpettine di pane e varie sono rigorosamente fatte al momento.

  • Osteria Perricci – Via Amalfitana, 14 080 9306842 (un classico intramontabile. E' stata una delle prime trattorie servizio semplice cibo buono piatti di terra a di mare)

  • Vini & Panini – Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 35 080 9673612 (Il nome dice tutto. Prodotti di qualità. molto trendy, Si va per mangiare i panini gourmet o i taglieri. Franco il titolare è una colonna del centro storico)

  • Pizzeria ai Portici – Via Milazzo, 26 - 334 8807891. E' una delle mie pizze preferite quando mio fratello mi invita a cena a casa sua, ordina sempre le pizze da qui.

  • The King Street Food - Via Orazio Comes, 31 In assoluto la migliore Puccia del sud Italia

  • L'isola che non c'è - Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 41/43 - Ottima pizza, una delle migliori Pucce con il polpo che ho mangiato nella mia vita

  • Ristorante Pizzeria Bar Porto Rosso - Via Tommaso Moro, 2 - 339 250 8376 Meraviglioso affaccio sul mare, quando andate a cena qui chiedete il tavolo lato finestra. Rustico ma ottimo rapporto qualità prezzo.

  • Carlo Quinto. Via Santa Maria, 52 - E' aperto principalmente in primavera e in estate. Ideale a pranzo. Perfetto d'estate per l'aperitivo (per me ovviamente) d'estate la sera è aperto fino a tardi.

If you would like to give us a taste of your restaurant's main dish, please contact us by emailing apugliesearoundtheworld@gmail.com


We look forward to meeting you!







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Welcome to my world

I am an Apulian journalist, 

A little travel, a little fashion and a little FoodLover, this blog is definitely full of many contents that talk about my thousand adventures in Puglia and its surroundings.

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