Puglia, the sun-soaked heel of Italy’s boot, and my all-time favorite region of Italy, is known not only for its stunning coastline, picturesque historic towns, and stunningly beautiful water but also for its vibrant culinary tradition.
The cuisine of the region, from the staple olive oil to the fun and crunchy taralli, is so delicious and a true celebration of simplicity and flavor and deeply rooted in agricultural heritage. When you visit Puglia, indulging in traditional foods is an absolute must!
Here’s a must-eat guide to traditional Puglia food you must try during your Puglia vacation and the best places to find them. Keep reading and your taste buds will thank you:
My All-time Favorite: OLIVE OIL
From the second you arrive in Puglia, you’ll see why this liquid is a staple food here. The landscape is covered with olive trees growing by the thousands taking over any space of spare land, all of these groves, plus the fact that the climate and soil here are ideal for the olives, create the result of a rich and super flavorful oil that is considered some of the best in the world.
What Makes Puglia Olive Oil Special?
Puglia produces nearly 40% of Italy’s olive oil. The key to its distinct flavor lies in the region’s unique olive varieties, such as Coratina and Ogliarola. These olives are hand-picked and cold-pressed to preserve their robust, fruity flavor and vibrant green color.
Where and How to Enjoy Olive Oil in Puglia, Italy
While visiting Puglia, definitely take the opportunity to taste olive oil in as many places as possible.
Many local manufacturers and farms in Puglia offer tastings where you can sample different varieties of olive oil and learn about the production process and take a tour of the mill in some places.
My all time favorite manufacturer to visit and buy from is Frantoio Muraglia in Andria for both the incredible oil and the gorgeously decorated bottles from local young artists. Or, if you’re looking for tastings or tours in your region of Puglia this site has a great list of options for all around Puglia.
Focaccia: A Crispy, Melt-in-your-mouth Staple
With a journey of flavor and texture within each bite of this classic bake, from the soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior, to the flaky, crisp olive oil-brushed crust, all enhanced by the subtle crunch of delicate sea salt, what is not to love about focaccia bread?
If you think that focaccia bread is so delicious that it’s almost poetic like I do, you have come to the right place. Focaccia is a quintessential part of Puglia cuisine, often enjoyed as a snack or an accompaniment to meals. It is typically topped with ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, rosemary, and coarse sea salt, allowing the quality of Puglia’s olive oil (see above) to shine through.
Where to Find the Best Focaccia
Almost any bakery you find in Puglia has its own version of focaccia, but some of the best of the best we found was located in Bari, where there are a few different bakeries known for this bake.
My personal favorite in Bari is at El Focacciaro, there will likely be a line out the door most of the day but don’t worry it moves quickly. My go-to order here is the classic Focaccia Barese topped with tomatoes and green olives. Alternatively, Bakery Santa Rita just a few blocks around the corner also has amazing reviews, but anytime we walked by, the line was incredibly long, so we decided to skip.
Friselle: Bread Dipped in Water?!
Friselle, crunchy, round, bagel-look-alike bread rolls of Puglia, are a culinary treasure with a rich history and a distinctive and delightful texture. Their deliciousness and uniqueness make them a must-try for anyone exploring Pugliese cuisine, this traditional food of Puglia is truly one of my favorite things to eat in the region.
The uniqueness of Friselle lies in the fact that you must soak it briefly in water to soften it before eating. This is a magical feature that will transform this hard and dry bread into a delectable treat with a perfectly crunchy outside and a soft and slightly chewy interior. Once softened, friselle are traditionally topped with fresh, juicy tomatoes, a generous drizzle of high-quality Pugliese olive oil, a sprinkle of oregano, and a pinch of sea salt.
A Bite of History
A fun fact to know is that Friselle has been a staple in Pugliese kitchens for centuries! Originating as a practical solution for preserving bread, they were designed to last through the hot summers and long sea voyages. Sailors and farmers would carry friselle with them, relying on their durability and ease of preparation.
Where to Taste this Pugliese Tradition
The best places for Friselle that I have encountered during my travels are in Otranto in the South of Puglia.
My top two restaurants in Otranto where I enjoyed not only their delectable friselle dishes but also the entire restaurant, at L’Ortale in the Centro Storico and Caffetteria Il Moresco on the waterfront. See a complete review of these restaurants in my guide of Top Restaurants Puglia.
In addition, as you wander through the bustling storefronts and traditional food markets of Puglia, you can find bags of Friselle for sale. Be sure to pick up a bag so you can continue to enjoy this delicious bread that is super easy to transport, and fun to show off to friends, once at home.
Orecchiette: The Tastiest Little Ears
Next on the list for must-try traditional foods in Puglia is the iconic Orecchiette. Meaning “little ears” in Italian, has been a beloved staple in Puglia for centuries. Historically, it was crafted by hand using just durum wheat semolina and water, shaped into small, concave disks with a distinctive thumbprint in the center.
This traditional method of pasta-making has been passed down through generations, preserving both the artistry and authenticity of orecchiette, and ensuring you will find it on almost any restaurant menu in Puglia.
Experiencing Orecchiette
The unique shape of orecchiette makes it perfect for capturing sauces and ingredients, ensuring each mouthful you take of this pasta is bursting with flavor. One of the most famous dishes featuring orecchiette is “orecchiette con cime di rapa” (orecchiette with broccoli rabe), a beloved Pugliese specialty.
For an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend taking a cooking class while in Puglia to master the art of making orecchiette yourself.
Additionally, while in Bari, make sure not to miss Strada Arco Basso, fondly known as Strada delle Orecchiette, where local grandmothers (“nonnas”) have been crafting this pasta for generations right outside their homes. Purchase some and bring a taste of Puglia back to your own kitchen.
Taralli: The Perfect Circular Snack
Taralli are small, ring-shaped snacks that are a quintessential part of Pugliese cuisine. But they are more than just a snack, these crunchy delights are a symbol of Puglia’s culinary heritage and the ingenuity of its people, with a rich history dating back to the 8th century.
Flavor of the Past
Originally, Taralli were created out of both necessity and resourcefulness. In the rural kitchens of Puglia, peasants and farmers would use the simplest and most readily available ingredients to make these snacks, which were then boiled before baking to ensure a longer shelf life.
Valued for their long-lasting freshness and portability, Taralli became a staple in the Pugliese diet before long. They were an ideal snack for farmers working in the fields and for travelers embarking on long journeys.
Over time, Taralli evolved from a humble peasant food to a beloved snack, made in a variety of fun flavors, and enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
Enjoying Taralli
Taralli can be enjoyed pretty much however you want. They are excellent on their own as a great crunchy afternoon snack, but my favorite way to eat them is to pair them with some olives and a glass of Pugliese wine, such as Primitivo or Rosato, for the perfect Italian aperitivo experience.
In my experience, the best place to find this traditional food of Puglia is at local markets or roadside stands throughout Puglia, where they are freshly baked and sold by the kilo. These stands offer a variety of flavors to choose from.
My personal go-to is the rosmarino (rosemary), which is simple yet perfect, or for a playful twist, I also recommend trying cacio e pepe, a delightful reinterpretation of a classic pasta flavor.
Burrata: Creamy, Dreamy Cheese
Burrata is a cheese lover’s dream come true. If you’ve tried burrata before and are as big of a fan of this creamy, richly flavored cheese as I am, you’ll be excited to find out that this luxurious cheese was invented in Puglia! And, if you haven’t yet experienced burrata, prepare to be wowed!
What is Burrata?
This traditional food of Puglia is a cheese made from cow’s milk and features an outer shell similar to mozzarella, which encases a soft, creamy core of stracciatella and cream. When you cut into it, the creamy interior spills out, creating an indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Where and How to Savor Burrata in Puglia
Burrata is best enjoyed fresh, you will often see it served with ripe tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt. It also pairs beautifully as part of a cheese board with prosciutto, arugula, and crusty bread. You can pretty much find this true taste of Pugliese craftsmanship at most restaurants and cheese shops in Puglia.
Wines of Puglia: Primitivo and Rosato
No exploration of traditional Puglia foods would be complete without sampling the food’s best pairings, Puglia’s wines.
Puglia is renowned for the variety of wines this region produces. My top favorites, each very unique from the other, that you must enjoy during your visit are the robust Primitivo and refreshing Rosato wines.
Primitivo: The Bold Red
Primitivo is a rich, full-bodied red wine known for its high alcohol content and intense flavors of dark fruit, spice, and chocolate. It pairs perfectly with hearty meat dishes, aged cheeses, and traditional Pugliese fare.
Rosato: The Elegant Rosé
Rosato is Puglia’s version of rosé wine, offering a lighter, more refreshing option. It is made from various grape varieties, including Negroamaro and Bombino Nero, and is characterized by its bright acidity and flavors of red berries and citrus. Rosato is my ideal choice for enjoying on a hot summer day on a stunning Puglia beach.
