NSM Hotel Palace Lucera

In the heart of the historic centre, just a short distance from the Cathedral of Lucera, this restaurant lies in an ancient alleyway where the stables of a noble palazzo once stood. Today the dining room is arranged across several interconnecting spaces, framed by elegant stone vaulting; at its centre, two glass panels allow a glimpse of the cellar, which houses over 300 labels. The cooking is Mediterranean, modern and vivid in colour: among the dishes, octopus with almonds, fusillone with pumpkin cream and scampi, and a fillet of fish – sea bream, sea bass or dentex according to the market –

This charming restaurant is built on the site of an old 18C olive oil mill (part of which is still used as a convivial wine cellar) in a secluded and tranquil location. The rest of the building is modern, elegant and colourful, while the delightful outdoor space boasts a garden overlooking the surrounding hills and olive trees. Since early 2024, a former sous-chef here has returned to take over at the helm in the kitchen, where he creates dishes that mirror the modern simplicity of the setting. He offers a carefully prepared blind tasting menu (booking ahead is mandatory and you choose your nu

Modern cuisine, prepared with meticulous attention and enriched with carefully selected seasonal products. Tradition meets originality, as in the surprising risotto with clams, cauliflower and a dash of cocoa. Only twenty places in a spectacularly designed dining room: walls and ceilings clad in undulating light wood panels that weave together in a dynamic arch, creating an impression of movement that envelops the dining experience.

A small restaurant overlooking the brackish waters of Lake Lesina, where everything revolves around the professionalism and experience of chef-owner Biscotti, assisted by his two sons. The menu celebrates the flavours of Daunia, with particular emphasis on both sea fish and lake fish, cooked in classic tradition yet presented with a pleasingly modern and colourful touch. Among the most representative creations is their original dessert – now a true signature – “rigatoni al pomodoro”: puffed-pasta rigatoni filled with whipped ricotta, tomato jam and shavings of white chocolate.

A must for anyone looking for traditional home cooking and authentic cuisine from Puglia. Make sure you try the antipasti, and then move on to a first or main course.

For over 40 years the Ventre family have been championing the flavours of Irpinia, seeking out the region’s best seasonal ingredients. These are then used in traditional dishes such as soups, as well as in more personal reinterpretations of local specialities (their “post-modern” arancino is now renowned in the region) that nonetheless retain all their original flavour with influences from both Campania and Puglia. The pizza here is excellent and there’s also a good selection of wine.

Welcoming and a short distance from the centre, the restaurant distinguishes itself through an architectural character of clear contemporary orientation and an equally modern gastronomic offering. The cooking ranges with balance between fish and meat dishes, interpreted through modern recipes and contemporary cooking techniques, among which the use of the Josper oven stands out, reserved in particular for selected meats left to mature in the dedicated dry-ageing unit. Among these, prized Iberian cuts feature prominently on the evening menu. At lunch, the offering broadens to include more immed