In Polignano a Mare, as everywhere in Italy, pizza, pasta, and even bolognese sauce are widely available, but we certainly don’t go to Polignano to feast on Neapolitan delicacies.

The town is full of restaurants, bars, and all sorts of eateries; however, it’s worth knowing where and what to choose to enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

Here’s a quick guide to Polignano a Mare food.

1. Raw Seafood (crudo di frutti di mare)

Available in virtually every seaside town in Italy, including Polignano. Choose from cuttlefish, sea urchins, red and purple shrimp, mussels, and various types of fish. Trying raw seafood is a bit of a challenge, especially for me, as I don’t like having my lunch or dinner stared at me, so I wouldn’t try it. It’s a matter of taste, but I’ve seen plenty of people delight in crudo frutti di mare.

2. Rice with Potatoes and Mussels (La Tiella Barese)

This delicious and typical dish from the province of Bari is made with onions, potatoes, mussels, rice, and pecorino cheese. It sounds like a strange mix of seemingly incompatible ingredients, but the dish is truly delicious. Surprisingly, the plate isn’t heavy, yet it’s filling.

3. Broad Beans with Chicory

This dish can only be found in Puglia. It’s a pure made of cooked dried broad beans mixed with bitter-tasting green chicory. It’s usually served with toasted/grilled bread. It’s a very simple food, which I like very much and could it over and over again. And it’ suitable for vegetarians, if you’re one of them.

4. Eggplant with Parmesan

Another delicious dish which is made of eggplant, ham, Parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce. This plate is a bit heavy, but usually the portions in restaurants are not oversized, as it’s a side dish. If you don’t eat a lot, it might also be a main course.

6. Polignano Focaccia

Focaccia is typical of Bari, and essentially, focaccia from Polignano has the same ingredients as focaccia from Bari, but the differences lie in the kneading method, the oven, and other factors. I’ve tried both, and honestly, I don’t notice any difference, but my Italian partner does. So, try the focaccia from Polignano too, since it’s a typical dish there.

7. Fish Sandwiches

This is a very popular lunch option. I haven’t tried them in Polignano, but judging by the number of people lining up, they must be delicious. The rolls are filled with seafood like raw salmon, octopus, shrimp, swordfish, etc., burrata, lettuce, and other mysterious toppings. They cost around €10-12 and are great for a quick meal that doesn’t require sitting down.

8.Polignano a Mare Coffee

This special coffee, flavored with sugar, lemon zest, cream, and amaretto, is served in small glasses. Unless you try it, you won’t be able to say you’ve had the full experience of Polignano a Mare food.

Where to eat well to enjoy Polignano a Mare food?

In Polignano a Mare, you’ll find places to suit every budget. You can eat at an elegant restaurant or tavern, or grab takeout and enjoy it sitting on the sidewalk.

A while ago, I would have recommended Le Focacce Ignoranti on Via Roma 48 without hesitation. After my last visit, I still recommend it, though with less enthusiasm.

The food is still good, though not as tasty as the first time. Perhaps the chef had a bad day, but that’s probably because this once-small restaurant has expanded and now has many more outdoor tables. The owner clearly prioritized quantity over quality.

If I didn’t have a comparison from my previous visit, I would probably call the food excellent. Either way, here are a few things to try: rice with potatoes and clams, orecchiete with crema di rappe and straciatella, fried zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella, and ricotta and chocolate cake. It’s still delicious and you’re sure to be satisfied. Prices are the same in most restaurants in Polignano these days, so a bigger lunch for two with a bottle of wine will cost you at least €60.

Other good places to eat on a budget include Pescaria at Piazza Aldo Moro 6/8. They specialize in sandwiches, but also have tartare salads, fried fish, fish balls, and even vegetarian and vegan options. There are usually long lines there during lunch hours because the sandwiches are delicious.

Al Buco Preferito Tranquillage, which I visited about two years ago, is located at Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 4, right in the town center. They make pizza, and I remember it being delicious. The place is tiny, but you can sit outside. If you’re craving pizza in Polignano a Mare, this is the place for you.

I occasionally visit posh restaurants, but generally, I’m not a fan of these types of places. I prefer places where you don’t have to dress up and where no one looks at me disapprovingly, for example, if I drop something off my plate or spill wine on it. I haven’t been to any of the upscale restaurants in Polignano yet, so I can’t recommend any. But as soon as I visit one, I’ll update this post.

After an Italian lunch, (almost) everyone drinks coffee and eats gelato.

For coffee, you absolutely must go to The Super Mago del Gelo, located at Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 22. The bar has a long history and, according to the locals, hasn’t changed in years. They serve that special coffee I mentioned above. The bar is always crowded, so you might have to speak up a bit to order a coffee 🙂

According to locals, the best ice cream in Polignano a Mare can be found at The Caruso, at Via Martiri di Dogali 3. They have a wide selection of flavors, so you’re sure to find something you like. Ice cream prices have also increased, so a scoop now costs €3, if I remember correctly.

Do you know of any other dishes or places worth recommending in Polignano a Mare? Let me know in the comments.