Best Restaurants In Bari: My 6 Favorite Food Spots In Bari 2026
I’m lucky enough to be able to travel to Bari, Italy multiple times a year and over the last few years I’ve been able to plan my trip to include my favorite foods and the restaurants that are the best at them. I’ve written this restaurant guide so that first or second time visitors can experience Bari with the same level of quality and enjoyment that I do.
I love the regional specialties in Bari because it makes for such a unique experience when we’re there that I find it difficult to compare this corner of Puglia to any other region in Italy. This guide focuses on the restaurants that I enjoy the most, but there is so much more food in Bari that one should experience.
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Let this guide take you to the best restaurants that I could find and I’m sure you will enjoy the experience. That said, you also should simply walk around Bari Vecchia and grab something “to go” from the many small vendors that also make amazing regional delicacies.
What Are the Best Restaurants in Bari? We’ve Got the Answers!
I recommend that you review each of the restaurants listed below for a more detailed understanding of your dining options in Bari, Italy. If, however, you want to skip to the highlights, I will summarize that here.
I’ve loved Spaghetti all’Assassina since the first time I tried it. Interestingly, the restaurant I tried first, l’Assassineria Urbana, has been my favorite, despite having tried this famous dish in a number of other Bari restaurants.
If you are looking for authentic Pugliese Panzerotti, I can’t think of any place better than La Casa del Gusto. This casual and friendly restaurant is a short walk from Bari Vecchia, but I believe it is worth the walk. Make reservations.
Lastly, my favorite “hidden gem”, or more accurately a hidden restaurant, is the amazing La Uascèzze. Even though it is difficult to pronounce and a bit tricky to find, it serves my favorite versions of traditional Barese classics that you will love too.
1. Urban – l’Assassineria Urbana // Best Spaghetti all’Assassina In Bari
Opening Hours: 12:30am-3pm / 7:30-11:30pm
Price: $$
My Rating (1-5): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I’ve enjoyed this eclectic and original restaurant since my first visit to: via Nicolai, 10. Their Killer Spaghetti is the best in the city, their wines were delicious and the menu is what I would call a truly eclectic mix of traditional, asian influenced and slightly mexican as well. They offer a unique selection of spaghetti, tacos and one of my favorites, Bao. We’ve had many delicious lunches with a very helpful staff and high level of quality.
2. Panificio Santa Rita // Best Focaccia In Bari
Opening Hours: 8:50am-2pm / 6:15-9:15pm
Price: $
My Rating (1-5): ★ ★ ★ ★
This amazing bakery is in the old town (Bari Vecchia) section of the city, at: Str. dei Dottula, 8. There are two different lines, one for those only getting their daily bread (Pane) and the other for the focaccia. In the focaccia line, if there is a crowd, you will need to get a number and wait outside until it is called.
There can be a wait, due to its popularity, but the line moves quickly, and you’ll be glad you didn’t give up. Once served, I grabbed a seat on a nearby staircase and dove into the still warm bread for a truly transcendent experience!
3. Petriella al Teatro // The Best Caffè Leccese
Opening Hours: 7am-10:30am / 12:00-21:30pm
Price: $$
My Rating (1-5): ★ ★ ★
Even though I would stop by Patriella’s for their amazing desserts, there is one specialty of theirs that I love, which they excel at, and that is their Caffè Leccese. This is a regional coffee that is delicious any time of the year, but I found it especially delightful during the summer.
The Caffè Leccese is a local delicacy that involves an espresso coffee and an almond syrup. Many recipes I’ve seen online describe it as having sweet almond milk, but this is not correct. The very sweet almond syrup is added to espresso and served over ice, which results in a thicker, sweeter drink that is perfect on a hot day.
I love my espresso bitter and angry, which means I don’t usually add sugar, but I have not had a more refreshing drink than the Caffè Leccese that I enjoyed at Petriella al Teatro. It is found at: Via Salvatore Cognetti, 14.
4. La Casa del Gusto // The Best Panzerotti In Bari
Opening Hours: 7pm-12am
Price: $$
My Rating (1-5): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This unpretentious restaurant specializes in classic Barese Panzerotti and their commitment to taste, quality and tradition are why I love making the walk to this spot when I’m in town. I appreciate that they aren’t trying to be all things to all people and are focusing on making the best Pazerotti in Bari.
Unfortunately for me, they are only open for dinner and they are closed on Sundays. They do have individual seating for small groups, but it is possible that you might need to sit “Family-Style” with some new friends, if the crowd dictates this.
I highly recommend dining in the restaurant. If you get delivery of these deep-fried beauties, then you will likely enjoy a sub-standard experience. I think you should eat them as freshly as possible.
5. La Uascèzze // The Best Traditional Dishes In Bari
Opening Hours: 19:45-23:00pm (Lunch on Saturdays: 12:24-15:00pm)
Price: $$$
My Rating (1-5): ★ ★ ★ ★
I was first drawn to this restaurant because of the very cool setting it is in. I love the almost cave-like dining spaces, nestled between buildings in Bari Vecchia, but then I tasted the food and I was hooked.
My favorite is the rice, potatoes and mussels dish, known as Riso, Patate e Cozze. This is a traditional Bari dish, which I believe is considered Cucina Povera due to the inexpensive nature of the main ingredients: rice, potatoes and mussels (the most inexpensive and available seafood around Bari).
6. The Stuart Scottish Pub
Opening Hours: 11:00am-1:00am
Price: $$
My Rating (1-5): ★ ★ ★
OK, I’ll admit this is an uncommon recommendation. I want to include this because some people get tired of traditional Italian food if their vacation is long enough and they simply want a cheeseburger. I reached that threshold and I was excited to find this hidden gem.
The last time I visited Bari, Italy, I had a strange desire to eat something non-Barese and even non-Italian. I was searching for something like an Irish pub because I wanted Guinness and some pub food to go along with it. Luckily, I found The Stuart Scottish Pub and I made the walk along the coast to my new favorite, but unassuming spot.
The Stuart pub can be found at: via Dalmazia, 173, which is in the opposite direction from the more touristy Bari Vecchia. It is an easy walk, especially along the beautiful Lungomare any time of the year.
FAQs About the Best Restaurants in Bari Italy
What Is Bari Vecchia (Bari Old Town)?
Bari is the capital of the Apulia (Puglia) region and is on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. It is the second most important city economically, in the south after Naples. It is an important port, it has a university and it is known as the city of Saint Nicholas, yes, THAT St. Nicholas.
What To Eat In Bari
One of my favorite things about Italy is that there are very different, and delicious, regional foods that make exploring Italy that much more fun. The unique foods of Bari will are some of my favorites in all Italy: Focaccia, Spaghetti all’Assassina, Panzerotti, Caffè Leccese and Riso, Patate e Cozze.
You may find these available in other regions of Italy, but the Barese version is unique and delicious, so if you are in the area, you should check them out.
Who Invented Spaghetti all’Assassina In Bari?
It is generally accepted that a chef named Enzo Francafilla invented this Killer Spaghetti (Spaghetti all’Assassina) at his restaurant in Bari, called: Al Sorso Preferito, which is still around today. Looking at their menu, it seems like they have moved on from their invention, but the tradition has been picked up by others.
What is the top restaurant in Bari?
For such a small town, it is surprising how many great meals I’ve enjoyed there. However, If I had to pick just one, I’d go with Urban – l’Assassineria Urbana. This is mainly because they are able to combine a high-quality classic like Spaghetti al’Assassina with an eclectic mix of Mexican and Asian influenced dishes. This is a difficult balancing act that I believe they pull off magnificently!
Where should I eat in Bari?
In addition to my favorite restaurants that I’ve listed above, simply walk around Bari Vecchia and try some fried polenta or orecchiette that you’ll find sold on the sidewalk.
Where should I stay in Bari?
For me, there are two equally inviting neighborhoods to check out. First is Bari Vecchia, which is the beautiful “Old Town” part of the city that is breathtaking. Second is the popular Murat neighborhood, full of shopping and restaurants. Both areas, in my opinion, have a lot to offer a visitor.
Final Thoughts on the Best Restaurants in Bari
All in all, I’m a huge fan of the regional specialties in Bari, Italy. There are so many new and amazing restaurants popping up, which added to the existing spots, almost feels overwhelming. Too many options, and you might end up not knowing where to go, which is why I’m here with these recommendations.
In Bari, once you’ve got your five or six favorite spots, that’s more than enough. I don’t need hundreds of restaurants, just need a handful of really good ones, and that’s exactly what I have here.
I hope this travel guide to Bari’s restaurant will make your trip easier and more enjoyable with the eateries I’ve recommended. If you’re sitting in your hotel room right now trying to figure out where to grab lunch or dinner, I hope this can make your decision a little easier. Now, go eat before you get too hangry and Happy Travels!
Check Out My Top Bari Guides
- Bari, Italy: What To Do If You Only Have A Weekend To Visit
- Our Weekend In Bari Guide For An Amazing Getaway From Rome
Check Out My Other Italy Travel Guides
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- A Train Trip From Rome To Venice Is A Great Experience
- Is Florence, Italy Worth Visiting On Your Next Vacation?
- Things To See In Genoa On Your Next Weekend Getaway
- A Day Trip To Naples From Rome Is Easy And Worth It
