PUGLIAN LUXURY VILLA WITH PANORAMIC SEA VIEWS AND PRIVATE HEATED POOL
The following restaurants and beach clubs are particular favourites and recommendations from Villa Francesca's owner. Their comments are a reflection of their personal views of each establishment. Should you wish to do so, please click on the pictured links for further details.
SANTOS TAVERNA. Torre Canne (20 mins)
This romantic yet relatively relaxed 'Greek style' taverna come beach club is set right on the beautiful coast and can be reached by a short track off of the coastal road between Savelletri and Torre Canne. The beach club is easy to find and definitely worth a visit for a leisurely lunch and refreshing afternoon swim on a sunny day.
The establishment is run with great style and flair by the eponymous Santos and his wonderful team. It serves a mixture of excellent Greek and Italian food and bar snacks. Including copious amounts of fresh seafood and pizza galore!
Actually this place is rather more than it seems as it has actually become something of a gathering place for celebrities and 'beautiful people' from the whole of Puglia and Italy beyond.
Taverna Santos has something of the spirit of St. Tropez in its early years. It is a great example of how Puglia has become a truly fashionable travel location whilst still retaining its original charm. It is advisable not to come out of season as it is often shut and deserted apart from some ferocious dogs.
OSTERIA PIAZZETTA CATTEDRALE. Ostuni (30 mins)
This tiny little restaurant with only five or six tables in the entire establishment is perched right at the top of Ostuni's spectacular Centro Storico in the stunningly beautiful square opposite the Cathedral.
This civilised restaurant is not at all touristy and offers high quality food and perfect service in a very romantic setting, albeit at a price. As such, it is a perfect alternative to the touristy but unmissable cave restaurant Osteria di Tempo Perso which is located very nearby. You will have a delightful lunch or evening meal in this place and will most definitely want to return.
Booking is ESSENTIAL due to the size of the place and you will have to allow time to park in Ostuni and then climb the long steep pedestrianised street up to the Cathedral.
OSTERIA DI TEMPO PERSO. Ostuni (30 mins)
This wonderful establishment is a small in status but delivers above and beyond. It is very popular restaurant with locals and holidaymakers. Set entirely inside a natural cave, it is positioned behind the front of an ancient house high up in the historic Centro Storico of Ostuni.
Osteria Di Tempo's concentrates its focus on local Apulian specialties. The food is indeed both delicious and very interesting which, is very much a part of the whole dining experience. It can be quite a pricey dining experience and often a little touristy but completely worth these factors. In order to get there you will have to park somewhere in Ostuni (which is not always the easiest task).
The return journey down the hill makes for the perfect evening stroll after dinner soaking in the exquisite white washed Centro Storico of Ostuni.
AL FORNELLO DA RICCI. Ceglie Messapica (40 mins)
This well-known Michelin starred restaurant occupies a lovely old house which is beautifully decorated inside. The restaurant includes a stunning courtyard which is perfect for dining on hot summer evenings.
Outstanding and inventive food with a good choice including many local specialities.
This is a destination restaurant which can be quite formal with prices to match. Getting there is half the fun with a lovely journey through the Itria Valley to Cisternino, then on to Ceglie Messapice and then finding the restaurants on the outskirts.
Be sure to book ahead as the opening times are variable and it can be busy. Definitely worth a visit if you want to try a truly 'foodie' restaurant with Puglian overtones.
DA TUCCINO. Polignano a Mare (30 mins)
This is widely regarded as the top seafood restaurant in Puglia with a wide range of freshly landed fish and a fabulous location right down by the seaside just outside Polignano with beautiful views.
This 'destination' restaurant attracts businessmen and tourists from all around but it is also packed with Italian families on a Sunday lunch. Be bold and try some of the sea urchins (ricci) or other raw seafood. It is delicious and will all be totally fresh. If you do not feel that this is something you would like to try then sticking to more conventional seafood and fish dishes in Da Tuccino will not disappoint you.
This restaurant is relatively formal with attentive service but not at all overpowering. It is most definitely worth a lunchtime visit during your stay. There is dedicated parking so it is very easy to visit.
IL RIFUGIO DI GHIOTTONI. Fasano (20 mins)
This is an informal cellar restaurant in the centre of Fasano and it is very popular with the residents of Fasano for family get-togethers, first dates, groups of friends - so the atmosphere is good. So are the antipasti della casa and the pizzas. Ask Stefano what he recommends as the dish of the day.
The restaurant is underground so is perhaps a good choice for that occasional rainy evening. Do not be put off by the slightly unprepossessing entrance!
IL FAGIANO. Selva di Fasano (10 mins)
A palatial country house set behind walls in the centre of Selva di Fasano often hosts major functions. Other than on these special occasions, they open their doors as a fantastic up-market courtyard restaurant.
It is quite expensive but very good food and a truly romantic atmosphere in the evening with candles and lanterns etc. This is a place to dress up for an evening out and there is often dancing as well.
Leave time to have a wander round the streets of Selva di Fasano afterwards and enjoy the fresh air up in the hills here.
It is advisable to ring ahead to check it is open and book. Take care to avoid large weddings or other events which can swamp the place.
LA GRANDE QUERCIA. Selva di Fasano (10 mins)
This relaxed restaurant is set in a beautiful courtyard under a large oak tree. Its is a great place to eat outside on a summer evening. Fantastic antipasti della casa and fresh fish at extremely good value.
The restaurant is a little difficult to find as it is on the outskirts of Selva di Fasano right at the top of the hill. Turn left as you come to the first roundabout at the entrance to Selva and go a few hundred yards down a winding country road through the old stone villas.
Coming here is a good excuse to get up into the Selva Hills where there are lovely fresh breezes and stunning views of the coast down below.
The restaurant does get very busy on Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer months so, ensure to make a reservation before setting off. In contrast it is deserted and often closed out of season.
_edited.jpg)
GROTTA PALAZZESE. Polignano a Mare (30 mins)
A well-known and amazingly theatrical restaurant set in a huge natural cave inside the sea cliffs of Polignano. This could be perhaps the most dramatic restaurant setting in Italy.
The interesting menu features a wide range of fresh fish and seafood and the food is good quality and also well presented.
The service and atmosphere are quite formal and there is no doubt that a meal here will prove expensive, but this is hardly surprising given the stunning location which must be extraordinarily difficult to maintain and operate as a fully functioning restaurant.
You have to park near to the Hotel Grotta Palazzese in the local streets of the centre of Polignano and then go into the hotel and take the lift down to the cave. Booking is essential. Take a jacket as the open-air underground setting can make it a little chilly on all but the hottest days.
COCCARO BEACH CLUB. Capitolo near Savelletri (20 mins)
Our guests have been granted access to this up-market but relaxed beach club associated with the exclusive Masseria Torre Coccaro - just mention the name of our Villa when calling to make a reservation.
This stylish and romantic venue is set right on a manicured beach - with loungers and gazebos and all sorts of other up-scale beach facilities.
The food is top quality including sushi prepared by a Japanese-trained chef and also a good variety of fresh fish and other beach food. This restaurant is not cheap but you should definitely take the opportunity and book in here a couple of times during your stay and perhaps relax throughout the afternoon and early evening as well.
MASSERIA TORRE COCCARO. Savelletri (20 mins)
This truly fabulous ancient Masseria offers top-class romantic dining in old stone restaurant or outside in lantern-lit courtyard in the summer - as well as a host of other facilities including an AVEDA Spa set in an underground cave and a vast swimming pool.
You should mark the Masseria down as an essential stop for lunch or dinner at least once during your stay.
There is a very extensive menus with many a la carte and daily special dishes. The wine menu includes both national and international wines and a large selection of local quality wines. Your visit here will be pricey but then this is a high quality establishment with excellent personal service and has become recognised as one of the top boutique hotels in Italy.
You should definitely make time to wander around the courtyard and the grounds and gardens - whether it is day or night - as this is a wonderful place with a very special atmosphere. Ensure you make a reservation in advance and mention you are a guest at the villa.
MASSERIA TORRE MAIZZA. Savelletri (20 mins)
An atmospheric up-market restaurant overlooking a lovely citrus-filled courtyard in a stunningly beautiful white washed, renovated Masseria.
This is a top-class boutique hotel destination in its own right (with a golf course to match) and is therefore quite an expensive place but this is reflected with the excellent selection of quality food and a long list of local wines.
This is a very comfortable restaurant and very much a 5* hotel dining experience. You should make time to walk around the hotel grounds afterwards under the pergolas festooned with grapes and flowers and to take a coffee and digestivo in the separate bar with its lovely masseria fireplace. This is the sister hotel to Masseria Torre Coccaro and a worthy alternative with a little more comfort and a little less historic atmosphere.
