This trip to Salento was not just about tourism, but above all about discovering authentic flavors. We decided to tell it as we experienced it: walking through the streets of Lecce, stopping at places that caught our attention, and tasting what locals truly love. We also wanted to share it in our series Alla Nostra, on the YouTube channel of La Ragazza col Mattarello. There you can watch the full tour and live it with us. If you haven’t already, we invite you to subscribe to the channel so you won’t miss the next episodes.
The video is in Spanish, but Google auto-generated subtitles are available.
The first stop in Lecce
The first stop was at the Angolino de via Matteotti. It’s a small place, but once you step inside you immediately know you are in the right spot. The puccia we chose was filled with vegetables and meatballs. Bite after bite confirmed that simplicity, when done right, always wins.
A different rustico
A little further ahead we stopped at Boulangerie. Here the star was the rustico. Everyone knows it, but the one we tried was special, prepared with different flours. The dough was crispy and the filling hot and tasty. An interesting twist on a classic that never disappoints.
Il Fornaio and the surprise of the pitta
In the center, right in front of the Roman amphitheater, we stopped at Il Fornaio. It’s a historic place and you can feel it. We bought piscialetta, pizzi, and taralli. Everything was delicious, but the surprise came a little later. The pitta di patate was sold out, but Antonello, our friend from Masseria Vigneri, let us try his homemade version. It was one of those moments you never forget, not just great food but also the warmth of feeling truly welcomed.
Break at Caffè Alvino
At Caffè Alvino, in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, we had a different kind of break. The caffè leccese with ice and almond milk was refreshing and perfect for the heat. We paired it with a rustico and a pasticciotto. Everything was simple and spot-on, just as expected from an institution of the city.
The video is in Spanish, but Google auto-generated subtitles are available.
Traditional sweets at Natale and Schipa
At Pasticceria Natale we indulged in a winning trio: rustico, pasticciotto, and fruttone. Here you can really sense the hand of those who work with precision and passion. The fruttone, with almond paste, jam, and chocolate, was a delightful discovery. At Schipa we found the same quality, with another pasticciotto and fruttone that confirmed the tradition.
A modern break
To change the atmosphere a bit, we stopped at Quanto Basta, a cocktail bar where modernity meets tradition. A good cocktail was the perfect way to end the day, especially after eating so much.
The sandwich at MezzoQuinto
And of course we couldn’t miss MezzoQuinto. Here sandwiches are the true stars. We chose one with Genovese-style meatballs and another with horse meat. Both intense and flavorful, an experience that shows another side of Salento street food, the most rustic and straightforward one.
Focaccia in Bari
Our journey ended in Bari, at the bakeries Santa Rita and Fiore. Two places that carry the history of focaccia barese. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, with tomatoes and oil that linger on your fingers. A perfect ending to this trip.
A final ranking
At the end, as always, we made our small ranking. If we had to recommend three stops to someone with little time, we would undoubtedly choose MezzoQuinto with its horse meat sandwich, Panificio Santa Rita with its unforgettable focaccia, and Pasticceria Natale with the pasticciotto, rustico, and fruttone that are well worth the visit.
The Map
What we take from this trip
This was not just a food tour, but a way to truly experience Salento. Moreover, each stop told us something: the passion of those who cook, the generosity of those who welcomed us, and the bond between people and their flavors. And if you want to join us for more adventures, don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and on our social networks. Alla Nostra continues, and the best is yet to come.
