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BARI: WHERE TO EAT & DRINK LIKE A LOCAL


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Exploring a new city as a tourist can be quite challenging when it comes to deciding where to dine or have a drink, and It can be difficult to avoid tourist traps in moments of desperation. I've often found myself in that familiar situation while traveling – the struggle to find worthwhile restaurants. The search for a good place to sit down and eat can turn into a daunting experience, especially when hunger kicks in (or hanger in my case).


Lucky for you, Bari is filled with amazing restaurants and new foods to try. After spending two years in Bari, I have gathered SO many personal favorite spots, and I'm excited to finally share them with you.


But first...


General Drinking & Dining Tips:


Restaurants Open Late

The majority of the restaurants in the city don't open for dinner until 8 pm, some even 8:30 pm. The ones that do open earlier are likely tailored to tourists. If you typically eat or get hungry earlier, I suggest stopping for an aperitivo first, filling your belly with some snacks, and then going for a late dinner (like a proper local!).


Reservations

ALWAYS make a reservation, even on a weeknight. The majority of restaurants in Bari are relatively small, and many have just a few tables. I've learned that many locals still dine out during the week, so It's important to ALWAYS make a reservation in advance.


Locals Eat Late

If you plan to go out and have dinner with locals, be prepared to eat late. like, REALLy late. After two years here, I am still not totally used to this, but the majority of organized dinner plans with my local friends begin around 9:30 or even 10 pm.


Slow Service

I've learned it's nearly impossible to go to a sit-down restaurant for a "quick lunch" or "quick dinner." Even at Cafe's, if you want to sit down and enjoy breakfast, you should expect to be there for at least half an hour. If you're hungry and pressed for time, I suggest having a coffee and croissant directly at the bar or having a quick and easy takeaway snack.


Tipping Customs

There is no expectation or custom to tip in bari, and this holds true for the majority of cities in Italy. If your dining experience warrants it, you could leave a few euros on the table as an extra "thank you," or leave a small change at the coffee bar.


Nightlife in Bari

If you're looking for a crazy night out clubbing, I'll just tell you now that Bari is not the place. Although there are a few nightclubs (listed below), the best nightlife is located outside of the city center, and is during the summer at beach clubs in neighboring towns. If you do plan to go out, I always recommend finding the bar on Instagram and checking the stories to see if there will be a party happening that night. The pages are usually very responsive, and you can message them directly for information about start times, tickets, etc.



BEST PIZZA IN TOWN:




  • Pizzeria di Cosimo Mauro - Located in Largo Albicocca, this is a strictly take-away restaurant that is perfect for grabbing a pizza and enjoying it at the tables in the piazza.




SEAFOOD:




Seafood dinner at Ristorante del Centro restaurant in Bari

  • Ristorante del Centro - Freshly caught fish, this restaurant doesn't usually have a set menu, but instead offers plates of the day based on the fish they have on hand. Indoor and outdoor seating, this is my go-to spot when my parents come to visit. Warning: It's listed on Google as €€ but can be a bit pricier depending on what you order.



  • Crudi Crudi - Located a bit out of center, but totally worth it. This restaurant is located directly on the sea and has an almost strictly raw seafood menu of freshly caught fish. Casual ambiance, and the best-priced seafood that I've found in the area.


ROMANTIC DATE NIGHT:



  • ADAGIO di Riva - Another upscale restaurant with outdoor seating directly next to the Petruzzelli Theatre.





  • Hagakure Noh Samba - Nikkei e Sushi & Mixology Bar - Upscale Asian fusion restaurant with fun and creative dishes, a funky indoor setting, as well as outdoor seating next to Petruzelli Theatre.


ORECHIETTE PASTA:



  • Le Sgagliozze di Nonna Carmela - An outdoor "fast-food" style restaurant that serves freshly cooked orecchiette pasta with either cime di rapa sauce or a meat sauce. I recommend it for a taste of local flavors as well as a local experience dining in Piazza Largo Albicocca!




  • Buy Orecchiette in "Arco Basso" - The iconic street filled with local ladies hand-making fresh pasta is the perfect place to buy a pasta souvenir to take home with you.


PASTA ALL'ASSASINA:


Pasta all'assassina in Bari

  • Piccini 28 - As mentioned above, a great spot for pizza but is actually known for its Assassina pasta. When ordering the pasta, make sure to ask for fresh burrata on top!



TRADITIONAL RESTAURANTS:


  • La Uascezze - A cozy and intimate restaurant in Bari Vecchia with indoor and outdoor seating. "La Uascezze" is a saying in Barese dialect, which indirectly translates as a feast, a reunion between friends, and a happy state of being.




FOCACCIA BARESE:






A QUICK BITE:



  • Mastro Ciccio - I'd refer to this place as a quick sandwich stop, but upon entry, you'll notice that these aren't your typical sandwiches. Instead, they are made with plenty of local delicacies especially... grilled octopus!




SUSHI:



  • Hagakure Noh Samba - Nikkei e Sushi & Mixology Bar - Upscale Asian fusion restaurant with fun and creative dishes, a funky indoor setting, as well as outdoor seating next to Petruzelli Theatre.


  • Xuan - A delicious Japanese restaurant located near the waterfront, this is my favorite spot for sushi (and yes I've tried nearly every sushi restaurant in Bari in search of the best one). They offer all-you-can-eat sushi for 26.99€ per person (dinner) and have a nice indoor space as well as outdoor seating.


Sushi at Hanami restaurant in Bari


COFFEE BREAK:


Jerome coffee shop in Bari


Giardini di Piazza Umberto in Bari

  • Frulez - Serves vegan dishes and American-style brunch classics The tables outside in the park make for a scenic coffee break spot.



SWEET TREATS:



  • Salvatore Petriella - My absolute favorite spot for just about everything- from coffee to pastries, to an outdoor aperitivo. This is one of the best pastry shops in Bari and has scenic outdoor seating next to the Petruzzelli Theatre.


  • Martinucci (Bari Vecchia) - One of the most well-known pastry shops in southern Italy, with indoor and outdoor seating in the main plaza of the old town.


Ice cream cone at Gelateria Gentile in Bari


APERITIVO:


The infamous Aperitif or "aperitivo" in Italian is a pre-dinner drink meant to stimulate an appetite. It usually is accompanied by some local snacks; in Bari you'll most likely be served a "tris" of peanuts, olives, and taralli, some carrots, or some focaccia.



  • La Ciclatera Sotto Il Mare - My personal favorite and one of the only bars "on" the sea, this spot has lots of cozy outdoor seating. You can expect to find a line of people waiting to get in at any time of day.



  • Mercantile Nove - Another favorite of mine, this bar is located in the main plaza of the old town, has great outdoor seating, and delicious aperitivo snacks.



  • La Biglietteria - Located on the waterfront, this bar has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a creative cocktail menu, and is perfect if you want to hop around to some bars nearby afterward.



  • Premiata Norcineria - A favorite among locals, this spot is great for an affordable pre-dinner drink and snack, and is located near the waterfront making it ideal to hop around after.


COCKTAIL BARS:



  • Le Chat Noir - Starting with my all-time favorite, this cocktail bar is located in the old town and has a very cozy indoor setting, as well as some outdoor seating.



  • PULP - This bar used to share the same owner as Le Chat Noir, which explains the similar cozy feel inside. However, it's a bit farther away from other attractions in the center (as it's located in the university area) and is best for small groups (max 4 people).



  • La Biglietteria - Located on the waterfront, this bar has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a creative cocktail menu, and is perfect if you want to hop around to some bars nearby afterward.



  • Summit - A bit far from the center and in the university area, this one is a local favorite, as it serves funky and out-of-the-box "artistic" cocktails. Note: The entrance is purposely hidden to give a speakeasy feel, and you'll have to enter what looks like a garage to find it.




DANCY MUSIC COCKTAIL BARS:




  • Riva Club - the only place located in the city center really made for dancing, this bar is near the Petruzzelli Theatre and has different "themed" music nights on the weekends as well as live music.



WINE BARS:



  • La Staffa Enoteca - As usual starting with my favorite, this wine bar has a cozy and casual setting with a few tables outside too, and the staff is incredibly friendly.









WHERE TO FIND LOCALS:

Although you are guaranteed to find locals at all of the bars listed above, these last few have an extra bit Barese to them:


  • Piccolo Bar - Translated to "small bar" this place is literally a hole in the wall where you order cheap drinks, and drink on the streets. It's hard to miss since there's always a crowd outside any night of the week and is a great place to meet locals.



  • Torre Quetta - If you're looking for a drink or to dance by the sea Torre Quetta is the place. It's essentially a "boardwalk" lined with different bars and during the summer has music and dancing on Thursdays and Saturdays. The best way to get here is with a car, but it's also possible to take the bus there as well as walk there if you're up for a hike - throwback to 30,000 steps in one night when my friends and I walked there and back.

    • Address: You can search "Spiaggia Torre Quetta" in Google Maps.


 

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