Must-Try Dishes in Gallipoli

What to eat in Gallipoli during the holidays?

If you are on vacation in Gallipoli and want to discover the true Salento cuisine, then you are in the right place. The gastronomy of this area of Puglia is rich in authentic flavors, centuries-old traditions, and fresh local ingredients.

What are the typical dishes to try in Gallipoli?

In Gallipoli, you cannot miss these 5 traditional Salento dishes: Puccia Salentina, Scapece Gallipolina, Lu Purpu a Pignata, raw seafood and crustaceans, Spumone Gallipolino. Each dish has a story, a unique preparation, and can be enjoyed in various local restaurants and kiosks.

What is Puccia Salentina and where to eat it in Gallipoli?

Puccia Salentina is a rustic and crunchy sandwich, perfect for a quick lunch. It originated in the 1970s and has spread throughout Salento. In Gallipoli, you can find it with capers, anchovies, tuna, and tomato. You can taste it in traditional bakeries, trattorias, and street food kiosks in the historic center or near the market. Average price: from €2.50 to €6, depending on the filling.

What does Scapece Gallipolina taste like?

Scapece Gallipolina is an ancient appetizer, created to preserve fish. It is prepared with fried blue fish, bread crumbs soaked in vinegar and saffron. It has a strong flavor, with a perfect balance between acidity and the scent of the sea. You can try it in restaurants in the historic center. Average price: between €10 and €20, depending on the portion.

Where to eat Lu Purpu a Pignata in Gallipoli?

Lu Purpu a Pignata is a symbolic dish of Gallipoli cuisine. It consists of octopus cooked slowly in a terracotta pot with tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and spices. One of the best places to taste it is La Terrazza, a restaurant in the historic center that serves it with boiled potatoes and bread croutons. Average price: from €15 to €30.

Where to enjoy seafood and raw fish in Gallipoli?

Gallipoli is a paradise for raw fish. Hairy mussels, violet shrimp, oysters, sea urchins, and scampi are served fresh on ice. For a seaside dinner or an aperitif at the port, try Pescheria La Lampara, famous for the quality and freshness of its raw offerings. Average price: between €30 and €40, with wine included.

What is Spumone Gallipolino and where to taste it?

Spumone is a cold dessert made from artisanal ice cream, originating from Salento. The Gallipoli version has chocolate and hazelnut ice cream, Piedmontese cream with dark chocolate, and a crunchy coating of almonds and chocolate. You can find it in many bars and restaurants in the center and along the seafront. Average price: from €3 to €5. Great for a snack or dessert.

Where to eat well in Gallipoli on a budget?

If you are looking for where to eat in Gallipoli on a budget, local street food is the ideal solution. Among the alleys of the center and along the seafront, you can find: handmade orecchiette, fried panzerotti, puccia uliata, fried fish, gratinated mussels. Perfect for a quick snack or an informal dinner, these dishes are inexpensive and offer the true taste of Salento.

Where to find typical street food in Gallipoli?

Walk through the streets of the historic center or visit local markets. You will find Apulian women making orecchiette, kiosks with fried fish, and small delicatessens selling puccia or panzerotti. With a few euros, you can experience authentic culinary delights, enjoying fresh and genuine products.