The Paradise of Food Porn

If you love food porn, don't miss Panificio Fiore. I need to clarify: in Bari, especially downtown, there are many spots for amazing local specialties. I love having cream pastries for breakfast!

But Panificio Fiore is almost a must-visit.

Panificio Fiore is in the heart of Bari Vecchia, near the Basilica of San Nicola and not far from the port. So, it's not just tasty but also in a tourist hotspot.

To me, it tells Bari's true culture, almost like monuments do. You get a deeper sense of the local culture. You wouldn't appreciate this at a fancy, starred restaurant. Not that it wouldn't be nice, but it would feel more standard, less connected to the area.

As soon as you enter, the atmosphere hits you. The place is small and cozy. With its ancient columns and simple architecture, it feels like a tiny church. The scents make the experience even more intense: freshly baked bread, tomatoes, olives, oregano. It's a mix that wraps around you and makes you forget the crowd outside, at least for a moment.

And the crowd is one of the most characteristic elements. With so many tourists, especially during peak hours, managing the line isn't always easy. You might find a long, seemingly chaotic queue. But just be patient: the staff is quick and efficient, and you'll be served surprisingly fast. It's similar to the other popular tourist spot: the Gentile gelateria.

Watch out for the hours, though. The bakery closes around 1:00 PM and only reopens on certain days. In the afternoon, it's often closed or has limited options. Once, we visited late in the afternoon, around 6:00 PM, and almost everything was gone, including the focaccia. We were lucky to find a slice of pizza and a pasticciotto: the pizza was exceptional, fragrant, and tasty, and the dessert--with its bold cream flavor--was a pleasant finish.

The next day, we returned in the morning, finding it open and well-stocked. Again, there was a line, but no one was discouraged: waiting is part of the experience. We got small panzerotti and, of course, the star: the focaccia barese. Cherry tomatoes, olives, oregano, generous oil. A simple recipe, almost disarming, but perfectly executed. Soft inside, slightly crispy outside, incredibly genuine. One of those things that, once you taste it, you think: "That's why everyone talks about it."

Besides focaccia, Panificio Fiore offers other baked goods and some traditional sweets, including the famous pasticciotto. There's not an endless menu, and that's the charm: few products, done well!

It's a shame I can't visit more often: to get to Bari this time, I took a plane! But it was already my third time in the city, and I know it won't be the last. Bari has a unique way of making you want to return, and places like this are a big reason why.