We have put together a list of 11 traditional dishes from Puglia. Curious about the flavours of Puglia? This sun-drenched region along the heel of Italy’s boot is home to one of the country’s most diverse—yet often underrated—culinary traditions. Puglian cuisine is celebrated for its seasonal simplicity, where dishes are both unpretentious and incredibly delicious. Above all, it reflects the beauty of the local landscape, proving that exceptional food requires little more than the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to truly shine.
With its fertile soil and warm coastline, Puglia plays a vital role in Italy’s agriculture, producing much of the country’s durum wheat and olive oil. It’s no surprise that bread and pasta are at the heart of many regional dishes, earning Puglia the nickname, “the breadbasket of Italy.” Beyond grains, the region’s culinary treasures include fresh, vibrant vegetables, seafood plucked straight from the Adriatic, and indulgent cheeses like burrata and stracciatella. Here, rich ingredients like meat and butter take a backseat, allowing local produce to steal the spotlight.
If you’re planning a trip to this enchanting corner of Italy, or if you have already booked one of our Puglian cooking holidays, you’re in for a treat. Keep scrolling to the best traditional foods in Puglia you don’t want to miss.
Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa
Orecchiette is a small, round pasta from Puglia that literally translates to ‘little ears’. These bite-sized shells are used in many local pasta dishes, but one of the most famous is orecchiette alle cime di rapa, a humble dish of broccoli rabe (similar to tenderstem broccoli) fried with garlic and anchovies, then stirred through pasta. It’s simple, rustic and delicious – a true representation of Puglian cuisine.
Taralli
Taralli are crispy, ring-shaped crackers that are often enjoyed as a salty snack alongside an aperitivo. They’re boiled then baked and often spiked with extra flavours like dried herbs and spices, but it’s their distinct crunch and slight denseness that makes them utterly addictive and why they were a must when we were preparing our 11 traditional dishes from Puglia list.
Fave e Cicoria
Fava bean puree with chicory might not sound especially glamorous, but this vegetarian dish is a staple in Puglia and reflects its culinary ethos of cooking fresh, wholesome ingredients as simply as possible. To make it, fava beans are cooked for hours until they resemble a soft puree, then seasoned and served with sauteed chicory and a generous splash of olive oil. The combination of legumes, leafy greens and high-quality olive oil means it’s super rich in fibre, vitamins and healthy fats, making it one of the healthier dishes on our 11 traditional dishes from Puglia list.
Pasticciotto
Pasticciotto is a small, Italian sweet treat that sees flaky pastry filled with smooth vanilla custard. Originally hailing from the town of Lecce, they look a bit like miniature loaves of bread and are often eaten for breakfast with a strong coffee. Legend has it that a pastry chef invented pasticciotto in the 1700s after running out of ingredients to make a full cake, and instead decided to use leftover pastry and custard to make these miniature treats.
Tiella
Named after the traditional baking pan in which it’s cooked, Tiella is a traditional Puglian recipe of rice, potato and mussels which are layered in a dish and baked in the oven until golden. It’s a bit like a cross between paella and a pie, and is popular amongst locals and tourists alike for being comforting to eat and easy to make – what’s not to like?
Altamura bread
Altamura is an ancient bread from Puglia made from flour that’s grown in the region it’s named after. Dating all the way back to Roman times, this crusty, round loaf is made with durum wheat and has a thick crust that makes it perfect for dunking into stews or soaking up olive oil. There are over 1,000 different types of bread in Italy, but this is the only one that’s been granted DOP status (Protected Designation of Origin) – a well earned space on our 11 traditional dishes from Puglia list.
Focaccia Barese
Ah, more bread! Focaccia is widely enjoyed in the south, although if you want to enjoy it the Puglian way, then Focaccia Barese is a must-try. Originating in Bari, this circular bread sees traditional focaccia topped with juicy tomatoes, olives, and oregano, and you can find it in bakeries all over Puglia.
Stracciatella and Burrata
Burrata is now enjoyed as a trendy starter on Italian menus across the UK, but did you know that it actually originated in Puglia? This creamy, mozzarella-like cheese comes from the province of Bari, where it’s been produced since the early 1900s. It’s made with cow’s milk by filling a soft, outer layer of cheese with mozzarella and cream to create its signature oozy centre. There truly is nothing better than fresh burrata served with a little bread and olive oil – the Puglian way.
Pettole
Puglia clearly knows a thing or two about bread, and this tasty little snack is a more indulgent take on cooking with fresh dough. Pettole are puffy, deep-fried dough balls that can be eaten plain or with sweet and savoury flavourings, from anchovies and olive oil to icing sugar and honey. They’re usually enjoyed during the festive season in Puglia as a popular Italian Christmas food.
Cafe Leccese
Prefer your coffee on the sweeter side? You’re bound to fall in love with cafe leccese, a twist on iced coffee made with espresso and almond syrup that’s perfect to combat the sweltering heat of the south. It was first invented in Lecce, the same town that brought us pasticciotto, and you can only find it in the Salento region (sometimes it’s also called Caffè Salentino).
Puccia
Puccia is a typical Puglian sandwich made with a traditional round-shaped bread and filled with various local ingredients, like cured meat and cheeses. They’re a popular, inexpensive street food that you’ll find in most bakeries across the region, but one of the most common fillings in Puglia is octopus. Being so close to the coast, ordering an octopus sandwich in Puglia is as normal as eating a ham and cheese sarnie in the UK!
We know we’re biased, but Italian food is one of the best cuisines in the world. If you love it as much as us, why not check out our guide to different types of Italian bread? Or for any wine aficionados out there, we break down what all the different Italian wine labels mean, from DOCG to IGT.
Why not try creating some Puglian dishes at home, maybe in preparation for joining us on one of our Puglian cooking holidays?
Here at Flavours one of our favourites is A Curious Absence of Chickens. Blending travel stories and recipes tells the funny and honest tale of a food lover exploring southern Italy alone – buy here
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