Food
Shopping
Welcome to Puglia, a region where the richness of food matches the depth of its culture! This guide is designed to steer you through the local food shopping landscape, enriching your culinary journey.
Keep in mind that most local shops in the area close for the afternoon, typically from 1pm to 5pm. However, supermarkets remain open throughout the day. Additionally, hypermarkets in locations like Monopoli and Mesagne are also open on Sundays.
We prefer to shop at local stores, both to support them and for the superior quality of their products
Vegetables:
You can buy fresh vegetables everywhere in the towns, most notably in the small grocery stores that dot the area. Our personal favourite can be found in on the corner of Via Garibaldi in San Vito dei Normanni. It is located just around the corner from the renowned caseificio Lanzillotti, making it worth the small trip. Some tomatoes, carefully selected from the vibrant produce section of the local store, perfectly paired with a creamy burrata sourced directly from the esteemed Lanzillotti's dairy. The resulting combination is nothing short of a culinary delight, providing an authentic and unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Meat:
You can find good butchers (Macelleria) in every village across Puglia. These local butchers often open at night to sell their meat straight from the grill, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to indulge in this culinary tradition under the starry skies. You can eat it on a bench or sit down in a humble, no-frills restaurant, to experience Puglia's local food scene.
Notable butcher near the villa: La Tagliata, Via Caduti in Guerra 2, Carovigno .
Mozzarella and Burrata:
The farmers bring in the milk early in the morning and then the caseificio starts producing fresh mozzarella, ricotta, scamorza. You should definitely try the burrata, a delicious mozzarella filled with fresh cream. Come early because they’re sold out by noon. Try to eat the same day!
Caseificio Semeraro Di Giuseppe Semeraro: Via Belvedere 5, Carovigno Tel:: +39 0831 992647
Caseificio Lanzillotti: Via Errico 33, San Vito Dei Normanni. Tel: +39 0831 981568.
Fish:
The Pescheria Di Mastangolo in San Vito Dei Normanni is our personal favourite and offers good quality. Via Brindisi, 90, San Vito dei Normanni
Pescheria Nautilus in Ostuni is know for its “crudo” (raw fish). Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, 57, Ostuni. Open 7/7, also on Sunday mornings
Bread:
In Carovigno, you’ll find a typical bakery with a wood-fired oven that didn’t go out for centuries. Delicious bread, focaccia, pucci. In the old town of Carovigno. Lu Scattusu, Via Arco del Prete 10.
Fresh Pasta
Pasta Ligorio- Pastificio Al Mattarello: Viale Germania, 72019 San Vito dei Normanni , +39 0831 982034
Wine:
Good wine is relative cheap in Puglia and easy to find in small wine shops. The Pugliese often buy wine by the liter in plastic bottles. Considering the price you pay they are not all that bad.
Remember this for Italian wine:
IPG: Indicazione geografica tipica (85% of the grapes come from the area, wines is also produced here)
DOC — Denominazione di Origine Controllata. All grapes come from the area + produced.
DOCG — Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. Guaranteed and extra quality label - best quality
Some of our favourite shops nearby that you might want to explore when you're in the mood for a better bottle:
Enoteca Gigliola Gianni: Viale Foggia, 25, Carovigno
Enoteca vini di puglia: SS16 Adriatica 13, Ostuni
Markets:
The large weekly market in Ostuni on Saturday mornings is a must-visit, whether you're looking for food items, second-hand goods, or just to soak in the authentic South-Italian ambiance. There's also a daily market in Brindisi (except on Sundays) at Piazza del Mercato.
Other Local Markets:
Monday: San Vito dei Normanni
Tuesday: Carovigno
Wednesday: Mesagne
Thursday: Brindisi, Santa Sabina (summer only)
Saturday: Ostuni (includes second-hand clothes)
Supermarkets:
Carovigno also has multiple super markets.
Famila in San Vito dei Normanni is a bigger one where you can find almost everything: Open 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM, Sunday mornings until 1:30 PM.
Auchan: Largest supermarket in the area, open daily including Sundays.