We were recommended to visit this restaurant by our hotel in Gallipoli, and we are grateful we took this up. Sat in the courtyard. Food was authentic and delicious. We were recommended a local red wine (amazing). Service was attentive. We really enjoyed a relaxing evening, eating great food and feeling like we had been looked after.
Overview
Matre Ristorante in Gallipoli is a delightful culinary destination that brings the authentic flavors of Italy to your plate. Located at Via Antonietta de Pace, 116, in the heart of Gallipoli, this charming restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking a true taste of Italian hospitality. The warm, inviting ambiance sets the stage for a memorable dining experience, and the food certainly lives up to the setting.
The menu at Matre Ristorante is a celebration of traditional Italian cuisine, offering a wide range of mouthwatering dishes that cater to every taste. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, rich pasta, or a hearty meat dish, you'll find something that excites your palate. One standout dish that you cannot miss is the risotto alla pescatora, a flavorful seafood risotto that's both aromatic and perfectly cooked. The rice is tender, absorbing the briny essence of the sea, complemented by shrimp, mussels, and calamari. It's the kind of dish that makes you feel like you're sitting on the coast, with the ocean breeze on your face.
For pasta lovers, Matre Ristorante offers a variety of traditional Italian pastas, such as tagliatelle with a rich tomato and basil sauce, and pappardelle served with a savory wild boar ragu. The pasta is always cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of bite, and the sauces are balanced and flavorful. The kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that every dish is as fresh as possible.
The Matre Ristorante experience goes beyond just the food. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, providing excellent service that makes you feel like part of the family. They are always happy to recommend wine pairings, with a selection of local and regional wines that perfectly complement the flavors of the dishes. The restaurant also offers a charming outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your meal while soaking up the beautiful Gallipoli weather.
In addition to the exceptional food and service, Matre Ristorante takes pride in its commitment to offering an authentic Italian dining experience. The restaurant's decor is simple yet elegant, with traditional touches that reflect the region's cultural heritage. From the wooden beams overhead to the rustic furnishings, every detail is thoughtfully designed to create an atmosphere that feels both relaxed and refined.
Many regular visitors rave about the consistency and quality of the food at Matre Ristorante. The kitchen is dedicated to using only the finest ingredients, and the dishes are always prepared with care and precision. Whether you're dining for a special occasion or simply enjoying a casual evening out, you can always count on a satisfying meal.
Located in a picturesque part of Gallipoli, Matre Ristorante also offers a great opportunity to explore the town's rich history and beautiful coastline. After a delightful meal, take a leisurely stroll along the seafront, or wander through the narrow, winding streets of the old town. The restaurant is just a stone's throw away from many of Gallipoli's iconic landmarks, making it an ideal spot to stop for a meal during your exploration of this charming coastal town.
In summary, Matre Ristorante is an excellent choice for anyone looking to experience the best of Italian cuisine in Gallipoli. The combination of authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and impeccable service makes it a standout in the area. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this restaurant promises to deliver a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Great coffee ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine listPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Coffee ✓ Healthy options ✓ Late-night food ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ WineDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ Toilet ✓ Wi-Fi ✓ Wi-FiAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Quiet ✓ Romantic ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Lunch reservations recommended ✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairsPhotos
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Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 337 reviews
Food was incredible. Best meatballs I ever ate in my life (and I am Italian). All dishes were out of this world. Wife and husband operated. Wife was operating the kitchen while the husband was doing the service. A kind gentleman was explaining all the dishes and was very informative. Super nice man, and his wife was a super nice lady. We already booked with them to go eat there again in A couple of days during our vacation here in Gallipoli,Italy.
The food was excellent. We were staying in Otranto but made our way to Gallipoli for this restaurant. The first night we tried the vegan menu and the the pasta was the best we have had since being in Puglia. We enjoyed so much we booked to come back the next day for dinner. Its family run and the waiter provided such good hospitality. Thank you so much to the owners and staff.
I don't leave many reviews nowadays but felt we had to following our visit to this restaurant. Delicious home cooked food with lots of specials on the menu. We received a warm welcome and asked to sit in the cute outside area at the back of the restaurant. We were greeted there by the exceptionally kind waiter called Eduardo who made our visit extra special with his attentive service , explanations of the menu options and just a generally lovely personality. We had a nice chat with him - he's a real credit to the restaurant. We travel a lot and Eduardo's kind nature meant that we just had to leave a review for this restaurant that served such fantastic, home cooked Italian food. Amongst the restaurants in Gallipoli, this WAS the best by far.
Seafood-based restaurant with a good variety of wines. The inside is cosy and intimate. The location is in a somewhat quieter area of the island.
We arrived on a hot afternoon at 2pm, and decided to enter this restaurant. We were extremely surprised! The restaurant is called matre, which means mother, helmed by husband and wife duo of 24 years - Peter and Anna. Peter was the front of house staff, he was ever so welcoming and he really challenges himself to speak in English with us. Peter is an avid supporter of his wife, Anna’s, cooking - Anna was the masterchef of all our dishes. IN SUMMARY, THIS WAS MOTHERS HOME COOKING with FLAIR!!! We had some amazing appetisers for which we did not take any pictures! (a sign that tells you how good a meal is). We loved the fried breaded anchovies and the Pastella zucchini flowers (Peter even explained the difference between Pastella and Tempura- it was more chewy whereas tempura was light- he knew his craft!) We also had the aubergine meatballs- it had the most amazing passata/ tomato sauce. The tuna tartare was also very fresh, light, refreshing paired tomatoes. (Not pictured cause it smelled too good!!) For primis, we had the octopus pasta (pictured), cooked Al dente . But the outstanding dish for us was the the langoustine pasta (not pictured - cause it smelt too good). We highly recommend Gallipoli purple prawns- native to the area, it tasted of the sea in our mouth… we wanted more! The Zucchini was a lovely touch to balance out the intense flavour from the prawns. The Roe in the prawn was massive, Peter tells us they do an amazing tomato and prawn roe pasta- which we did not manage to try but will be something to look forward to in the future!!!! We also had the most amazing handmade tiramisu by Anna- Peter was really proud of it. It had a good balance of all components, the mascarpone was the right texture. Peter also gave us a little tour of his back garden, filled with things he grows himself - orange tree and a lemon tree, with lemons size of my palm!!!! Lots of herbs as well- they were extremely aromatic. In conclusion; this was a very good lunch. Enjoyable one as well. Hospitality from Peter was top notch and Anna’s cooking with incomparable. We hope to see them in the future.
Food is amazing, everything is made fresh and with local specialties. It is a family owned restaurant and you can taste the love they put into the dishes. Every dish has an own story and the waiter is very charismatic. The restaurant is inspired by “la mamma”.
Very accommodating and friendly staff, small menu, with one vegan dish: orecchiette a lla Ragu, instead of meat it has seitan, ask for no cheese, very tasty! Salad was actually my favorite thing, also hold the cheese. The chef made us a special dish, so we could try two pastas, spaghetti with fresh cherry tomatoes, basil sauce, pepperoncino and olive oil. The waiters made it a very lovely experience.