Where to eat in Valle d'Itria for Polifonic Between masserie, contemporary osterie, and niche street food

The ninth edition of Polifonic Festival, taking place from July 22 to 26 across various locations in the Valle d'Itria, in the central part of Puglia, is one of the most important events dedicated to electronic music scheduled for this summer in Italy. The gathering brings together highly regarded names from the international scene, including English producer Dj Rum (who was among the headliners of the latest edition of C2C in Turin), Italian artists Donato Dozzy and Mace, German DJ Lena Willikens, Canadian musician Tiga, and Palestinian DJ Sama' Abdulhadi.

With these and many other names in the line-up, Polifonic confirms itself as a point of reference in Southern Italy for clubbing enthusiasts and beyond. In recent years, the region has shown, more than any other in Italy, remarkable vitality in the music festival sector: events are numerous, well organized, accessible, and capable of offering ambitious line-ups. Behind this trend is the idea that resources invested in music and cultural events produce positive spillover effects on other sectors, starting with tourism.

For those who will be in Valle d'Itria for Polifonic, it can also be an opportunity to discover the lively local food scene, alongside the music and culture on offer – between masserie, contemporary osterie, and niche street food. Here are five places worth trying.

Masseria Moroseta

The food offering at Masseria Moroseta, in the countryside near Ostuni, «is a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, with colorful, flavor-packed dishes that highlight the freshness of the ingredients» writes the Michelin Guide. Milanese chef Giorgia Eugenia Goggi – who has worked at Erba Brusca and Ratanà in Milan, at Mãos in London, and at Relæ in Copenhagen – offers a refined yet authentic menu closely tied to the local area, with predominantly plant-based ingredients; everything is paired with a carefully curated selection of natural wines.

Acquasanta — Dispensa e Vino

Although Ostuni and its historic center see a heavy influx of tourists, especially in summer, some establishments have chosen not to align their identity and their food offering with this trend. Acquasanta is a tapas bar that moves in exactly this direction: it offers natural wines, refined toasts and sandwiches, and distinctive plant-based dishes made with unexpected ingredients.

Burro Cafe

Inside the historic center of Ostuni you'll also find Burro Cafe, a contemporary-style bakery described by Gambero Rosso as the new café with a kitchen for having a European-style breakfast in Puglia. Its offering includes danish pastries, pain au chocolat, croissants, cinnamon rolls, and plenty of daily specials, according to Gambero Rosso, alongside ambitious, refined savory dishes – and to accompany it all, seasonal specialty coffees that change periodically [...], as well as kombucha and homemade juices, among other things.

Giardini 36

Leaving Ostuni behind and heading toward Martina Franca, you'll find the restaurant Giardini 36, led by chef Katia Grilletti. Her cooking draws on ingredients from her family's organic farm, shaping a menu that changes daily based on what the garden and the market have to offer. The dishes are paired with a thoughtfully chosen selection of wines, sourced almost exclusively from Puglia. Designed by Swiss designer Gabriel Heusser, the venue combines a contemporary aesthetic with an intimate atmosphere.

Botteghe Antiche

The trattoria Botteghe Antiche, in the historic center of Putignano, is one of the most respected addresses in Puglia among those who follow the food scene closely. The venue is led by chef Stefano D'Onghia, who after a career in fine dining chose to focus on simple, well-made dishes, local ingredients, and a menu that changes almost daily. It's no coincidence that in 2025 the restaurant made it onto the 50 Top Italy list dedicated to the best modern trattorias and bistros, and earned the Slow Food Chiocciola, the recognition the association uses – within its guides – to single out venues that stand out for the quality of their locally rooted cuisine.