Monopoli Restaurants: Reviews of Monopoli Restaurants
Updated at: 29-11-2025
Monopoli is one of the most charming places on the Apulian Adriatic coast. It’s a lively, authentic city—both elegant and popular—full of sea and tradition. Its white streets overlook a port scented with fresh fish, and its exposed stone tells stories of centuries of Mediterranean encounters and influences.
Monopoli's restaurants are one of the city's most authentic attractions, places where you can rediscover the ancient history of local flavors and traditional recipes through food. Monopoli's restaurants offer a wide variety of culinary offerings and locations, from traditional trattorias to elegant terraces overlooking the sea. Many of Monopoli's most characteristic restaurants are located in the historic center, nestled among whitewashed alleys and ancient walls that lead to the Lungomare Santa Maria. Here, you can enjoy dishes based on fresh seafood and local products, enjoying a culinary experience just steps from the sea.
Eating at Restaurants in Monopoli isn't just about sitting at a table in a restaurant: it's about experiencing the city through its flavors, discovering what the sea brings each day, and understanding how local cuisine is linked to seasonality, fresh fish, new olive oil, and sun-ripened tomatoes.
This guide was created for that reason: to help you find your way, make good choices, avoid a forgettable evening, and turn it into a memorable experience.
The content is curated by a team of local editors, with periodic updates based on field visits, to ensure you get fresh, verified, and genuinely useful information for planning your next meal in Brindisi.
Monopoli Restaurants
Monopoli is not all the same. The historic center is intimate and romantic—perfect for a slow dinner. The port area is lively and authentic, with places that smell of the sea and grill. The seafront offers a more modern take: lounge bars and sea-view terraces.
The best restaurants in Brindisi we've tried are:
Ristorante Pizzeria Cirasella – fresh ingredients, pizza, and an informal atmosphere
Hotel Lido Torre Egnazia – elegance, sea view, and full service
Osteria San Giovanni – traditional Apulian and Mediterranean cuisine
Trattoria San Domenico – fresh seafood and a typical atmosphere
Coppino Monopoli – genuine and affordable Mediterranean cuisine
Ristorante Pizzeria Cirasella
Cirasella is a great choice for those looking for an informal evening, quality pizza, and a relaxed atmosphere in Monopoli. The place combines good ingredients and original pairings, respecting tradition with a creative touch.
As soon as you step into Pizzeria Cirasella, you immediately smell the oven, wood, and sourdough. The atmosphere is casual, not made to impress—what matters here is substance. The staff is quick and friendly, and the service is never intrusive.
You’ll find artisanal pizza (awarded 2 Spicchi by Gambero Rosso), selected ingredients, a limited choice of top-quality first and second courses, and a pleasant, easy-going environment.
Information about Ristorante Cirasella in Monopoli:
Address: Via Achille Grandi 37/39, Monopoli
- Reservation: You can book a table at Cirasella through the Risto Pilot restaurant platform. Just fill out the online booking form available on the official Cirasella website.
Phone: +39 080 3327783
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM, Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
Features
Pizza takes center stage, with creative combinations and high-quality ingredients.
Casual and welcoming atmosphere.
Great value for money: perfect for those seeking a tasty and quality meal at reasonable prices.
Must-try items
- Margherita del Casaro (sweet tomato, fresh fior di latte, basil)
- Cirasella Special (burrata + semi-dry tomatoes + cured ham)
- Monthly gourmet selection, often with seasonal ingredients
The dough is light and long-fermented, with fresh seasonal ingredients. Easy to digest.
Our opinion
Cirasella is the kind of pizzeria I'd recommend to anyone spending a long day on one of Monopoli beaches or wandering the historic center and looking for a casual yet tasteful dinner.
The pizza is well-made, the dishes are excellent, the atmosphere simple and unfussy, and the prices are appropriate for the quality of the products served.
Cirasella impressed me with its high-quality ingredients and respect for tradition. Don't miss it if you're looking for a casual and relaxed dinner.
It's the pizzeria I recommend to anyone looking for a tasty dinner without having to book days in advance.
Hotel Lido Torre Egnazia
Hotel Lido Torre Egnazia is a refined option among Monopoli’s restaurants, combining hospitality, comfort, and a prime location near the sea. Perfect for those who want a relaxed and curated setting for lunch or dinner, perhaps after a day on the beach or exploring the coast.
Torre Egnazia’s cuisine is modern, Mediterranean, and focused on quality. If you're staying at the hotel, it’s a natural choice—but even visitors from outside will find a worthy culinary offering.
Information about Ristorante Hotel Lido Torre Egnazia in Monopoli:
Address: Contrada Losciale 70c, Monopoli
- Phone: +39 080 801002
Opening hours: vary depending on the season, call to confirm.
What you’ll find on your plate
Daily catch prepared with care
Seafood crudités when available
Creamy, balanced, and never overpowering pasta dishes
Refined desserts—perfect for ending a slow-paced evening
You don’t come here just to eat: you come for the slow pace, for walks on the sandy beach after your meal, and for a drink while watching the horizon.
Practical info
The restaurant is set in Mediterranean shrubland, on Monopoli’s coast, in the seaside area with a large private parking area in front of the property.
The in-house restaurant is a benchmark for quality hospitality and atmosphere.
Features
Elegant and well-maintained setting, ideal for those looking for more than just a pizzeria or trattoria.
Booking.com Great for hotel or beach guests who want comfort and relaxation after sun and sea.
Combines hospitality, beach access, and quality dining all in one place.
Our opinion
Recommended for those wanting to experience Monopoli calmly and comfortably: Hotel Lido Torre Egnazia is perfect for a peaceful dinner after a beach afternoon.
The plating is elegant but not pretentious. The staff is professional yet warm. The music is gentle and never intrusive. It’s better suited to those who want a complete, relaxing experience rather than a locals-only dinner spot.
Osteria San Giovanni
The essence of traditional Apulian cuisine in the heart of Monopoli
Osteria San Giovanni is a popular spot for those looking for traditional Apulian and Mediterranean food in the heart of Monopoli. It’s one of the most recommended restaurants for its value and cozy atmosphere.
Here you’ll find genuine cuisine, rooted in the city’s history and the local fishermen. It’s a place that smells of the past but brings a modern touch to its dishes.
If I had to give just one piece of advice to someone visiting Monopoli who wants the authentic taste of the region, I’d say Osteria San Giovanni.
Information about Ristorante Osteria San Giovanni in Monopoli
Address: Vico Verzella 2, 70043 Monopoli (historic center).
Type of cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean, Apulian.
Recommended dishes
Orecchiette with turnip tops and fresh anchovies
Octopus “in pignata” (very tender, deep flavor)
Mixed fried fish when available
Fava bean purée with chicory – a must-have classic
The service is familiar yet knowledgeable. They’ll tell you what’s fresh that day.
Features
Authentic Mediterranean cuisine with local traditional dishes and regional ingredients.
Welcoming atmosphere, ideal for couples, groups, or families.
Great value for money in the mid-range category.
Our opinion
If you're looking for a restaurant to enjoy traditional Apulian flavors, Osteria San Giovanni is a sure bet. The place radiates warmth and authenticity, the dishes are well prepared, and reflect the local cuisine. Perfect for a peaceful dinner after a walk through Monopoli’s old town.
Trattoria San Domenico
Trattoria San Domenico represents the authentic taste of Monopoli: a simple, informal place with a menu focused on fresh fish and traditional Mediterranean dishes.
Practical Info
Address: Via San Domenico 3/7, 70043 Monopoli.
Cuisine: Italian, seafood/Mediterranean.
Price range: mid-range
Services: accepts cards, has high chairs, offers outdoor seating, takes reservations.
Features
Fresh fish, Mediterranean dishes, simple yet tasty cuisine.
Relaxed atmosphere, suitable for families or groups.
Ideal for those looking for an authentic, no-frills meal with good value for money.
Must-try items
sea appetizers: fresh and varied, such as tender octopus and fried cod
local first courses: such as rich dishes of cavatelli with seafood or paccheri with scorpionfish
fried fish
homemade desserts: try the strawberry brittle or the trifle
Our opinion
Trattoria San Domenico is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the sea and simplicity of Monopoli. Ideal after a day at the beach or a walk, it offers honest and flavorful dishes in a genuine and no-waste setting. Recommended for a relaxed and authentic lunch or dinner.
Coppino Monopoli
Coppino Monopoli is perfect if you're looking for simple, genuine Mediterranean cuisine with great value for money. Good, simple, affordable – without sacrificing quality. The menu is fresh, Mediterranean, and straightforward. No need to get fancy when the ingredients are good.
Practical Info
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean.
Price range: low / mid-range.
Ideal for those who want a simple, tasty, no-frills meal.
Recommended Dishes
Orecchiette with octopus ragĂą (signature dish)
Peppered mussels
Fried calamari
Sautéed seasonal vegetables
Features
Recommended dish: homemade pasta (orecchiette) with seafood flavors — tasty and representative of the region.
Informal and welcoming atmosphere.
Great value for money: ideal for lunch or dinner without overspending.
Our opinion
Coppino Monopoli is a great option for those who want to eat well, spend reasonably, and without too many expectations. Perfect for a simple yet thoughtful meal, maybe before a walk or after the beach.
Coppino Monopoli is the place I would recommend to families, young groups, or anyone wanting to eat well without spending too much.
Restaurants in Monopoli: where to eat depending on the area
Historic Center
Charming atmosphere, elegant alleys, perfect in the evening.
Recommended restaurants: Osteria San Giovanni, Trattoria San Domenico
Outside the Center – convenient, easy, local
Perfect for families, groups, informal dinners.
Recommended: Cirasella, Coppino
Beach / Seafront Area
Sunsets, wide-open space, well-designed locations.
Recommended Restaurant: Hotel Lido Torre Egnazia
What’s the best restaurant in Monopoli?
It depends on you, your tastes, and how you want to spend your evening. Below is a table suggesting the best restaurant in Monopoli depending on what you’re looking for during your meal.
| Goal | Best spot |
|---|---|
| romantic dinner with sea view | Torre Egnazia |
| authentic Apulian tradition | Osteria San Giovanni |
| fresh fish & real trattoria | San Domenico |
| great no-frills pizza | Cirasella |
| best value for money | Coppino |
Monopoli Restaurants: typical dishes to know before you order
The typical dishes of restaurants in Monopoli reflect the city’s deep connection with the sea and its surrounding territory, rich in top-quality fish and agricultural products.
Here are the most important traditional dishes from Monopoli’s restaurants, so you’ll recognize them on the menu:
- Octopus in pignata
- Fava beans and chicory
- Mixed fried fish
- Orecchiette with turnip tops
- Raw seafood
Octopus in pignata
Slow-cooked in a clay pot with tomato, celery, and passata. Tender, salty, comforting: one of the region’s most distinctive flavors.
Fava beans and chicory
Silky fava bean purée, blanched bitter chicory, seasoned with local olive oil. A perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Mixed fried fish
Small assorted fish, lightly floured and fried. Crispy, delicate, irresistible.
Orecchiette with turnip tops
The symbol of Puglia. Garlic, anchovies, chili, toasted breadcrumbs. A dish that speaks of land before sea.
Raw seafood
Only order when extremely fresh. Sea urchins, hairy mussels, shrimp, scampi, oysters: Monopoli knows how to do them right.
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