The Best Restaurants in Matera, Italy

Looking for the best Matera restaurants? Here’s where to eat in the Sassi—from rustic osterias to standout fine dining.

Matera has been on the travel world’s radar for a while now — and for good reason. With its jaw-dropping cave dwellings (sassi), cinematic looks (hello, Bond film set), and growing list of boutique stays, it’s easily one of the most unique places to visit in Italy. But while most travelers come for the views, what often gets overlooked is just how good the food scene has become.

To be clear: this isn’t a city packed with glitzy new openings or Michelin-hunting chefs every other week. Matera’s culinary energy is quieter than that — grounded, thoughtful, and deeply tied to its history. The focus here is on hyper-local ingredients, centuries-old cooking traditions, and dishes that are big on flavor without needing a modern twist.

That said, there are a handful of places that are starting to evolve the narrative — restaurants using local Lucanian produce in contemporary ways, and doing it really well.

So, where to eat in Matera? As someone who lives just next door in Puglia and spends a lot of time in the region, I’ve had the chance to explore Matera’s dining scene in depth — particularly in the sassi, the historic part of town where ancient cave homes have been transformed into atmospheric trattorias, refined wine bars, and intimate dining rooms tucked inside stone walls.

This guide is focused entirely on the sassi — not the newer part of town — and covers the spots that truly stand out for their food, sense of place, and overall experience. Whether you’re after a long, slow lunch in a centuries-old cave or a glass of Aglianico paired with modern Lucanian plates, these are the best restaurants in Matera right now — and yes, I’ve personally eaten at every one.

Best Restaurants in Matera, Italy

Radino Wine Bistrot & Cigar Room

From the moment I stepped inside — greeted by exposed tufa rock walls, soft lighting, and vintage wine-making relics — I knew this was going to be more than just dinner. It’s the kind of place where the building itself carries whispers of its past, and the staff happily share those stories between pours.

The wine menu is the star here — a carefully curated selection that highlights Lucanian and Puglian wine, which mostly includes Radino’s own house wines. It’s a bistro, perfect for tasting flights or uncorking something special to pair with your meal.

Food-wise, Radino strikes a polished yet understated note. You won’t find haute cuisine theatrics, but everything lands with thoughtful precision. Expect locally sourced ingredients presented in classic dishes that feel as authentic as they are cozy.

During my visit, I began with pasta- homemade tagliatelle with chickpea cream and cavatelli with sausage ragu and cardoncelli mushrooms. For the main course, I opted for bombette Lucane – typical pork rolls with caciocavallo cheese – as well as the star of the meal, the veal cheek braised in their own Aglianico wine. Every element showed respect for rustic Lucanian flavors, even as the plating hinted at sophistication.

Service here is equally noteworthy — attentive, knowledgeable, and chatty without being intrusive. Be sure to ask for a tour of the cigar room hidden just off the dining area. Yes, you heard that right: there’s a cigar lounge tucked beneath the stone walls.

Baccanti

Tucked deep into the winding alleyways of the sassi, Baccanti is one of those Matera restaurants that manages to feel both timeless and quietly refined. Set inside a vaulted stone cavern that once stored wine and wheat, the space is undeniably atmospheric — all soft lighting, exposed tufa rock, and that cozy, cave-like hush that seems to muffle the outside world.

The menu leans into the local and seasonal, but with a polished, thoughtful edge. I started with the veal tongue — a dish I wasn’t entirely sure about until the first bite. It arrived delicately sliced and perfectly tender, elevated by just the right hit of sweetness from an apricot jam, grounded by the bitterness of chicory pesto. It was one of those starters that plays on contrast in all the right ways.

For the main, I went for the slow-cooked octopus, served with a tomato and olive sauce that had all the briny, sun-drenched flavor you’d want from southern Italy. The sweet potato, cooked two ways — puréed and crisped — added a touch of richness and texture that balanced out the dish beautifully.

Baccanti walks the line between rustic and refined with quiet confidence. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. The food does the talking — and in a city like Matera, that’s exactly what you want – easily one of the best meals we had in the city.

Vitantonio Lombardo

Vitantonio Lombardo occupies a beautifully restored tufa cave in the heart of the sassi, its structure left exposed to highlight the natural curves and textures of the rock. The result is a dining room that feels both otherworldly and intimately tied to Matera’s ancient geography.

As the town’s sole Michelin-starred kitchen, this Matera restaurant offers tasting menus designed for flexibility: choose from 5‑, 7‑, or 10‑course menus, with the freedom to pick your dishes from a broad à la carte selection. It’s a rare chance to tailor the experience to your appetite and mood — whether you want a concise 5‑course highlight reel or a full‑on gastronomic marathon.

Chef Lombardo is unmistakably Lucanian at heart — sourcing ingredients locally and reinterpreting them with creativity and precision. Expect dishes like liquid ricotta ravioli with sea urchin and cinnamon, or the playful “I dropped the egg in the garden” — exotic in execution, nostalgic in feeling.

Dining here goes beyond taste: you’re seated within living stone, with glimpses into the kitchen through glass partitions that reveal the craft and focus behind each plate – easily one of the best restaurants in Matera.

Dimora Ulmo

Dimora Ulmo offers one of Matera’s most refined dining experiences — housed in an elegant 18th-century palazzo just above the Sassi. With its sleek, modern interiors and panoramic terrace views, it’s a sophisticated departure from the city’s cave restaurants.

The menu leans contemporary but is rooted in Lucanian tradition, with flexible tasting options and an excellent wine list curated by an in-house sommelier. It’s polished without feeling stuffy — perfect for a more special night out in Matera.

DA MO’ Ristorante

Located in the upper reaches of the sassi, DA MÓ is a Michelin-selected, family-run understated gem that marries regional Lucanian cuisine with a contemporary sensibility. The charming dining room (and cozy outdoor terrace) is guided by a chef-father, with his wife and daughter delivering warm, polished service.

The menu centers on “terra, aria, acqua,” reflecting the land, air, and sea in dishes that are inventive but never overly flashy. You’ll find both tasting menus and à la carte, all thoughtfully executed, and the overall experience we got here was peaceful, elegant, and impeccable.

If you’re after a welcoming yet refined evening in the sassi, DA MÓ is a perfect choice.

La Lopa

Moving on to the more casual, family-run osterias and trattorias of Matera’s restaurants in the sassi, La Lopa is one that I’ve now eaten at twice — and both times it delivered exactly what I was craving: warm, honest cooking in a setting that feels distinctly Materan.

Set inside a cozy cave just off one of the main stairways, the space has a rustic charm, with flickering candles, stone walls, and a laid-back vibe that makes you want to linger – and you can, check out the cinema downtairs.

The menu leans traditional Lucanian — hearty fave e cicoria, local pasta with cruschi peppers, lamb dishes slow-cooked in clay pots — and the staff always have a solid wine recommendation to go with it. It’s not flashy or fussy, just really good food served with heart — the kind of place you return to without overthinking.

Trattoria del Caveoso

Trattoria del Caveoso is one of those beloved local spots that delivers exactly what you’d hope for: hearty portions, a warm welcome, and simple dishes done right. Set inside a traditional cave space with rustic decor and a cozy, lived-in feel, it’s often buzzing with both locals and visitors — always a good sign.

The menu sticks to Lucanian staples: think handmade cavatelli with cruschi peppers, lamb chops grilled to perfection, and excellent antipasti that seem to multiply as they hit the table. It’s the kind of place where you always leave full and content, wondering why you ever considered skipping lunch.

It’s dependable, down-to-earth, and exactly what a trattoria in Matera should be.

Osteria Belvedere al Vecchio Frantoio

If you’re looking for a slightly off-the-radar spot with charm to spare, Osteria Belvedere al Vecchio Frantoio is one of those places that quietly surprises you—in the best way. Set inside an old olive press, the space is rustic and unfussy, with vaulted stone ceilings and a terrace that lives up to the “belvedere” name, especially at sunset.

The menu is tight and traditional, focusing on local flavors done with care: handmade pasta, rich ragù, braised meats, and the kind of antipasti that turn into a full meal if you’re not careful. It’s not trying to reinvent anything, and that’s exactly why it works.

The pace is unhurried, the staff friendly but not overbearing, and the food reliably satisfying. It’s a great pick for a relaxed dinner after a long day exploring the sassi — unfussy, authentic, and quietly memorable.

Osteria al Casale

Located on the main road that runs through the sassi, Osteria al Casale offers a no-nonsense approach to Materan cooking — hearty, rustic, and full of flavor. The atmosphere is warm and casual, with simple stone interiors and friendly service that makes you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time through the door.

I went with the grilled lamb, which was a solid choice — perfectly cooked, seasoned with restraint, and served with just enough char to make it interesting. The steak with local mushrooms also stood out: juicy, flavorful, and earthy in all the right ways thanks to the wild fungi from the surrounding countryside.

It’s the ideal spot for a long lunch, where the portions are generous, the wine flows freely, and you leave full, happy, and plotting your return.

Osteria MateraMì

For a laid-back yet genuinely local dining experience in the sassi, Osteria MateraMì is one of the most welcoming casual osterias I’ve come across. Located on Via D’Addozio with a terrace that frames a stunning view over Matera’s stone labyrinth, the vibe here is warm and unpretentious.

The menu offers a satisfying blend of traditional Lucanian fare and fresh seafood—crisp sausage-pasta, eggplant dishes, octopus with potato and cruschi pepper all shine—and they spoil you with generous portions that suit a relaxed, communal dinner.

House wines and friendly, attentive staff round out the experience. It’s exactly the kind of stop both locals and insiders return to when they want solid, soulful food without the fuss.

Regia Corte

Regia Corte sits right in the heart of the sassi, offering an elevated yet grounded take on regional Lucanian cuisine. The setting is undeniably beautiful — a restored cave space with moody lighting and arched stone ceilings, but it’s the outdoor terrace with sublime views of Church of Saint Mary of Idris that makes this place special.

The menu leans refined, with dishes like handmade pasta, tender braised meats, and fresh, seasonal sides that are clearly crafted with care. Overall, the food was very good — well-executed, flavorful, and nicely presented.

That said, the service on the night I visited left something to be desired. It wasn’t terrible, but it lacked the warmth and attentiveness that makes a meal truly memorable, especially at this kind of upscale spot. I’ve saved this spot for last on the list for that reason — though to be fair, I know several people who’ve had excellent experiences here.

The food itself is solid, and with a little more consistency on the hospitality front, Regia Corte has the potential to be a standout.

Best Cafes, Gelaterias & Bars in Matera

Zipa Cafè

Zipa Cafè is a relaxed, charming spot just off the main trails of the sassi, perfect for a casual break any time of day. Part café, part light-bite bar, it’s the spot to come unwind over afternoon espresso, panini, or a cocktail at aperitivo hour.

Seating is mostly outside amid crumbling tufo walls and irregular rock that make you feel part of the landscape itself, as if you’ve stepped into a quiet corner of Matera that hasn’t changed in centuries. The menu is simple and mainly focuses on cocktails, Italian aperitivo classics, and a few bites to go with drinks.

Area 8

For aperitivo and post-dinner drinks, Area 8 is the spot to be go: a lively, design-forward cocktail bar tucked into the sassi. The vibe transforms as night falls — friendly chatter, eclectic music or live sets, and bartenders crafting cleverly balanced drinks like their signature “Acqua Fresca” (gin, sea‑salt cordial, Venturo liqueur).

Tapas-style bites—like reinvented bruschette with stracciatella, pesto, or gazpacho—add unexpected flavor along with chic finger foods and crisp bread.

With its vintage-meets-industrial décor, sprawling outdoor seating, and a nightlife energy that often stretches into the early hours, it’s an ideal place to start your evening or wind down after dinner.

Terrazza Cavaliere

If you’re on the hunt for an aperitivo with a view, Terrazza Cavaliere is your go-to in the sassi. Perched above the limestone labyrinth below, its terrace offers one of the most iconic panoramas in Matera (similar to that of Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli)—perfectly framed by low, golden walls and gently fading light.

I haven’t sampled much of the food here, but the drinks are consistently reliable: think a classic Negroni or Aperol spritz done well, with attentive service and a chill, elegant atmosphere. It’s a great place where you sip a cocktail, soak in the stone city beneath you, and feel the slow rhythm of early evening in Matera.

Cremes Bureau

Living in Italy, I eat a lot of gelato — especially in the summer months when things heat up considerably. Cremes Bureau might just be one of the top three gelatos I’ve ever tried in Southern Italy. It’s a tiny, unassuming spot, but don’t let that fool you — the craftsmanship here is next level.

Get the pistachio. Seriously. They use salted pistachios, which creates this brilliant balance of sweet, salty, and deeply nutty that hits every corner of your palate. The texture is ultra-creamy, the flavors clean and intense — no artificial aftertaste, no gimmicks, just really good gelato done right.

While pistachio was the standout, most of their flavors are also equally delightful.

What to Eat in Matera

Matera’s cuisine is deeply rooted in its agricultural and pastoral traditions — humble, hearty, and proudly Lucanian. Expect dishes built around local grains, legumes, wild herbs, and meats, with bold, rustic flavors that speak to the land. Here are some of the must-try ingredients and dishes:

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