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 southern Italy. But while most 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 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 and not the newer part of town and covers the spots that truly stand out for their food, sense of place, and overall experience.

So, 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 and was 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 a spot 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 wines, 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 is polished yet understated. You won’t find haute cuisine plating, 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, similar to those in Puglia, as well as the star of the meal, the veal cheek braised in their own Aglianico wine. It was all incredibly delicious.

Service here is equally 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.

Read more: Checking In: Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery, Matera

Baccanti

Baccanti is tucked away in the maze of alleyways that weave through the Sassi, hidden inside a vaulted stone cave that once stored wine and grain. With its exposed tufa walls, candlelight and centuries-old stonework, it’s one of the most atmospheric places to eat in Matera, but thankfully the food lives up to the setting.

The menu is rooted in local ingredients and Basilicata’s culinary traditions, with just enough creativity to keep things more elevated. I started with the veal tongue, a dish I wasn’t entirely convinced by when ordering but ended up loving. Delicately sliced and incredibly tender, it came with sweet apricot jam and a bitter chicory pesto, a combination that worked far better than I expected and made it one of the highlights of the meal.

For my main, I went for the slow-cooked octopus, served with a rich tomato and olive sauce full of bright southern Italian flavour. Alongside it, sweet potato arrived two ways, as a silky purée and crisp chips, adding sweetness and texture without overpowering the octopus.

Baccanti’s cooking is thoughtful, beautifully executed and full of flavour. It was one of my favourite meals in Matera, and somewhere I’d recommend booking well in advance.

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, especially for a more special meal or celebration.

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 is 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 but not too much so, 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; just check out the cinema downstairs.

The menu is 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, just really good food served with heart.

Trattoria del Caveoso

Trattoria del Caveoso is one of those places that locals have been recommending for years, and after one meal it’s easy to see why. Tucked into one of Matera’s traditional cave spaces, it’s rustic, unpretentious, and usually packed with a mix of locals and visitors who know they’re in for a good meal.

The menu is all about Lucanian classics. Expect handmade cavatelli with cruschi peppers, beautifully grilled lamb chops, and generous antipasti that seem to keep arriving long after you think you’ve ordered enough. It’s honest, comforting food that doesn’t need reinventing, just good ingredients and recipes that have stood the test of time.

If you’re looking for a polished, modern dining experience, this isn’t it. But if you want a proper local trattoria serving generous portions and some of the most satisfying food in Matera, Trattoria del Caveoso is somewhere you’ll be very glad you booked.

Osteria Belvedere al Vecchio Frantoio

Osteria Belvedere al Vecchio Frantoio is one of those restaurants that’s easy to miss unless someone points you in its direction. Housed inside a former olive press, it has all the character you’d hope for, with vaulted stone ceilings, rustic interiors, and a terrace that’s especially lovely around sunset.

The menu stays true to the region, with handmade pasta, slow-cooked ragùs, braised meats, and generous antipasti that make it very tempting to skip a main altogether. The focus is simply on good local ingredients and traditional recipes, executed well.

Dinner here is wonderfully relaxed. Service is friendly, nobody rushes you through your meal, and it’s the sort of place that suits Matera perfectly. After a day wandering the Sassi, it’s exactly where I’d want to settle in for a long, leisurely dinner.

Osteria al Casale

Located on the main road that runs through the Sassi, Osteria al Casale offers a no-nonsense approach to Materan cooking. 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 here, which was a solid choice, and it was 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 relaxed.

The menu offers a satisfying blend of traditional Lucanian fare and fresh seafood, including 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, consisting of 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, 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 with 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 product here is next level.

Get the pistachio. 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 and the flavors clean and intense.

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:

Ready to experience the best restaurants in Matera, Italy? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.