Where to Eat in Taranto: A Guide to the Flavors of the Two Seas

The Flavors of Taranto

Taranto is the city of two seas — the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo — and its cuisine is a hymn to the most generous Mediterranean. Here mussels are an institution, raw fish is a ritual, and Apulian tradition blends with millennia of seafaring history. Eating in Taranto means savoring the sea in all its forms.

Must-Try Dishes

Taranto Mussels

Mussels from the Mar Piccolo are famous throughout Italy. Farmed in waters where sea currents meet freshwater springs (the citri), they have a unique, full flavor. They're eaten raw with lemon, baked au gratin, or in the classic soup.

Raw Fish

Taranto is one of Italy's capitals of raw seafood. Sea urchins, red prawns, marinated anchovies, raw octopus, and oysters: an experience for curious palates, served with simplicity and absolute freshness.

Tubettini with Mussels

The quintessential Taranto first course: tubettini (or spaghetti) with mussels, cherry tomatoes, and parsley. Simple, fragrant, perfect.

Where to Eat: Best Areas

Old Town (Island)

The island dividing the two seas is Taranto's historic and gastronomic heart. Among medieval alleys and noble palaces, trattorias serve the freshest fish at surprisingly honest prices. This is where you'll find the most authentic experience.

Borgo Umbertino

The 19th-century district on the mainland hosts more modern restaurants, wine bar-restaurants, and venues with creative menus that reinterpret Taranto tradition.

Seafront and Port Area

Seafront restaurants offer sea views and abundant fish menus. The fishmongers in the port area sell take-away raw fish — a distinctly Taranto custom.

Recommended Trattorias and Restaurants

Old Town trattorias serve raw and cooked fish menus with views of the two seas
Borgo osterias offer creative reinterpretations of Taranto cuisine
Fishmongers with tasting areas near the Swing Bridge offer the freshest raw fish at contained prices
Seafront restaurants are ideal for romantic dinners with panoramic views

Street Food and Markets

Taranto has a strong tradition of seafood street food. Fishmongers sell cones of mixed fried fish, octopus sandwiches, and raw mussels to go. The Fish Market in the port area is a spectacle of colors and flavors at dawn. The covered market on Via Anfiteatro offers local products, Apulian cheeses, and cured meats.

Sweets and Pastries

Cartellate, a Pugliese Christmas sweet of fried pastry with vincotto or honey
Pasticciotti from Lecce have conquered Taranto too, in the custard cream version
Pettole, soft fritters served with sugar or with mussels on feast days
Artisan gelato with local flavors like almond and fig

Budget Tips

Fishmongers with tables offer raw fish tastings for 10-15 euros
In the Old Town a complete fish lunch costs 15-20 euros
Take-away fried fish in a cone costs 5-7 euros and makes a full meal
Avoid overly touristy seafront restaurants and seek out trattorias in the alleys

An Unmissable Experience

Sitting in an Old Town trattoria overlooking the Mar Piccolo and ordering a raw fish platter: sea urchins, mussels, prawns, anchovies. The fisherman describes each one, the wine is white and fresh, the sea is steps away. Taranto is all here, on one plate.