What to eat in Bari

One of the most famous cuisines in the world is Italian, so on a trip it is impossible not to add a few kilos. Going south we come across one of the most popular and touristic cities, Bari, so today we will learn about what to eat in Bari.

The truth is that Italian cuisine has received and still receives the influence of the kitchens of its border neighbors, so while the north has some French cuisine, to the south the dishes are more Mediterranean, with fish, olive oil and tomatoes. So, write down this information to enjoy eating in Bari.

Bari cuisine

Bari is a well-known Italian city, located between Naples and Palermo, on the coast of the beautiful Adriatic sea. It has medieval castles, Roman legacy, palaces and theaters, so the cultural life is as interesting as the gastronomic.

The Mediterranean coast is the one that offers the basics of its food, that is, fish Varied, octopuses always fresh, sea ​​urchins and tasty mussels. There are fish and shellfish that are eaten raw, but there are also others that are eaten cooked. In this last group enter lobsters, clams and prawns. The most classic accompaniment is pasta mixed with local vegetables and well-seasoned sauces.

The lands around Bari are famous for the quality of their olive oil, but also by the it, fresh vegetables, cilantro, chicory, aubergines, broad beans and chickpeas. All together are combined, for example, in the popular minestrone soup.

But knowing these basic ingredients, let's talk now about the best-known dishes of the cuisine of Bari, so we can start putting together a list of what to eat in Bari.

Baked pasta

Es baked pasta. It used to be prepared at the beginning of Lent, with pork and eggs or just as a Sunday dish, but today it can be eaten at any time of the week and is always on the restaurant menu.

As for pasta in general, in Bari pasta is made in a simple way, with water, flour and salt, and is at the base of many dishes. A classic are the orecchiette, which are shaped by hand, or the cavatelli and fricelli that are made to absorb the sauce well, always made from vegetables, meat or fish.

Raw Fish

Above we said that the Mediterranean coast provides fish and seafood to the cuisine of Bari, and sometimes these are eaten cooked and sometimes raw. Raw fish is not an invention of the Japanese and here people consider it to be a delicacy as well. It is eaten as an aperitif or as a quick snack bought directly from the fisherman.

Fish, but also octopus, clams, lobster ... and yes, without lemon juice, so you have to cheer for the strongest flavors of the sea, without a filter.

Focaccia bread

Here the focaccia is not just a simple street food, it is almost a religious experience, they say. This dish combines the flour, water, salt, oil and yeast, and tomatoes, olives, herbs and sometimes potatoes are added. The version with red potatoes that cover each other like fresh tomatoes is delicious.

The focaccia it can be the main dish or just a snack, but you will find it in all the pastry shops in the city. A good luxury is the Fiore Bakery, located in a beautiful alley a few steps from the Church of San Nicola and the Cathedral of San Sabino.

sgagliozze

It is a very traditional member of Bari that is present in all kitchenss. I'm talking about the sgagliozze, the cornmeal porridge, polenta, which is given a square shape, is cut into slices and immersed in hot oil. The result is a salty, golden and very tasty dough that is widely consumed by local people.

One of the most popular sgagliozze cooks in Bari is Maria de Sgagliozze. Today she must be more than 90 years old, if she is still alive, but she usually cooks on her doorstep and sells them for between 1 and 3 euros. He is a living legend in matters of street food in Bari.

Turnovers

It is a classic to receive friends at any time of the year. According to the tradition its elaboration implies that the whole family participates, around the table, all together making the dough. After that mass stuffed with mozzarella and tomatoes, close and fry.

In Bari there are many variants of this classic, but one of the most popular is the stuffed with meat or nabthe. Food It is a good place to buy good panzerottis and eat them while walking through the medieval walls, the Muraglia.

Potatoes, rice and mussels

A very classic first course from Bari cuisine. In the products of the land and sea are masterfully combined. What proportions are there of each ingredient? No one can say for sure and it is in the eye and the experience of the cook, only then the balance is achieved, the perfect balance.

Obviously, it is the grandmothers or mothers who have that magic wand in every family.

Orecchiette

We name it in passing when we talk about pasta in Bari. It is the most classic pasta in Bari and it is said that it is so called because it resembles a small ear. Around here they also call her strascenate, a word that is related to how it is prepared: with a knife the dough is disassembled into dozens of small pieces and then they are combined with a turnip head, which is very tasty.

Where can you eat it? Anywhere, but for example, in front of Castello Svevo, in the old town of Bari, you will see a street with many old women selling homemade orecchiettes. You will be able to see how they make them at the moment and they prepare the dish for you without hesitation. Obviously, take a walk before buying. The price varies according to the types of grains, but calculate between 5 and 8 euros.

sporcamus

The first dessert on our list. It's about a postra made with filo dough, filled with cream and covered with icing sugar. Very sweet.

Horse chop

On holidays or Sundays it is usual to get together for lunch and a dish that always appears on the table is the horse chop, actually medium to large meat rolls, seasoned in a ragout, stuffed with caciocavallo cheese and pork butter.

popizze

It is a typical street food and delicious. It is also called breasts And it is prepared every day by housewives on the corners of the main streets of the Old Town of Bari. In Piazza Mercantile you will find some of the best.

The popizze go hand in hand with the sgaliozze, without the polenta.

Ice Cream

We cannot forget an Italian classic that has its artisan version in Bari. A tasty version is the brioche filled with frozen and a good place to try is Gelateria Gentile, with its tables on the street and its great location in the Castello Normanno - Sevevo, with Byzantine brilliance.

Finally, as you may have realized, there is a lot of street food that you can eat just sitting in a plaza or on a bench outside of business. Bari is like that. Of course you can go to restaurants and bars (family restaurants and bars usually accept only cash, so keep that in mind), but if there is something highly recommended in this Italian city, it is precisely walk, stroll, get lost in its streets following aromas and tasting flavors.

It is that behind every door or window or in the alleys, the kitchens that are always busy are hidden. In the mornings and afternoons you will see people chatting, hanging out, and that's great.