This isn’t a list of the most lavish, famous, or noteworthy places to eat in Gallipoli. This is a simple recount of two of the most authentic places to eat and drink in Gallipoli, Puglia side by side with locals.
My mother and I could’ve stopped for lunch at one of the fancier places in Gallipoli or we could’ve chosen a seat seaside on the borders of the old walls. But we were in the mood for something down to earth, simple, contadino-like. We wanted to eat and drink in Gallipoli, Puglia, at a place filled with locals taking their mid-day lunch or coffee break. We found what we were looking for at La Frascera and Gran Caffè dello Sport, thanks to a recommendation by the young guy at La Frascera.
Where to Eat: La Frascera
La Frascera is a butcher shop, or macelleria, that also serves meals. I’ve honestly never experienced a restaurant-butcher shop hybrid, but found this experience very personal. It’s like a farm-to-table experience that allows you to truly feel confident in the local origin of your meat.
There’s a menu that showcases the best local meat of the day and a staple menu featuring their most common meats. My mom ordered a meat skewer and I ordered a local vegetarian Salento dish I had been eyeing for a while called Friselle. They grab the meat directly out of the fridge/freezer and take it out onto the grill on the street. A young boy was cooking the meat right in front of our eyes as we sat at the table and waited for our meal.
My moms skewers were delicious, it was evident this was local, fresh meat. My friselle, on the other hand, was good, but definitely more of an acquired taste. Friselle is a typical apulian food made with bread that is soaked in water, then baked, and topped with tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. When reading about how it’s made I was convinced it would taste like a bruschetta. But it was totally different in both taste and consistency. Friselle have no garlic and the bread is hard and crispy, or croccante as we say in Italian. The bread reminded me of fette biscotatte, or rusks.
Where to Drink: Gran Caffè dello Sport
Gallipoli Castle 
View from our seat at Gran Caffè dello Sport
After lunch we asked the young kid at the macelleria who grilled my mom’s meat skewers to recommend a really good place for coffee. He suggested we head to Gran Caffè dello Sport, right next to the 17th century bridge and within the Gallipoli castle (how cool!). Within the castle is the old covered market. The covered market is similar to my Paris guide to the secret passages or arcades that remain throughout the city. This is where the caffè resides.
We chose a seat next to a balcony. I peered into the floor to ceiling window and looked below. The sea was glittering in the bright sunshine as nearby fishermen brought their boats into the port. The setting felt regal, but young and laidback. We both ordered a caffè leccese, of course, but Gran Caffè dello Sport is also known for their artisanal granita. You can choose between granita di caffè or almonds with fresh whipped cream (perfect for those super hot summer days). A granita, for those who don’t know, is like an ice slushy. We inhaled our last few breaths of salty air before heading back to our Masseria in Nardò.
>> Next: A Day in Gallipoli, Apulia: What to Do, Eat, and Shop
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