Awards Candidates 2019

28/03/2026: There are restaurants that impress you, and then there are places that stay with you. Regiacorte is the latter. The setting is stunning: rooted in the ancient stone of the Sassi, refined without being precious. The food honours its territory — local ingredients treated with care and intention, every dish earning its place on the plate. What truly sets it apart is Paolo and his team. The hospitality was genuine, not performative. We arrived as guests and left feeling like family. So much so that we returned the following morning, not for dinner, but simply for a coffee and the view. That says everything. If you find yourself in Matera, Regiacorte isn't a suggestion. It's a requirement. Bravo, Paolo. Bravo.

24/03/2026: I had very high expectations for this restaurant, which unfortunately were completely disappointed. The LOCATION was simply top-notch (truly beautiful), but from the moment we arrived, the experience fell short: instead of being seated in the main room, we were seated in an extremely narrow secondary space, with the tables practically next to each other. This made any form of privacy impossible, forcing us to overhear the conversations at the next table. To make matters worse, we were positioned near a corner bar and a service staircase, with a constant coming and going of waiters and noise that further compromised our comfort. The service also wasn't in keeping with the type of establishment: the staff was constantly rushing around, talking loudly among themselves, and making a lot of noise. Furthermore, having to walk down the stairs right next to our table, waiters often rushed down them, almost jumping, only to suddenly find themselves standing in front of us. A decidedly unpleasant and unprofessional situation, which made the experience even more unpleasant. On a positive note, however, the waiter (probably the manager) was kind, helpful, and attentive, trying to manage the situation as best he could. Unfortunately, this aspect was just a side effect of an overall negative experience. The menu was also limited (only three choices per course), and, even worse, several dishes were unavailable. We were informed of the lack of some dishes only after we were seated, and even after we had ordered. The wait was unacceptable: over an hour and twenty minutes for a first course. When it finally arrived, the alternative (gnocchetti) was disappointing: too salty, poorly cooked, and completely lacking in character, especially considering it was supposed to be a seafood dish—the only other option offered, after all—but whatever. Overall, a deeply disappointing experience from every perspective, especially considering the price paid and the expectations raised. Based on my terrible experience, I would not recommend it.

17/02/2026: My partner and I spent a couple of nights here while visiting Matera. The property is family-run and staffed by kind and professional people, who also provided us with useful information about visiting the city. The room was well-appointed with a desk and refrigerator. The bed and pillows were comfortable, and we could easily adjust the temperature (we didn't experience any problems with cold, humidity, or mold, as I've read in other reviews). The breakfast (we requested vegan breakfast in advance) was delicious, and we also appreciated the variety of organic products. I recommend it both for its location in the center of the Sassi of Matera and because the experience of sleeping in a cave is a must!

21/01/2026: The rooms are quaint and typical of the area. Each room tells a story of who once lived there. For those who are used to it, there's no TV in these rooms—at least mine! Which makes everything more authentic.

23/12/2025: I think the price is a little higher than the overall experience. Overall, the food is good and you still have a pleasant evening with friends.

07/12/2025: The butcher's shop stocks a variety of horse meat specialties, including ribs, diaphragm, chops, assorted meatballs, sausages, burgers, strips, carpaccio, and much more. The restaurant is located on the upper floor, offering on-site tastings thanks to its on-site cooker. Once you've chosen what you'd like to try in the butcher's shop below, the restaurant will prepare it in just a few minutes, cooking the meat to perfection. It's all accompanied by a variety of side dishes, available for self-service. Reservations recommended.

20/01/2026: You will find everything you can't imagine, including so much kindness.

02/01/2026: The pizza is good, but the wait is really long; even when you want something already on display, you have to wait really long.