La Cuccagna In Crispiano

A special place. In every way. A welcoming atmosphere, with attention to detail. We tasted several dishes on the two occasions we dined at Cuccagna. All were perfect. Excellent ingredients, expertly prepared. The staff was ideal. Attentive, without ever being intrusive. Kindness and care. You can feel the experience and talent of a family that takes care of everything with great sensitivity. Unbeatable value for money.

The restaurant has two indoor rooms and an outdoor space. The atmosphere is hybrid: on one side, a butcher's counter and traditional stove, on the other, a sophisticated restaurant. A good selection of Apulian and international wines at reasonable prices. The food is high-quality and well-presented. The prices, in my opinion, are excessive for what you ultimately get: vegetables, meats, and cured meats. The service and overall welcome are lacking. The staff are cold and aloof, yet friendly with regulars. A serious mistake was made at our table, where we were celebrating a birthday and had pre-booked a homemade cake, which never came. Now imagine the scene where you're waiting for a cake to blow out the candles, and there's no cake. They mentioned a mix-up, and we fixed the situation with a slice of cake used to blow out the candles and various other single portions. We expected desserts to be offered, but instead, nothing. They gave us a 2% discount on the €4 cover charge per person, including a high chair.

Everything we ate was delicious, and the service was excellent. Honestly, the bill was a bit steep.

A wonderful culinary experience in the heart of the province of Taranto. The antipasto della Cuccagna is a must, and the arrosto misto won us over: quality grilled meat with a spectacular smoky flavor. I don't give it five stars for the dessert: the mascarpone millefeuille with berries was delicious, but the flavor was more cream than mascarpone. The wine list is extensive and very well curated. We especially appreciated the sommelier's recommendation for an excellent Primitivo del Salento. They also have international wines; it would be a good idea to include a Spanish wine to round out the menu. In short, a place we will definitely return to... and this time, with friends.

It's a nice place with good food

A Culinary Highlight of Our Apulian Journey We had the best dining experience of our entire trip in Apulia at La Cuccagna Giro di Vite in Crispiano. Everything from the service to the creativity of the dishes was exceptional. We started with the chef’s selection of six antipasti, a beautifully curated mix of local flavors—ranging from classic cold cuts to mini meatballs, fresh salads with seasonal vegetables, and other small delicacies that showcased the richness of the region. Each bite was a discovery. The rosé sparkling wine recommended by the staff—L’Archetipo Susumante—was a perfect pairing: fresh, elegant, and full of character. For the primi, we each chose one pasta dish, and the kitchen thoughtfully split and served both in two separate rounds so we could easily share and enjoy each one. The orecchiette with smoky aubergine and a trio of cherry tomatoes (green, yellow, and red) was vibrant and full of flavor. The paccheri filled with ricotta in a lamb and tomato sauce was rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. To finish, we shared a house-made fig tart paired with a scoop of almond ice cream, topped with freshly grilled almonds—a perfect finale with freshness, texture, and just the right sweetness. This meal was not only delicious, but full of generosity, care, and soul—just like the ambiance of the restaurant. A must-visit if you’re in the area. Truly unforgettable.