Le Nicchie — Restaurant in Bari

My stay in Bari will always be a great one because of this amazing restaurant. I'd love to share that my first and last dinner in Apulia was spent at the Le Nicchie and both were phenomenal! I was strolling around Bari Vecchia at night looking for a nice cosy place to eat and the Chef was the first one to greet me, a complete surprise never happened before! So i decided to dine in.

The Chef was so welcoming very attentive, and kind. And that warm welcome was extended by the whole staff who served me. The kind lady who took my order, the Georgian server who poured my wine, the other server who served my food, and the Chef who's a great icebreaker - perfect staff. I noticed that the staff love the Chef coz they were laughing and cackling with him. He's a joker and I'm still glad that i had the chance to make conversations with them. He kept telling me not to let my food get cold and enjoy it while hot.

I had both the Stuffed Mussels and Peppered Mussels, both were satisfyingly excellent and fresh. Ordered Falanghina white wine perfect for seafood. Primo piatto was Spaghetti with Clams (i often order this in italy) and was amazing to say the least! Secondo piatto was Grilled Octopus and i was so so so surprised at how tender it was, i ordered it both dinners. It was so kind and friendly of the Chef to gift me a bottle of Falanghina and i couldn't refuse. I enjoyed every dish they served me and I ended my meal with a tiramisù served on a wine glass. I couldn't ask for more. The Chef, the staff, the dishes, the wine, and atmosphere (jazz and blues music were playing) - perfect way to end your your holidays in Apulia.

Than you so much Le Nicchie, see you...

If I could give them no stars I would. They don’t deserve one. It was the most disgusting food I’ve ever tasted. I say tasted as we walked out. The first issue is we were sold on their special menu. It took quite awhile before we were waited on. Our order was finally taken. We were brought chewy bread and dry old pizza for a starter. No water, no drinks. The male waiter disappeared only to be replaced by a frenzied female waitress who appeared irritable. She attempted to take our order but we informed her it had already been taken. She looked dazed and confused. She finally, about 30 minutes later brought our drinks after we explained a second time what they were. The antipasti was wrong. She gave us two when there were three of us and if the two, one was not what we ordered. Then she again attempted to take our order? We explained again it was already taken. She then asked what it was and explained we could not have this , only for an extra charge. We told her we’d leave as she was arguing with us ?? Well she eventually brought our food to the table. I can tell you in all of my life I have never tasted anything remotely disgusting as the food was. It was uncooked, like gelatin stuck together, it smelled like old fish and tasted like old fish. We informed her it was not palatable. None of the three dishes was palatable. We agreed to pay for our drinks and antipasta. She then proceeded to try and change us for items we did not order nor agree to. We paid the exact amount for the drinks and antipasta and left with her still trying to argue. It’s a bate and switch and overall a horrible dining experience. Save yourself the trouble. You’ve...

A Memorable Evening at Le Nicchie, Bari

My husband, friends and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Le Nicchie in Bari, and it turned out to be one of those evenings that reminds you why authentic local cuisine is so special. This charming restaurant delivered an experience that perfectly captured the essence of Pugliese hospitality and culinary tradition.

Authentic Flavors of Puglia

What truly impressed us was the restaurant's commitment to showcasing genuine autochthonous dishes. Each plate that arrived at our table told a story of the region's rich culinary heritage. The ingredients were clearly sourced locally, and you could taste the authenticity in every bite. These weren't tourist-friendly adaptations of traditional recipes, but rather honest representations of what makes Pugliese cuisine so distinctive and beloved.

The flavors were bold yet balanced, showcasing the beautiful simplicity that characterizes southern Italian cooking at its best. From the moment we took our first bites, it was clear that the kitchen takes great pride in preserving and presenting the traditional tastes of Bari and the surrounding region.

Exceptional Service

Our server Joe deserves special recognition, his service struck the perfect balance between attentive and unobtrusive, ensuring we felt well cared for without ever...