Osteria Piatti Chiari — Restaurant in Cisternino

The atmosphere on the terrace felt like mass catering. It was noisy, with many large groups, and the small tables were placed far too close together. We were seated at a tiny table without even a welcoming smile, which immediately made us feel unwelcome.

Our order was taken by a young man who was, frankly, the least unfriendly of all the staff. The young women were consistently impolite, seeming annoyed, bored, and unmotivated. The filet we ordered was served well done instead of medium, as requested. When we sent it back, the server didn’t even bother to apologize. Within minutes, a new plate arrived – this time practically raw.

The evening turned into a disaster, one we only managed to get through with a sense of humor. We quickly paid without ordering dessert just to leave this unpleasant place asap. There are far better restaurants in the village! We honestly cannot understand how this place received such a...

Tucked away amongst narrow streets, the ambiance was lovely and Valerio provided great service. We ordered two local wines by the glass which he recommended for us - a dry white from Tenuta Viglione and also a primitivo rose. We ordered green beans in sea salt- delicious and crunchy, the mixed salad -simple but delicious flavor of the vegetables, The orecchiette with sausage and green beans - al dente and great flavor. Would order all of those again. The only thing we wouldn’t order again was the scampi-stuffed ravioli in zucchini sauce with gianciale. It was good, but not as great as the rest of the dishes we had- flavor was a bit mild; perhaps if the guanciale were crispy on top rather than inside the ravioli the flavor would have been more noticeable.

Overall this meal was delightful and we would 10/10...

We visited this restaurant recently and had a mixed experience.

Pros: We were seated quickly, which was a relief after a long day. The location in the piazza is lovely, providing a nice ambiance. The menu offers a variety of options.

Cons: The service felt rushed and lacked the warmth and hospitality we expected from an Italian dining experience. The place had a touristy feel, which detracted from the authenticity we were hoping for. We were overcharged for the wine, although this was corrected after we pointed it out.

Final Thought: If you're looking for an authentic Cisternino experience, this might not be the place for you. However, if you need a quick meal of okay quality, it could be a...