Gàlipa Ristorante — Restaurant in Francavilla Fontana

Lovely restaurant. It has definitely elevated Francavilla Fontana into a new realm of fine dining. Worth visiting.

The main courses had no veggie food options but I know the chef would have been happy to prepare something if I had asked. Maybe worth considering adding on future menus though.

Plenty of starters and other dishes to choose from. A tasting menu too.

Our favourites were the grouper fish starter, lamb main. and salted caramel almond and mascapone desert.

We had a local Rose wine which was delicious.

The water contained no fluoride and was in a glass bottle, thank you.

Another separate mention is the handmade wholemeal warm bread that was served up with local organic olive oil. Delicious and a lovely touch. Attention to detail was spot on.

My only criticism is that I would have loved a steamed bowl of vegetables or a salad. Maybe that is a British thing though.

The lovely waitresses spoke amazing English and were very sweet, attentive but discreet and helpful.

The restaurant is on the road outside of Francavilla train station. 50 metres from the carpark. Paid parking so it is very easy to access.

There is a nice pub opposite and it was easy to book on Fork.

3 courses, a bottle of water and wine €122.50.

The dishes were all labeled with dietary and allergy information. The menu was as downloadable with a code.

Open on Monday lunchtimes too. Most restaurants here are shut then.

The first of...

One of the best gourmet discoveries in Apulia. Less than an hour from Savelletri (Borgo Egnazia, Torre Maizza, etc.) and just 20 minutes from Ostuni and Rosamarina you will find the recently opened Gàlipa restaurant. Just 50 metres from Francavilla Fontana train station and with ample parking, the restaurant is close to two charging stations for electric vehicles. The chef offers 2 tasting menus: one dedicated to meat delicacies and, in general, land-based foods and the other to fine Apulian seafood specialities; all the dishes tasted are exquisite, balanced and well presented with elegant colours. Each dish expresses the authentic flavour of Apulian ingredients. An a la carte menu is also available. There is a good wine list with the best Apulian wineries (there are also the best national and international wines). Of particular note is the Gianfranco Fino winery and, for a sparkling Apulian wine, the d'Araprì winery. The maitrè/sommelier speaks fluent English and all credit cards are accepted (including Amex). Average prices 40/50€ per person, drinks...

In an age where many restaurants chase trends, Galipà chooses a different path: mastery through constancy. Nestled quietly in a corner of culinary Apulia, it’s a place that doesn’t need to shout. It simply delivers—again and again.

On my latest visit (the seventh or eighth, though I’ve stopped counting), the kitchen once again confirmed what regulars already know: this is not a place of noise, but of nuance. Dishes arrive not just plated but composed—each one a small act of respect toward the ingredient, the season, and the guest.

A standout of this evening: creamed cod with red datterino tomato water, Apulian carosello and crisp toasted bread. It’s a dish that whispers, not roars—but it lingers in the mind long after the fork is down. Just love it! The service mirrors the kitchen: attentive without intrusion, warm without pretense. You’re remembered, not just served.

Galipà doesn’t seek applause. It earns loyalty. And if a restaurant's truest accolade is the desire to return—then consider this my reservation for...