Four Seasons — Restaurant in Martina Franca

Last night we had dinner at a Four Seasons restaurant in Martina Franca, and unfortunately the experience was disappointing from the very start. We were seated at 9:30 pm and ended up waiting far too long for everything. We had to ask for everything: to place our order, to get some bread after the wine (given the late hour and the fact that we hadn’t eaten all day). The staff’s attention seemed focused only on certain other tables – probably regulars or friends – while ours was largely overlooked.

Our first course, a shared starter, arrived at 10:20 pm, only after we followed up. When it finally came, the explanation was that everything was made “à la minute.” In reality, it was a modest selection of vegetables: marinated zucchini with cheese, a small timbale, a caponata, and two fried zucchini blossoms. Perfectly fine, but hardly worth the ceremony – especially when described in such grandiose terms (much like the rest of the menu: well-written, yes, but with very little true innovation). Ingredients were clearly well-sourced, but the preparations were of the sort an average Italian might make at home from time to time – nothing remarkable or inventive.

We understood the context: paying a premium price for extra polish on otherwise standard dishes. That’s acceptable if the pace is smooth, but in our case we simply wanted to dine in peace indoors, away from the summer chaos outside.

After the starter, we waited another half hour before asking again for our next course, as we were quite hungry by then. Meanwhile, the head maître, wearing a headband (very friendly and charming, even with us), was laughing and chatting with other guests. That’s fine – but we still needed to have dinner, and by then it was already 10:40 pm.

The cernia pasta arrived only after another follow-up: it was lukewarm, the pasta overly starchy, the sauce mildly acidic – the kind of dish one might throw together for a quick lunch after the beach. The Catalan-style octopus made even less sense: roasted potatoes tossed in with octopus in a stew-like fashion. Disappointing.

We don’t expect to eat perfectly every time, but we do expect to be served on time. By the end of the meal we were irritated, and when the maître asked if we had enjoyed the evening, we answered politely but firmly that we had not.

We don’t contest a restaurateur defending their work – but responding by saying there were other customers to attend to, that we were the only ones to complain, and that “thankfully we have business anyway” is not exactly a show of understanding. It came across instead as a self-satisfied and somewhat dismissive attitude from someone who perhaps hasn’t stepped outside their own restaurant in quite some time. From inside that bubble, it’s easy not to notice mediocre food, especially when catering to tourists who mistake lofty menu descriptions and high prices for nouvelle cuisine.

From the few courses we tasted – and above all from the reaction to our candid feedback – we perceived an uninspired, overpriced, self-congratulatory kitchen with little creativity. Traveling, listening, and tasting the wider world can only help.

Finally, we feel it’s important to note that we are extremely fair customers. We also own restaurants and hospitality businesses, and when we eat well, we are happy to pay full price – even more – and we do so even when the experience is less than perfect. This is why the discount applied to the wines at the end of the meal felt awkward and unnecessary. Rather than repairing the damage, it came across as a clumsy attempt to patch things up. Sometimes, a simple apology and a genuine willingness to listen are worth far more than any discount – especially when addressing a guest who offers honest, even technical...

Had the perfect end to my Puglia holiday with a meal at this fantastic restaurant in such a charming town. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The ambience was warm and the food was unforgettable.

I was already impressed by the homemade bread and grissini, served with high-quality olive oil—but the real stars were the truffle pasta and lamb rack, both cooked to perfection. Every detail was thoughtfully prepared, and the flavors were incredible.

The restaurant owner was genuinely passionate about the food, which made the experience even more special. Since returning home to Hong Kong, I haven’t stopped recommending this restaurant to everyone. If you're in Puglia, this spot is an...

Delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere with the perfect hospitality. We loved it so much, went back 2 nights in a row. The owner, the hostess and the chef (Mikelle) were all welcoming and warm. Many of the clientele appeared to be locals who knew the owner. But us tourists also got the same kind attention. It was surprisingly easy to get a spot, but I am hoping this review will drive more customers to this excellent restaurant. They have a great selection of wines, and the ones we tasted were superb. And their glassware was exquisite!! True gem, and I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a refined but laid back...