La Pignata — Restaurant in Matera

On the recommendation of the staff at Masseria Santa Lucia, we had dinner at La Pignata on our first evening in Matera—and we couldn’t have been happier. We shared a pizza, orecchiette, and of course, the namesake Pignata—a terracotta pot filled with tender meats and vegetables, topped with a crust of baked bread.

Words can’t do justice to the comfort and flavor of that meal. As we finished, my husband said, “I could order this exact meal again right now—it was that good.”

Beyond the food, it was a pleasure to watch the staff in action. Their seamless teamwork and attention to detail made the entire dining experience feel effortless and welcoming.

La Pignata will be our very first meal stop when we...

The food at Restaurant La Pignata is authentic! While they offer great pizza and pasta, their menu goes beyond the basics. From the outside, I worried it might be a tourist trap—thankfully, it's not!

The quality of ingredients is top-notch, and the cuisine is honest and straightforward. Prices are very reasonable, and the service is attentive and detailed. La Pignata is a solid restaurant that knows exactly what it wants to be, and it does it well.

Do yourself a favor and order the pork leg and their signature dish, La Pignata—the meat is incredibly tender and juicy.

After days of eating just “okay” food in Matera, this was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend booking a...

I spent 2 nights in Matera. I read a bunch of reviews for different places. And tried to eat everywhere and everything. Eventually landed here. The service here was attentive and friendly without being over bearing. Both of the gentlemen were great. But one was extremely helpful and described things in English with patience and kindness. The food felt traditional, delicious and filling. The pignaleta was everything I needed on a chilly November night. The house wine was cheap and delicious. The dessert sealed it for me. If I ever end up in Matera again I know where my first dinner would be. If you’re reading this and can’t decide on a place. This is...