Ristorante "Oi Marì" — Restaurant in Matera

We went to Ristorante Oi Mari for our anniversary based on a recommendation by our accommodation however we left feeling quite disappointed. The atmosphere is fantastic as they play lovely music, they have a beautiful outdoor seating area with a stunning view and inside is beautifully decorated in a cave. They have an incredible wine selection- literally a whole book full. Some plates were really flavourful and delicious like the local peppers for starter and spaghetti with mini meatballs and clams. However the codfish, ravioli and chop left something to be desired. There was just nothing special about it. Given the prices, one would expect more. What unfortunately ruined it for us though was the service. Although all the waiters were very friendly, the server kept forgetting our order and bringing us the wrong dishes. Once is fine, twice I’ll still understand but by the third time we were quite annoyed especially considering how expensive the restaurant is. Despite having some delicious dishes and wonderful atmosphere we just didn’t feel like it was worth going to this restaurant. There are better restaurants in the area. A lot of customers were also annoyed by stray cats that kept begging for food (some even trying to jump on the tables). Im an animal lover and I understand that this is not the restaurants responsibility but it hampered the...

We were lucky enough to have our tour guide, Nico, take us to Oi Mari for lunch—and what an unforgettable experience it was.

Set in one of Matera’s iconic cave dwellings, the restaurant’s atmosphere is stunning. The décor is understated and elegant, letting the natural beauty of the stone walls speak for itself. It feels both timeless and intimate, with a peaceful energy that sets the perfect stage for a leisurely meal.

We chose the tasting menu, which included five local meats, five cheeses, fresh bread, and five regional wines. Every single item was exceptional. The quality, flavor, and presentation were all top-notch—an ideal showcase of the area’s culinary traditions. Each bite told a story of southern Italy’s rich food culture.

Our server, Daniella, was absolutely wonderful. He took the time to explain where each wine came from, what made each cheese distinct, and the background of the meats we were tasting. His passion and knowledge added so much to the experience—it felt like we were dining with a guide, not just a server.

Oi Mari is the kind of place you remember long after the meal is over. If you’re in Matera,...

We just left dinner. In my opinion, one of the worst places I have been in Italy. We had to wait 50 minutes for a simple dish like soup and spaghetti. We were four adults and four children. The kids ordered spaghetti, which I don't think ever seen spaghetti before—just noodles with some kind of green tint, completely tasteless. We also ordered ravioli soup, which was a complete failure; the ravioli with water and also completely tasteless. We ordered risotto dish, which looked like vomit on the plate and tasted similar. The best thing about this restaurant was the bread served before the meal. Personally, I am recommending staying away from this place we had lunch in Matera in a place not far away from this restaurant and it was completely opposite experience. We paid over 160€ and I think it...