La Bella Idrusa — Restaurant in Otranto

With all the great reviews and passing this place for a week now we decided to wait the 40 minutes and go for it. How wrong could we be as I have been on the toilet much of the night with diarrhea (my wife said the kitchen looked filthy when she had to wait for the toilet next to it).

The hostess was very nice but like much of the staff overworked as we had to wait so long even with 9 empty clean tables. The place has an amazing position at the entrance to the old town with a view out to the harbour, so 5 stars for atmosphere. Locals seemed to get seated right away.

The waiter came within 8 minutes (unlike another family we saw wait for 15 while we waited) to take our order but no smile or friendly conversation. He delivered some of the drinks, starter of calamari and salads with plastic packets of oil/vinegar (classy!) fairly quickly but then disappeared. Our wine we ordered never came.

The mixed salad looked like something I was served in a school back in 1970, two hard tomatoes quartered with a few shavings of carrot on a bed of chopped cheap lettuce made many hours before. We waited and waited for 40+ minutes for our pizzas which when they came were mis-sold. The prosciutto was just a cheap cut of ham, damp and warm, not crisp on a watery passata sauce with no flavour, no reduction with herbs etc. The porcini mushrooms just tasted and looked like portobello shrooms so again mis-sold. The base of all the pizza were undercooked and soggy, soggy soggy cardboard, totally tasteless and not crisp. I have made many pizzas myself and this tasted like my first experiment gone wrong with the liquid from mushrooms ruining the pizza.

We couldnt pay from the table but we had to go back to the hostess and pay and wait yet again. They were doing a lot of take away service which was causing delays at all the other tables I saw who had to wait and wait, many people longer than us. So poorly managed.

And to make matters worse I have been on the toilet for much of the night due to cramps and some issues with the food so now I am paying again. It was not what I ate earlier in the day which is from a bakery (with no meat or fish) we have been going to all week. So far the worst Italian meal I have had in Italy with over ten visits in the last 35 years. Sorry I really wanted to like this place, maybe Mario the chef was on holiday. Just remember because something is popular doesnt...

Tonight, I have the absolute pleasure of sharing with you my extraordinary dining experience at La Bella Idrusa in the enchanting town of Otranto. It's not an exaggeration to say that this restaurant is a hidden gem, a culinary haven that human kind has been fortunate to discover.

Let me begin by stating that I believe I have uncovered the best food, the most welcoming place, and the epitome of hospitality that humanity has ever encountered. Yes, I am that enthusiastic about it.

Now, what makes a restaurant truly exceptional? Is it just the food, the ambiance, or the service? In the case of La Bella Idrusa, it's the perfect synergy of all these elements and more.

First and foremost, let me introduce you to the mastermind behind the delectable dishes that graced our palates tonight, Chef Mario. His culinary expertise is nothing short of mesmerizing. Every bite was a symphony of flavors, carefully orchestrated to delight our senses. Mario's dedication to his craft is evident in every dish he creates, making our dining experience truly unforgettable.

But the magic of La Bella Idrusa doesn't end with the food. The heart and soul of this establishment are Franco and Nadia, the passionate owners. Their warm welcome and genuine enthusiasm for sharing their culinary treasures with the world are truly heartwarming. They have created a dining oasis where every guest feels like a cherished friend.

Now, let me take a moment to commend the incredible staff, with a special nod to Marco. Their attentiveness, knowledge, and impeccable service added an extra layer of perfection to our evening. Marco, in particular, went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. His passion for La Bella Idrusa's mission was evident in every interaction.

In conclusion, La Bella Idrusa is not just a restaurant; it's an experience that transcends the ordinary. Otranto is a town that hides many treasures, and this restaurant is undoubtedly one of its finest. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, do not hesitate. It's a journey for your taste buds and a glimpse into the heartfelt hospitality that makes Otranto truly fantastic. Thank you, Mario, Franco, Nadia, Marco, and the entire team at La Bella Idrisa, for a night we will...

A really disappointing start our stay in Otranto. We booked a table early having been advised they are always very busy.

On arrival we were directed to our unset table, where we sat and waited 25 minutes for our orders for drinks and food to be taken. As we were both tired we played it quite safe with pizzas, potatoes and a salad.

In fairness the food arrived much quicker, well most of it. Our pizzas were chucked down and potatoes and salad never turned up, as the two waiters they had working were nowhere to be seen until I called one over once we’d had enough of our food. A short while later the recommend wine arrived which was disgusting and in now way showcased the top wines of Puglia.

The pizzas were hugely underwhelming and the meat on them was over cooked, tasteless and highly likely not the meat advertised on the menu.

The staff seemed upset with us that our full ordered hadn’t arrived, angrily scribbling out the bill with no apology.

The facade and the venue its self are very nice to look at externally with great views of the harbour. However if you go inside to the toilet you see how dirty and unkept this place is. The kitchen was equally as filthy.

A few hours later back at home, unfortunately resulted in what I can only assume was food poisoning, which is no surprise given the total lack of cleanliness within the restaurant, toilets and kitchen.

I would strongly recommend not being drawn in by the crowds of tourists. The locals avoid this place...