Caffè Commercio — Restaurant in Polignano a Mare

Good coffee. Felt the staff were a little bit rude and acting too busy and a little pretentious, even though I was trying to speak in Italian and be courteous. I understand more than I can speak and the tone/vibe is easy to identify. They served 5 men al banco before me even though they had just come in and I was clearly next in line. Was happy to wait but it was just a frenzy. They could easily slow down a little and not take themselves so seriously. There seemed to be good rapport with the locals/regulars however… also the fridge is in a bad spot at the door, it blocks people coming in and out affecting the flow of customers al banco, I kept getting squashed (because I was made to wait). I think unfortunately they’re a bit anti-tourist which doesn’t work so well if you are the cafe opposite the train station! I’ve only had lovely other experiences in Italy so this was a shame after a long...

It’s the only spot near the train station, so I stopped in for a soda. The blonde waitress told me it was €3.50, which felt overpriced. When I asked to pay by card, another waitress stepped in and suddenly it was €2.50 on the machine—clearly inconsistent, and likely intentional.

While I waited, an older man and the first waitress laughed and made comments in Italian, clearly mocking me for being a tourist. I may not speak the language, but the tone was unmistakable.

My trip to Puglia has been absolutely wonderful, but this experience left a sour aftertaste. If this is how some local businesses treat visitors, it’s a poor reflection of an otherwise beautiful region. Tourists deserve transparency and respect—not scams and...

Decent quality at a great price. Super convenient location right outside the station, with ample room to sit and enjoy your coffee. Service wasn’t amazing, and staff were not super accommodating, however, we may have just caught them during a busy Saturday period! Wouldn’t deter me from going...