L'Archibugio — Restaurant in Polignano a Mare

What seemed like a nice and cozy restaurant with a decent menu turned out to be quite average at best. We didn’t need a reservation because we arrived fairly early in the evening, so we were seated quickly. Unfortunately, that was pretty much when the quick service ended. As the restaurant got busier, the staff focused on seating new guests, and we ended up waiting around 20 minutes before anyone came to take our order.

The staff were very friendly and seemed like genuinely nice people, so no complaints there—but the service itself was slow. We ordered the beef tartare, a steak, and grilled octopus, with sides of mixed salad and mashed potatoes with olive oil.

The tartare was good: the beef was fresh and of high quality. It could have used a touch more salt, but overall it was the highlight of our meal. The steak, however, was supposed to be medium, yet what we received resembled more a piece of rubber than a proper steak. It was incredibly dry and oddly plated, served on top of a piece of lettuce with some unmelted cheese. The side salad was okay, but nothing special.

The grilled octopus was fine as well—tender, though the tentacles leaned toward the charred and dry side. Again, it was acceptable but nothing memorable. The “mashed potatoes” were not really mashed potatoes at all; instead, we received a couple of soft but intact boiled potatoes. Perhaps the concept was lost in translation.

Overall, the experience was below average. Maybe we simply chose the wrong mains, but I wouldn’t...

These waiters are the most arrogant and rude people in town. They care none about you but only to make the most money out of you over the shortest period of time. The lady in the glasses is the worst of them!

I was here in May 2022 and the food was amazing hence I wanted to have it again. Too bad I was giving them this much credit!

This time, because of the rain, they made us wait 30 mns - we did so. My son was cold and I asked if he could have waited in the restaurant. Although the restaurant was totally empty - they said no. Fine, we waited the 30 mns outside.

Then we took our seats in the garden but it started to rain again. They made us wait again 30 mns as they cared more about the napkins than their actual guests.

When we finally got our seats in the restaurant building, where I was seated, the roof was constantly shaking due to electricity. I literally felt every turn of the ventilator below my feet.

When I changed my seat to not have the shaking in my feet they told me I had to go back to that totally dangerous spot.

Although there were other tables on the roof they did not offer those to us. They just insisted that I had to sit in the epicentrum of the electricity.

Horrible behaviour! That’s how you ruin a...

Not really sure how to rate this restaurant. We didn't get the chance to eat there but the review is for the very rude service that was received (or in reality NOT received). We waited patiently at the entrance to ask if a table was available. 2 members of staff walked straight passed us without acknowledging we were even there. They carried on ignoring us for many minutes until I walked over and spoke to the waiter. Without even looking up and engaging eye contact, he just said 'not possible'. I can understand that tables are not always available but basic courtesy in speaking to people is simple. Just looking at me and apologising would have been enough. Just rude!! The owner just replied that it was closed today. My review was for Tuesday when it was most definitely OPEN. all I can review is my personal experience. The only experience I have is a very poor service in simple saying that youre too busy. Even simple eye contact was not given. Sorry, your food may be great. I just can't...