MERAKI — Restaurant in Santa Cesarea Terme

Meraki was incredible – easily the best restaurant we’ve ever visited and a night we’ll never forget. From the moment we arrived, Giuseppe made us feel at home, welcoming us with freshly picked herbs from the garden to smell as we waited for each course. A little lizard called Margaret darted around the floor, which Giuseppe affectionately called his “dog” – it was these charming little touches that made the evening feel so personal and special.

There’s no menu – everyone has the same tasting menu, so make sure you book in advance as it’s prepared specially for your booking. Every dish was a masterpiece – the kind of presentation and flavour you’d expect in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Everything was made using local, seasonal ingredients and each bite was unreal. I won’t post photos because it’s something you have to experience for yourself. We left feeling full, happy, and totally in awe.

Giuseppe even gave us a tour of the place afterwards, telling us all about the history of the restaurant. It’s family-run and you can really feel the warmth in every detail – from the food to the atmosphere.

We love you, Giuseppe. Thank you for the best night of our trip. I’d go back in a heartbeat. This place will stay in our...

I stumbled upon this place by accident while looking for a great restaurant in Puglia, on my third night here. Up until then, my dining experiences in the region had been, at best, mediocre — so my expectations were low, though I was still hoping for a pleasant surprise.

From the very beginning, Giuseppe set a different tone. Even during our reservation call, he proved to be a warm and attentive host. He sent us the menu via WhatsApp, confirmed the reservation, and welcomed us personally with a guided tour of his charming home.

What followed was nothing short of astonishing: a culinary journey of over nine appetizer courses, two mains, and two desserts, crowned with a tasting of homemade Digestifs. But what truly set this experience apart wasn’t just the food — it was the atmosphere.

We explored the fragrant wonders of the garden, with more than 15 aromatic plants. During dinner, we were encouraged to sample them, freshly picked, enhancing every dish and awakening all the senses.

Congratulations, Giuseppe — you’ve created something...

During my visit to family in Puglia, we stumbled about Giuseppe’s Meraki just like this: reading reviews. We wondered (like maybe you right now) could a place really have perfect reviews with only positive feedback? The answer is 100x yes. In all the restaurants I have eaten, I have never had an experience as unique as this one. Passion, which you will find in the namesake of the restaurant, is a perfect way to describe the experience to others. The dining is situated in Giuseppe’s garden, where he grows the ingredients used for his locally-sourced dishes. Giuseppe, the passionate and jovial owner, serves your courses as he describes the ingredients of each dish. The food is unbelievable, and truthfully, one of the best meals I’ve ever had, specially because of Giuseppe’s passion for his dishes and your experience. Meraki is 100% worth visiting if you are staying in the surrounding area (we were in Lecce). Thank...