Lecce Food Guide: Traditional foods in Lecce
Lecce is a historic city located in the Apulia region of southern Italy. Known as the 'Florence of the South', Lecce is renowned for its stunning baroque architecture, beautiful sandy beaches, and delicious cuisine. The city is home to numerous ancient churches, palaces, and other architectural wonders, making it a popular destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. Lecce is also famous for its vibrant nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.
What to eat in Lecce, Italy
This is a list of the must have dishes in Lecce. Ranked on best food score.
Pasticiotto
Lecce is known for its pasticciotto, a pastry filled with custard cream and traditionally enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. The pastry is made with shortcrust pastry and the filling is made with eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Some variations include adding chocolate or almond paste to the filling. Pasticiotto can be found in most bakeries and cafes in Lecce.
Rustico Leccese
Rustico Leccese is a savory pastry filled with tomato, mozzarella, and béchamel sauce. The pastry is made with puff pastry and the filling is made with fresh ingredients. Rustico Leccese is a popular street food in Lecce and can be found in most bakeries and cafes.
Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa
Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa is a traditional pasta dish from Puglia. The pasta is made with orecchiette, a small ear-shaped pasta, and the sauce is made with cime di rapa, a leafy green vegetable similar to broccoli rabe. The dish is typically topped with grated pecorino cheese and red pepper flakes. Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa can be found in most restaurants in Lecce.
Puccia
Puccia is a type of sandwich made with a round bread that is similar to a pita. The bread is filled with various ingredients such as grilled vegetables, cheese, and cured meats. Puccia can be found in most street food markets in Lecce.
Gelato
Gelato is an Italian ice cream that is made with fresh ingredients and has a lower fat content than traditional ice cream. Gelato comes in a variety of flavors such as pistachio, hazelnut, and stracciatella. Gelato can be found in most gelaterias in Lecce.
Pasticciotto Leccese Salato
Pasticciotto Leccese Salato is a savory version of the traditional pasticciotto. The pastry is filled with tomato, mozzarella, and béchamel sauce. Pasticciotto Leccese Salato can be found in most bakeries and cafes in Lecce.
Frise
Frise is a type of bread that is similar to a bagel. The bread is typically toasted and then topped with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and salt. Frise can be found in most bakeries and cafes in Lecce.
