Where to eat seafood in Taranto: Mar Piccolo mussels, raw seafood, tubettini alla tarantina and the fresh catch of the day. A guide to the flavours of the sea.
History
In a city embraced by two seas, fish naturally rules the table. Taranto's seafood restaurants — many clustered in the Old Town, along the canal and in the Borgo Umbertino — tell of a simple, honest maritime cuisine that celebrates the freshness of the Ionian catch and the produce of the Mar Piccolo.
What to see
The signature dish is the black mussels of the Mar Piccolo, farmed for centuries and unmistakable in flavour thanks to the "citri", the freshwater springs of the lagoon. They come in countless ways: cozze alla tarantina (with tomato, garlic and homemade bread), gratinated, stuffed, or as the base of memorable first courses like tubettini alla tarantina and rice, potatoes and mussels.
Don't miss the ritual of raw seafood: mussels, oysters, sea urchins, prawns and tartare, to be tried only in reliable places where freshness is guaranteed. And then the frittura di paranza (mixed fried fish), octopus salad, alici arracanate (baked anchovies), stuffed baby cuttlefish and the catch of the day.
Many places follow the rhythm of the seasons and the market, serving whatever the sea offers that day: the guarantee of an authentic experience.
Did you know…
- The Mar Piccolo mussels owe their unique taste to the 'citri', the lagoon's freshwater springs.
- Tubettini alla tarantina should be served brothy, with the mussels added at the last moment.
- Raw seafood is a ritual: mussels, oysters, sea urchins and tartare.
Practical information
| Hours | Vary by restaurant; many open for lunch and dinner. Raw seafood often requires booking. |
|---|---|
| Ticket | From honestly priced trattorias to more refined restaurants; raw and prized fish cost more. |
| Accessibility | Varies by venue; some Old Town restaurants have stepped entrances. |
| Getting there | Seafood restaurants cluster in the Old Town, along the canal and in the Borgo Umbertino. |
Not to miss
★ PremiumGente di Mare
📍 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 254, Taranto
Fresh seafood pasta and appetisers, in the heart of the Borgo.
★ PremiumRistò Fratelli Pesce
📍 Via Porto, 18, Taranto
On the edge of the Old Town, near Piazza Fontana. Excellent pasta filled with squid.
★ PremiumPescheria Trattoria del Pescatore da Murianni
📍 Piazza Fontana, 47, Taranto
A fish shop with a counter in view: pick your fresh fish and eat it on the spot.
★ PremiumTAGii - Restaurant Bistrot Sea Experience
📍 Via Duomo, 285, Taranto
In the Old Town, with a view of the Doric Temple columns. Contemporary seafood cuisine.
Addresses for guidance: names, management and hours may change. Always check before visiting.
Full listing
Indicative list compiled from public sources. To be featured among our partners, contact us.
Tips for your visit
- For raw seafood, choose reliable places and book: freshness is everything.
- Try the tubettini alla tarantina: an unmissable mussel pasta.
- Ask for the catch of the day: the best places follow the market.