Bar Moro in Lecce: Where Puglia Tastes Like Home and Negronis Flow With Soul
Bar Moro in Lecce is an absolute must. If you’re into honest Pugliese food, strong Negronis, and places with that unspoken vibe, this spot delivers — no explanation needed.
To be 110% real with you, I had to convince my wife and friends to give this place a shot after two failed attempts at going somewhere more “elegant.” At first glance, Bar Moro doesn’t look like the kind of place you’d take your wife for a romantic dinner — or your kids for that matter. It’s not fancy, not polished, and definitely not curated for Instagram. But my argument was simple:
“We’re in Italy. Service is usually rude, but the food is always worth it.”
We walked in early by Italian standards (because when you’re traveling with a hungry 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, time becomes a precious, delicate thing you have to manage like a Michelin chef).
We grabbed a table and ordered what I like to call the “standard Puglia setup”:
Two orecchiette al pomodoro for the kids
A bottle of Verdeca (a local white grape — light, crisp, perfect)
And a Negroni for me, of course.
That’s when the magic started. The woman in charge — clearly the boss — asked if I wanted to try one of their house-infused gins.
Obviously, I said yes.
And that’s when we became best friends.
Meanwhile, the kids were flirting with the servers (true story), the staff was laughing and dancing between tables, moving like a team that actually likes working together.
Smiles everywhere. Vibes on point.
The music? Cool, low-key, modern — just the right volume.
Lighting? Cozy, warm, intimate.
The food? Straight from Nonna’s kitchen.
What You Have to Try:
Fave e cicorie – fava bean purée with wild chicory. Earthy. Humble. Legendary.
Ciceri e tria – fresh pasta with chickpeas, part of it fried for a crispy texture. Pure Puglia.
And of course, a Negroni — or three — with their infused gin selection.
Final Verdict?
Affordable, soulful, and unforgettable. The kind of place that shows you why Italy still matters — not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real.