A Mere A Cozze Nere - POLIGNANO A MARE

Four of us had a great Sunday lunch in this large, bustling restaurant by the sea with harbour views. It was full of locals and lots of large family groups a real Italian Sunday, lots of kids, parents and grandparents, all adding to a great atmosphere. There are two separate rooms we were in the one on the right when entering the restaurant (the 'quieter ' of the two). The other room is massive and I 'm sure gets lots of use for weddings and the like. Excellent seafood and fish (and there is one meat offering fillet steak). We had fabulously fresh octopus, squid, shrimps, giant prawns, sea bass etc. The service was friendly and attentive, but (as seems to often be the case in Puglia) don 't assume each dish in a course will all arrive together ! But who cares on a leisurely Sunday lunch gives you the chance to try someone else 's choice ! A two course lunch with a lovely lemon sorbet after took 2 and a half hours (there was the wine too, of course) but great fun, good views and all most enjoyable. There 's a car park right opposite(5 Euros I think) but it soon gets full when the restaurant is busy. Check out this sign on the door as you go in "We invite our kind guests, to please wear your clothes before coming into the restaurant Staff. Now that 's what I call classy.

This is a real don't miss. The traditional fish restaurant you can find in the south of Italy, with quality kept at a top level. Try without shame the raw and cooked appetizers, the pasta with fish is well balanced in flavour and with the right amount of fish, the fishes are cooked in different ways and always with great taste. One of the best fish restaurants I have ever been.

Visited many times during my stay and excellent level of seafood on each occasion. Great fresh seafood counter, great pasta, great raw seafood. All with fantastic service and beautiful seafront views. Loved getting to know the people here. Will come back

This place offers good quality seafood and the views from the seating area are exceptional. The pasta served with king prawns was delicious.

Dear Gennaro e Mariella, thank you so much for all your hospitality. That lunch was one of the nicest and biggest lunches i have ever eaten. Such a great selection of fish and all so well presented and in such a beatiful restaurant. I was definitely one of my favourite meals of all time.