The Best Bakeries in Italy

Bari

Panificio Violante is a historic bakery in the Madonnella neighborhood, run by the same family for three generations. Its focaccia is served warm from the oven with tomato sauce or olive oil. Panificio Montecristo is a small bakery on the seafront, selling focaccia barese, panzerotti and other fried and baked local specialties. El Focacciaro, near the waterfront, sells focaccia barese, panzerotti, arancini and brioche mainly to take away, and its tomato focaccia draws long queues. Magda is a bakery and café in central Bari with a wide gluten-free range, including focaccia barese sold vacuum-packed.

Altamura

Forno Antico Santa Chiara is a family-run bakery in the historic centre, selling focaccia, Altamura bread, taralli and cured meats across a counter. Its wood-fired oven, dating back centuries, is visible from the shop floor. Antico Forno Santa Caterina has operated since 1306 and uses a wood-fired stone oven. It makes focaccias with varied toppings, and grandmothers make orecchiette by hand in view of the counter.

Lecco

Focaccina Castelnuovo di Fabio e Denisia is a focaccia bakery in Lecco's centre, run by a couple. They sell savoury and sweet breads, pastries and coffee, and offer a wide range of focaccia. Tables in its quiet courtyard are open to customers.