Bel Ami

The story

Bel Ami, Maglie – Michelin-Recommended Italian Contemporary & Seafood

A refined address in the heart of Maglie

Bel Ami occupies an elegant historic building in the historic centre of Maglie, Salento. The interior is a careful balance of modern, refined design and the building’s original character. The restaurant is part of a four-star hotel, but the dining room, with its warm professional service, stands on its own as a destination for Italian contemporary cuisine with a strong focus on seafood.

The restaurant’s quality has been noted by the Michelin guide, which awarded it a Recommended rating for 2026. That recognition reflects a kitchen that works with precision and respect for the region’s produce.

A menu built around the sea

The menu is a celebration of the Adriatic and Ionian waters. It opens with a selection of crudi — the Plateau Royale brings together oysters, shellfish, prawns, and tuna, while the Plateau de la Mer offers oysters, clams, and mussels. A separate selection of Fines de Claire oysters is also available.

Among the antipasti, the roasted octopus with wild chicory and cannellini cream is a clear nod to the Pugliese terroir, and the steamed cuttlefish with petits pois and black lime shows a lighter touch.

Pastas are made with care: spaghetti from Felicetti with smoked butter, lemon, and bottarga; mezzi paccheri from Gragnano with a white grouper ragù, cherry tomatoes, and aubergines; a Carnaroli risotto with herbs, capocollo, and burrata cream. The kitchen also offers a generous selection of fresh fish and shellfish sold by the kilogram — from seabass to blue lobster and fresh spiny lobster.

Gardens, cellars, and a wine bar

Beyond the dining room, Bel Ami has a beautiful garden for outdoor seating, a wine bar, and a cellar where guests can take part in wine tastings paired with local products. The space is designed for lingering, whether for a full dinner or a glass of wine at the bar.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is cordial and unhurried, the staff attentive without being intrusive. For anyone exploring the Salento region, Bel Ami is a reliable, polished stop — one that earns its Michelin Recommended status through consistent, thoughtful cooking.