The story
Walk into Al Dragone and the first thing you notice is the rock. The restaurant occupies a natural cave in Vieste’s historic centre, just below the cathedral. The intense colours of the living stone, lit softly, create an atmosphere that feels both ancient and intimate. The smells from the kitchen – the aromas of tradition, as the restaurant puts it – bring to mind the flavours of another time.
The setting is no accident. According to local legend, the dragon defeated by Saint George, Vieste’s patron, was a fire-breather who lived in this very grotto beneath the Duomo. That story inspired both the name Al Dragone and its signature style: tableside flambé cooking. Every day, owner Pasquale Troiano prepares flambé dishes in the dining room, turning the preparation into a performance of fire and skill that delights the eye as much as the palate.
The restaurant’s own history is more recent but no less rooted. In the first half of the last century, the cave was a stable. In the 1960s, it became a wine cellar. Then, in 1989, Pasquale Troiano – a professional of good cuisine – took over and transformed it into the restaurant that has become a cornerstone of Vieste’s dining scene. Today, Al Dragone holds a Michelin Recommended distinction, a recognition that reflects the care and consistency of its modern Apulian cooking.
The cuisine balances tradition with a contemporary touch. The kitchen draws on the flavours of Puglia while presenting them with refinement. The wine list, built over more than thirty years, now holds over 150 labels from Puglia, the rest of Italy, and beyond – a collection that began as a personal passion and has become a serious asset for diners who value a thoughtful pairing.
Al Dragone is one of the most established restaurants in Vieste, and the experience it offers – eating well inside a grotto, watching flames rise from a pan – is the kind that stays with you long after the holiday ends.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
Facebook
Instagram