Matera eats the way it has lived: simply, with strong local ingredients and a cuisine shaped by poverty and ingenuity. Bread is the cornerstone, a large, crusty loaf baked from durum wheat with a protected status, and around it sit legumes, wild greens, cured pork, sheep and cow cheeses, peppers and olive oil. This small-group food walk with a local guide strings together tastings at a handful of spots in and around the old town, explaining what you are eating and why it matters. The tour lasts about two hours and is a new product, with a perfect score from the small number of reviews so far, so details can be confirmed with the operator when you book. The format is straightforward: you walk between stops, each time sampling a dish or drink and hearing the story behind it. Expect the guide to cover ingredients such as bread, olive oil, cheese, cured sausages and wine, as well as the pastoral traditions and the farmers' cooking that have influenced the city's kitchens. It is a good way to start your stay, because the guide's recommendations help you plan meals, and it also doubles as a light walking tour of the lanes. Groups are small, which makes questions easy and keeps the experience personal.
Come hungry but not stuffed, and treat the tastings as a progressive lunch or early dinner. Two hours of walking and eating adds up, and most visitors find they need little else afterwards. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, tell the operator when you book and again to the guide, since menus are set at partner venues and not everything can be adapted. Vegetarians are usually catered for with notice, but strict vegans may find the options narrow in a meat-and-cheese region.
Use the guide as a source of tips. Ask where to find the best bread, which trattorias serve crapiata, a hearty soup of legumes and grains, and where locals go for aperitivo. Ask about local wines, especially the reds from the Vulture area, and about the sweets and pastries that appear at festivals. Many travellers say the best value of a tour like this is the shortlist it hands you for the rest of the trip.
Practical points
Wear comfortable shoes, since the lanes are steep and uneven, and bring water. The route follows narrow streets, so it is not suited to wheelchairs. Gratuity for the guide is customary where service is good, though you should check what is included in your booking.
Book earlier in the trip so the recommendations can shape your meals. If you want a hands-on experience instead of tastings, look at the cooking class and bread workshop in this guide. For an easy, social and tasty introduction to the flavours of Basilicata, this walk is a sound pick.
One more tip is to keep notes as you go. Write down the names of the places you like, the dishes you would order again and the bakery that sold the best bread. By the end of the tour you will have a ready-made plan for the rest of your stay, and you can book tables at the stops you enjoyed most rather than guessing from menus.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group guided walk with food and drink tastings at several stops in and around the old town.
Best time
Early in your trip, ideally late morning or late afternoon, so the recommendations shape your meals.
How long
About 2 hours.
Tips
Arrive hungry, wear comfortable shoes, tell the operator about allergies in advance, and carry water.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-timers who want a tasty orientation to the old town.
- Families
- Fine for children who like trying new foods; menus are set at partner venues.
- Couples
- A relaxed, social way to taste the region and pick restaurants for later.
- Pair with
- The bread workshop or a wine tasting in the caves.
- Time needed
- About 2 hours.
Good questions
What will I taste?+
Typically local bread, olive oil, cheeses, cured meats and wine, though stops vary. Confirm details with the operator.
Is it enough for a meal?+
For most people the tastings add up to a light lunch or early dinner.
Can it handle dietary needs?+
Tell the operator when you book. Vegetarian options may be possible with notice, but menus are set at partner venues.
How big are the groups?+
The tour is described as small-group, which keeps it personal and easy to ask questions.
Is it a walking tour too?+
Yes, you walk between stops through the old town, so expect steps and uneven stone.
