Porta di Basso

Porta di Basso is a Michelin-listed restaurant situated in Peschici, Italy, within an ancient lime and stone oil mill that overlooks the sea. The building’s vaulted ceilings and seaside location create a unique atmosphere that blends historic architecture with natural beauty, offering guests an intimate and sensory dining experience. Chef Domenico Cilenti draws on his family’s agritourism roots, where fresh garden produce and homemade pasta were central, combining technical training with international influences to reinterpret simple, local ingredients. The cuisine highlights seasonal fish, wild vegetables, and premium extra virgin olive oil with a minimalist approach that balances three complementary elements in each dish to emphasize contrast and harmony. The menus reflect stories of the Mediterranean, the sea, and the land, celebrating the work of fishermen and farmers. Signature dishes include carpaccio of fresh fish with Mediterranean herbs and cuttlefish ink, grilled squid with pumpkin and cadoncelli mushrooms, and tubetti pasta with sea urchins and sea foam. Two tasting menus explore the distinctive flavors of Puglia and the region’s cultural crossroads.