RISTORANTE FRANCESCA, Matera - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor (original) (raw)

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4.5

4.5 of 5 bubbles

2,173 reviews

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5.0 of 5 bubbles

This is a wonderful restaurant, ideally located at the base of the Historic Sasso Caveoso section of Matera, steps away from the Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and other local landmarks. Francesca features a nice and creative array of Lucanian dishes in an elegantly refurbished sasso setting. The individual dishes are brought to your table in their cooking pans and served piping hot onto your plate. The food was terrific, and the staff was just incredibly nice, helpful, and so….upbeat. The place just oozed warmth, happiness and good cheer. So much so that we ate there two nights in a row. Standout primi dishes included Tripole Maritata and their house special, which was a ravioli with a butter and chickpea sauce with Guanciale. Nice local charcuterie board, too. The winelist also is terrific, and (among other things) contains an admirable focus on Aglianicos from Basilicata’s famed Vulture district. We were like kids in a candy store. Prices were not unreasonable. Highly recommended.

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5.0 of 5 bubbles

Great food and service. We had the cod with split pea sauce which was really good. Also the vegetable of the day which was broccoli rabe. My wife has the beef steak and mushroom side. Water was reasonable at €2 a bottle and cover was €3 per person. For a couple, the total was €50 which I consider good for a couple for a nice meal out. Service was great, attentive and friendly. Make sure to make a reservation, we were lucky as we got a last minute opening when we walked in.

Written

September 11, 2021

4.0 of 5 bubbles

We made reservations after reading some other reviews and were happy we did. We shared a salad and some potatoes and ordered orchiette with fava bean puree and another pasta dish with spicy peppers and sausage. Both pastas were excellent. We also had a lemon cheesecake dessert that was quite good. Would happily go back there next time I visit Matera.

2.0 of 5 bubbles

This was such a poor experience and it was definitely made worse by the fact we went here based on reviews. The staff were very friendly which is the one positive. The food however was pretty awful. On arrival we were offered a table outside and with the beautiful views this would have been ideal apart from being taken to a table absolutely covered in bugs. This is obviously not the fault of the restaurant but it would have been nice for it to have been checked first. We then sat inside and at that point we were pretty much forgotten about. When someone finally did take our order, we decided on the only vegetarian pasta available and my partner ordered the veal. My pasta arrived cold and flavourless and my partner’s veal had so much fat that he could barely eat it. Such a shame for a beautiful location. There are far more lovely restaurants further up the street.

2.0 of 5 bubbles

The most positive thing you can say about this restaurant is the setting is atmospheric. While the service was friendly enough, both the food and wine were very disappointing. There are other restaurants in Matera that offer great quality for the same price and we regretted choosing to eat at Ristorante Francesca.

5.0 of 5 bubbles

Unforgettable dinner -very central location, in the heart of the Sassi, at the end of via Buozzi, a stone's throw from Piazza S. Pietro Caveoso (main square of the historic centre) -dream location, entirely dug into the rock, divided into several rooms, all communicating -food worthy of applause, we tasted the trio of starters, two first courses: tripola maritata and ravioli filled with local black pig culatello in parmesan fondue, as a second course with their sliced meat (the best ever eaten) and finally the Francesca cake, the perfect meal. - attentive and helpful service, guys who despite their young age are very professional and capable. - account suited to the type of experience offered Really recommended. WELL DONE!

Google

3.0 of 5 bubbles

This restaurant was recommended to us by the wonderful staff at our accommodation in Matera. I would not rate this restaurant highly myself. The food was ok but forgettable. The host was very dismissive and a little abrasive, very unwelcoming. Ambience was poor. We were seated between the wine fridge and the cake fridge. The wine fridge has bright white strip lighting that shone in our faces and the cake fridge sounded like a twin otter warming up for take off. Despite the fact that the restaurant at 7.30 was almost empty, we were unable to be moved to a different table. My wife and one of my daughters had the strip steak which was quite nice and i had a pork dish that was fine. The wine was Prosecco by the glass and i could have had a second glass but none was offered. Overall i would not recommend this restaurant and i would not return. Had dinner the night before at La Lopa which was a much better experience.

Written

September 30, 2024

5.0 of 5 bubbles

Special restaurant in which I left my heart, it was a wonderful experience in the heart of the city of Sassi, a particular location. Very friendly and professional staff, attentive to every little detail as it should be, dishes prepared with accuracy and competence, which satisfied me and my friends, excellent and fresh quality of the raw materials, quality-price ratio perfectly calibrated to what is served. I will definitely return, I recommend everyone to go, it's really worth it!

Google

orrdin

New York960 contributions

5.0 of 5 bubbles

We were here as part of a group and had a fixed menu so we didn’t get to pick what we ate but we sampled a large number of dishes and the food was excellent. Literally all the dishes including the pasta dish and the main course were all excellent. Highly recommend.

5.0 of 5 bubbles

Sublime, accurate, courteous... as much as I can concentrate I can't find faults but only praise! Sublime tripola maritata, attentive and high-quality service... egg made with sausage, pepper and wild fennel, divine! Well-curated and attentive wine list... in short, worth trying if you want to eat typical food, well and in a wonderful location!

Google

Mary

New York City67 contributions

2.0 of 5 bubbles

Very disappointed. The setting was ok - a cave like setting - not sure if it was real or contrived but it worked. Menu was unusual but not in a good way. The combinations sounded weird and actuality - we all ordered different pastas -they were weird. My dish was a pesto which was swimming in oil but not real tasty. My BF ordered a meat and cheese which tasted more like bacon and cheese. Definitely not going back and do not recommend.

4.0 of 5 bubbles

Great restaurant in the Sassi. We ate inside, with a characteristic setting. Good menu proposals, well prepared. Reservations are recommended as there are not many tables inside. The overall rating is influenced by the value for money, it seemed inadequate compared to other restaurants tested. Unfortunately, Matera has become more expensive than elsewhere, especially in the Sassi area.

Automatically translated

4.0 of 5 bubbles

After a poor choice the night before (see other review) this was a much better choice offering good food and wine with friendly staff. Prices are reasonable. Really was the best meal we had in Matera and would be happy to recommend. We sat down quite early and service was good but I felt they got a bit slower as it filled up.

4.0 of 5 bubbles

At the end of our Matera tour, we found ourselves near San Pietro Caveoso square looking for a restaurant. This may seem surprising but - at 8 p.m. - many establishments were closed. Thanks to Trip, we isolated the nearby Francesca. Equipped with the green macaroon (Traveller's choice winner) this is generally a good sign!... We dined there without reservation. The place is quite original. The main room is carved into the rock. The service is polite and efficient. The dishes can be described as good "family cooking". We got advice on the wines. No regrets, we made discoveries.... Value for money absolutely there. Front terrace closed due to rainy weather.

Google

3.0 of 5 bubbles

Despite a recommendation from our Hotel, vaulted places like many restaurants. Clean service but without any soul or friendliness. Pure tourist product, the cuisine without any surprises or even sensation. Homemade dessert to avoid the chocolate caramel fondant a disaster. The candied fruit and whipped cream cakes, not better!!!! so-so

Google

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