Alle Due Corti occupies a courtyard restaurant in the baroque heart of Lecce, Apulia, inside the historic Corte dei Giugni at the edge of the old centre. For five decades the kitchen has served Salentine recipes so precisely preserved they function as a living record of Lecce's peasant food culture. The restaurant is widely regarded as the most authentic traditional table in the city — a counterpoint to the tourist-facing trattorie lining the main piazze.
The signature dish is ciceri e tria, Lecce's foundational pasta preparation: long dried ribbons half-fried until crisp, then combined with chickpeas braised in tomato and rosemary. The contrast — soft stewed legumes against the crunch of fried pasta — appears in cookbooks from the 16th century and remains as elemental today. Pitta di patate, a double-layered potato and olive pie baked until golden, arrives as a shared antipasto. Braised horse meat, prepared with cherry tomatoes and aromatics, exemplifies the frugal protein traditions of Salento's agricultural interior.
The dining room is modest: stone walls, wooden furniture, and a handwritten daily specials board. There is no background music. The atmosphere rewards those who arrive at the opening (12:30) before the room reaches capacity. House wine is a local Negroamaro served in ceramic carafes at modest cost — no elaborate wine list exists, nor is one needed. Service is warm and predominantly in Italian, though the kitchen's long-standing regulars navigate the daily offerings with ease. The restaurant closes Sunday evenings and is popular with both Leccese professionals at lunch and informed visitors who have sought it out specifically.
Prices are genuinely low by any standard: main courses run €10–16, and a full three-course lunch with wine can be completed for under €30 per person. Alle Due Corti does not take online reservations; a call (+39 0832 242223) or a walk-in during the first 15 minutes of service are the reliable strategies.
Signature dishes
- Ciceri e tria (chickpeas with fried pasta) — €12 (~$13)
- Pitta di patate — €10 (~$10.80)
- Braised horse meat — €16 (~$17.30)
Good to know
- Known for
- Authentic Salento recipes unchanged for 50 years — the most traditional table in Lecce
- Hours
- 12:30–15:30, 20:00–23:00; closed Sunday evening
- Reservations
- Recommended; call +39 0832 242223 or walk in
Location
Corte dei Giugni 1, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy
40.3509, 18.1743 View on map
Highlights
- Fifty-year-old Salentine recipes presented exactly as the city's grandmothers would cook them
- Ciceri e tria — fried and soft pasta with chickpeas — a Lecce dish dating to the 16th century
- Full three-course lunch with carafe wine available under €30 per person
- Courtyard setting inside the historic Corte dei Giugni in Lecce's baroque centre
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at 12:30 when doors open — the small dining room fills quickly and walk-ins later may be turned away
- Order ciceri e tria as a first course; it defines the kitchen's identity and the region's food history
- Cash is strongly preferred; confirm payment methods when booking
- The daily specials board (in Italian only) reflects what is freshest — ask staff to describe the options
- Sunday dinner is not served — plan for lunch or an evening earlier in the week
Accessibility
The restaurant is set on a ground-floor courtyard accessed via a narrow historic lane; entry involves a small step at the courtyard threshold. The dining room itself is compact and tables are closely spaced, which may be challenging for wheelchair users. Contact the restaurant in advance to confirm current access.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Does Alle Due Corti serve dinner?
Yes, dinner service runs 20:00–23:00 but the restaurant is closed on Sunday evenings. Lunch (12:30–15:30) is when the kitchen is at its most lively and the daily menu is freshest.
Is horse meat on the menu always available?
Braised horse meat (braciole di cavallo) is a traditional Salentine dish and appears regularly on the menu, but availability depends on the day's sourcing. It is best confirmed when reserving or on arrival.
Can vegetarians eat well at Alle Due Corti?
Yes. The antipasto selection includes multiple vegetable preparations — pitta di patate, frittelle, and seasonal pickled vegetables — and the pasta dishes include ciceri e tria and other legume-based options that are naturally meat-free.
Is booking required?
Booking by phone (+39 0832 242223) is recommended, particularly for lunch when the restaurant fills fastest. Walk-ins are accepted when space allows.