Osteria del Tempo Perso is housed in a stone-vaulted dining room on Via Tanzarella Vitale in Ostuni's historic white hilltop centre, Apulia. The restaurant takes its name — Lost Time — from the pace it encourages: a slow, unhurried meal in a setting that has been receiving guests for generations. The cooking is firmly traditional Apulian, calibrated for visitors seeking the region's genuine flavours without the inflated pricing that the tourist-facing Ostuni strip sometimes carries.
Burrata di Andria with cold-pressed Ostuni olive oil opens most meals — a pairing that represents Apulia's two most celebrated dairy and agricultural products in their most direct form. Zuppa di pesce, a traditional fisherman's soup built on the Adriatic day-catch with crostini rubbed in garlic and olive oil, is the kitchen's most substantial preparation and sufficient as a complete meal. Tagliatelle al nero di seppia — egg pasta coloured and flavoured with cuttlefish ink, served with shellfish and a tomato reduction — offers a pasta course with the coastline running through it.
The dining room extends through two stone chambers: the outer room lighter and more casual, the inner chamber with its medieval vault fully intact offering a more atmospheric setting. The room is lit dimly enough for a romantic dinner but not so dark as to frustrate a menu without English translation. Service is attentive and speaks adequate English. The wine list includes Apulian whites and reds organised by territory — Locorotondo DOC, Primitivo di Manduria, and Salice Salentino feature. The restaurant is open daily year-round, making it reliable in the shoulder seasons when others in Ostuni reduce hours. Reservations by phone (+39 0831 303320) are advised for summer evenings.
Signature dishes
- Burrata di Andria with Ostuni olive oil — €10 (~$10.80)
- Zuppa di pesce with crostini — €22 (~$23.75)
- Tagliatelle al nero di seppia — €14 (~$15.10)
Good to know
- Known for
- Old White City dining room with stone vaulted ceilings and seasonal Apulian produce
- Hours
- 12:30–15:00, 19:30–22:30 daily
- Reservations
- +39 0831 303320
Location
Via Tanzarella Vitale 47, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy
40.7275, 17.5810 View on map
Highlights
- Medieval stone-vaulted dining chambers in Ostuni's UNESCO-protected white hilltop old town
- Burrata di Andria with cold-pressed Ostuni olive oil — a showcase of Apulia's two signature products
- Zuppa di pesce: traditional fisherman's soup from the Adriatic day-catch with garlic crostini
- Open daily year-round — reliable in shoulder seasons when other Ostuni restaurants close
Tips for visiting
- Request the inner vaulted chamber when booking — the medieval ceiling makes it the more atmospheric seating option
- Zuppa di pesce is substantial enough for a main course; pair it with a starter of burrata for a complete meal
- The restaurant is open daily, making it useful on Mondays and Tuesdays when nearby competitors are closed
- Book by phone (+39 0831 303320) for summer weekend dinners — Ostuni fills heavily in July and August
- The Locorotondo DOC white wine is an underrated pairing for the tagliatelle al nero di seppia
Accessibility
The restaurant is set in the historic upper town of Ostuni, accessed via narrow cobblestone streets with steps in some sections. The dining room itself is on the ground floor with a step at the entrance. Full wheelchair access through the old town approach is not possible; visitors with mobility requirements should contact the restaurant in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Osteria del Tempo Perso open for lunch?
Yes, lunch service runs 12:30–15:00 daily. The restaurant is open throughout the year, which is unusual for Ostuni's dining scene and makes it a reliable choice in October, November, and early spring.
What is the vibe at Tempo Perso — casual or formal?
The atmosphere sits comfortably between the two: stone vaults and candlelight give it a romantic quality, but service and dress code are relaxed. Smart casual clothing is appropriate; shorts are generally fine at lunch.
Where is the restaurant within Ostuni's old town?
Via Tanzarella Vitale is in the upper historic centre of Ostuni, reachable on foot from the main cathedral square in about three minutes. The white city streets leading to it are narrow and cobbled.
Does the restaurant have English-language menus?
The menu is primarily in Italian with some English annotations. Staff speak working English and are accustomed to explaining dishes to international visitors.