Zio Pietro
Cisternino, Province of Brindisi, Italy
Experience authentic Southern Italian dining at Zio Pietro in Cisternino. Explore menu, hours, reviews, and enjoy regional meats and wine in a charming setting.
Via Duca D'Aosta, 3, 72014 Cisternino BR, Italy
Zio Pietro
Cisternino, Province of Brindisi, Italy
Overview
Zio Pietro is a beloved Southern Italian restaurant and butcher shop located in the heart of Cisternino, Italy. Celebrated for its regional meats and wines, this culinary gem invites guests to handpick fresh cuts of meat directly from the butcher counter before enjoying them cooked to perfection. The restaurant’s distinctive setting features old-world vaulted rooms and a charming outdoor space nestled within a narrow lane, creating an authentic and intimate dining atmosphere.
With a solid 4.5-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, Zio Pietro offers reasonably priced dining in a rustic environment. Popular dishes include Carne, Straccetti, and Salsiccia Alla Brace, complemented by flavorful sides like Verdure Grigliate and Oven Baked Potatoes. Whether dining indoors or outdoors, guests can savor traditional Southern Italian fare alongside carefully selected local wines and beers.
Gallery
Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.
Local favorites
Zio Pietro offers a unique combination of a traditional Southern Italian restaurant and butcher shop, creating an authentic dining experience centered around fresh regional meats.
Guests choose cuts directly from the butcher counter, ensuring the highest quality and freshest meats grilled to perfection.
A curated selection of local wines and alcohol complements the rich flavors of Puglia’s traditional meat dishes.
Set in vaulted, old-world rooms or outdoors in a quaint narrow alley, the restaurant offers an authentic Apulian atmosphere.
Staff provide helpful guidance on meat selection and dining options, offering a warm and personal experience.
With a 4.5-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, diners praise the perfectly cooked meat and excellent value.
The unique format lets guests select their meat first, then enjoy it cooked on site, blending shopping and dining seamlessly.
Signature plates include Bombette, Salsiccia Alla Brace, Straccetti, and Oven Baked Potatoes, showcasing local culinary traditions.
Dine under the open sky in a cozy narrow lane, perfect for enjoying meals in a relaxed yet atmospheric setting.
Experience
Experience the authentic flavors of Puglia by following local customs and indulging in freshly grilled meats at Zio Pietro.
Selection at the butcher counter sets the tone for an unforgettable meal, where patience is rewarded with tender, juicy meat perfectly cooked over wood-fired ovens. The warm ambiance and friendly staff enhance the genuine Southern Italian experience. — FoodPlacee editorial note
Gather with friends or family for a social evening, sharing a variety of grilled meats and local wines in a relaxed, atmospheric setting.
Friday and Saturday evenings offer prime time to enjoy expertly cooked meats and outdoor seating in the charming narrow lane.
Make a leisurely midday visit on Sunday to savor a warm, hearty meal, perfect for a comforting afternoon break in Cisternino.
Experience the unique ritual of choosing your own cuts from the butcher counter, adding a personal touch to the meal.
Try fan favorites like Bombette, Straccetti, and Salsiccia Alla Brace alongside grilled vegetables and baked potatoes.
Guest sentiment
A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.
"If you wish to experience freshly prepared, and perfectly grilled meat of Puglia, arm your self with the patient. First you will need to q to select the meat from the butchers fresh counter, afterwards it's the table waiting, and at the end food preparation time. However, it is absolutely worth, because that was the most tender and juicest grilled meat I have tasted."
"This was a wonderful experience, we didn't really understand the process, you choose your meat first, they then take in and cook in the wood oven, while you walk though to restaurant. Food was great, meat cooked to perfect, crispy, charred but still juicy. We had bombette, sausage and veal strip + potatoes, (baked and covered in olive oil and salt came close to stealing the show) and well as grill eggplant and zucchini. The meal is simple but perfect. The setting is atmospheric. One of my fave dining experiences in Pulgia."
"So yumm. A few of these types of butcher restaurants around and this one was just what we were after. The front room was set up as a butcher where you choose meat and then fabulous dining area through the kitchen and across the alley. Meat was spectacular and baked potatoes will be remembered. Great service and very reasonably priced"
"Theo’s was recommended to me by a work colleague and also an accommodation provider in Locorotondo. Quality meat,beautifully cooked. The concept is simple - you pay by the kilo like a butchers but they cook the food for you. I now understand why they don’t take reservations and there is always a queue. Seriously, take the time to go to this understated place but get there early ( opens at 7pm) and enjoy, it is fantastic!! 5 of us ate til we burst with wine and side salad for €100 - incredible value for money!"
"What a great experience. Order your meat from the butcher counter then sit down to order drinks and non-meat dishes. The bombetta and sausages are delicious. We loved it."
"I’m not sure what happened with these people who rayed this restaurant under a 4, maybe they were drunk. As a former chef and all about quality of meats and service this restaurant is a 5. We picked the meats we wanted sat down we were approached by the waitress for drinks and appetizers of choice. The pomodoro salad with rocket (arugula) was simple light dressing and flavorful. The meats came out and cooked to perfection. They add no seasonings and honestly it didn’t need any. Absolutely fantastic! Every bite was so flavorful from the liver to the lamb to the bonnet yes and T bone steak. The saisages had just enough flavor of seasoning. We had the sweet sausage and the basil tomato and you could still taste the meat. 5 across the board. Price was very reasonable. We went animal on the meats before I realized I needed to take pictures. But salvaged part way into the meal. delicious!"
"If you’re in the area, Zio Pietro is a must-visit. Nestled in the charming alleys of Cisternino, this place blends a rustic atmosphere with outstanding meat that truly makes the trip worthwhile. From the moment you arrive, you step into their macelleria, where you pick your cut of meat right from the counter. That freshness and hands-on selection feel rare and authentic. The meats they serve, especially the bombette, straccetti, and sausages, are cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor and served in generous portions.  The ambiance is warm and intimate. Whether you sit inside among rustic décor and character, or find a seat in the cozy alleyways off the main street, the setting adds to the enjoyment of the meal.  Yes, you may wait, this place doesn’t take reservations and often draws a crowd.  But trust me, the wait is worth it. The staff is friendly and helpful in guiding your choices.  If you go, come hungry, bring patience, and be sure to order their specialties. Zio Pietro is not just any steakhouse, it’s an experience that gives you a genuine taste of Puglia, with meat that comforts and satisfies in a setting that feels both homey and special. Highly recommended."
"Amazing food experience in this typical local restaurant. You get to pick the meats you want and they cook them in their traditional ovens. We ate some of the best meats we had in all of our stay in Apulia. Very friendly staff and quaint tables in the charming streets of Cisternino."
Visit info
Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 07:00 PM - 10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 07:00 PM - 10:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM |
Plan visits for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays or enjoy a Sunday lunch to experience the restaurant’s warm atmosphere and freshly grilled meats.
On the map
Find your way to Zio Pietro in Province of Brindisi .
Questions answered
Discover helpful answers about dining at Zio Pietro to enhance your visit to this Southern Italian restaurant and butcher shop in Cisternino.
For owners
Update this page with accurate hours, menu details, photos, and business notes — and reach food lovers searching for places like yours on FoodPlacee.
Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.