Bar Cotognata Leccese

The thing that makes me the saddest about leaving Puglia is leaving this place behind. I have traveled worldwide, and this has become one of my favorite places ever. It’s just perfect, literally. The food is life-changing. We stayed in Lecce for 4 days and came here for breakfast 3 times. We tried almost everything they have (pasticciotto alla crema, pasticciotto al pistacchio, rustico, panzerotto, fruttone). The only thing we didn’t like much was the bigné al pistacchio. All the rest was utterly mind-blowing. Also, if you’re looking for the best pasticciotto in town, look no more: it’s here (and I’ve tried a lot). All of this with super fair prices (they even round down the bill if you don’t have the exact change in cash). The first day we hadn’t taken the pasticciotto, and the guy brought one to our table to try it, without making us pay for it, and said, “I just want you to verify that it’s the best in town”. It was indeed (and he kept up his word and didn’t add it to the bill, which was a super nice gesture). The staff is the best, too. Everyone working here is so friendly and efficient that it’s a pleasure to see them work and chat with. They will explain to you what every single item has and how it’s made with all the patience and passion in the world. They are incredible people for real. If you visit Lecce, you MUST come to this place. You would miss out on an incredible local experience if you don't.

Nice bar, away from the busy city centre. Good selection of sweets and drinks. The cappuccino was very good, they also serve water with the coffee. The prices are fair and it was not crowded when we visited. 4 stars for service as there was no toilet paper. Enjoy!

Excellent ! We stayed a few days in Lecce and this place was definitely our hidden gem ! Kind people, family atmosphere (if I understood correctly the place is family owned and some recipes come from the family) and amazing food ! You must try the cake of the house (fruits, coffee, almond,...) and the pasticiotti (all of them are great, especially nature and pistachio). The coffee and the other pastries are also very good.

This place has the best pastichotti in town. However, the old man working the cash register is a dishonest thief. He charged me €12.50 for a bag of mustazzoli even though they are actually €3.90. He rang it up as a "slice of cake". He also overcharges for the pastichotti and will charge you for the large pastichotti even if you order the small ones. Check your bill carefully. It's a shame because the rest of the bar is fine.

Wonderful mostly local place, outside of the touristy area. Great selection; their cherry and pistachio pasticciotios are delicious. Waitress Barbara was also very welcoming with attention - if you get this Barbara, Grazie di cuore! The chef was also very nice. I went every morning for the week I was there.

Nice bar where I went for breakfast a couple of times. Pastries tasted good although they never tasted super fresh/crusty. -1 star for a perpetually disgusting toilet with a sliding door that can’t be locked and won’t even stay closed.

Owners and staff just made our first Lecce experience extraordinary. Of course we had to take caffe leccese and pasticciotto and stand at the bar, watching the beau monde of the city pass through. A little gift of oronzo de matteis was rich blast of chocolate truffle with little crunchy dragees. Pay an embarrassingly small price for such an experience at the Cashier who speaks excellent English

So many pastries to choose from. Different types of the Pasticciotto. It very worth a visit and if you want a good local pasticciotto.....this is the place