La Talpa

Excellent food and service. We ordered the pasta assasino for sharing, and the waitress was kind enough to make two separate portions for us, without us asking. I had specifically asked to make the pasta extra hot and it came out perfect. I wanted to try pizza with truffle, but it was not in their menu. However, the chef is kind enough to make us one. Taste great too.

La Talpa, nestled in the captivating setting of Matera, presents itself as a pizzeria, yet my recent lunch experience left me feeling it caters more towards tourists than those seeking an authentic Italian culinary experience. While the location itself is undoubtedly appealing, the offerings and policies left something to be desired. One of the most perplexing aspects of my visit was the unavailability of pizza during lunchtime. Despite clearly identifying as a pizzeria, the menu presented at midday focused on pasta dishes and other, generally more expensive, options. When I inquired about this, the explanation provided was unclear and ultimately unsatisfying. For a restaurant branding itself as a pizzeria, the absence of its signature dish during a standard mealtime is quite puzzling. The food I did sample was, in my opinion, average. While not offensive, it lacked the distinct flavors and quality I've come to expect from genuine Italian cuisine. It felt as though the dishes were geared towards a broader, less discerning palate, perhaps prioritizing speed and ease of preparation over authentic taste. The overall atmosphere seemed pleasant enough, likely benefiting from the unique charm of Matera itself. However, the focus appeared to be on capitalizing on the tourist traffic rather than delivering a truly authentic and satisfying Italian dining experience. In conclusion, while La Talpa benefits from its location, those seeking a genuine taste of Italy, particularly pizza for lunch, might find this restaurant to be an average and somewhat disappointing choice. It seems to prioritize a tourist-friendly approach over the culinary authenticity one might hope for in a city like Matera. edit: response of the owner say it all

Delicious pizza, the base was so light and fluffy. The caprese salad was fresh and tasty. Really grateful to the team finding us a table outside on the evening of Festa Bruno. A must visit place if you are in Matera!

My experience at this restaurant was a great and incredible surprise. I came in with the intention of eating local food, not pizza. But in the end I ordered the pizza 'Ndujata. I am a pizza expert from Accademia Pizzaioli and a judge at the World Pizza Championships. I was amazed from the first bite. The dough was extraordinarily light, digestive, delicious and crunchy at the same time. UNBELIEVABLY. I came to the conclusion that one of the best pizzas in Italy is made in Matera. Really crazy and incredible.

I am reviewing the restaurant: typical place where residents (one of them suggested it) are treated differently than foreigners. Average food (quality lower than similar and cheaper locations on the same street), slow service and after having forgotten a course not even a word of apology. Not reccomended.

went twice which probably was our mistake. first time food was really good not the service. second time both were not good!! they don’t treat tourists the same as locals! wouldn’t recommend it.

The outdoor courtyard was lovely and our waiter was helpful- everything else about this place was not good. We waited a very long time for our order to be taken, after this we waited well over an hour for two pasta dishes, the assassina pasta was awful, the cherry tomato pasta was nice, but absolutely not worth the wait. After this we asked for tiramisu, which they had run out of, yet still charged us for! Luckily we checked the receipt and found this out. Most definitely would not recommend.

Booked a table for 9.30pm at this nicely designed cave restaurant. It took 15 minutes to seat us (we were not offered a drink at the bar during this time). We then did not receive our food until 11pm (which was just 2 pizzas). The waiter did bring us a free appetiser as an apology, but overall it was a long wait. Pizza's were decent, but similar to what you would get elsewhere in the city. At the end of the meal, took a while to get a waiters attention in order to pay. Didn't leave the restaurant until 11.40pm.

This restaurant is carved into the rocks so it's pretty much a cave, which is a lot of what Matera is about. It was very nice inside and the staff was very friendly. Their English was middling but better than my Italian! My family and I had antipasto, chicken and potatoes, pizza, soup, and ravioli. The chicken and potatoes were great! Frankly, I wanted a straight-forward meat and potatoes meal for a break while touring Italy, and this dish hit the spot--not one tomato on it. The food was good. Cappuccinos were great. We made reservations for dinner and arrived on time at 6pm. The place was empty except for the other tourist family from England. Americans typically eat dinner from 5-7p. Italians eat dinner from 7-9p. We had the restaurant to ourselves for dinner at EVERY establishment we visited until 7p when the locals started showing up. Definitely make reservations if you want to ensure space for your party!

All I need to say is Spaghetti All'Assasina. It was amazing. We had several other dishes and all were great. Great setting in the magical town of Matera Italy