If you’re heading to Bari, Italy, you have to be ready to indulge in some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste. The city is renowned for its ocean bounty, with octopus being a particular star on almost every menu. For a truly exceptional seafood experience, you absolutely must visit La Tana Del Polpo.
What’s unique about this spot is that it offers two distinct experiences right next to each other. There’s a casual, grab-and-go counter perfect for a quick and delicious octopus sandwich, but we opted for a lovely afternoon lunch at their full sit-down restaurant. This charming eatery specializes in all things from the sea, showcasing freshly caught fish, octopus, and more.
The menu is filled with incredible dishes that will make any seafood lover’s heart sing. One of their most popular offerings is the “catch of the day,” a fantastic option where you can have a fish caught that very morning prepared exactly how you like it—whether that’s fried, sautéed, served whole, or another style. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!
Given Bari’s reputation, we knew we had to try a local specialty. We ordered the Spaghetti All’Assassina with octopus, and it was absolutely spectacular. This isn’t your typical pasta dish. The spaghetti is cooked directly in a spicy, rich tomato sauce. This method allows the pasta to soak up all that incredible flavor, and it also “burns” some of the strands, creating these wonderfully crispy bits throughout the dish. The texture is just unbelievably delicious, and the tender octopus was the perfect addition.
Whether you’re looking for a quick octopus sandwich on the move or a leisurely meal celebrating the best of Bari’s seafood, La Tana Del Polpo is the place to be. It was a definite highlight of our trip and a spot I can’t recommend enough
Aly Eats Food 
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