The best sushi in Lecce: 5 not-to-be-missed restaurants

The best sushi in Lecce

The culinary art of Salento continues to pass on a poor, yet tasty cuisine, which makes use of wild vegetables, pulses, bluefish and horsemeat. But in Lecce it is now possible to taste every kind of cuisine, including Japanese: there are several sushi restaurants in the city, each offering its own original proposal. Here’s where to eat the best sushi in Lecce according to the Gambero Rosso sushi restaurant guide.

300mila Lounge

A few steps from Piazza Mazzini, the new location of this bar and restaurant is synonymous with excellence in town and shows great attention to detail, reminiscent of an old-style metropolitan corner. Here you can eat top-notch sushi, from the classic preparation to the most original variants, excellent in both raw and cooked versions. Among the specialties not to be missed, there are the maki rolls, sashimi and tartare, made with fresh local fish. For lovers of the genre, there are also rich and well-executed poke. A good wine list and an excellent mixology offer complete the picture.

300mila Lounge – via 47° Reggimento Fanteria, 3/5 - 300mila.com/

Fugu Restaurant

Fugu is the realm of chef Ivan Scrimitore, who has traveled the world and brought it here, combining foreign flavors and local ingredients. Sushi and sashimi are made to perfection, with great balance and taste: excellent the ones with salmon or eel, as well as sea bream, amberjack, red or Gallipoli purple prawns. The tartare, ceviche and carpaccio are also mouth-watering, interesting the wide vegan proposal. The wine list is in line, and the service attentive and professional.

Fugu Restaurant – via C. Battisti, 1 - fugurestaurant.it/  

Fusion

At the northern entrance to the city, adjoining the Augustinian complex, you'll find a Japanese cuisine venue that leaves room for other specialties as well. Many are the sushi variations (try the gaio uramaki or the black steamed shrimps), with sashimi and tataki that stand out, as well as burger bao or noodles. Nice selection of bubbles to choose from, Italian and some foreign wines, Asian beers, sake and tea.

Fusion – v.le U. Foscolo, 11 - fusion-restaurant.com/

Makani by KOOKI

At the gates of the old town, along the walls of the Castle of Charles V, Makani (former Sushisalento) was one of the first quality restaurant in the area. Italian seafood is also on the menu, but the Japanese-inspired dishes take center stage here, starting with sushi and sashimi. The strawberry hosomaki or the crispy salmon uramaki with Tabasco sauce are not too be missed, without forgetting the tempura and miso soup.

Makani by KOOKI – via L. de Simone, 12 - makanirestaurant.it/

Shima Lounge

Located in a finely renovated early twentieth century building, Shima Lounge is a refined and exclusive multi-level restaurant, with vertical gardens and fine furnishings. Wide proposal of Italian cuisine on the patio, aperitifs and nikkei – the Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine – on the rooftop with lounge bar. There is plenty of uramaki options to choose from, which change continuously according to the seasonality of the ingredients. The desserts are also excellent, as well as the careful selection of sake, Japanese and Peruvian beers and a good wine and spirits list, with a particular focus on gin.

Shima Lounga – via 47° Reggimento Fanteria, 28 - facebook.com/shimaloungelecce/