A compelling Apulian restaurant with excellent views, pizza and several strong dishes, but reservation handling and front-of-house behavior are sufficiently inconsistent that booking and choosing indoor seating are wise.
Operaprima's exceptional panoramic setting and terrace atmosphere anchor a strong dining experience, with solid food quality that earns consistent praise from repeat visitors. Service polarization and occasional preparation inconsistencies, particularly with pizza and seafood execution, prevent a higher grade despite the restaurant's clear destination appeal and loyal following.
At the edge of Ostuni’s historic centre, Operaprima trades heavily on a terrace that looks across olive groves toward the Adriatic; at sunset, the hillside lights do much of the decorating. The interior is attractive too, and many diners describe welcoming staff and a polished setting, though the room can be busy. One recent guest effectively summed up the appeal as a beautiful place where the view lingers long after the meal. The cooking is broad, recognizably Apulian and more ambitious than a basic pizzeria. Pizza, seafood pasta, gnocchi, fresh fish and meat all receive enthusiastic mentions, while the menu adds tartare, ponzu, truffle and elaborate special pizzas. Results are not perfectly even: a few detailed reviews report burnt pizza, dry chicken, rushed courses or underwhelming seafood. Expect roughly €45-55 per person for a full meal before drinks, with the setting and ingredients doing much of the value work. Families have workable choices rather than a dedicated children’s program: Margherita or plain pizza, ragù pasta, chicken Milanese, fries, potatoes and gelato are all on the menu. The terrace and broad selection can suit a family lunch, but reservation friction, a lively room and occasional rushed service may test younger diners. For children with conservative tastes, stick to the familiar dishes rather than the tartare- and truffle-led specials.
Area vibe: Charming, historic seaside-adjacent town known for whitewashed old town and seasonal tourism.
Safety: Generally safe with good evening footfall during tourist season; quieter in winter evenings.
What's nearby: Near Ostuni's centro storico, cathedral, shops, cafes, and regional coastal attractions; local buses and roads connect to nearby beaches.
The most distinctive orders are the Ostuni pizza, seafood spaghetti and artichoke gnocchi, while Margherita and Diavola keep the bill lower.
Reserve in advance and allow extra time, since busy service, terrace weather and a €45-55 pre-drinks meal can affect the experience.
Operaprima is primarily a scenic terrace experience, with sunset views toward the Adriatic and a lively, sometimes busy room.