Vitantonio Lombardo Ristorante is a fine dining restaurant at Via Madonna delle Virtù, 13, in the Rione Sassi district of Matera, carved into a natural tufa grotto. Named for its Basilicata-born chef (born 1979 in Savoia di Lucania), the restaurant pairs modern, imaginative Italian cooking with the stone-walled drama of the Sassi, which is why gourmet travelers, couples, and special-occasion diners book it.
What to Expect at Vitantonio Lombardo Ristorante
The setting is the first thing guests remember. Architect Alessandro Tortorelli designed the space to leave the grotto in its natural state, with exposed tufa walls alternating with elegant glass dividers. The rooms are deliberately irregular. The main grotto room has large tables and a view into the open kitchen, where the chef and his brigade work in plain sight. The more intimate Cava room is a natural cave with a cool microclimate, set beside the wine cellar.
The cooking reflects the chef’s training under Paolo Teverini, Gianfranco Vissani, and Fabio Barbaglini, filtered through Basilicata’s landscape and memory. Menu titles carry dates and stories, tied to Matera’s year as European Capital of Culture and to the Murgia plateau that surrounds the city. The kitchen’s own motto is to think with the heart, eat with the head, and cook with the belly. Check the official menu page for the current tasting offering, as dishes change.
- Tagliolino of the King Shepherd (Matera Capital 2019): pasta finished with milk, lime, spring onion, and Osetra caviar.
- Tuna Tartare on Legumes Chip: served with an oil crumble and red onion ice cream.
- Steccafisso (2015): a reinterpretation of cod built around bell pepper and raspberries.
- Drone View of the Murgia (2018): fava beans, chicory, oyster, and green apple evoking the plateau from above.
- Pizza in Black (2012): a signature dish dedicated to chef Davide Scabin, plus a sweet raviolo with liquid ricotta and sea urchin.
Vitantonio Lombardo Ristorante at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Via Madonna delle Virtù, 13, 75100 Matera MT, Italy |
| Neighborhood / Area | Rione Sassi, Matera |
| Operating Hours | Mon, Thu–Sun 12:30–14:00 and 19:00–22:00; Wed 19:00–22:00 (dinner only); Tue closed |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$$ (tasting-menu fine dining; see the official menu for current prices) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Walk in from central Matera; the Sassi are largely pedestrian, so use a paid car park outside the historic core |
| Official Website & Phone | vlristorante.it · +39 0835 335475 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead through the restaurant’s official booking page, especially for dinner and for Friday and Saturday service. Lunch service on Monday and Thursday through Sunday is the easier slot to secure and lets you see the tufa rooms in daylight. Plan for a long, unhurried meal and ask about the wine cellar, which sits beside the Cava room. The restaurant is in the Sassi, where streets are steep, paved with uneven stone, and often stepped, so wear flat, grippy shoes. Confirm access needs directly with the restaurant, since cave interiors and approach lanes can be difficult for wheelchairs and strollers.
Cars are heavily restricted in the Sassi, so park outside the historic core and walk in. Before or after dinner, walk the Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso quarters, visit the rock churches of Santa Maria de Idris and San Pietro Caveoso, and look out over the Murgia gorge toward the Belvedere di Murgia Timone. The Duomo of Matera on the rim above the Sassi is also within a short walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best time to visit?
The restaurant serves lunch (12:30–14:00) and dinner (19:00–22:00) Monday and Thursday through Sunday, dinner only on Wednesday, and is closed Tuesday. Dinner gives the most atmospheric setting in the lit grotto, while lunch is typically easier to book.
Do I need a reservation and what does it cost?
Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made on the official website or by phone at +39 0835 335475. Pricing sits in the $$$$ tier, with a tasting-menu style of dining, and current menu details are on the restaurant’s website.
How long should I allow for the meal?
Budget roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours for a multi-course tasting experience, plus extra time to walk to and from the restaurant through the steep lanes of the Sassi.
Is the restaurant accessible and suitable for special occasions?
It is well suited to romantic dinners, celebrations, and serious food travelers. Because the space is a cave grotto in a hillside historic district, contact the restaurant before booking if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
When planning your Matera travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Matera, pair this stop with standout local spots including Ristorante'900 Casa Taccardi, Hotel Casino Ridola – Matera, Le Malve Cave Retreat, and Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita (nearby).
