Basquiat is an Italian restaurant at Via Lucana 3, 75100 Matera, in the city’s historic center, just above the Sassi cave districts, where the kitchen runs on Basilicata ingredients and a dining room styled around contemporary art. Reached under the name Basquiat – Il Ristorantino, it draws travelers who want a polished sit-down meal after a day exploring the rock-cut dwellings of a UNESCO World Heritage city, and it carries a 4.6 rating across more than 660 reviews.
What to Expect at Basquiat
The restaurant takes its name from the American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, and the identity is deliberately artistic: the cooking is plated with a painter’s eye, and the setting suits a long, unhurried dinner rather than a quick stop. The menu follows the Italian restaurant tradition with a strong regional accent. In Matera that means the dishes of Basilicata’s “cucina povera” tradition: handmade orecchiette, legumes such as lentils from nearby Altamura and Senise peppers (peperoni cruschi), and the dense local bread, Pane di Matera IGP, which is baked in wood-fired ovens and has been a city staple for centuries.
Service runs in two seatings each day, a lunch window from 12:30 and a dinner window from roughly 7:30 to 7:45 PM. Dinner is the stronger draw, when the old town quiets down and the Sassi are lit by evening. Pair a meal here with a glass of Aglianico del Vulture, the dark red wine from the volcanic slopes of Monte Vulture that anchors most Basilicata wine lists.
- Art-led identity: A dining room and presentation inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat, giving the meal a gallery-meets-trattoria feel.
- Regional pasta: Look for orecchiette and other hand-shaped pasta typical of Puglia and Basilicata, often dressed with turnip tops, cured pork or tomato.
- Peperoni cruschi: Crisp dried Senise peppers, a Basilicata signature that appears as a garnish or crunchy side.
- Pane di Matera: The IGP-protected local loaf, traditionally served alongside the table spread.
- Aglianico del Vulture: The region’s flagship red, a natural match for lamb, cured meats and aged cheeses.
Basquiat at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Via Lucana, 3, 75100 Matera MT, Italy |
| Neighborhood / Area | Historic center of Matera, near the Sassi districts |
| Operating Hours | Mon: 12:30–3:00 PM, 7:45–11:00 PM; Tue: 12:30–3:30 PM, 7:30–10:30 PM; Wed–Sun: 12:30–3:30 PM, 7:45–11:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | No entry fee; mid-range dining tier ($$) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Walking distance from central Matera; limited-traffic historic center, so use paid public lots on the town’s edge |
| Official Website & Phone | basquiatilristorantino.it · +39 335 543 8682 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Matera’s historic center is largely pedestrian-friendly but steep, and the surrounding streets are narrow and cobbled, so drivers are best served by parking in a paid lot on the outskirts and walking in. Because the restaurant is small and keeps two defined seatings, call ahead on +39 335 543 8682 or check the official website to reserve, especially for dinner on weekends and during the summer and holiday peaks when Matera fills with visitors. Tuesday dinner closes earlier, at 10:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
Step-free access is not guaranteed in Matera’s older buildings, where stone steps and uneven paving are common, so travelers with mobility needs should confirm entry conditions by phone before booking. Within a short walk you can reach the Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso viewpoints, the Duomo di Matera on its hilltop, and the cave churches along the Murgia gorge, making Basquiat a natural stop to bookend an evening passeggiata through the old town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Basquiat’s opening hours and the best time to visit?
Basquiat serves lunch from 12:30 until about 3:00 to 3:30 PM and dinner from about 7:30 to 7:45 PM until 10:30 or 11:00 PM, depending on the day. Dinner offers the most atmospheric setting once the old town quiets after sunset, while lunch suits travelers fitting a meal between Sassi sightseeing.
Do I need a reservation, and what does a meal cost?
Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and on weekends, either by phone or through the official website. Basquiat sits in the mid-range tier ($$), so expect a primo, secondo and wine to land at a moderate per-person spend typical of Matera’s sit-down restaurants.
How much time should I allow for a visit?
Budget 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Italian dining is paced for conversation, and a multi-course meal with wine easily fills two hours, particularly at the dinner seating.
Is Basquiat accessible and suitable for different travelers?
The restaurant suits couples, foodies, art lovers and culture-minded travelers. Because it sits in Matera’s historic center, where steps and cobblestones are common, guests using wheelchairs or strollers should contact the restaurant before arriving to confirm access.
When planning your Matera travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Matera, pair this stop with standout local spots including Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, DIMITRIA | Il ristorante, La Suite Matera Hotel & Spa, and Ipogeo MateraSum (0.1 km away).
