Hotel Lo Smeraldo

The garden at LA TAVERNA LO SMERALDO is beautifully laid out, spotless, and well maintained, with views over the valley and hills and a great sunset. We had a really enjoyable evening in the ground-floor bistro and liked the meal. The menu is extensive, with pizza making up only a small part of it. The food was simply good, honest cooking, nicely prepared and presented without being dressed up as anything fancy. Service was attentive, kind, professional, friendly, and interested. Prices felt very good for the quality, and all things considered, this is among the better places to eat in the area. Come expecting relaxed, well-prepared food rather than gourmet or haute cuisine. Our compliments to the kitchen and waiting staff, they did a great job.

The rooms can vary a lot, from a large double with a balcony and sea view to a small single with one bed, no balcony, and a view of a wall, though that kind of room could be cool in summer. Weekends, especially Sundays, can get busy because they hold weddings and other events then. The staff are very friendly and ready to help, with special thanks to the receptionist. It’s a nice hotel in a quiet, charming area, surrounded by nature and trulli. The building is fairly new, though some of the furniture looks a little dated. The restaurant also has La Taverna Lo Smeraldo, which is open to outsiders and is quite good and characteristic.

We kept coming back to **Pizzeria — Hotel Lo Smeraldo** and enjoyed every meal. The pizzas had fresh ingredients, traditional flavors, and a crisp wood-fired finish. Service was attentive, and the cozy atmosphere made each visit pleasant. The setting in Cisternino is beautiful too. The local red wine was delicious and a half-liter cost just 5.50 €. Saluti

If you want to unwind, eat, and take things at an easy pace, June or July is a good time to come. The hotel is lovely and well located, and the staff are friendly and willing to help. Breakfast isn't an English cooked breakfast, but the hot dog sausage, eggs, and fried ham slices do the trick. There's plenty for fruit and bread lovers, and the coffee and tea are good. I’ll come again.