Restaurant Review: Agriturismo La Guardata in Molise

Located in the Molise region in southern Italy between Guglionesi’s historic old town and Termoli’s popular beach town on the Adriatic, calling Agriturismo La Guardata a hidden gem is an understatement.

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

Certified by Slow Tourism in Italy, each item on chef Raffaele Manzi’s menu is local and homegrown, meaning everything you eat here comes from their farm – from the bread, to the meat, to the vegetables.

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

Frequented by locals that live near its mountainous location, this eatery is a family-run restaurant that boasts quality fare. With an open terrace made up of Italian families that know each server by name, it’s the kind of place where a communal lunch takes up the entire afternoon. There’s even a park for children on the premises and a small duck and geese farm!

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

As for the food, their antipasto service (available during lunch and dinner) is what keeps patrons coming back. At a mere €10, you’re served a feast. Here’s what La Guardata’s antipasto entails:

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

We begin our meal with house wine and a typical antipasto platter composed of salumi, mozzarella, and marinated eggplants, which is quickly followed by bruschetta.

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

We then enjoy a dish made up of ricotta (if you’re wondering what those sticks in the photo are, they’re fried spaghetti!), red onions, and local cheese that’s made to be dipped into the honey (which is also produced here by local beekeepers). Next up is a fried zucchini flower dish – just like my grandmother used to make.

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

And that was just the appetizer within the appetizer as those dishes were a warm up to what followed. The next set of hot dishes begins with a creamy orzo (barley) dish that resembles a light risotto and a traditional pampanella (their take on the region’s spicy pork dish) that ends with our party soaking up the excess sauce with what’s left of our bread basket.

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

We finish our meal in true Italian fashion with a melon platter – what’s summer in Italy without watermelon?

Agriturismo La Guardata, Molise Italy

If you’re interested in a country-like experience in the mountains (with a view), La Guardata doubles as a bed & breakfast with six available rooms.

Let me know if you’ve been to Agriturismo La Guardata – or are planning to visit – in the comments below!

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