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.
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.
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!
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:
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.
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.
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.
We finish our meal in true Italian fashion with a melon platter – what’s summer in Italy without watermelon?
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!
What an awesome way to travel local!!! I’ve never been but I would love to visit now.
Right?! It doesn’t get more local than this 🙂
Your pictures are always so gorgeous! And that food looks to die for. I’ve never heard of Molise, but it certainly looks beautiful
Thank you so much!!! It’s gorgeous, that’s for sure 🙂
This meal looks delicious, and the fact that it’s made from foods grown on the farm make it all the more special. I like the location, too!
Exactly! Everything was so good – including the view 🙂
I’ve got to make it a point to visit this place my next visit to Italy! The food looks amazing – and the views aren’t too shabby either! 😉
Happy to hear!!! Please do let me know if you visit 🙂
Looks like such a great meal in a beautiful place! Visiting that area is on my bucket list.
Definitely bucket list worthy 😀
What a great place place to visit, I love Italian food 🙂 Those antipasti look so yummy!
Then you’ll definitely love it here 🙂
This looks spectacular and Italy looks likes such a gorgeous place to visit. I love the pictures you shared!
Thank you! It really is 🙂
The view and the food look absolutely amazing!
Oh, they were!!! 🙂
I have not been to Italy, but it is on my bucket list. After reading this and seeing those pictures, this is a definite must see. Thanks for the photos.
I’m glad! I hope you get to visit soon!
Great review. Food looks delicious! Excellent pictures.
Thank you!
Very nice blog and pictures.
Thanks 😀
Italy never gets boring. I love agroturismos as they give you more of “the real” Italian feeling 🙂
Agreed! And there’s so much to discover 🙂
Yum! That bruschetta looks delightful! I’ve always wanted to go to Italy. Great article.
Thank you! If you do, you’ll definitely fall in love with the food 🙂
What a gem you have found! We just adore this type of farm to table experience. This is definitely a place to look up if and when we make it to Italy. I’ve dreamed of trying zucchini flowers for years!!
Thank you! I do hope you’ll get to visit – zucchini flowers are the bomb! 😛