I typically don’t write about grab-and-go type restaurants, but I cannot stop thinking about La Focacceria Italiana 5 Lire Matera in Matera, Italy. The friends that I visited it with also loved it, so here is my post on how you can visit and properly order from La Focacceria Italiana 5 Lire Matera (or, honestly, most focacce in Italy).
5 Lire Foccaceria Italiana Matera.
La Focacceria 5 Lire Matera, or simply “5 Lire” around town, is a very casual “focacceria” in Matera. It is located on Via Domenico Ridola above the Sassi. It is named for the former currency of Italy, the “lire”, which changed to the euro in 1999.
Via Via Domenico Ridola, just outside of 5 Lire.
For those unfamiliar with the term “focacceria”, a focacceria is, for most Americans, a pizza and sandwich shop, with the pizza and sandwiches being made fresh out of focaccia bread. What differentiates Italian focacce from American slice shops, is that the focaccia is generally of very high quality and the ingredients are generally local and top notch. Pizza and sandwiches are further made fresh throughout the day – nothing sits for too long (except at the most touristy ones where you don’t want to eat).
5 Lire!
The menu at these types of shops is interesting. Basically, you don’t order from a menu, but select from what is available in the display case. Indeed, the menu is what you see on offer in front of you. And, as you’ll notice, pizzas are made in large format and placed in the display counter as they come out of the oven. Guests select from the display case. But no, you don’t need to order the entire pizza (and it would be odd to do so). Italians will specify exactly how much they want but for tourists, you can generally just point and staff will select you a standard serving size. I would also caution, the food goes fast so if you see something you want, order it immediately! Finally, while prices are not necessarily listed, you can always ask but most “slices” are between 2.5 and 4.5 euro, with the meat heavier dishes being more expensive. There are some prices listed on the picture below with the drink menu (keep reading!).
Some of the focacce.
Other side!
One more of the options.
We visited for a slightly late lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. 5 Lire was not crazy busy, but there was a constant line of people coming and going. The pizzas were also replaced several times while we were there. On offer during our visit were a variety of slices, from a sample red sauce slice, to meat heavy slices, to vegetarian slices. There was also a small, handwritten menu of sandwiches. Between our group, I tried several, but my personal favorite was the Eggplant Parmesan slice. It was SO GOOD.
My personal favorite – the Eggplant Parmesan.
This is a pancetta and cheese slice and a classic red slice (probably the most favorite in Italy!).
These had a bacon-style topping on them. Also, excellent.
In terms of drinks, there are a few options in a cooler, including local craft beer, water (both with and without gas), and several sodas. There is also a small handwritten menu of limited cocktails (like an Aperol Spritz) and wine.
A local beer from Puglia, Italy.
The limited handwritten menu of cocktails, as well as a few other non-pizza food items.
In terms of seating, there are a very, very few tables on 5 Lire’s tiny deck overlooking the Sassi. This is my preferred location, but its often full (for good reason). If you are not lucky enough to grab an outside table, there are a few indoors and there are also tables outside on Via Domenico Ridola.
The beautiful outdoor seating at 5 Lire.
Outdoor seating outside 5 Lire.
5 Lire accepts credit card, and the person working when we visited spoke English (and happily helped us in English). Reservations not accepted. Don’t missing delicious focaccia when in Matera!.
STEAL OUR LUNCH
La Focacceria Italiana 5 Lire Matera: Via Domenico Ridola, 37, 75100 Matera MT, Italy. Open daily 12:00 – 00:00, later on the weekend.