Martinucci
Martinucci is well known in Salento and across Puglia as a chain of good quality pasticcerias with large sites in all the main tourist hotspots, and even an outpost in Rome.
Their new site in Lecce has revitalised the former McDonald’s, smack bang in the middle of Piazza Sant’oronzo and it’s backed up by their reliable pasticcerie, which are always outstanding across all their sites. It’s hard to argue the selection of pasticciotti aren’t some of the best, if not the best in all of Lecce.
An excellent range of gelato is on offer here too (as if the 3 other massive gelaterias within a stone’s throw weren’t ample selection enough). It’s also a good place to pick up a top-quality sandwich (panino) or sit down for a little aperitivo/snack.
Cioccolati Gourmet
Cioccolati Gourmet has a BIG WALL OF CHOCOLATE. It’s massive. They’ve obviously been to see a Willy Wonka movie, and made some notes. Creamy liquid chocolate oozing down an entire wall. If you’re stood anywhere near the building you can’t possibly miss it. It’s like a statement of intent. And if you’re in the chocolate business, which evidently they are; it’s a pretty good statement to make.
Baldo
Baldo is nestled on the corner of a side street just down from Santa Croce. It's from this little road you can cut up to Porta Napoli and out to the north of the city. It's a humble little gelateria, simple and clean inside, without too much fanfare and bullshit.
Probably the worst kept secret in Lecce is that Baldo does the best gelato in town. And they do. Trust me, I've eaten a lot of it. And a lot of others.
Pinti
Pinti is not strictly Leccese, its actually a Neapolitan Pasticceria, and has a dangerous selection of Neapolitan cakes and sweets which, if you wanna max your daily calorie limit in about 15 minutes, will blow your mind.
The interior is a simple bar/counter (cassa left / sweets & cakes middle / coffee bar right), tastefully littered with neo-antique Italian furniture (Pinti is not actually old, I think it opened in 2017). The team are generally helpful and speak plenty of languages between them.
Outside, Pinti comes into its own as it spills out onto the large paved space in front of Porta San Biagio. Here I have whiled away many many MANY mornings with a coffee & pasticciotto, reading my book or relaxing in the sun.