“The branzino al forno was perfect — simple, fresh, and the olive oil and lemon made it unforgettable. The staff knew the wine list by heart and the terrace at sunset felt like being on the Amalfi coast.”
James T. — London
August 2024
The Mare Vivo Experience
Daily landings from the Adriatic, a kitchen guided by simplicity, and a dining room warmed by Mediterranean light.
Signature
Featured Dishes
Seasonal highlights crafted from the morning catch and finished with minimalist Mediterranean flavors.
What guests say
Loved by food lovers
“We had the crudo and the spaghetti alle vongole. Everything tasted like it had just come from the sea. Warm, unpretentious service and a real neighbourhood feel. Will definitely be back.”
Sarah M. — Edinburgh
July 2024
“Il crudo di mare e il risotto ai frutti di mare erano impeccabili. Personale gentilissimo e locale curatissimo. Sembrava di essere in un ristorante di pesce in Puglia, non in città. Consigliatissimo.”
Marco R. — Milano
Agosto 2024
“Prenotato per un compleanno: ci hanno fatto trovare un tavolo con vista sul porto. Le orate e i gamberi alla griglia da sogno. Servizio attento senza essere invadente. Mare Vivo è diventato il nostro posto per il pesce.”
Elena e Paolo — Roma
Settembre 2024
Our Story
Where the coast meets the table
Mare Vivo is a celebration of the Mediterranean sea. We work with local fishermen every morning, honoring the natural simplicity of each catch with olive oil, citrus, and fresh herbs.
Warm hospitality, timeless recipes, and a view of the harbor — this is Italian coastal dining at its most authentic.
In 1974, our grandmother Rosa and grandfather Giuseppe opened a tiny kitchen steps from Bari's old harbor. There was no menu — only what the boats brought in before dawn, a wood-fired grill, and a rule Rosa whispered to every guest: treat the sea with gratitude, and it will feed you well.
Their son Marco grew up sorting crates of amberjack and langoustine before school. Today, with his sister Elena, we still meet the same fishermen at the dock each morning — men who knew our nonno by name. The dining room has grown, but the table remains ours: family recipes, hands that remember how to fillet branzino just so, and the quiet hope that you feel, even for one evening, like you've been welcomed home.
— Elena & Marco, second generation
Book & Order
Reserve a table or place an order
To place an order or book a table, contact us directly.
Or book directly
Via della Marina 18, 70122 Bari, Italy