The Caffè Centrale on Piazza Cairoli has been the social hub of Brindisi's old town for generations, and it shows: the interior has the slightly worn grandeur of a place that has never needed to renovate because its clientele would complain. Marble countertops, old mirrors, and a coffee machine that looks like it was installed in the 1960s and has worked every day since.
The espresso is excellent. The bar also does a strong line in Pugliese pastries — pasticciotto filled with custard cream, and taralli covered in sugar glaze. In the evenings it transforms into an aperitivo spot: the Aperol spritz is fine, but the better choice is an amaro or one of the local digestivi made with herbs from the Salento. Prices are thoroughly reasonable.