- REOPENING ON MARCH 27, 2026
Our crew shapes the soul of Marinero every single day —
a restaurant that speaks of the sea, the seasons, memory and future,
with its gaze always turned toward the heart of the Mediterranean.
Francesca Paiano is the beating heart of Marinero.
With over 30 years of experience in Otranto’s restaurant scene, she is a true queen of hospitality – attentive, passionate, and tireless.
Every detail of the restaurant bears her signature,
a blend of care, warmth, and memory.
Matteo Iaia was born into the world of hospitality: his mother, Francesca Paiano, has been a pillar of Otranto’s restaurant scene for over thirty years.
His father, Giovanni Iaia, is the founder of the historic Blubar, located right next to Marinero.
Raised among the aromas of his mother’s kitchen and the sound of his father’s cocktail shaker,
Matteo trained as a bartender and mixology expert, gaining recognition for his skill, creativity, and charisma.
After managing Blubar in recent years, in 2025 he joined the Marinero team as front-of-house manager,
working alongside Francesca in leading the restaurant.
He shares with her a deep passion for the sea, the local land, and the art of hospitality.
Together, they carry forward a vision that blends strong roots with a contemporary outlook –
marked by elegance, attention to detail, and a true family spirit.
This video winds through the whitewashed alleys of Otranto’s old town,
lingers on the details that enchant, and finally comes to rest among the tables of Marinero,
where every dish is a message, and every gesture tells a story worth listening to.
It’s the visual diary of an experience carried by the wind,
with hair tousled and a heart full of gratitude.
MARINERO BISTROT
Via Costantino I, 3
73028 Otranto (LE)
Salento, Puglia
Italy
