One of the staples of Italian cuisine is cheese. Many different types of cheese are produced around Italy, and one of the most famous productions in the country and worldwide is mozzarella. Featured in many international dishes, like on pizza and as a main ingredient of the Caprese salad, mozzarella is at the center of the Mediterranean diet. Some of the most delicious mozzarelle of Italy are produced by dairies located in Campania. In this article we’ll showcase some of the best places where you can buy and sample mozzarella near the city of Salerno, with a focus on the original Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP and related dairy products and we’ll see what options tourists have if they decide to tour the dairies and discover the stables, facilities and production techniques of these amazing foods.

Tenuta Vannulo

South of Salerno, following the coast, you’ll find the city of Paestum. Around it, in smaller towns and in the countryside, are located several dairies housing buffalos and cows. In Capaccio Scalo you’ll find the Tenuta Vannulo, which features many different areas and along with them, several activities you can enjoy: the dairy features animals in the buffalo farm; a shop where you can find buffalo milk, cheese and leather goods; there’s a museum where you can discover the history of the family and the dairy itself, along with the tools and techniques employed to produce excellent buffalo mozzarella. The animals are fed, looked after and milked with extreme care, and the mozzarella is produced following the highest standards of hygiene and quality.
The dairy has a restaurant, with many options, one of which is a tasting menu that features organic vegetables farmed locally in the Tenuta Vannulo and many types of cheese products to showcase the range of the dairy’s ability: ricotta, mozzarella and more. A must have is the buffalo milk ice cream, especially when paired with a brioche, or yogurt.

Caseificio Barlotti

Also in Paestum but in the town of Capaccio-Paestum proper, is the Caseificio Barlotti. Visiting the Caseificio Barlotti is a great experience and you’ll be able to see the buffalos at the dairy’s farm and try the dairy products produced here straight from the source. The dairy is nestled among the Temples of Paestum and right after a tour of these incredible ruins, you can stop by the Caseificio Barlotti to purchase and sample their productions: buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, ice cream made from buffalo milk, cheeses and even incredible steaks made from buffalo meat. Along with the vegetables grown at the farm, it makes for a great lunch at a great price for the quality it offers.
The Caseificio Barlotti really has it all, with a tour where you’ll meet the buffaloes, see the process of making and pulling the mozzarella into shape, and a great selection of excellent cheeses and foods to choose from for a unique dining experience.

Taverna Penta

The Taverna Penta dairy farm is located in Pontecagnano Faiano, not far from Salerno. The dairy offers tours where visitors can meet the animals and find out more about the farm and the milking process, see and lean about the production of the mozzarelle and finally taste the varieties of buffalo mozzarella produced or choose to have a light lunch with the various cheeses and other local produce and dishes. Next to the dairy you’ll also find the Yogurteria, a yogurt joint where ice cream and yogurt made exclusively from buffalo milk are served, both plain and flavored. All the milk used at the dairy comes from the Azienda Agricola and the Allevamento Filippo Morese, named after the current owner – a member of the Morese family, who established the farm and started this family tradition.

Caseificio Ilka

Located in Salerno, in Via delle Calabrie 29, the Caseificio Ilka has many dairy products to offer, and a dedicated area where clients and visitors can sample the various options and explore the differences between Buffalo and Cow milk products. One of the main productions of the Caseificio Ilka is the “Corona di Paestum”, a uniquely crafted Buffalo mozzarella wreath made with braided sections of mozzarella cheese, masterfully pulled and assembled by master dairymen. The dairy offers many traditional cheeses typical of the region, such as Pecorino and Caciocavallo, and produces mozzarella cheese for specific use on pizza.
The dairy has an elegant, modern shop. There is a space that clients can use to sample their purchase right away, on location and this makes the experience even more authentic, since this means that visitors and customers can taste the products directly at the place of production. You can also have a quick meal here with mozzarella, ricotta or other types of cheese, prosciutto and local loaves of bread and glasses of wine.