Sardinia Restaurants

Sardinian cuisine is a general mix of Italian and Catalan dishes, with some regions having stronger connections with Italy or Spain than others. Pasta, ravioli and pizza are as common as anywhere else in Italy, while fish concoctions are almost always delicious, depending on where you eat.

Local cuisine

Sardinia is surrounded by the fish-filled waters of the Mediterranean and is noted for some excellent seafood dishes. Pesce azzurro is a Mediterranean fish and a speciality in Sardinia, while ravioli con ricotta (ravioli with fresh cheese) is also a staple. As with elsewhere in Italy, spaghetti, tagliatelle and linguine are widely available. Porceddu (ground roasted pig) is another speciality here, and is cooked together with associated spices. Sardinian pastry can also be considered a speciality, with any topping available including the ubiquitous pizza, while local bread specialities include carta da musica (thin crispy bread) and rustic loaves. For dessert, Sardinian wine is good, although wines from every region of Italy can be found in any good restaurant. For beer lovers, Sardinian beer is called Ichnusa and is somewhat on the powerful side.

Where to eat

Many of the beach resorts all around the island have some fantastic and atmospheric eateries, yet many aim specifically at cashing in on the tourist dollar and can lack quality. It’s always best to ask a local person or the hotel staff about the best places to eat. Many of the island’s major towns have a good spread of restaurants. The capital, Cagliari, has some well priced trattoria (family-run restaurants with long tables), especially on via Sardegna and via Sassari, while Alghero has some great sandwich places in Piazza Civica as well as boasting Sassari, a quality open-air market on via del Mercato.