Here are the best Cagliari restaurants, because you can’t skimp on Sardinian food!
Everything here is my own opinion and I received no compensation for this post. It also contains affiliate links. If you have any questions about this, just click here! All content copyright Teaspoon of Nose 2012-2024.
Sardinia is one of the most underrated ways to get on the beach in Italy!! Cagliari makes a great home base to explore the southern half of the island. I’ve put together a guide to the city to give you the most fun in the city and beyond! And since no Italian vacation is complete without fantastic food, here are my favorite Cagliari restaurants.
Typical Sardinian Dishes to Order at Cagliari Restaurants
Seafood! Anything straight from the sea. Shrimp, clams, fish, squid, and even sea urchins show up on almost every menu! As a fish & seafood lover, I ordered something from the sea at every lunch and dinner, and I loved every bite! When in doubt, ask the staff what’s best. They’ll steer you right.
Porceddu is another classic! Essentially it’s the Sardinian take on a suckling piglet. It’s delicious and you should order it from a place specializing in it!
Culurgiones is a stuffed pasta that tastes like a cross between ravioli and pierogi. They’re traditionally stuffed with potatoes, pecorino cheese, and a touch of mint!
Another classic pasta is called fregola: basically a giant version of cous cous. It’s usually served in a tomato sauce with clams—definitely a must-order.
Malloreddus is another Sardinian pasta shape, a bit like a textured shell. Typically, it’s served alla campidanese, with a sausage and tomato sauce.
Mirto is the Sardinian digestivo! It’s a classic here, and every restaurant will offer it after the meal (often included in the price, though not always). It’s made of myrtle berries, so it’s unlike anything else you’ve likely had! The common version, mirto rosso, is sweet and intense.
Cagliari Restaurants
Restaurants
Stella Marina Di Montecristo is my number-one recommendation for an authentic Sardinian seafood meal! This Michelin-starred restaurant has all the classic Sardinian dishes, but without the price tag that sometimes goes with Michelin recognition. Order the fixed lunch menu – it’s three courses of seafood bliss!
Sa Domu Sarda is the best place to try all the Sardinian pasta dishes! Their culurgiones were my favorite. They also have plenty of seafood and meat secondi, with some vegetarian options as well!
Su Cumbidu is a great spot if you need more land-based proteins! They’re definitely catering to tourists, but the food is quality, they have plenty of seating, and the prices are reasonable. The portions are MASSIVE, so come hungry!
If you need a break and want pizza, head to Framento! They have a great Neapolitan crust with a mix of classic pizzas and Sardinian ingredients. It’s amazing pizza and a great option when you want something fast and cheap.
Gelateria Vaniglia e Pistacchio is a great little gelato place to end the night! They’re known for their pistachio. Make sure to try some of the local specialties you won’t find at other places!
Bars & Enotecas
Sabores is a great little wine bar in the Marina district. It’s the kind of place to grab a table outside and people-watch, with a glass of whatever the waiter recommends!
Libarium Nostrum has a perfect massive seating area for watching the sunset! They have a massive selection of cocktails and also dinner, but my favorite is to get an aperol spritz after a day of exploring.
Sa Binuteca is another must-go for local Sardinian wine. They serve only local bottles, plus good tagliati (Italian for charcuterie), so it’s a good place for a snack or aperitivo.
P.S. Did you know I put together a way more detailed guide to Cagliari restaurants on Thatch? It has 11 restaurants and 7 bars, more than doubling what’s available here. You can grab it for yourself as well as my Cagliari city guide or southern Sardinia master guide!
