Whether you're looking for a colorful city break or a seaside vacation, Cagliari is a winner. This guide will give you everything you need to eat well while you're there! 

In this guide, you’ll get: 
- recommendations on typical dishes to order
- 11 restaurants and 7 bars & apertivo spots
- 4 lodging recommendations
- an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot

Before you buy: everything on this list is included in my Cagliari & More guide, so if you want activity suggestions as well, choose that instead!

Italy

Sardinia, Italy

Cagliari, Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Italy

🇮🇹 Tasting Italy: Cagliari, Sardinia Restaurant Guide

Sardinia (the anglicized name, Italians call it Sardegna) is one of Italy’s major islands. While everyone knows Sicily – and it 100% lives up to the hype! – Sardinia isn’t on travelers’ radars on the same level. 

Want more travel tips?  I offer detailed guides all over Europe! If you’re looking for something specific I can make you a custom trip list or daily itinerary. Grab all the details in my bio! 

🦐Seafood! Anything straight from the sea. Shrimp, clams, fish, squid, and even sea urchin 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 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! 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. 