Sitting off Italy's celebrated west coast, the sublime island of Sardinia represents a complex patchwork of Franco-Italian culture. The second largest island in the Mediterranean, with a pearly coastline is perfect ideal soaking up the sultry sun and crystalline water of the deepest blue with dream-like reefs, thriving coral beds and diverse marine life. Furthermore, Sardinia has always been at the forefront of chic Italian getaways, famous for it cultural life and cuisine. As to the latter, Yacht Harbour lists some of the best places to enjoy the local cuisine while exploring the magnificent coast of Sardinia on your yacht.
Sardinia top lunch recommendations:
#1. Cala di Volpe
Location: Hotel Cala di Volpe
Chef: Maurizio Locatelli
The Hotel Cala di Volpe and especially its restaurant is one of the most requested hot‐spots for lunch in the Costa Smeralda. The restaurant serves international and Mediterranean cuisine at the highest standard, whereas the Bar “Il Pontile” is the perfect place to enjoy an aperitif.
The Sardinian decor of the restaurant welcomes guests to a delicate and refined ambient, where white stucco arches and the soft flicker of candles imitate the glittering lights strung around the harbour.
As to the cuisine, the chef and his stellar team create sumptuous menu of Mediterranean specialties on a daily basis: an unrivalled selection of antipasti inspired by regional recipes and the freshest local product is complemented by fish and meat grilled to perfection over an open wood fire.
#2. Petra Segreta
Location: 25 min by car from Porto Cervo
Chef: Luigi Bergeretto
Nestled in the hills above San Pantaleo with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, this hide‐ away place is a must for those who love Italian and regional cuisine. The Petra Segreta resort is the perfect place to get to know a different way of living in Sardinia, apart from the jet-set life of Costa Smeralda, and to enjoy a relaxed and elegant lunch.
Petra Segreta Resort & Spa is a popular gourmet destinations in Costa Smeralda. The hotel encompasses two restaurants: Il Fuoco Sacro, an elegant and refined gourmet restaurant with views over the archipelago, and Osteria del Mirto Bistrot, offering a more informal atmosphere between lunch and dinner and is only open to resident guests.
Explore two different experiences, still with a common culinary philosophy wherein the freshest and highest quality seasonal ingredients produced from the resort’s own organic farm are transformed, with respect and creativity, into the chef's dishes.
Sardinia TOP dinner recommendations:
#1. Gianni Pedrinelli
Location: 5 minutes by car from Porto Cervo
Chef: Clara Pedrinelli
Gianni Perdinelli is a place trademarked with elegant atmosphere, high VIP factor, exquisite Italian and international cuisine. Furniture and kitchen stylisation recalls the best traditions of Sardinia; adding a touch of class and modernity. All that makes the restaurant to a popular destination for those who want to enjoy good food in an exclusive environment.
The interior design features wooden roofing, white walls and the bottles of red wine on a tray in the middle of the dining room, adding a touch of warmth and romance to the restaurant. A glimpse through the light curtains offers the view of a nice garden. A large stone fireplace overlooks the dining room, offering a variety of selected art pieces including a permanent art show of local and internationally known artists.
The exquisite food is mainly inspired by the Sardinian culinary tradition, and it is always enriched with an outstanding presentation. The best dishes at this restaurant are ravioli and gnocchetti, durum wheat pasta (pasta di busa) with red mullet and saffron, fish soup, lamb leg with myrtle, pasta with lobster. You would be also delighted by the exquisite sweets and cakes.
#2. Il Pescatore
Location: old port of Porto Cervo
Chef: Franco Tonelli
This stupendous restaurant in the heart of Porto Cervo designed by the same architect as the Cala di Volpe Hotel ‐ Jacques Couëlle – has a beautiful terrace giving a magnificent view over the sea. Il Pescatore offers a menu that celebrates the Mediterranean, focusing on dishes that combine flavours, creativity and lightness.
The only pieds dans l’eau (on-water) restaurant in Costa Smeralda, Il Pescatore has earned itself a reputation because of its superb seafood, stunning views of the port and the timeless charm. A genuine Costa Smeralda icon, it despises of a seafront location in the heart of Porto Cervo bay, and has been there even longer than the port itself.
With its seafront location, the Pescatore offers the best seafood, freshly caught with unexpected combinations for a unique culinary experience. The restaurant invites its guests to taste the best from the island with exquisite menus, respecting general traditions, though applying simple cooking methods without manipulating the products too much. Two dishes one should not miss while in Sardinia according to the chef, are Maccheroni alla Chitarra with saffron lobster as well as Fish Mezze Lune with fresh Peretta cheese, containing his favourite ingredients, saffron and herbs.
#3. Cipriani / Billionaire Grill
Location: 5 minutes by car from Porto Cervo
Offering Cipriani's trademark exquisite cuisine, this fabulous three level villa is perched amongst the cliffs, providing you a unique and beautiful view of the Gulf of Pevero. Occupying the main restaurant space of Billionaire, Porto Cervo’s premiere nightclub venue, the restaurant is an opulent indoor/outdoor dining room, along with extensive menu in a celebrity environment.
#4. Madai
Location: 5 minutes by car from Porto Cervo
Chef: Elio Sironi
The newly opened restaurant, run by the ex‐chef of the famous restaurant of the Bulgari Hotel in Milan, offers a cuisine based on tradition and on essence of the product. In an elegant but informal atmosphere guests will take pleasure in the excellent dishes served while enjoying the magnificent view over the Old Port and the Maddalena archipelago.
The distinctive signature of the Chef is the “exacting simplicity” through the rediscovering of Italian cuisine great classics, re-elaborated to value real flavours and consistency in dishes.
The unlimited quality of the ingredients and the use of the traditional cooking technique make basics for the restaurant’s menu. Furthermore, the use of the wooden oven and the charcoal grill contributes to the distinctive and antique taste of the dishes.
#5. L’Officina del Gusto
Location: Pevero Golf Club; Cala di Volpe
Chef: Stefano and Gianni Azara
The restaurant is situated in the complex of the Pevero Golf Club offering authentic cuisine in an exclusive setting marked by a succession of colours and emotions from the stylish interior to the incomparable outdoor area. While tasting the predominantly Mediterranean cuisine guests may enjoy the beautiful view over the bay of Cala di Volpe.
Born from the passion of the brothers Stefano and Gianni Azara, Officina del Gusto is a gourmet project offering high-end cuisine. The gourmet menus offer rich choice of starters, main courses and exquisite desserts. The rethinking of traditional recipes and the use of high quality local products, provides the restaurant’s international dishes with a brand new flavour.
Among alternative destinations, check out our top Cannes' restaurants listing.