You can't miss the fantastic food in Cagliari. Make sure you carve out some time to enjoy all the local tastes. The cuisine mixes the island's sea and mountain settings. You'll find many local pastas, breads, seafood dishes, and cheeses. There's a wealth of diversity in the food and you should definitely step away from the more traditional Italian flavors and try something uniquely Sardinian.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Cagliari is around $65 (€60) per person, with previous travelers spending from $29 to $125. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Cagliari are as follows:
- Breakfast: $7 to $20
- Lunch: $10 to $26
- Dinner: $20 to $46
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $10
Local cuisine of Cagliari follows traditions of Sardinia as a whole, with more emphasis on the seafood. Food here is considered to be part of the Mediterranean diet, often featuring many courses from starters to main dishes. Cagliari itself focuses more on seafood dishes that are unique to the city. Visitors will find a wide array of pastas served with all kinds of sauces and many different varieties of seafood, both raw and cooked. Mussels marinara or octopus salad, for example, are popular starters, while a main meal can consist of something like spaghetti and sea urchin or seafood fregola. Other dishes specific to Cagliari include fregula cun còciula (fregula with clams), còciulas e cotzas a sa schiscionera (clams and mussels cooked in a pan), burrida a sa casteddaja (dogfish with vinegar and walnuts), cassòla (soup consisting of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks), and s’aligusta a sa casteddaja (Cagliaritan-style lobster). Meals can be accompanied by wines produced in the nearby vineyards of the Campidano plain, including varieties such as Cannonau, Nuragus, Nasco, Monica, Moscau, Girò, and Malvasia.
When you're dining out with kids, seek out restaurants that offer a kids' menu. This can help you save quite a bit since these meals are usually more affordable. Keep in mind that some restaurants might not showcase their kids' options, so be sure to ask your server before placing your order.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Take a water bottle along instead of purchasing drinks constantly. This is also an eco-conscious choice.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Cagliari, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Traditional Sardinian Lunch and Cooking Class In Cagliari for $120 details
- Sardinia Cooking Class: Fresh Handmade Pasta for $76 details
- Sardinian Cooking Class with Meal and Drinks for $97 details