Sardinian Cuisine: 10 Must-Try Traditional Dishes

What is Sardinian Cuisine?

Sardinian cuisine, influenced by the Nuragic civilization and cultures like the Phoenicians and Romans, shares ties with Italian cuisine but is noticeably unique. Key ingredients include sheep’s milk cheeses, pasta, wild game, and local grains with many recipes that are only found here.

With so many delicious Sardinian foods to choose from, picking just ten is no small task. But here it is: dive into Sardinia’s top traditional dishes with our detailed guide to some of the island’s unmissable eats.

 What to Eat in Sardinia: 10 Must-Try Sardinian Foods

1. Piglet

Mention Sardinian cuisine to any Italian, chances are they’ll be thinking about a roasted piglet. It’s one of the most famous Sardinian foods – some even call it the national dish of Sardinia. Deliciously tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat with a crunchy lightly salted skin. The meat is gently cooked for hours at low heat, generally on an open-air rotisserie with wooden fire (a theatric scene itself!). Head to a Sagra food festival or to an Agriturismo (farm hotel) to best sample it.

2. Culurgiones

Culurgiones are the epitome of pasta artistry in Sardinia. These intricately crafted ravioli are filled with a delectable combination of potatoes, sheep or goat cheese, and mint, offering a comforting and flavorful experience. Typically served with a rich tomato and onion sauce, culurgiones are a true culinary masterpiece.

3. Fregola

Resembling giant couscous, fregola is a very interesting Sardinian pasta shape that was traditionally served with soups, especially in the minestrone soup. Nowadays, it can be found in restaurants in a seafood or meat stew, offering a delicious and hearty meal option.

4. Bottarga

Bottarga, or cured mullet roe, also known a the Sardinian caviar. While it may not appeal to everyone’s taste buds, it is certainly an acquired taste. Typically served in many restaurants in small chunks with mozzarella as a starter or grated in a pasta dish.

5. Malloredus alla Campidanese

Malloredus, also known as Sardinian gnocchi, are small shells of pasta delicately shaped by skilled hands. Traditionally, women would gather on weekends to chat and shape these gnocchi. The most well-known traditional recipe from the Campidanese area in the South of Sardinia, pairs them with a delicious fennel sausage ragu.

6. Roasted Lamb

Sardinia is renowned as the land of lamb and sheep. Roasted lamb has been a culinary excellence of Sardinia for so many years that Sardinia has even acquired a DOP (Denomination of Origin Controlled). Traditionally eaten for Easter, lamb is now a staple dish in many restaurants, served daily, either in stews or as a roasted delicacy.

7. Sardinian Pecorino

Reconnecting to the land of lambs, one of the best products renowned in all of Italy is Sardinian Pecorino. This cheese is ubiquitous in Sardinian cuisine and is recognised as one of the most typical foods of Sardinia. Found in restaurants grated on top of pasta dishes, eaten on its own, incorporated into pasta fillings, desserts, and more, it is virtually everywhere! Available in various forms, including fresco (young Pecorino), semi-stagionato (semi-hard), stagionato (hard), and even crema di Pecorino (Pecorino cream), often found in supermarkets.

8. Prazzida, Casadinas, or Empanadas

Sardinia offers a variety of bread-encased quiche-like dishes that varies according to which area you are in. They are known by different names each with their own shape, size and identity. Try them all to get your take on it. These savory dishes are filled with a variety of ingredients including tomatoes; potatoes, mint & cheese; cheese only, porcini mushrooms, and more. They are commonly found in bakeries or at the bakery counter of supermarkets, making them an ideal choice for a light lunch on the beach.

9. Tuna Fish

The islands of Sant’Antioco with a rich history of fishing dating back to the Ligurian conquerors, is famous for tuna fish. A must-try dish is the tuna steak alla Carlofortina.

10. Seadas

You can’t miss them! If you will still have room for desserts, try this delightful fried ravioli with a melted cheese filling, topped with delicious gold honey in a crispy pastry case.

Want to bring Sardinia’s longevity-boosting flavors into your own kitchen? Learn more about our traditional Sardinian cookbook filled with authentic Blue Zone recipes.