Sardinia is sizzling with an incredible gastronomic scene and the city of Olbia serves up a storm! It stays true to its Italian roots, with pizzerias aplenty and homemade pastas to make your tastebuds tingle. But there are also a variety of unique dishes to sample, to appreciate the Sardinian take on this classic cuisine. So, to save you hunting down the best places to dine, we’ve hand-picked some of our favourites for you to find during your stay.

Il Mattacchione

Married couple Rosella and Giuseppe created the exquisite restaurant, Il Mattacchione, to combine the explosive Sardinian flavours with intricate and stylish cooking. The chef pays serious attention to detail when to comes to each of his dishes. Dine in either the bright main restaurant or the candlelit terrace and enjoy creations such as marinated salmon with orange and ginger, tomato and saffron snails or pumpkin and ricotta gnocchi.

The owners have strived to bring a traditional Sardian feel to every aspect of their restaurant and created a menu to reflect this. Delve into the island’s seafood culture with the octopus yakitori or the local prawn and coconut soup. Or indulge in the sweet side of Olbia, with the donut-shaped hazelnut, salted caramel and orange dessert, or the passionfruit, white chocolate and chilly parfait.

Family Pizza

This small pizzeria is found on the main Via Barcellona street. Blending into the tree-covered houses, you’d probably miss it if you walked by! But you’ll want to keep your eye out for this one, as they serve up some of the tastiest pizzas in town.

This family-run, traditional pizzeria is the place to be for seriously good food and even better prices. The freshest doughs with mouthwatering toppings make the warm and welcoming atmosphere even more enjoyable. You can bag yourself one of the best pizzas you’ll have in Olbia for just €8, so you don’t want to miss this one out.

Dulchemente

Michelin guide recommended restaurants are dotted throughout Olbia, with Dulchemente being one of the few city centre ones. Nestled down a tranquil side street away from the city bustle, you’ll find beautifully crafted Sardinian dishes with an emphasis on produce from the sea. Every detail of the dining experience has been thought of here, from the yellow hues of bohemian lamps to create a pleasant atmosphere, to the combinations of colours and flavours which bring the dishes to life.

Chef Giorgio Corongiu crafts a small menu to boast big flavours. Try the seafood starter of raw oysters, red and purple prawns, scampi and a fish tartare to enjoy the freshness of produce caught the same morning. Move on to a scampi and ricotta risotto or a fish tortellini in a broth with sour cherry tomatoes. Finish your dining experience with a sweet taste of mango and lime pavlova and delight in the culinary journey of Dulchemente.

Summer Beach Restaurant

A short trip out of the city centre will take you to Olbia’s beachfront neighbour, Pittulongu, and the stunning Summer Beach Restaurant found within the Pelican Beach Resort & Spa hotel. The shorefront setting is a selling point of its own, and the varied menu full of Sardinian, Mediterranean and classic Italian cuisine makes this restaurant a real winner.

If you’re a fan of seafood, this is the place to make the most of the menu. There’s a designated raw seafood starter section, so you can begin your meal with oysters, red shrimps, scampi or the tartare of the day. If they don’t take your fancy, try the warm starters of seared octopus, squid salad, or a whole burrata with tomatoes and olive oil. Each dish is presented to the highest standard, with every component precisely plated up, allowing vibrant colours to burst through. In true Italian style, the chef has perfected the pasta dishes. Try the clam spaghetti, or for a taste of local flavours, enjoy the homemade ravioli with Sardinian cheese and tomato. Check out the Sardinian Chiusoni pasta with lamb, pecorino cheese and mint too.

Don Carlos

Found in a pretty square on Via Torino, Don Carlos is a shining restaurant in central Olbia. It’s rated highly on Tripadvisor and was awarded the Travellers’ Choice Award last year, so it’s most definitely worth a visit. It specialises in steakhouse and grill food, but the menu offers a variety of options for all diners.

For a light bite, try the selection of chicken, caramelized onion and cheese empanadas or their special baby meatballs which melt in your mouth. Then opt for the seared wagyu steak or order the barbeque experience if dining as a group, for a real feast! Their homemade desserts are worth leaving room for, so you can end your delightful meal on a caramel cheesecake or a creamy tiramisu.

Pizzeria Dadino

You’ll never be short of pizzeria options when visiting Olbia, but if you’re after one of the best for price and quality, look no further than Pizzeria Dadino. It’s easy to see why this restaurant is highly regarded on Tripadvisor and received a Travellers’ Choice Award last year. Located on the busy main street of Via Goffredo Mameli, it's a buzzing spot to stop at for a bite to eat. There’s outdoor seating available too, so you can still take in your surroundings while tucking into a delicious meal.

Inside, the restaurant is bright and welcoming and then the menu does the talking! Begin with luscious starters like a mussel and clam stew, or a platter of Italian meats and cheeses. Then you’re spoilt with two pizza menus, offering classics and specials. You can stick to a traditional Naples pizza or delve into Sicilian specialities like a buffalo mozzarella, bacon, mushroom and walnut pizza, or a seafood special with mussels, clams and shrimps!

Piperita Patty

Another restaurant easily accessible from the city centre is the wonderful Piperita Patty. You’ll find outdoor seating along the cobbled street of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, so you can enjoy Olbia’s summer evenings while dining. But eating indoors is just as enjoyable, with floods of natural light coming through floor to ceiling windows and a pleasant evening vibe as the sun sets.

The menu is kept small here, filled with traditional favourites, light antipasti and heavenly desserts. Start with calamari, polenta cream and almond pesto croquettes, followed by the four-cheese rigatoni with lamb mince and a thyme crumble for a flavour sensation. Save space for one of Piperita Patty’s sweet treats such as the eclair filled with toffee apples and crème brûlée, or the homemade red velvet cake with a cream cheese frosting, garnished with red fruits.