Sardinia on a Silver Platter: A Taste of Island Luxury

Sardinia has long drawn the discerning traveller, not merely for its sweeping beaches and sapphire seas, but for a certain intangible richness — a slow, deliberate elegance that pervades even the salt-tinged breeze. It is in the island’s cuisine, however, that this quiet opulence truly reveals itself. Here, dining is not simply a matter of nourishment, but a ritual of indulgence, where ingredients are local but the standards are nothing short of world-class.

The scene begins, quite naturally, on the southern coast at the renowned Forte Village, a haven of exclusivity and Mediterranean beauty. Within its lush embrace, two restaurants have become destinations in their own right. La Terrazza San Domenico, a seasonal outpost of the Michelin-starred institution in Imola, is helmed by Massimiliano Mascia and brings a refined Romagna sensibility to the Sardinian table. It is elegant without affectation, elevated without losing its soul — and the sea views certainly don’t hurt. Just a short stroll through manicured palms and jasmine-scented air lies Belvedere, an altogether different yet equally sumptuous affair. Here, under the artistry of Giuseppe Molaro, Sardinian produce is given the haute cuisine treatment, all served al fresco on a panoramic terrace that feels tailor-made for a slow summer supper.

To journey north is to discover another expression of luxury, one more coastal in spirit but no less sophisticated. In Porto Cervo, the legendary Il Pescatore is a touchstone of Costa Smeralda’s golden age. There’s a timeless glamour about it — the kind that doesn’t demand attention but inevitably draws it. With waves quite literally lapping at its foundations, this is the domain of glittering seafood platters and quietly confident service. Nearby, the Cala di Volpe Restaurant, nestled in the eponymous hotel, provides a buffet experience so meticulously curated it could pass for a fine dining degustation. It’s as much about the setting — a vision of Mediterranean chic perched over the bay — as it is about the cuisine, though the lobster linguine might make you forget to look up.

Yet Sardinia’s gastronomic narrative isn’t confined to the coastal elite. Inland and island-bound, surprises await the curious epicure. Baja Sardinia is home to Somu Ristorante, where Salvatore Camedda has forged a following among those who seek inventive cuisine without sacrificing authenticity. Here, dishes are playful but precise, and the wine list, unsurprisingly, is as thoughtful as the plating. Then there’s the hidden jewel of La Casitta, accessible only by boat or helicopter, on Santa Maria island. What was once a simple fisherman’s lodge now plays host to jet-set diners seeking silence, exclusivity and sea urchins straight from the water. It’s not showy, it’s sublime.

Elsewhere, in the cobbled heart of Cagliari, Ristorante Dal Corsaro delivers Michelin-starred elegance with metropolitan poise. It’s the sort of place where locals celebrate milestones and visiting gourmands linger over long tasting menus. Further north in Alghero, Al Tuguri blends Catalan heritage with Sardinian ingredients in a historic townhouse setting that whispers rather than shouts — a restaurant that rewards those who take their time. And for a more contemporary perspective, Josto in Cagliari offers a welcome contrast, with its raw walls, bold flavours and the kind of chef-driven charisma that has placed it firmly on the radar of Europe’s culinary elite.

Sardinia’s luxury dining is a paradox, really — at once rooted in tradition and utterly cosmopolitan. It invites you in not with brash excess but with quiet confidence, the kind that whispers of excellence rather than proclaiming it. Whether you arrive by yacht, by chartered jet, or by a well-worn Fiat winding along coastal roads, the island promises a table worth travelling for — and perhaps a glass of vermentino to toast the moment.