Rich and intriguing like the city itself, the Cagliari cuisine reflects the soul of the territory and is so varied that it is difficult to make a list of the best dishes of Cagliari. Among the many delicacies that the local cuisine offers, we highlight some typical Cagliari dishes.
Typical dishes of Cagliari
- fregula cun cocciula (fregola with clams)
This is a specialty of Sardinian cuisine. Fregola is made from a dough of durum wheat flour and water. The rotation of the kneaded flour in a large terracotta container produces small pasta balls, the size of which is determined based on the dish to be prepared. - Cocciule e cozze (clams and mussels), cooked in a pan with garlic and parsley.
- Sa burrida and Sa Casteddaia, a dish made with catshark, vinegar, and walnuts.
- Sa Cazzola, soup of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks
- Spaghetti with bottarga or sea urchins
- Malloreddus alla Campidanese, striped gnocchetti dressed with sausage sauce.
In addition to these delicacies, we cannot fail to mention the excellent cheeses with an archaic flavor, the sottoli that smell of earth, and the excellent local meats among which stands out the Porceddu, a small pig served roasted or stewed. If we wash all this down with excellent local wines (Nuragus, Nasco, Moscato) and finish with typical Sardinian sweets (pardulas, amaretti, sebadas), we cannot help but appreciate the excellent tradition of Cagliari.
Fish market in Cagliari
For those fascinated by Cagliari’s food and wine and eager to take a piece of Sardinian flavors home, we recommend visiting the famous San Benedetto Market, which with its 8000 sqm on two levels is the largest civic market in Europe. On the ground floor of the structure there is the very rich fish section, on the upper floor general foodstuffs including fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses. All this to remind us with scents, flavors, and colors that Cagliari and Sardinia are not just summer seaside, but a destination for a food and wine journey throughout the year.
