13 Best Budget Restaurants In Cagliari, Selected By A Local

Are you traveling to Sardinia on a budget and looking for the best budget restaurants in Cagliari? Good news! I am a local, and I have scouted the city for the best and most authentic places. In my hometown, budget-friendly prices don’t mean that you have to give up on quality.

Too many tourists, after spending the day wandering around Cagliari, just go and eat in the first restaurant that seems decent enough. This might lead to great discoveries, of course, but also to unexpected expenses and, worse off, disappointing food! It’s a pity, because Sardinian food is so delicious.

If you are wondering where to eat in Cagliari without breaking the bank, worry not. I made a list of the best budget restaurants in Cagliari. These are all places I know well – I am a regular customer – and I know their budget-friendly prices are paired with actual quality, local ingredients. Plus, they are authentic places, run by locals, enjoyed by locals, and the occasional tourist.

You should also read my post, 21 Best Restaurants In Sardinia – Recommended By A Local, for the best eats on the island.

The Best Budget Restaurants In Cagliari

Bombas

Bombas is a gourmet hamburger place that takes pride in its first-class, locally farmed ingredients. Many of their recipes are old, traditional dishes (for example, the Campidanese sauce that we put on Malloreddus) reinterpreted in a more modern key and in burger form, and each one of them is delicious.

Their potato chips are deliciously crispy, and their “mirto tiramisu” (a revisitation of the classic Italian tiramisu with a mirto liquor-soaked savoiardi base) is one of the best in town.

Other than the burgers, which are always on the menu, look for the seasonal specials. There’s also a great selection of craft beers to try (and wine for those who prefer it), and they have options for vegetarians and vegans too.

Bombas is located in Via Università, 37, in the Castello historic district. Reservations are recommended at weekends and for larger groups.

Stella Marina di Montecristo

My parents love this extremely local restaurant located in the heart of the Marina historic district in Cagliari, and after having visited with them recently, I must say they have a valid point.

This is one of Cagliari’s most famous local seafood trattorie. It’s a small family-run place where the interior (a bit dark, to be fair) is completely decorated with photos of Italian football legend Gigi Riva, who lived in Cagliari and was a regular at this restaurant, to the point that he had his own table (the one pictured above).

Food is simple: fried calamari, grilled fish (usually the catch of the day), mussels, spigola alla vernaccia (a local dish from Cagliari), if you ask for it. Don’t expect to see a menu once you are seated, as there’s none.

The waiter, or the owner himself, will simply ask if you have any allergies and intolerances (if he doesn’t, make sure to point them out).

Then they will start bringing the dishes out: a selection of mouthwatering appetizers, the daily pasta dish (it could be fregola con arselle), the main course (a tray with masterfully grilled fresh fish, calamari, and seasonal fruits), and finally the dessert of the day – it could be something typical like pardulas.

You will also get wine (typically white, but you can also ask for red) and water.

If there’s no menu, how do you know how much you’re going to pay? I asked Giacomo, the owner, and he said on average you’ll pay around €40 (and yes, he takes card payments).

La Stella Marina di Montecristo is located in Via Sardegna 140. Make sure to reserve your table in advance as it is a very popular place with locals – and mention my name (best if you say Claudia, daughter of Franco Tavani) when you book.

Cucina.Eat

Cucina.Eat mixes different bits of the Italian and Sardinian cuisine tradition, and serves as a restaurant, bistrot, and winery. The focus is on seasonal and local ingredients – literally whatever is found at the markets of Cagliari on the day.

It’s an excellent place to grab a bite for lunch (they often offer a business lunch that’s very convenient) or to finally have a filling, delicious dinner after a whole day of adventures. It’s located just outside of the historic center, near Piazza Garibaldi.

Don’t look online for photos of the menu, as it changes daily. But definitely check out their profile on Instagram to see what the chef can create: their dishes are pure art. It’s easy to see why they are one of the best cheap restaurants in Cagliari.

You can find Cucina.eat in Piazza Galilei, 1. You don’t necessarily need reservations during the week, but it’s best to call in advance during the weekend.

Biancospino Dispensa

This nice eatery opened a year ago in my neighborhood (Villanova, one of the historic districts of Cagliari), where a cat café used to be. It’s close to the business district of Cagliari, yet tucked in one of the nicest squares in Cagliari, with views of one of the oldest churches in town. In the spring and summer months, they also offer al fresco dining for an even nicer experience.

I had coffee and other drinks there several times, but finally got to have lunch recently and enjoyed it – not to mention it’s quite budget friendly.

They have a small menu of appetizers, main courses and desserts that changes on a regular basis to reflect seasonality. It’s also a great spot to stop for a drink or aperitif in the late afternoon, and they also sell several local products, such as olive oil, honey, and lots of Sardinian cheeses.

You’ll find Biancospino Dispensa in Piazza San Cosimo 6. You don’t need reservations for lunch.

Framento Pizzeria

What’s better than a warm, delicious pizza after a tiring day? Framento serves one of the best pizzas in Cagliari, and it’s where to eat in Cagliari if you don’t want to spend a fortune.

At Framento, they take extra care of the ingredients, to make sure their products are light, tasty, and always worth your money. Dough is prepared using high quality flour, and while the classic pizze such as margherita and capricciosa are always on the menu, they also have a selection of seasonal pizze (my favorite is the summery eggplant and basil pizza).

They also offer vegetarian and vegan options. Ask for their excellent selection of craft beers and wine. I am a regular there, so drop my name and say hello to Isa, Elisabetta, and Gabriele (he’s usually at the bar, he has red hair and picks the best rock music for background). They are like family.

You can find Framento in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 94; it’s open from breakfast to dinner, daily. Booking isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended, especially at weekends and for larger groups.

My post The Best Pizzerie In Cagliari mentions other local pizzerie where you can be certain to find a satisfying pizza.

Grains Pizzeria

Grains is another excellent pizzeria in Cagliari (they also have a place in Quartu Sant’Elena, the next-door city). Here, they use strictly local ingredients and serve Sardinian craft beers and home-made liquors.

This is one of my favorite cheap restaurants in Cagliari, where I order pizza from whenever I am in the mood for delivery. Owner Siro and his business partner are always keen on delivering the best quality pizza with seasonal ingredients.

While pizza is easily the main item on the menu, you will also find a small selection of other foods – some appetizers and the farinata (locally known as fainé, made with chickpea flour).

The restaurant in Quartu also has other dishes on the menu. You can try their fabulous linguine con vongole and bottarga, or a delicious traditional sebada as dessert. The wine list includes wines from some of the best Sardinian wineries.

Their address is Via Dante 14A – it’s mostly for takeaway, but they have a few tables (it’s always best to book in advance). They also have a larger location in Via Dante 81 in Quartu Sant’Elena. If you want to order delivery, you can do that via WhatsApp.

Babeuf

Babeuf is one of my favorite small restaurants in Cagliari, located in a spot that (I’d dare say) only locals know, in the Villanova historic district.

Walking in, you’ll feel like you have just entered someone’s living room: the room is decorated with books, comfortable couches, and it looks like a cozy library where you can often see cultural and musical events.

The menu changes on a regular basis, and like many other cheap restaurants in Cagliari the focus is on seasonal and local ingredients. They offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options too. You will also find some of the best Sardinian wines and a good beer list.

You can find Babeuf in Via Giardini, 147a. It’s a more local part of the historic center.

My post The Best Aperitivo In Cagliari points you to more places where you can enjoy a good aperitif drink.

Federico Nansen

Pizza is definitely one of the staples of Italian cuisine, and the places serving excellent pizza in Cagliari are abundant.

Locals love Federico Nansen – it’s an institution in Cagliari (I don’t remember a time when Federico Nansen didn’t exist, put it this way!), so it makes sense to include it in this selection of best budget restaurants in Cagliari.

Federico Nansen doesn’t serve the traditional Italian pizza you’d imagine. It’s more of a street food version – pizza by the slice. What we love about it is the fact that you can get a box full of different slices of pizza, each with different toppings!

Federico Nansen is definitely a must-go, either for dinner or for a late-night snack. They are in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 269, in the Stampace historic district.

Fritto Mania

If you are looking for everything fried, Fritto Mania is the place for you. Here you will find all sorts of fried food, to eat as a snack or, if you can have more, to have a complete meal out of it. Seafood is especially delicious – I love their calamari.

The place is located nearby the touristic harbor, between the historic districts of La Marina and the Villanova districts – which adds to the atmosphere. It’s easy to get there if you are already in the historic center of Cagliari.

You will find Fritto Mania in Viale Regina Margherita, 29. It’s an easygoing spot; you don’t need reservations.

Paninoteca Baffo

Baffo is not a restaurant, but a food truck. In fact, it is Cagliari’s most beloved food truck. We call this kind of place “caddozzone” here. The word literally translates as “very dirty” – but while that may put you off, rest assured that it’s anything but dirty.

So many people go there to eat as it’s super cheap, so they are constantly cooking and the food is always fresh.

Baffo is a must-go for everyone visiting Cagliari who is looking for a super local experience: here you can have the best panini and sandwiches in the city, for incredibly fair prices. Everything they make is delicious and the servings are huge.

You can find Paninoteca Baffo alongside the Poetto Beach Promenade, by the amusement park.

Le Palmette

We locals go to Le Palmette whenever we want to have drinks with sea views. We flock there in the summer months as they also have a beach club, but honestly it’s a lovely place for a Sunday lunch year round. I was last there with a friend during the summer and really enjoyed it.

It’s not as cheap as other budget restaurants in Cagliari per sé, but if you order the set lunch menu you can have a full meal for little over €30 which in Cagliari is a great deal. There’s a regular menu, but there’s also an additional daily menu that changes depending on what’s available on the day.

You will find Le Palmette along Poetto Beach, near the Prima Fermata (first bus stop along the beach promenade). It’s a fairly popular place for aperitif and lunch, so if you are visiting in the peak summer months you may want to reserve a table in advance.

Osteria di Castello

Located in the homonymous district, Osteria di Castello is a cozy, rustic restaurant that serves traditional Italian dishes, often on a daily menu based on the available ingredients.

It’s a great place to rest after climbing up and down the streets of Castello, and one of the best choices if you are looking for tasty and generous servings of food. They have indoor seating but it also works as a “gastronomia” (a local traditional take-away place).

You will find Osteria di Castello in Via Alberto Lamarmora 94.

Conclusions on Budget Restaurants In Cagliari

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to eat well in Cagliari, and honestly, there are many more budget restaurants in the capital than I can mention here. Pizza is always a good option if you are visiting Sardinia on a budget, and many pizzerias in the city also offer other dishes for very reasonable prices.

But there’s more.

For example, there are many excellent places where you can have an aperitivo in Cagliari, or wine bars in Cagliari where you can also have a charcuterie board with Sardinian cheese or charcuterie, or cheap local specialties like culurgiones, or even sebadas and pardule as dessert.

Additionally, gelato in Cagliari is often delicious and never expensive.

If you try a stellar budget-friendly restaurant in Cagliari, let me know in the comments.