14 Best La Maddalena Restaurants And Bars

Finding good and authentic La Maddalena restaurants (and bars) is easy with this quick guide.

With pristine beaches, clear waters and incredible landscape, La Maddalena is a prime holiday destination in Sardinia – the kind of place you absolutely have to visit. Whether you spend a week or just a couple of days there, you should make the most of everything that it has to offer, which by all means also includes food!

For a complete guide to La Maddalena, check out this post.

Continue reading to discover the best La Maddalena restaurants.

Table of Contents

The Best La Maddalena Restaurants And Bars

Trattoria Dal Genovese

With its terracotta tile floors, white-washed walls, and homely atmosphere, this rustic restaurant serves delicious dishes with delicate flavors. The owner is from Genoa (hence the name), so you can expect some Genoese home-cooking here.

And since Trattoria Dal Genovese has been going strong since 1973, you can trust the cuisine on offer is going to be more than just a solution to your hunger. This is one of the most popular La Maddalena Restaurants for sure!

There’s an outdoor terrace, so you can sit street-side and watch the world go by.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: You’ll find this place on Via Manfredo Fanti, a quiet side street in Maddalena town. It’s easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled for plumes of bougainvillaea. It’s usually busy, so arrive early. Check their website for opening times.

L’Alternativa

This steakhouse is run by a lovely couple who moved all the way to La Maddalena from Alessandria, in northern Italy. They offer the most delicious cuts of meat (beef and pork) cooked to absolute perfection and paired with excellent wines.

Opt for a mixed grill to try all the best cuts – and trust the owner when he suggests you should order the largest option. If you just want your personal steak, go for the Mexican Arracera or the Brazilian Picanha.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: You will find this restaurant – which has both indoor and outdoor seatings – close to the harbor or La Maddalena, in Via Giuseppe Mazzini 14. It opens for both lunch and dinner.

Puffer Fish

We tried this restaurant during our last trip to La Maddalena and loved it. It’s a very easygoing place that takes no reservations and only serves fish and seafood dishes. Their fried calamari and shrimp is mouthwatering and the portion so large it feeds two easily. There also are tartare dishes, and several local fish cuts served in a variety of styles.

There is a good choice of wine, and service is quick and friendly.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Puffer Fish has both indoor and outdoor seatings. It is close to the harbor or La Maddalena, on the other side of L’Alternativa. It opens for both lunch and dinner.

Sottovento

For a real homely feeling, head to Sottovento. It’s known to be one of the best La Maddalena restaurants. Here, you’ll find lots of local Sardinian food options, including homemade pasta and other dishes using fresh ingredients. It’s so good that you’ll find it’s often quite busy.

The interiors are classic, with exposed wood beam ceilings and white tablecloths for a warm ambience. The service here matches the smart style, which is as speedy as it is friendly—highly recommended. Though it’s a little pricey, it’s worth it.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: This charming spot is centrally located just off Piazza Umberto I on Vico Dandolo. It’s open daily for lunch from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, and again for dinner from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

La Locanda del Mirto

Like eating in a local’s lush garden, the charming setting of La Locanda del Mirto could easily make this one of your favorite restaurants in Sardinia. Sure enough, it’s one of the nicest La Maddalena restaurants. While prices are slightly high, it’s totally worth it.

The food, comprising local Sardinian dishes, is utterly delicious. Everything’s so fresh and well-made that you’ll wonder why this place hasn’t won awards. The porchetto (Sardinian suckling pig), in particular, is exquisite.

You can opt to eat either in the grassy garden or the large, rustic terrace. Either way, it’s a fantastic way to get to know Sardinian tradition – through its food, of course.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: This spot is situated in Punta Della Gatta, almost in the centre of the island of La Maddalena. It’s easily reachable, set just off the island’s main road. Check their website for opening hours or reservations.

Ristorante L’Agriturismo

If you want a restaurant on La Maddalena where you can have an unforgettable evening, you should definitely consider Ristorante L’Agriturismo. With a rustic charm that makes it feel like you’re dining in a traditional garden, the food here is also delicious – and plentiful. Which is why this is one of the most popular La Maddalena restaurants.

The flavors used reflect the traditions of the land, with cold cuts and cheeses, soups, ricotta tortellini, stews, and a whole host of pasta dishes on offer. You will most certainly eat well here. The beautiful setting is the bonus to this taste sensation.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: A few minutes’ drive north from La Maddalena town on the island’s Panoramic Road, Ristorante L’Agriturismo is situated in Regione Gambino. It’s open every day 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for lunch, and again for dinner from 7:45 to 11:00 pm.

Civico 49

The best pizzeria in La Maddalena serves both classic and gourmet pizza. The dough is a great mix of Napoli style and Sardinian style pizza – moist, soft at the center but very crispy. They only use seasonal ingredients and top quality materials to create the most mouthwatering pizza in town.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Located in Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 49 in the heart of the historic center, this delicious pizzeria does has both indoor and outdoor seatings. They don’t take reservations but service is very quick so you’ll never wait too long for a table.

Zi Antò

A stunning if rather simple spot for lunch or dinner by the sea, Zi Antò has to be one of the most beautiful La Maddalena restaurants. This is a family-run enterprise with a very friendly owner.

The speciality is seafood, which is super fresh. The quality is unbelievable, not just in the taste but in the gourmet presentation of the dishes. Ultimately, it’s a casual spot with good views, fair prices, and even better food.

I highly recommend you stay for the sunset!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Situated near Punta Tegge, this gorgeous gastropub is located further west along the coast from Maddalena town. It’s open every day from 8:30 am until 12:00 am.

Birreria Pizzeria Mezzo Passo

If you feel like sampling some great beer, you should make a beeline to Birreria Mezzo Passo. There’s a great draft beer selection, which is paired perfectly with the mouthwatering pizza on offer here.

The owner is from Naples originally, so this great La Maddalena bar has that same sort of flavor and vibe.

Note that it does get busy, so you may have to join the line that sometimes forms outside before you get a table. There’s outdoor seating in the piazza, while the cellar-esque interior has bar seating and small tables tucked into corners.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Situated in Maddalena town, you’ll find Birreria Mezzo Passo on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. It’s open daily for dinner from 5:30 pm until 12:00 am.

Taverna Barò

For pub-style ambience, head to this contemporary taverna. Though it may look modern and stylish inside, with newly decked out interiors of stone and wood, don’t be fooled; you’ll still find quintessential Sardinian friendliness and hospitality here.

You can choose to stand or sit inside, at the bar, or outside – either in the porch or on the terrace overlooking the sea.

They don’t serve up huge meals here. Instead, expect lots of good local wine or well-poured craft beer paired with bites such as sandwiches, meat platters, and Sardinian cheeses.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Situated on Piazza des Geneys, overlooking Cala Gavetta, Taverna Barò is open every day from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am, making it a good option for a late-night spot.

I Mille Bar Paninoteca

For a great lunch spot on Caprera Island, you should definitely swing by I Mille Bar Paninoteca. There are hammocks, it’s shaded by trees, but the main event is its panini – cheap and tasty panini.

Whether you opt for a glass of wine and some fried potatoes or if you just want to wolf down a burger, the natural setting in the trees is bound to help this be a moment to take stock and plan the rest of your day. This is one of the best budget restaurants in La Maddalena archipelago.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: This Caprera eatery is situated alongside the Compendio Garibaldino, so you’ll be bound to come across it if you’re exploring the island by car. It’s open every day from 12:00 to 8:00 pm, and there’s free parking.

I Vitelloni La Maddalena

A great place to grab a drink or two before heading out to dinner, this easygoing bar has a low-key, local atmosphere to match. The interior, with its cosy decor, heightens that mood even more.

Hosting curious tourists and local regulars, there’s always music playing here too, either in the form of classic R&B over the speakers, or some live music to add a lively ambience.

Drinks prices here are budget-friendly, and the selection of bar snacks and platters available also comes at affordable prices. It’s easy to see why this is one of the favorite bars in La Maddalena.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: I Vitelloni La Maddalena is situated at Piazza S Maria Maddalena. If it sounds like a good spot to you, you’ll be pleased to know it’s open every day, 9:00 am to 2:30 am.

Bar Oasi

With its plastic tables and sparse decor, this bar might seem basic, but it’s the setting that takes centre stage here. Set overlooking the gleaming slice of sand and sea that is Spiaggia di Cala Spalmatore, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a drink or two in the sun.

Ideal for an aperitif after a day of sunning yourself on the sand, enjoying a drink here as the sun sets – well, it doesn’t get much better. There’s a selection of snacks and coffee on offer, too. This is definitely one of the best sunset bars in La Maddalena.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Set right on the pier next to the beach at Cala Spalmatore, around ten minutes’ drive north of Maddalena town, there’s parking nearby for those driving. Hours aren’t posted, but it’ll usually be open in the day time during peak season.

Chiosco Garibaldi

This unpretentious kiosk is located under the pine forest in Caprera Island and is the perfect lunch spot when you are moving from one beach to another in Caprera. We tried it for the first time last year and have been going back since (and two days on a row, actually!).

They make a variety of dishes, but our favorites are their sandwiches which have several toppings. Service is super friendly too.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: You will find Chiosco Garibaldi on the main road in Caprera Island, on the way to Cala Portese and Cala del Relitto. Hours aren’t posted, but it’ll usually be open for breakfast, lunch and aperitif during the summer months (May to October).

14 Authentic La Maddalena Restaurants And Bars