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Bar Gelateria del Molo
One of the few establishments that existed here before Luigi Vietti created the town of Porto Rotondo in the 1960s, this charming portside bar is family run and the staff treats everyone like a regular. Come for a delicious breakfast,...
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Bar Ristorante Aqua
This fun and fashionable people-watching spot is perfect for an aperitif or a postprandial cocktail. Make sure to get a table on the terrace with its superb views of the Porto Cervo marina.
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Billionaire
According to Forbes, Flavio Briatore, the owner of this club and the unofficial playboy king of the Costa Smeralda scene, is “only” a millionaire, but that doesn’t stop him from playing the billionaire. His 25,000-square-foot discotheque (and restaurant) is the...
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Caffé Nina
An enchanting little wine bar tucked inside an old stone building on San Pantaleo’s small church square, it’s a great place to spend a few hours sampling the island’s top bottles.
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Gianni Pedrinelli
Set in a former home that has been fashioned with a mix of antiques and decorative touches from around the world (like Moroccan chandeliers), this elegant restaurant serves classic Italian fare with lots of seasonal changes in the menu. This...
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I Frati Rossi
Anyone tired of glitz and bling will welcome I Frati Rossi (which translates to “the red friars”), located on a hillside close to Porto Cervo but feeling world’s away. The views from the veranda are wonderful as is the local...
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Il Pescatore
One of the most renowned seafood restaurants on the Costa Smeralda, Il Pescatore is also the coast’s sole restaurant where diners can sit on a waterfront terrace. It’s a great spot to sample the region’s ultra-fresh seafood. Laurel Barrack, owner and...
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La Casitta
You need a boat to access the nice restaurant of La Casitta hotel, located on Santa Maria island (part of La Maddalena archipelago). It’s a fabulous spot for lunch. Diners sit on a terrace overlooking the water in the distance,...
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La Colti
The only decision you’ll have to make at this agriturismo restaurant on private farmland with a romantic garden is whether you prefer sparkling or still and which bottle of wine you’d like to order. The $41 prix-fixe menu includes simple but delicious...
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La Gritta
Indagare's preferred yacht-charter company will take you to La Maddalena, a group of islands that stretch north from Porto Cervo toward the Strait of Bonifacio. For lunch, drop anchor at the Michelin-starred La Gritta, which is situated on Porto Faro and...
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La Scogliera
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and dramatic rock formations, La Scogliera is a striking beachside spot with views of Isola Caprera in the distance. Its appeal, however, is not just about its secluded location—the seafood is also excellent. Accessible only by...
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Lu Stazzu
When my husband and I came across this restaurant, just outside Porto Rotondo, we immediately knew we had discovered a jewel. Lu Stazzu (“the house of a farmer”) has just the right combination of rusticity and sophistication. Guests sit beneath...
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Phi Beach
This beach club is considered one of the island’s uncontested hot spots. Due to its location on a rocky enclave right by the water, Phi is a good place for sunset cocktails before you head back to Porto Cervo (about...
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Pizzeria Vecchia Costa
Only a short drive from Porto Cervo, this large pizza restaurant serves seafood and delicious brick oven pizza. No wonder it is a family favorite.
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Ristorante Hivaoa
This buzzy pizzeria serves excellent pies with fresh ingredients, as well as seafood and pasta in the simple, airy dining room or on the alfresco terrace. The crowd is a mix of visitors and locals who adore the family-run favorite.
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Spinnaker
Those looking for a more typical dining experience should head to this recommended restaurant in town. It was lovely Italian fare with good wine and excellent people-watching. We arrived without a reservation and the owner offered free drinks while we...
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Tartarughino
The casual but chic, and highly popular, trattoria in Porto Rotondo serves up seafood, pastas and pizzas. The crowd is a mix of casually dressed teens and fashionable regulars, mostly Sardinians.
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Tavolara Island
The massive limestone island with 1,500 foot cliffs across the strait from Costa Smeralda has a long sandy beach at one end with a charming summer restaurant. It’s a fun stop for lunch and a swim.
Sardinia

Courtesy Il Pescatore
Dining out on the Costa Smeralda during high season is serious business. Although the talented concierges at Hotel Cala di Volpe are known for being able to pull strings for their guests, it’s best to make reservations for the area’s top restaurants, like Gianni Pedrinelli, at least several days, if not a week, in advance. The dress code is formal resort, which means you can get away with wearing stylish but relaxed clothing for daytime meals (lunch is around 2:00 p.m.) but in the evening (dinner is between 8 and 9 p.m.) women tend to bring out their jewels and designer fashions, and men wear button-down shirts and dress pants.