Restaurants open in spring in Porto Cervo and surroundings

Where to taste typical Sardinian cuisine surrounded by breathtaking views

When the beaches are still practically deserted and the plants all around are exploding in a jubilation of intoxicating scents and colours, it’s the perfect time to visit and experience Sardinia and its north-east coast. In spring, the island shows us another side of its undisputed beauty, where nature is the absolute protagonist.

And while summer is the season when spending time on the island is a near-obligation for lovers of hidden coves and elegant lifestyle, spring is the moment for true seekers of beauty, enjoyed in the form of sheer relaxation and close contact with nature. Moments that become ideal opportunities to explore picturesque destinations on the north-eastern coast, but also days spent exploring Sardinia’s fabulous inland areas, along with certain obligatory stops for traditional bars and restaurants offering seasonal, locally produced food. (Want to discover all the best restaurants in Porto Cervo? Click here!).

In some cases, it only takes a few minutes by car to reach restaurants such as La Colti, in Cannigione. Stepping through the heavy wooden door, which opens onto an inner courtyard, ‘colti’ in Gallura dialect, will immerse you in the typical atmosphere of an old Gallura farmhouse. Owned by the Filigheddu Serra family, ‘La Colti’ is a holiday farm, a way of life, a genuine experience. With its samplings of dishes made with farm produce or zero-kilometre products, the holiday farm will introduce you to the flavours of an agro-pastoral past handed down to date, a few steps from the coast.

Near Arzachena, in Candela, you will find the holiday farm Candela named after the site. Here, Rita Azara and her husband Gianmario Orecchioni run the family farmhouse. With a long-standing history in the restaurant business, they promise guests an unforgettable culinary experience.

Amidst centuries-old olive and juniper trees, surrounded by vegetation and scents of the Mediterranean maquis, stands the Lu Stazzu restaurant. A warm welcome awaits you with the large family that runs it, headed by Franco and Giuliana, father and mother, who have been in the restaurant business for the past 30 years. They have now been joined by their sons and daughters-in-law. An excellent landmark for those who seek Sardinian meat with certified traceability. Fish caught on the coast is also served here, with a selection of raw seafood encompassing all the flavours of these crystal clear waters. You have only to leave the coastline behind for a few hours to fully experience the feelings the Gallura region offers with its food.

In the historic Piazzetta of Porto Cervo, the Cervo Hotel resumed operations in mid-April, welcoming its guests in a setting, that of the historic boutique promenade, which reopened after the winter closures. The Cervo Restaurant serves classic Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, as well as international specialities. Located in the hotel of the same name, the restaurant has over the years become a landmark for those who want an authentic gastronomic experience. With a retro charm and never excessive glamour, the dishes served also reflect this mood. Simple and refined at the same time, they draw heavily from many traditional Sardinian recipes, from which they depart only to modernise the presentation.

The date to mark is 28 May, when the Hotel Romazzino and Pitrizza will begin their season of great hospitality, under the banner of elegant and refined luxury.

Located in Hotel Luci di la Muntagna in Porto Cervo, the Lucina restaurant is the ideal venue for those who want to enjoy a unique and evocative view during a meal. On its terrace, you can admire a unique sunset with a view sweeping over the port of Porto Cervo and the island of Spargi, La Maddalena and even the mountains of Corsica. The magic is enhanced during lunch or an aperitif with dinner, featuring dishes conceived by the encounter of traditional Sardinian and authentic Italian cuisine.

Since 1994, the restaurant I Frati Rossi has overlooked the Gulf of Pevero, with a view of the island of Tavolara. The location nestled between the granite rocks and Mediterranean maquis of Pantogia. It is the atmosphere of home and the warm family-like welcome. It is the dishes, which are sophisticated and yet authentically simple and unique. All these aspects converging with the unmistakable touch of Gabriele and Graziella, the owners, make the restaurant on the Pantogia hill in Porto Cervo magical and evocative.

For those who want to start enjoying the beaches without giving up good food, the A.Mare Costa Smeralda restaurant reopens its doors on 24 May, directly on the beach of Liscia Ruja in Porto Cervo, under the careful guidance of chef Antonio Mellino. The hills of San Pantaleo hide the Petra Segreta Resort & Spa, a structure that combines the beauty of the Gallurese countryside with the five-star services of a Relais & Chateaux.

Finally, as early as the end of May, the party starts in some of the most famous clubs on the national scene, such as Phi Beach and Ritual Club in Baja Sardina, and JustMe in Porto Cervo, open to welcome tourists and fans of Italy's most glamorous nightlife. (If you want to know the best discos in Porto Cervo, click here!).