We have written this guide after having tried – and often tried again – what we consider to be the best restaurants in Olbia and what we think will leave a good impression on you. We hope that these suggestions will help you have a good lunch or dinner and make your stay in our city even more pleasant.
Enjoy your meal!
Anticas Licanzias
Type of cuisine Sardinian traditional
Price 35-40 euros
Distance from Altré 8 minutes walk
“Elegance is not ostentation, pageantry. Elegance is discretion, simplicity, silence. Elegance is absence of noise but presence of respect, common sense, savoir faire. Elegance is politeness.”
This phrase by actress Virna Lisi, which stands out prominently on the pretty little dining room inside, expresses the whole essence of this restaurant’s philosophy, clearly perceptible right away in both the dishes and the service.
The dishes at Anticas Licanzias are truly authentic because it is in their simplicity that we find the authenticity of Sardinia’s traditional, agro-pastoral cuisine.
Once you are seated at the table, you cannot give up tasting a selection of their focaccias; you will be enraptured. It is no coincidence, in fact, that their bakery in Nuoro received the Gambero Rosso‘s Due Pani award once again in 2023.
First courses, all fresh pasta and homemade, include cheese ravioli, ricotta ravioli, culurgiones and handmade malloreddos; you choose the sauce from those offered on the menu. Finally, you can never miss the classic pane frattau.
Among the main courses, the king of Sardinian family feasts stands out: the roast suckling pig from the Orgosolo countryside.
To end the meal on a high note, our advice is to choose the classic Seada with honey. The one you will eat at Anticas Licanzias, homemade of course, is truly excellent.
TO KNOW
The restaurant has an all-female management and is located in the heart of Olbia’s historic center, hidden among the characteristic alleys close to Corso Umberto (directions here). You can choose to eat in the indoor dining room, full of references to local art and agro-pastoral tradition, or outside in the picturesque outdoor area.
Although not mandatory, reservations are strongly recommended especially in the evenings and on weekends by calling +39 0789 27110.
Mere
Type of cuisine Mediterranean, Sardinian with reinterpretations
Price 40-45 euro
Distance from Altré 9 minutes on foot
Instagram @mereristorante
Web mereolbia.it
Let’s start with the name: “Sa Mere” in Sardinian is the boss; specifically, sa Mere Manna is the one at the head of the family. For Erica and Fabrizio, the couple who own the restaurant and are a couple in life, the boss is represented by the Mother, and it is to her that they want to dedicate this restaurant project born in 2022.
Mere’s cuisine ranges from traditional dishes – interpreted in a contemporary way – to those invented by chef Fabrizio, always highlighting the best products. In all dishes you will find only seasonal ingredients; this is why the menu is constantly changing according to the different times of the year.
During our last visit in March 2023, Chiara literally adored a simple but perfect dish of handmade Tagliolini (noodles) with arselle di Olbia, bottarga and parsley pesto, while Enrico was pleasantly surprised by ‘Il pesce‘: a dish of fresh local fish processed using different methods: raw, marinated and matured.
We ended our lunch with a Casu cake, an interpretation of cheese cake (casu means cheese in Sardinian) made with ricotta and sheep’s milk stracchino; it is served with a saffron and orange flavoured custard.
The wine list is not very long but is really well thought out. Inside it hides some gems such as the Alvarega that true enthusiasts will be thrilled to discover.
TO KNOW
Among all the chef patron’s important professional experiences, the one at Dal Corsaro (one Michelin star in Cagliari) stands out. There Frabrizio honed the techniques that led him to realise his dream: to have his own restaurant. Erica, very young but also with a great professional background behind her, will guide you in choosing the most interesting dishes on the menu.
Mere is at via Regina Elena 61, in the city centre (here are the directions). The number for reservations is +39 329 293 7003.
Piperita Patty
Type of cuisine Mediterranean, Sardinian with reinterpetations
Price 45 euros
Distance from Altré 11 minutes walk
Instagram @piperitapatty_olbia
It is one of the newest restaurants in town but in a short space of time it has already carved out a leading role among the best restaurants in Olbia.
The first impact with the restaurant, with its newly renovated furnishings, is really positive. This is thanks to the energy of Paola who, together with her staff, always welcomes customers with big smiles and lots of cheerfulness.
Once seated it will be difficult to choose what to eat because you literally want to order the whole menu! From the appetizer to the dessert you can feel great care and dedication in the preparations.
The cuisine is based on typical regional ingredients with a modern twist. It’s difficult to name one dish better than another, but there are some we just can’t get out of our minds: among the starters, the seared Scallops on ponzu sauce, fois gras croquettes and granny smith apples stand out.
The Spaghetti alla chitarra with black garlic, chilli pepper and anchovy colatura finished with crudités of langoustines is exceptional: you must try it again and again!
The wine list is not extensive but well thought out with a good selection of regional and national wines.
TO KNOW
Piperita Patty is in via Garibaldi 56, in the historic center (directions here).
The restaurant has a large outdoor area that hosts the most popular tables on beautiful summer evenings. To choose your favourite one we suggest you book in advance by calling +39 320 920 6964.
Bacchus
Type of cuisine Mediterranean, Italian, Sardinian revisited
Price 45 euros
Distance from Altré 6-8 minutes by car
Instagram @bacchusristorante
Web www.jazzhotel.it
It is inside the Jazz Hotel but it is not the classic hotel restaurant; on the contrary, it has been known in Olbia for many years for its clear identity to the point of being awarded the Michelin Plate for several years now.
The restaurant is elegant and refined but not overly formal and is suitable for all situations: it is romantic for a couple’s dinner, suitable for an evening with friends but families with children will also be at ease even if perhaps the type of cuisine is not particularly suitable for children.
The menu is varied, ranging from meat and fish dishes to vegetarian options, and changes from season to season. (you can read it by clicking here).
Great classic dishes to try are the Fregola mantecata with purple prawns and garlic chicory and the Sheep burger, typical soft bread, Sardinian provolone cheese and wilted tomato bbq sauce.
The service is very careful, friendly and fast. The wine list, with some national contaminations, is suitable for all budgets.
TO KNOW
Bacchus is in via degli Astronauti, 2 (directions here).
In summer it has a beautiful garden with tables by the pool. Don’t miss them by booking in advance on +39 0789 651010.
By Night
Type of cuisine Mediterranean seafood cuisine, traditional Sardinian cuisine
Price 45 euros
Distance from Altré 5-7 minutes by car
Instagram @ristorante_by_night_olbia
Web ristorantebynight.com
Welcome to a real milestone among Olbia’s restaurants. This place was founded in 1985 by Eliana and Renzo to combine the flavours and traditions of typical Sardinian and Italian cuisine.
For over 30 years it has been the meeting point for the nightlife after the disco; at By Night, in fact, the kitchen remained open until 4am.
A few years ago, the two sons of the founders joined the team, the location has been changed and the restaurant is now open at the classic lunch and dinner times, maintaining the same level of quality.
The menu is classic but always well executed and winks at the Sardinian and Olbia tradition. Above all, we must mention the mussels of Olbia au gratin: a typically homemade dish but which in the By Night version reaches the top as the best tried in the city’s restaurants.
We also particularly like the linguine with lobster, another traditional dish that stands out in this restaurant for its quality, quantity and very reasonable price.
Lunch or dinner in this lovely restaurant, recently renovated in an industrial style, is bound to leave you satisfied, thanks to the pleasant ambience, friendly service and simple but high quality cuisine.
The wine list, which is not extensive, is mainly oriented towards local labels.
TO KNOW
By Night is in viale Aldo Moro, 201a (directions here).
In both the hot and cold months it is possible to choose between a table inside or in the outdoor area, which is always decorated with fresh flowers.
To book a table the number is +39 0789 58955.
Il Mattacchione
Type of cuisine meat and fish with a modern twist
Price 75 euros
Distance from Altré 7-9 minutes by car
Instagram @ilmattacchione_estro_in_cucina
Web ilmattacchione.com
Born as a take-away food shop and later becoming a “modern trattoria”, today Il Mattacchione is a reference point for gourmands who live in or are passing through Olbia. The owners of this charming and refined restaurant are a couple in life as well as in work. Rossella, the young owner, will guide you in the discovery of the dishes, putting you at ease just as if you were at home. Giuseppe, a talented chef, lives for his job to the point of calling it “his reason for living”. Every recipe has his signature and his flair shines through in every dish that reaches the diners; he loves experimenting, getting better every day and this, we can guarantee, can be seen and felt in every course.
At Il Mattacchione they always use fresh, seasonal and territorial raw materials with slow processing that can last from a few hours to – unbelievable but true – a few months.
The menu is very extensive with extremely elaborate meat and fish dishes, although unfortunately there are almost no vegetarian or vegan options.
Especially if you are new to this restaurant, we suggest you let yourself be carried away by Giuseppe’s creativity by choosing one of his tasting menus.
The wine list is truly remarkable and ranges from Sardinian wines to the great national and international labels, as well as Italian and French sparkling wines of the highest level. You can end your dinner by choosing from over 10 sweet or dessert wines.
TO KNOW
Il Mattacchione’s philosophy is that “by combining, blending and mixing the ingredients offered by mother earth, the chef is able to amaze, distinguish himself and create combinations, fragrances and flavours that awaken the senses and evoke memories of a lifetime“. To make this happen you need time. That is why it is important to know that the average time for lunch or dinner in this fine restaurant is two and a half hours, in line with a “slow food” philosophy. So if you are in a hurry, this is not the right place for you.
Il Mattacchione is in via Copenaghen, 82 (directions here). Reservations are not compulsory but strongly recommended at +39 380 240 5368.