Sardinia is still relatively undiscovered compared to its sister island, Sicily. That means it’s a good time to visit!
Prices are decent, lines are rare and travel in Sardinia is all about the local language, culture and food. And much of the food you eat on the island can’t be found on mainland Italy.
I’ve been to Sardinia several times since moving to Italy in 2012, and I’m always happy to return. I always make sure to leave plenty of room in my bags for food to bring back home!
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite food souvenirs from Sardinia. I’ll also include:
- tips for packing them
- what each is used for
- why I never leave Sardinia without them!
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Where To Buy Food Souvenirs And Gifts In Sardinia
Sardinia is still very much an island knitted together by local traditions and small communities. You will be surprised how much Sardinians rely on small shops and farmers to get their daily milk and bread.
Look for food souvenirs at the following stores in Sardinia for the best quality and local selection:
- Alimentari – small mom and pop grocers
- Enoteca – wine shop
- Torrefazione – sweets/coffee store
- Mercato – open air market
- Fruttivendolo or ortolano – fruit & vegetable shop (many carry preserved goods as well)
- Pizzicheria – deli
- Caseificio or negozio di formaggio – where cheese is produced but often sold as well (cheese shop)
If you are pinched for time or looking for last minute food souvenirs, you can always go to a grocery store and find something. The products might not be top quality but they will anyhow be local to the island.
12 Food Souvenirs And Gifts From Sardinia
All of these food gifts and souvenir ideas from Sardinia are based on personal experience. I love all of these regional foods and I hope you do too!
Bottarga
Bottarga is in general one of my favorite food souvenirs to bring back from Italy but it’s particularly good from Sardinia where the fish is always fresh.
Bottarga is cured fish roe made from mullet or tuna that can be used much like parmesan cheese to grate over pasta dishes, bean dishes or rice. It’s ok to bring it back as long as it is vacuum sealed (in most countries but double check your country of residency) but be sure to refrigerate it when you get home.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is something that I always pick up for myself but also a food item that makes for a great gift if you buy it in a small jar. For myself I just opt for the salt in small plastic bags (sometimes with or without local herbs depending on what I am looking for) but for gifts, I always spend a couple extra euros for the ceramic jar or container.
Mirto
Mirto is an after dinner drink or digestivo from the myrtle plant. You can look for the mirto rosso or the mirto bianco, made from either red or white myrtle berries. Be sure to pack it in a travel wine bag or wrap it well in clothing to prevent accidents or breakage.
Tip: Making gifts a bit more substantial with a digestif or local wine is easy if you pair it with other well selected items. Allow me to help in DIY Italian Wine Gift Basket.
Canned Tuna
Canned tuna, while easily available throughout all of Italy, is particularly good should you see a small producer in Sardinia. Fishing and sheep herding make up the bulk of the local economy, making canned tuna (along with pecorino cheese) some of the best food souvenirs to share upon your return home.
Use It: Italians love to eat canned tuna for lunch in the summer paired with a caprese salad, prosciutto and melon and other cold salads. You can also make classic Italian Tuna Salad.
Sardinian Wines
Sardinian wines are very good and there are countless types that are made only on the island. It’s a little overwhelming to choose from so here are my top three:
- Cannonau – red wine made from the cannonau grape (which you may have heard of in French as Grenache or in Spanish as Garnacha)
- Vermentino – DOCG white wine from Sardinia produced in the Gallura province
- Nuragus – light and crisp, this white wine is perfect for seafood and large aperitivi with plenty of cured meats, cheese and olives
Honey
If you love honey then don’t miss Sardinia’s famous version made from corbezzoli or strawberry tree berries. If you are market shopping, there is bound to be a local honey producer who can help you decide based on other types of honey you like but if I could recommend only one, it would be this unique variety.
Torrone
Torrone is a chewy, sweet nougat flavored with various nuts (usually almonds in Sardinia) that makes any kid smile. Pick it up at markets or small mom and pop shops, being sure it’s made locally and not imported from other regions in Italy!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a staple ingredient in Sardinian cooking and particularly good. Its rich, spicy flavor is perfect for drizzling on salads, soups and even on gelato (try it!).
More On Oil: Get the lowdown on all things olive oil in Italy in
15 Best Italian Olive Oils – To Enjoy in Italy & Bring Home as a Souvenir
Olive Oil Health Benefits – According to Italian Nonne (Grandmothers)
How Italians Cook with Olive Oil
How to Store Olive Oil
Can I Use Olive Oil Instead of Vegetable Oil?
Carasau Bread
Carasau is a paper thin bread that is light and crunchy served with every meal in Sardinia, just as other bread is served alongside the main course in other regions in Italy. This bread is extremely delicate and can be purchased in packages to bring home but be careful how you pack it because it crumbles easily. I always put it on my carryon.
Italian Bread: If you are visiting other areas in Italy, you might be curious to know what different regions serve instead of pane carasau. Learn more in Bread in Italy.
Pecorino Cheese
Pecorino Sardo, a sheep’s milk cheese, is the most famous cheese produced on the island. Chances are you ate plenty of it on your trip but did you know you can bring aged varieties back with you to most countries as long as it’s vacuum packed? I always bring a whole cheese round back with me and use it to make charcuterie and cheese boards served with wine for long aperitivi, just as Sardinians do!
Good To Know: The Sardinian cheese casu marzu is an ancient cheese made with larvae but it’s illegal to buy and sell for sanitation purposes. While the locals love it, I suggest you don’t risk it and steer clear of this cheese should you come across it.
Malloreddus Pasta
Malloreddus is the local pasta shape of Sardinia made with semolina flour and water. Light and easy to pack, malloreddus is can be cooked al dente and served in tomato sauce and sprinkled with pecorino sardo to relive your Sardinia vacation!
BONUS: Resolza Knife
Sardinia is famous for the ancient knife-making tradition. These unique steel knives are handcrafted using, most often, a goat horn for the handle. The most famous town to buy these knives in is Pattada, from where they originated.
Gift Giving: A Resolza knife is an excellent gift if you are looking for an extra special something to bring back from Sardinia. To read more about my other guide ideas, check out Handpicked Gifts for Italian Food Lovers and Handpicked Italian Cooking Gifts.
Gifts and Souvenirs: Be sure to check out all of my gift guides and souvenir guides!
Curious to learn what else you should bring back from other cities and regions in Italy?
Find the best souvenirs and gifts from Amalfi Coast – Cinque Terre – Dolomites – Emilia-Romagna – Florence – Milan – Naples – Piedmont – Puglia – Rome – Sardinia – Sicily – Tuscany – Umbria – Veneto – Venice.
Or, check out my Condensed Region-by-Region Guide.
