Il Kalamaro locanda del mare — Restaurant in Lu Palau/Palau

If you’re staying in or near Palau, make a reservation. My wife and I were were lucky to go right after they opened at because 20 minutes later they were at a one hour wait for anyone without a reservation.

The food was awesome. We had local mussels (which are among only a few local seafood to Sardinia) which were fresh and larger than we typically see at home in the US but not as large as the giant NZ mussels. The serving was massive in garlic broth. The calamari were among the best I’ve ever had, lightly breaded and perfect texture. The standard ricotta ravioli were clearly fresh: melt-in-your-mouth pasta and absolutely pregnant with filling, all tucked into a scrumptious tomato and basil oil sauce (which I didn’t mind adding to the calamari!). And frequent travelers will know the value of good veggies - their roasted veggies consisted of zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and endive with nothing but olive oil and the lightest dusting of salt.

We finished with a hazelnut semifreddo which was pretty good - just needed a moment to soften.

A neighboring table had seafood platters featuring large shrimp and whole fish which looked amazing and disappeared quickly into their smiling maws.

The decor is nautical & whimsical, with covered seating and fully outdoor seating as well. The staff were STELLAR, all seemed to speak Italian and English (even suffering my paltry Italian), and they WORKED, checking multiple tables, clearing, expo’ing, etc. which meant service was excellent and efficient.

Make sure to get some of the local Sardinian wine as well. A bottle of the best was €23! For all of this plus the €4 cover charge we were out the door for under €90.

Don’t think about it - just book & be...

We stumbled across the restaurant when we arrived in Palau only to find that it was closed. The waiter told us that they opened at six so we wandered into the town and had a drink.

We checked in at our hotel and the lady very kindly offered her advice on where to eat on our first evening in the town. First on her list was Il Kalamaro so later in the evening we walked into town. We were lucky that when we arrived there were only two or three tables for two vacant. It was clearly very popular and having eaten here we totally understand why.

It specialises in fish dishes but it also has a range of pasta, pizza and meat dishes; so there's plenty on offer for all tastes.

The service was very good, the staff were friendly and the food was excellent. It was busy the whole evening. Its very easy to find, there's plenty of parking nearby if you're driving and much of, if not all of, the wine list was local to Sardinia.

We had a lovely evening. It was also the first time that we tasted the liqueur Merto; very popular in Sardinia and Corsica.

Despite being so busy the service was still very good. Totally understandable why Il Kalamaro was recommended in the first place, it certainly...

We had dinner today at Il Kalamaro locanda del mare in Palau, and it was a delightful experience. I ordered the grilled calamari and shrimp, both of which were cooked to perfection—tender, flavorful, and served hot. The seafood tasted incredibly fresh, and the seasoning was just right, enhancing the natural flavors without overpowering them.

The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list, offering a variety of local and regional options to complement the meal. The staff were professional, attentive, and friendly, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Despite the restaurant being busy, the service was prompt, and the atmosphere remained relaxed and enjoyable.

It's worth noting that the restaurant can get quite crowded, so waiting for a table might be necessary, but the quality of the food and service makes it well worth the wait. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with a charming nautical theme that adds to the dining experience.

Overall, Il Kalamaro locanda del mare offers a memorable dining experience with delicious food, excellent wine, and top-notch service. It's a must-visit spot for seafood lovers in...