Covo Restaurant Cugnana — Restaurant in Olbia

My wife and I stumbled upon Covo Cugnana while driving down the stunning Smeralda coast, and it turned out to be one of the best meals we had in Sardinia. Drawn in by its perfect location overlooking Porto Rotondo, we decided to stop for lunch—and we’re so glad we did.

I ordered the AMATRIMARE (hand-made spaghetti with the fish of the day, ragu, and bacon—a delicious Amatriciana “of the sea”), while my wife enjoyed the FREGULA, a traditional Sardinian pasta paired with smoked eggplant parmigiana. Both dishes were beautifully prepared, flavourful, and showcased the region’s culinary traditions with a creative twist.

Our server went above and beyond, recommending the perfect wines to complement each dish. The entire staff was warm, attentive, and made us feel instantly welcome. To top it off, they seated us with a front-row view over the sea—the kind of setting you dream about when dining in Sardinia.

Between the breathtaking view, thoughtful service, and truly memorable food, Covo Cugnana is a spot we’ll be raving about for years to come. If you’re exploring the Costa Smeralda,...

Well, the overall experience was okay. Not great, not bad. But we left with a bad overall experience:

I don't know what we were expecting from raw seafood. The price and the offerings are transparent, but in the end, we left the restaurant with a very bad feeling. The raw seafood was not particularly well-prepared, and it simply wasn't worth the price.

We are used to very good and expensive food and are willing to pay for quality, but somehow we felt ripped off. Of course, we don't want to accuse anyone of this, but the price-performance ratio is simply not right, and I've had much better and equally fresh seafood in significantly larger quantities and, in my opinion, better preparation.

The service, however, was impeccable. Maybe we should have just ordered something else, as the other dishes looked exquisite. But the seafood...

I had an absolutely unforgettable dining experience here in Sardinia! From the moment we arrived, the warm and welcoming staff made us feel like family. The atmosphere was charming and authentically Sardinian, with a perfect balance of elegance and comfort.

The food was simply outstanding. Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with fresh, local flavors. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and the homemade pasta was cooked to perfection. The chef’s attention to detail and use of traditional Sardinian ingredients truly elevated the meal.

The wine list was impressive as well, featuring a wide selection of excellent local wines that paired perfectly with the dishes.

Overall, this restaurant exceeded all my expectations. If you’re in Sardinia, this is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves authentic, high-quality...