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Gli Uffizi currently is on the Michelin guide but not macron started, it is one of those place which I won’t be surprised if the next time I visit Cagliari, they may have a Michelin star. The dining experience was very much catered to getting a star, unlike some other places that naturally have all the right components of getting a star, this one felt rather orchestrated!
It is located in the beautiful Palazzo Siotto Boyd, just above the Bastione di Saint Remy. The entrance is through the hotel, then up a flight of stairs and into an antique lift, or alternatively, three flights of stairs decorated with old artwork. The setting is atmospheric, and the large dining room opens onto a terrace with about a dozen tables — highly recommended at sunset for its wonderful views over the water.
We opted for the three-course menu, mixing antipasti, primi, secondi, and desserts.
• Bread service was excellent: three varieties (a crisp biscuit-like bread, a pepper bread with olive oil, and a seeded bread with whipped butter).
• Antipasti were standout dishes, especially the grilled Villasimius prawns with “acquasale”, perfectly cooked and beautifully sauced.
• Among the primi, the round zucchini ravioli with scorpionfish, plum broth, and goat cheese was a highlight — light yet intense, full of flavour. The linguine with roasted peppers, lamb tartare, and miso was another strong dish, the lamb so finely prepared it melted into the pasta. A tribute to Provence (tubetti with bouillabaisse and tapenade) came across like a refined lobster bisque, complex and satisfying.
• Secondi (mains) included a hay-smoked duck with ’nduja, corn, and nasturtium — pink, tender, and balanced by the sweetness of corn. The pork belly with apricot sauce was beautifully flavoured, though the fat could have been rendered more thoroughly.
• Desserts were mixed: the peach from San Sperate with curry and salted almond was delicate and well layered, while the seasonal fruit and vegetable salad with red basil ice cream was refreshing and playful. The coconut, coffee, and licorice combination, however, felt unbalanced and less enjoyable.
After the had two petit four of ice cream with coconut and pea as well as lemon buttons.
Service was professional with the welcome we had a nice show around to the terrace and private dining and the sommelier however at times brusque, with plate changes and cutlery placed in reverse (suited more to a left-handed diner). Explanations of dishes were detailed, though at times overlong, and one server even lost their train of thought.
One disappointment: despite noting three special occasions in our booking well in advance, there was no acknowledgment or celebratory gesture from the restaurant. If booking for a special event, best to plan your own touches.
Gli Uffizi offers a refined dining experience with a spectacular location, memorable antipasti, and some truly excellent primi. Service, while knowledgeable, could be warmer and more polished. Desserts were uneven, and the lack of recognition for special occasions was a letdown. Still, for the food and views — especially at sunset — it’s well worth a visit.
