La Balena In Cagliari

We had lunch on Wednesday for my mother-in-law's birthday. The place is rustic, no frills, but still impressive. You go to a place like this to eat excellent fresh fish. You eat whatever's available: octopus with potatoes, bites, mussels, and grilled and fried fish—all delicious. Unfortunately, I couldn't have the burrida because I'm allergic to nuts, but I made up for it with the rest. Congratulations!

We went to your restaurant for the first time today after it was recommended to us in Milan. They told us the history of the restaurant, da Balena, and we were fascinated. We ate well: simple, carefully prepared dishes, exquisite desserts, and a truly excellent fritto misto. The atmosphere was familiar, and we felt pampered. The owners were particularly kind. ☺️ We'll definitely be back!

A quaint, no-frills restaurant with excellent food and fair prices. Highly recommended.

The octopus with potatoes was delicious 😋

I visited La Balena in 2008 and 2018. Hope to be back next year. It is not for social media, no michelin stars, no ameritalian food. It is for local dishes and tradition. Keep going La Balena.

Spartan but welcoming. Good food and friendly service!

EXCELLENT! If you're looking for an elegant restaurant, a chic atmosphere with lace tablecloths and hand-embroidered details, fine porcelain plates, fine Bohemian crystal glasses, gleaming stainless steel cutlery without a scratch, and an 8-page menu, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU! If, however, your focus is on a homely yet clean restaurant, good food with fresh dishes, well-cooked according to Cagliari tradition, with simple yet courteous and familiar service, a menu featuring few but excellent quality ingredients, well-cooked, and a value for money that I dare say is FANTASTIC, then this is it: THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!! RECOMMENDED without fear of making a bad impression. Thank you and congratulations to Trattoria Balena! It will be a pleasure to be your welcome guests again 👏👏

I returned to this restaurant after 40 years and found everything just as I had left it: a humble place, no frills, fast and attentive service, and excellent food quality. When I made the reservation, I asked for roast eels, and they served them to me, cooked to perfection. Excellent value. If you're looking for a place that makes you feel at home, with excellent, traditional cuisine, I highly recommend it. If you're looking for luxury, sophistication, and elaborate dishes, look elsewhere. I had a wonderful wedding anniversary, thanks to Balena.

A trattoria is not a restaurant. The underlying philosophy is different. I own a Home Bistro and I judge based on its actual characteristics. If you're looking for a restaurant, don't come; if you want an all-you-can-eat Chinese meal, don't come; if you're not a true Cagliaritan, don't come; if you want to take selfies or photos of the dishes, don't come. Come only if: you love seafood; you want to taste authentic octopus with the flavor of the sea, not the fake ones they sell around; you want to try burrida like grandma used to make, not like the Michelin-starred ones; the mussels are marinara-style; the bites are water and coarse salt; the scabecciu has a flavor reminiscent of wild tomatoes. The roast is freshly made and sourced from the Mediterranean. The fried meat isn't greasy and even includes shrimp. The amaretti biscuits are firm, and the crisp white wine polishes the palate. For €20 a person, you can eat appetizers and a main course, drink wine and water, and Gigi smiles at you with half-closed eyes. If you want to gorge yourself, add €10 per person. But I'll tell you one thing: either you embrace the philosophy of traditional dishes, fresh daily, sitting at an unpretentious table, or you choose another place. But don't write stupid reviews; Cristiana and Gigi don't deserve it. Love!

Authentic in every way, local and personal, excellent food...Cagliari fish!!!