Sardinia restaurant spending fuels tourism surge

A regional tourism report for 2025, based on Mastercard visitor‑spending data, shows that dining out now accounts for roughly one‑fifth of all tourist expenditures in Sardinia, overtaking accommodation. The restaurant sector grew by almost 20% compared with 2024, continuing a trend of strong expansion. Bars, wine shops and specialty liquor stores also recorded double‑digit consumption growth.

The findings indicate a shift in how visitors view a Sardinian holiday, with food and local specialties such as culurgiones, bottarga, and pane carasau becoming a primary attraction. Industry representatives see the data as validation of ongoing investments in product quality, staff training and the promotion of local ingredients, reinforcing gastronomy as a key driver of the island’s economy.