Paella algherese
Photo: User:Alessandrodieti · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Valencian dish rebuilt in Catalan Sardinia, cooked wide and shallow with local fish, shellfish and saffron rice, finished dry rather than soupy and served straight from the pan.

Paella reached Alghero through six centuries of Catalan and Aragonese rule, and the town kept it when the rest of Sardinia did not. The Algherese version leans hard on the sea, taking in whatever the port lands rather than the rabbit and beans of the Valencian original, and it is treated as a shared centrepiece booked in advance rather than a dish you order for one. La Pergola at Maria Pia has built its reputation on it since 1976 and holds a string of Italian guide listings for it. Alamo in the old town works a 21-ingredient version in the same tradition.

2 editor picks for Paella algherese in Alghero, ranked by editorial score. All Alghero signature dishes · Paella algherese across every city.

Alamo ★ 4.4

€€CatalanCentro Storico

Alamo on Via Ambrogio Machin in Alghero builds its paella from 21 ingredients, then finishes with crema catalana under a burnt sugar lid. TableJourney pick.

OrderThe paella, built from 21 ingredients and worth the wait it takes.

DirectionsView

La Pergola ★ 4.1

€€CatalanMaria Pia

La Pergola has served Algherese paella at Maria Pia since 1976, and runs a full gluten-free service in Alghero for around €25 a head without wine.

OrderAlgherese paella, the plate this Maria Pia dining room has built since 1976.

DirectionsView

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Paella algherese makes more sense with someone from Alghero explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

Taste Paella algherese with a local in Alghero

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