In short
A lovely village with a beautiful beach plus good gluten free options (and one of the best spaghetti’s I’ve ever eaten). You have to look a bit harder on this island for options than you would on the mainland of Italy but we’ve done that for you. I wouldn’t move here, but I would go back just to taste the Spaghetti Arrabiata again.
Things to do
Wander the streets and soak up the Italian sun and lifestyle. Go up to the old fort, have a day at the beach (though it’s 3 euros to sit on it on your towel and 50 euros for two sun loungers – very common in Italy apparently). You can also take a day trip on the ferry over to Corsicain France if you fancy it.
Eat
Spano’s Pizza & Bistro was the best gluten free pizza we found, it was good, but I’ve had much better in Italy in the likes of Verona and Rome.
La Terraza di Dante were knowledgeabkle and had pizza, pasta and bread. We didn’t end up eating there as it was largely fish and they had a horrible toilet, but the waiter said the gluten free pizza was very good (though not a freshly made base).
50 Sfumature di gusto was more like a scabby cafe (think plastic chairs and tables) but they were very nice and had gluten free options like burgers with gluten free rolls. We didn’t eat here but if you want something quick or takeaway it’s an option.
Ristorante da Thomas were very helpful and had gluten free bread and pasta and a Michelin star. Very fish oriented too so only recommended if that is your thing.
Il Gardino – we had a nice meal here, gluten free spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino (we had to ask for this as it wasn’t on the menu) and steak with rosemary roasted potatoes – we had both the peppercorn and the rocket and parmesan steak between us and both were great.
Creuza de Ma is a hidden gem, an unassuming casual place that looks like a deli with a few tables outside, but they have amazing gluten free spaghetti (we even asked to see the packet so we could try and buy some) and you can pretty much have any sauce on the menu (which is 20 or 30 different ones). Arrabiata I always find to be an average choice, but their one was spectacular, easily the best arrabiata I have ever eaten. I would go back here everyday. We also tried a lemon pasta as it was a local speciality, it was good but a bit of an acquired taste. The non gluten dodgers with us also LOVED their food, with my brother saying it was the best lasagne he had ever eaten and the focaccia got the thumbs up too. It was a simple place but one of those that I already want to go back to.
Milo Risorante had gluten free bread and pasta available, a small seafood focused menu (as a lot of Santa Teresa is) but they could also do pasta aglio olio and pig suckling as a main.
Mediterraneo had meat and fish options along with gluten free tomato and basil pasta or a carbonara (tho the meat was very fatty) and they had gluten free crackers.
Rena Bianca Beach Cafe had bottles of Daura Damn (my favourite gluten free beer) and after some discussions we found out they had a gluten free fryer for the fries – great for a mid afernoon beer and snack, with lovely staff.
G’ala Gelateria had gluten free ice cream, sorbet, gluten free cones and crepes (savour or sweet). Their menu said gluten free sandwiches too but they didn’t have any when we were there. The ice cream was amazing, the gf crepes were ok.
Restaurant Bar S’Historia is a 10 minute drive away, but they confirmed for me on the phone that they had gluten free pizza and pasta.
Horizon Bar was up on the hill near the viewing point and a great wee place for a drink in the afternoon or evening and some different options too. They had gluten free sushi, gluten free rice bowls (fish, chicken or veggie) and gluten free beer.
Cantina Grill could do risotto or meat, but no pasta or bread (despite other reviews of them having gluten free flatbread). Royal Port was very busy but said they had no gluten free options. When I pushed about the grill or salads they said yes, but didn’t seem knowledgeable or interested, therefore I’d say there are better places to choose. La Vista had no pasta or pizza gluten free, a limited menu and weren’t very knowledgeable. Pape Satan similarly had no gluten free pasta or pizza, potentially meat or risotto options but again limited knowledge. Pizzeria Marlin, Pizza Flash and Pizzeria Balanjana we don’t believe had GF options.
Olbia airport – Kara Cafe had some strong choices, with paninis, pizza foccacia and filled croissant options. I had a salami panini heated up (in the bag in the microwave) and enjoyed it – it was chewy but kind of in a good way.
Drink
Have a limoncello spritz by the pool, a gluten free beer at Horizon bar in the evening for some atmosphere and finish with a brandy at the hotel bar.
Sleep
Hotel Corallaro – nice rooms, lovely pool area and great staff, made to feel very welcome and looked after. They had gluten free bread for breakfast (ask for the white bread toasted as the multigrain one is a strange texture), along with gf cereal, packaged croissants and muffin type cakes. They can make a gluten free toastie for lunch and have gluten free pasta for dinner along with risotto and meat/ fish/ veg options (though menu is small and changed daily).
Livability (out of 5)
3/5 – charming but a wee bit slow for us
Gluten Dodgers 