Sardinia Restaurants Ask Families to Ditch Their Phones

Families eating out in Sardinia will be invited to set aside their phones under a new restaurant trial starting on 1 November 2026. Fifteen restaurants across the Italian island are taking part, offering games and activities instead of screens during meals. The project involves adults as well as children, but participation is voluntary rather than a compulsory ban across Sardinia's restaurants.

The scheme, A tavola senza schermi ("At the table without screens"), was presented on 26 October by Sardinia’s children’s ombudsman, Anna Cau, and hospitality association FIPE Confcommercio. Families who join put their phones in a bag or tabletop basket. Staff offer age-appropriate games, drawing activities and a leaflet with paediatricians’ advice, including a QR code linking to a fuller guide.

The organisers hope to stop phones becoming the default distraction when families eat out, particularly while children wait for food. They originally planned to involve eight restaurants but expanded the trial to 15. It will run for a month, with the possibility of inviting more venues afterwards. There is no island-wide phone ban, and the voluntary agreement carries no announced fines or penalties.

Where Families Can Try Phone-Free Dining

• Where: Cagliari, Alghero, Olbia, Nuoro, Oristano and other Sardinian towns.
• Examples: Antica Cagliari, Pani e Casu, Risto Fever, Terranostra and Eolo.
• Who: Families with children; adults are encouraged to put phones away too.
• Phones: Keep them in a bag or basket; take urgent calls away from the table.
• Activities: Games before food arrives, put away during the meal.
• Before visiting: Check FIPE’s restaurant list and confirm locally.

Visitors need not worry about their phones being confiscated or getting fined for checking a message. The restaurant will invite families to join, and the choice remains theirs. If a family needs an exception, the scheme asks them to agree to it beforehand. As only selected venues are participating, check the restaurant’s arrangements when booking in November rather than assuming every Sardinian dining room follows the same approach.