Want to ask for less salt in a restaurant in Sardinia? A simple Italian phrase is “Meno sale, per favore” (“Less salt, please”). If you’d like to try a Sardinian expression, you can also say “Pocu sale, po praxeri” — but Sardinian varies by area, so Italian is the clearest option if you want to be understood everywhere.

Whether you’re ordering pasta, grilled fish or a traditional Sardinian dish, a polite request before the kitchen starts cooking is usually the easiest approach. Keep the phrase short, smile, and mention any dietary requirement clearly.

The most useful phrases

  • “Meno sale, per favore.” — Less salt, please.
  • “Senza sale, per favore.” — No salt, please.
  • “Poco sale, grazie.” — Just a little salt, thank you.
  • “Pocu sale, po praxeri.” — A Sardinian phrase intended to mean “Less salt, please”; local wording and pronunciation can vary.

If you need to avoid salt for medical reasons, say so explicitly rather than relying only on “less salt.” You can add: “Devo evitare il sale” (“I need to avoid salt”). Ask whether the dish, sauce or stock is already salted, because the kitchen may not be able to remove salt that has already been added.

When should you ask?

Ask when ordering, before the dish is prepared. This gives the kitchen the best chance to adjust the seasoning. If you are ordering fish, meat or vegetables grilled to order, you can ask for no added salt and season the food yourself at the table if needed.

Some traditional recipes, sauces, cured foods and prepared ingredients may already contain salt. A restaurant can often reduce added salt, but it may not be possible to make every dish completely salt-free.

How to say it politely

You don’t need a long explanation. Try saying “Meno sale, per favore” while ordering, or show the phrase on your phone if pronunciation feels difficult. If the request is important for your health, explain that clearly and ask the staff to confirm whether the dish can be prepared accordingly.

Useful tips for dining in Sardinia

  • Ask early: mention less salt before the kitchen begins preparing your meal.
  • Be specific: say “senza sale” for no added salt, or “meno sale” for less salt.
  • Check sauces and stocks: salt may already be part of the recipe.
  • For a strict restriction: explain that you must avoid salt and ask about ingredients, not just seasoning.
  • Try the local phrase: “Pocu sale, po praxeri” can be a friendly conversation starter, but Italian is more widely understood.

The takeaway

The easiest way to ask for less salt in Sardinia is “Meno sale, per favore.” You can also try “Pocu sale, po praxeri” as a local-language phrase, while remembering that Sardinian expressions vary across the island. Ask when ordering, and explain any strict dietary requirement clearly.