20 of The Best Restaurants in Bologna, Italy: Where to Eat in Bologna
Wondering what local must-eats you can’t miss in Bologna? This post is filled with foodie recommendations, details about the regional cuisine, and 20 of the very best places to eat and drink in Bologna, Italy.
Bologna is the food capital of Italy, which seems almost impossible given how immaculate the food is throughout the country. That’s because, in Bologna, food isn’t just fuel for your day— it’s art. The act of eating is an act of pleasure. Every bite of tortellini, drizzle of tangy balsamic, and mouthful of aged parmesan is tied to Bologna’s culture. There is history and tradition in what you are consuming. The city is known for a number of things (like having the world’s oldest continuously running university and being home to the longest stretch of porticoes in Europe), but its long history of artful dining and well-crafted cuisine is what makes it an absolute must-visit on any Italian itinerary.
Watching the women of Bologna masterfully fold the tiny tortellini in the morning and observing baristas expertly construct an immaculate macchiato is akin to witnessing a highly choreographed performance. Over our five days in the Italian city, every pink and orange restaurant and café that dotted the street lured us in with the promise of al dente pasta, creamy gelato, or the perfect cappuccino. We ate our way through Bologna the way the Italians dine: happily, slowly, and with the knowledge that truly divine food is something to be fully enjoyed.
We dined al fresco in folding chairs, ate pasta by the plateful, and spent early mornings drinking all varieties of espresso. In short, we did the “work” so that you can skip to the very best places to eat and drink in Bologna.
where to stay in Bologna ↴
The good news is that Bologna’s small size means that it’s very walkable and you won’t have to worry too much about finding someone super centrally located. Most accommodation is a quick 10-20 minute walk from anywhere you might be looking to go.
We spent five days in Bologna, so we opted to stay in an apartment we booked through Airbnb. This gave us room to work from home during the hot afternoons when we needed to cool off. There are a lot of beautiful, affordable apartments in Bologna thanks to it being a student city. I actually found that the Airbnb offerings were better than the hotel options in the city.
This blog post by The Common Wanderers has beautiful Bologna Airbnbs for your consideration.
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
must-try food + drink in Bologna ↴
tortellini
Tortellini is a pasta that originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy (where Bologna is located). These carefully folded dumpling-like noodles are stuffed with a traditional mixture of nutmeg, pork loin, egg, parmesan, and mortadella. While bastardized versions of tortellini are served in sauce, the original Italian recipe calls for the pasta to be served in a broth so that the flavour of the pasta and its filling can really shine through.
tortelloni
Tortelloni is a larger version of tortellini, typically reserved for vegetarian fillings like ricotta and spinach. Like tortellini, tortelloni is served sauce-less. Instead, it’s slathered in butter and slices of hard parmesan cheese.
tagliatelle al ragù
Another pasta dish that originates from the Emilia-Romagna region, tagliatelle al ragù is a can’t miss on any foodie’s bucket list when visiting Bologna! Tagliatelle noodles are used because they are wider and thicker, and thus hold onto the ragù sauce better. Traditionally the tagliatelle noodles are hand-rolled by women in the early waking hours when the temperature is best suited for the dough.
pizza
I’ve included pizza in this list because it would be a crime not to indulge if you find yourself in Italy. Pizza isn’t a Bolognese specialty, and it’s not a dish the region prides itself on. Still, we had some of the best pizza ever while in Bologna, and I feel like it has to be on your foodie bucket list.
parmesan
I’ve never been a cheese kind of gal. In fact, I am the kind of person who scrapes cheese off her pizza or orders a dairy-less Marinara instead. On our tour with Delicious Bologna, however, I felt like I couldn’t leave without trying a block. I am not exaggerating when I say the salty parmesan was exactly what this savoury-loving traveler didn’t know she was craving. Parmesan’s history is kind of funny: it was originally made by monks in nearby Modena who were attempting to lessen milk waste during a famine.
balsamic vinegar
Pour it over a salad. Drizzle it on top of parmesan. Traditional balsamic vinegar is made with a single ingredient: "grape must" (in Italian, "most"). This is the juice of freshly pressed grapes boiled, fermented, and acidified. Then, it’s stored in a wooden barrel for a minimum of 12 years. Balsamic in the Emilia-Romagna region is a master craft. A bottle of balsamic from Bologna would make a great souvenir, but make sure to check the price tag. Balsamic here can be wildly expensive depending on how long it has been aged.
lasagna bolognese
Naples is the home of lasagna most Americans and Brits know it, but the Bolognese made it their own. Ordering the layered pasta dish in Bologna means you can expect green noodles. The colour comes from spinach Lasagna Bolognese is also made *without* mozzarella. Instead, the three main ingredients are Bologna’s famous fresh egg noodles, bolognese sauce (a tomato and meat sauce), and bechamel.
PARMA HAM
Parma ham is famous in the region. It’s made with the legs of pork and is regarded as the best-cured meat in the Emilia Romagna region. Born in Parma, the small Italian city not far from Bologna, this ham is cured over elongated periods of time where it has to be carefully monitored by experts.
LAMBRUSCO
Lambrusco has a very bad reputation amongst wine enthusiasts overseas, but that’s only because the Lambrusco that is exported is…well…the worst of what’s produced. It is, however, the best-selling wine in Italy for a reason. The best Lambrusco is kept for Italians to enjoy! The grapes used to make Lambrusco have an almost blackberry appearance, but despite the dark red color of the wine, it’s actually quite light and easy to drink.
Mortadella
Mortadella is another food product that originated in this region. It’s made from a combination of crushed pork shoulder and lard, sprinkled with salt and garlic, and finally stuffed into a pig bladder. Mortadella is one of the main ingredients in traditional tortellini filling, but it can also be eaten in a sandwich or sliced on tigelle. You’ll find this at every butcher shop in Bologna, varying widely in price.
tigelle
Tigelle, which is also known as crescentine, is a popular street food similar to flatbread. The difference between the two is that tigelle is made with lard and cooked into 4-inch circles. Tigelle is taken straight out of the pan and sliced open so that it can be filled like a sandwich with things like soft cheese, spinach, or cured meats.
gelato
Gelato, like pizza, may not be a “Bologna specialty”, but I assure you no creamy scoop in the city will leave you wanting. Foodies will know that gelato is not the same as ice cream. That’s part of the reason it melts faster and is kept (typically) in frozen, metal containers. For around €2.70, you can get yourself a copetto (cup) or cono (cone) with multiple flavours scraped inside. There’s no extra charge for multiple flavours either!
coffee
Each of Italy’s 20 recognized regions has its own unique coffee culture, but traditionally speaking, espresso, macchiato, and cappuccino are the ~real~ Italian coffee variations. Italian coffee culture dictates that you enjoy a cappuccino with breakfast, a caffè macchiato in the afternoon, and espresso after dinner. You would *never* have a milky coffee, like a cappuccino, in the afternoon or after a meal.
Cappuccino: equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk
Latte macchiato: steamed milk “marked” with a splash of espresso
Espresso: pure bean, served in a tiny porcelain shot glass that helps keep the espresso hot and helps the barista measure the espresso drip
best cafés in Bologna ↴
CAFFÈ Terzi
Terzi pulled the best espresso I had while in Bologna. Their cappuccinos in the morning were the perfect start to my day, every day. There is very limited seating here, but I recommend snagging one outside across from the café if you can. If you step inside the narrow café, you’ll be greeted by walls filled with awards recognizing Terzi’s expert roasting.
Bar Peperly
Bar Peperly sits outside of Bologna Centro, on the less busy side of town. It’s a spot that you’d walk right past if you weren’t looking for it. There’s hardly any signage, and the glass windows peering into the tiny café don’t paint a picture of We stumbled upon Bar Peperly on the walk from our flat into the city center. We sought refuge from the sun and grabbed two seats under the café’s little canopy. Luke indulged in his second pastry of the day while I sat enjoying an expertly poured cappuccino. Expect an authentic local experience, great espresso, and limited cabinet food.
café rubik
A modern café that opens early and closes late, Café Rubik is where the cool kids can be found in the waking hours of the day. This tiny little joint feels artsy and completely unpretentious. Rows of spirits hang on the mural-painted wall behind the bar. Vintage cassette tapes fill wooden shelves, adding extra colour to the café. There is seating along the streets, perfect for people watching. In the evening, Rubik transforms into a lively bar for students.
Lampandina
Lampadina ticks all the boxes for modern brunch in Bologna. The interior is bright and airy, sprinkled with plants and neon signs. Lampadina has indoor and outdoor seating, tasty cabinet pastries, great coffee (of course), and a wealth of healthy breakfast options like protein-packed avocado toast and granola bowls. There are also decadent pancakes smothered in a variety of toppings (I recommend the chocolate and pistachio) for those with a sweet tooth!
Café Gamberini
Established in 1907 as a pastry shop, Gamberini has a long history of serving specialty pastries, artisan coffee, and rich chocolates. Its history has made the café a rustic place to grab an espresso and nosh on a slice of cake. Gamberini keeps food and coffee simple, and in doing so had mastered it.
Aroma
Aroma is one of those places that feels like a well-kept secret of the city— it may be the best coffee in the city, putting even Terzi to the test. The pastries and coffee are so well done that they’ll leave you insatiable for more. It’s easy to see why they have such high ratings and good reviews online. The staff here know their coffee backward and forwards, making Aroma a great place for coffee connoisseurs.
best lunch + dinner in Bologna ↴
AHIMè
For a memorable, modern dining experience in Bologna, there is no better place to head than Ahimè. Reserve a table in advance online— the place will be busy! The menu is created based on the availability of ingredients from the local producers and farmers Ahimè works with, meaning this isn’t a place where you can look at the menu ahead of time with guarantees of what you’ll order. It also means that the chef doesn’t make any substitutions or amendments to the menu. Whether you’re vegan or a celiac, it makes no difference. This is not the place to go if you have allergies or restrictions. Walk inside the concrete building, and you’ll find yourself cocooned inside a minimal concept restaurant where creativity is a key ingredient in every dish. The long wooden tables and ceramic dishware are aesthetic goals, but it was the unexpected food combinations that kept us on our toes.
Parlor
Parlor defines itself as an “atypical foodie lounge.” It’s intentionally hidden underneath one of Bologna’s famous porticoes, just a short walking distance from the Two Towers in the heart of the city. Parlor is coziness exemplified. The concept is that it is a dining experience where the weary seek refuge and take comfort in delicious food and drink. The menu here changes with what is seasonally available.
Banco del Vino
Mattia, the local guide on our food tour with Delicious Bologna, recommended Banco Del Vino. He said that if we felt we had to try pizza in the city, we had to try it at Banco. The verdict? 12/10. Two thumbs way, way up. There’s not much more to say here except that for roughly €10, you can have yourself a delicious pizza dinner you’ll be dreaming about for weeks after you’ve left Italy!
Mozzabella
Mozzabella is a tiny pizzeria down one of Bologna’s many hidden cobblestone streets. You can grab whole pizzas for as little as €5 here, and they are fresh, filling, and freakin’ delicious! The dough here is impeccable, and their marinara sauce is a balanced blend of sweet and earthy. The service here was also noteworthy. The wait staff, having overheard us talk about what we were trying to escape the heat at all costs, gave us a list of recommendations for things to do in Bologna that take place indoors.
Barazzo
The smell of pizza wafts out of Barazzo’s doors onto the cobblestone streets where people are sipping Aperol spritz at two-seater tables. Barazzo is located outside of the city center, in the hip and the more local area just across the path from Mozzabella.
Trattoria la Spiga
Trattoria la Spiga is a great place for dinner in a moody atmosphere. There wasn’t much for vegetarian options here, but the ricotta tortelloni is exquisite, served dripping in melted butter with hints of sage. The darkly lit restaurant feels both intimate and completely unbastardized. There are no gimmicks, just traditional Bolognese food done right.
Trattoria la Montanara
A core memory from our trip to Bologna has to be our lunch date at Trattoria La Montanara. The tiny restaurant has limited indoor and outdoor seating spilling onto the cobblestone sidewalk. Twinkly lights are strung up between the trees that line the streets, inviting patrons to sit a little longer and enjoy every bite while the sun sinks lower. The vegetarian tortelloni with ricotta cheese is served in a pool of lemon, butter, and parmesan— an absolute must-try!
Osteria Dell’Orsa
This highly-popular spot in Bologna Centro serves hearty classics in a fuss-free environment. The restaurant itself isn’t much to look at, which only makes the food stand out that much more. The simple menu here takes away the pain of decision and lets you get right down to what you’ve come to do— eat, eat, eat. Book a table or be prepared to wait.
Sfoglia rina
This eatery near the iconic two Towers of Bologna is renowned for its pasta, particularly its lasagna. The Bolognese signature green lasagna is a must-try for any foodie stopping by Sfoglia Rina. Served in its traditional al dente style, each layer is a taste sensation of ragu sauce, fresh egg pasta, and cheese.
Raku Art Café
Those searching for a quick lunch in a quirky setting should seek out Raku Art Café. Away from tourists, hidden among the porticoes, Raku is filled with odd decorations and colorful dishware that make it feel homey. Cabinet pastries and tigelle varieties are for sale inside. Cocktail pours are generous. Everyone who walked through the door was greeted with a smile and the playlist created a truly upbeat eating atmosphere.
best gelato in Bologna ↴
Cremeria Santo Stefano
Walking along the cobblestone streets of Bologna, you can’t miss Cremeria Santo Stefano. Even as the renowned gelato shop sits unassumingly, tucked away inside a portico, you’ll recognize a weaving line of people waiting patiently for their turn to pop inside. Their Crema la Limone (cream of lemon) flavour was Luke’s favourite gelato of the whole trip, and we both ended up fighting over who got the last bite of pistachio.
Cremeria la Vecchia Stalla
Located in the city center, only footsteps lie between you and a heaping scoop of gelato from Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla. The service is fast-paced here in order to keep a line of sweating tourists satiated, so get into the queue only once you know for sure what you want. I recommend trying the Stracciatella and Nutella flavours!
La Sorbetteria Castiglione
This gelato shop was my personal favourite. Not only was indoor and outdoor seating available (no eating on the curbside here), but there was an English menu that took the guesswork out of ordering. La Sorbetteria Castiglione’s dark chocolate gelato still looms in my dreams, and their Dulce Karin (a signature blend of white chocolate and hazelnut) was silky smooth.
Cremeria Mascarella
Near the former Jewish Ghetto of Bologna, Cremeria Mascarella serves up heaping portions of creamy gelato. You must try both their pistachio and dark chocolate gelatos. The gelato here is decadent, rich, and impeccably smooth. Every scoop is served with a smile from friendly staff who understand that the Italian menu might seem overwhelming to the ill-prepared tourist (*cough cough us cough cough*).
map ↴
Find the best restaurants, cafes and gelato shops in Bologna, Italy on the map below.
