Guidebook for Bologna
Food Scene
This an old fairly large and family run restaurant offering all the range of the specialities from Bologna, from the famous tortellini, lasagne, tortelloni, tagliatelle and many more, to the steamed meats and the roasted meats proposed by the waiters on the characteristic trolleys, and sided by a choice of vegetable dishes that includes the “friggione” (onions first macerated for four hours with little salt and sugar, then stewed for a couple of hours with a little tomato). Among the desserts, typical of Bologna is the “Zuppa Inglese” where slices of sponge cake, or savoiardi biscuits, are soaked in custard, cocoa cream and alchermes liqueur for a delicious tri-colour result.
56 lokale inwoners raden aan
Da Bertino
55a Via delle LameThis an old fairly large and family run restaurant offering all the range of the specialities from Bologna, from the famous tortellini, lasagne, tortelloni, tagliatelle and many more, to the steamed meats and the roasted meats proposed by the waiters on the characteristic trolleys, and sided by a choice of vegetable dishes that includes the “friggione” (onions first macerated for four hours with little salt and sugar, then stewed for a couple of hours with a little tomato). Among the desserts, typical of Bologna is the “Zuppa Inglese” where slices of sponge cake, or savoiardi biscuits, are soaked in custard, cocoa cream and alchermes liqueur for a delicious tri-colour result.
Dishes with strong Mediterranean roots yet always innovative for the combination of the ingredients. Results are original and delicious yet never bizarre. Beyond my humble opinion, Mario Ferrara is considered one of the best chefs in Bologna. The ingredients are always chosen according to what the season offers and are of superlative quality, including whatever may come from the sea. Pleasant professional service.
31 lokale inwoners raden aan
Ristorante Scacco Matto
63/b Via BroccaindossoDishes with strong Mediterranean roots yet always innovative for the combination of the ingredients. Results are original and delicious yet never bizarre. Beyond my humble opinion, Mario Ferrara is considered one of the best chefs in Bologna. The ingredients are always chosen according to what the season offers and are of superlative quality, including whatever may come from the sea. Pleasant professional service.
Pleasant and quiet place serving colourful dishes of vegetables, pulses and whole grains. Food is simple, tasty and carefully prepared, overall comforting. High chairs available for children.
17 lokale inwoners raden aan
Centro Natura srl
4a Via degli AlbariPleasant and quiet place serving colourful dishes of vegetables, pulses and whole grains. Food is simple, tasty and carefully prepared, overall comforting. High chairs available for children.
Small family run “trattoria”. The menu is shorter than in other restaurants but you will find the main Bolognese pasta dishes. Among the meats, sausage stewed in the “friggione” as well as a “family recipe” like stewed meatballs with peas. Among the desserts, this is one of the few places where you can taste the Bolognese style rice cake, the most characteristic, and less known to outsiders, of all desserts from our city.
8 lokale inwoners raden aan
Trattoria Valerio
10 Via AvesellaSmall family run “trattoria”. The menu is shorter than in other restaurants but you will find the main Bolognese pasta dishes. Among the meats, sausage stewed in the “friggione” as well as a “family recipe” like stewed meatballs with peas. Among the desserts, this is one of the few places where you can taste the Bolognese style rice cake, the most characteristic, and less known to outsiders, of all desserts from our city.
Eat in or take away high quality specialities from Bologna in addition to a list of dishes that vary seasonally. Expect queuing at peak times at the shop/restaurant in Bologna.
The CASALECCHIO RESTAURANT is nicely located (Via Francesco Petrarca 5) and has a pleasant outdoor area, so consider undertaking the 30-45 minutes pedalling from Bologna city centre along one of the best cycling paths of Bologna’s province. A visit to Casalecchio would also allow you to perceive how the territory develops south to Bologna: the forested hills and behind them the profile of the Apennines; the river Reno with its lock, which is one of the earliest permanent hydraulic works in Europe.
65 lokale inwoners raden aan
Sfoglia Rina
5/b Via CastiglioneEat in or take away high quality specialities from Bologna in addition to a list of dishes that vary seasonally. Expect queuing at peak times at the shop/restaurant in Bologna.
The CASALECCHIO RESTAURANT is nicely located (Via Francesco Petrarca 5) and has a pleasant outdoor area, so consider undertaking the 30-45 minutes pedalling from Bologna city centre along one of the best cycling paths of Bologna’s province. A visit to Casalecchio would also allow you to perceive how the territory develops south to Bologna: the forested hills and behind them the profile of the Apennines; the river Reno with its lock, which is one of the earliest permanent hydraulic works in Europe.
In the heart of the Quadrilatero area, this is a gallery of stalls, most featuring a small kitchen, offering high quality foods. You will be able to choose between sandwiches with local salumi, tortellini & co., fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea, freshly made bread, meats, cheese, wines, and pastry. Food can be eaten in or taken out. Full of tourists and popular also amongst the employees of the offices of this neighbourhood, it is packed at lunchtime. I find that this place is a bit chaotic and that the atmosphere does not allow for a relaxed gastronomic experience. Yet, the good aspect is that you find here on show the variety of the food products typical of Bologna's territory.
182 lokale inwoners raden aan
Mercato di Mezzo
12 Via ClavatureIn the heart of the Quadrilatero area, this is a gallery of stalls, most featuring a small kitchen, offering high quality foods. You will be able to choose between sandwiches with local salumi, tortellini & co., fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea, freshly made bread, meats, cheese, wines, and pastry. Food can be eaten in or taken out. Full of tourists and popular also amongst the employees of the offices of this neighbourhood, it is packed at lunchtime. I find that this place is a bit chaotic and that the atmosphere does not allow for a relaxed gastronomic experience. Yet, the good aspect is that you find here on show the variety of the food products typical of Bologna's territory.
Family run pizzeria with informal and relaxed service. They make a fine thin pizza.
In general I suggest that people eat pizza in the pizzerias and avoid eating other dishes, in particular the fish-based dishes that can be prepared with ingredients of not excellent quality.
6 lokale inwoners raden aan
Pizzeria Trattoria O' Sole Mio
50a Via CastiglioneFamily run pizzeria with informal and relaxed service. They make a fine thin pizza.
In general I suggest that people eat pizza in the pizzerias and avoid eating other dishes, in particular the fish-based dishes that can be prepared with ingredients of not excellent quality.
This is a large pizzeria with a pleasant yet professional service. Good quality toppings make this pizza a satisfying experience just few steps from Piazza Maggiore.
7 lokale inwoners raden aan
Incrocio Montegrappa
7 Via Monte GrappaThis is a large pizzeria with a pleasant yet professional service. Good quality toppings make this pizza a satisfying experience just few steps from Piazza Maggiore.
Personally I love the taste and aroma of the pizza from this restaurant. It might be because the leavening is obtained using sourdough and because they use ingredients, from the stone ground flours to the toppings, of excellent quality. In addition, their pizza does not get me that thirsty as those from the other places so I guess a wise use of salt which, coupled with the fine ingredients, improves greatly the whole experience.
61 lokale inwoners raden aan
Berberè
9c Via Giuseppe PetroniPersonally I love the taste and aroma of the pizza from this restaurant. It might be because the leavening is obtained using sourdough and because they use ingredients, from the stone ground flours to the toppings, of excellent quality. In addition, their pizza does not get me that thirsty as those from the other places so I guess a wise use of salt which, coupled with the fine ingredients, improves greatly the whole experience.
The Romagna territory starts less than 50 km east of Bologna. The “piadina romagnola”, or “piada”, is a flat not leavened bread from Romagna. Whoever has been on a seaside holiday in Romagna is familiar with the moving stalls selling both "piada" and its cousin, the “crescione”. In Bologna this is one of the few places that serves it perfectly done: just cooked and filled with a choice of salumi, cheese, and vegetables. The place itself is small and crowded particularly at lunchtime of weekdays. Waits up to 20' are not unusual yet quality and taste of your "piadina" will compensate for the delay. One of the most typical fillings is that coupling “squacquerone”, a fresh cheese, with rocket.
13 lokale inwoners raden aan
La Tua Piadina
17a Via BorgonuovoThe Romagna territory starts less than 50 km east of Bologna. The “piadina romagnola”, or “piada”, is a flat not leavened bread from Romagna. Whoever has been on a seaside holiday in Romagna is familiar with the moving stalls selling both "piada" and its cousin, the “crescione”. In Bologna this is one of the few places that serves it perfectly done: just cooked and filled with a choice of salumi, cheese, and vegetables. The place itself is small and crowded particularly at lunchtime of weekdays. Waits up to 20' are not unusual yet quality and taste of your "piadina" will compensate for the delay. One of the most typical fillings is that coupling “squacquerone”, a fresh cheese, with rocket.
If you want to EAT IN...
...few minutes walking from Via Mirasole, this is a shop where to buy freshly made pasta such as tagliatelle, tortellini, tortelloni, lasagne, to be cooked at home. They also sell cooked portions of the above to take away. Excellent quality.
Le Mille e Una Sfoglia
2 Viale XII GiugnoIf you want to EAT IN...
...few minutes walking from Via Mirasole, this is a shop where to buy freshly made pasta such as tagliatelle, tortellini, tortelloni, lasagne, to be cooked at home. They also sell cooked portions of the above to take away. Excellent quality.
A covered market with stalls and shops. For vegetables and fruits, our favourite are numbers 35/36 and 32.
Also, good quality food is served in the restaurants located in the wings that depart from the central corridor. For instance, excellent fish at a good price is served just in front of the fresh fish stall (direct access from Via San Gervasio).
300 lokale inwoners raden aan
Mercato delle Erbe
25 Via Ugo BassiA covered market with stalls and shops. For vegetables and fruits, our favourite are numbers 35/36 and 32.
Also, good quality food is served in the restaurants located in the wings that depart from the central corridor. For instance, excellent fish at a good price is served just in front of the fresh fish stall (direct access from Via San Gervasio).
Original, unusual ice cream flavours made from excellent ingredients.
52 lokale inwoners raden aan
Cremeria Santo Stefano
70c Via Santo StefanoOriginal, unusual ice cream flavours made from excellent ingredients.
Excellent quality ice cream made using ingredients from fair trade. Organic ingredients are also employed for some flavours.
27 lokale inwoners raden aan
Gelateria Galliera 49
49b Via GallieraExcellent quality ice cream made using ingredients from fair trade. Organic ingredients are also employed for some flavours.
There is the shop and just adjacent to it the laboratory. Try the "millefoglie" or the rice cake, among the many excellent products by the Master of this "pasticceria".
21 lokale inwoners raden aan
Pasticceria Regina di Quadri
73/a Via CastiglioneThere is the shop and just adjacent to it the laboratory. Try the "millefoglie" or the rice cake, among the many excellent products by the Master of this "pasticceria".
Top quality ingredients that are from fair trade, some are organic.
19 lokale inwoners raden aan
Stefino Organic Gelato
4 Via Domenico ZampieriTop quality ingredients that are from fair trade, some are organic.
Via Emilia Ponente 68 (which is the road to/from Bologna airport). In the first periphery of Bologna, yet well connected by buses 19 or 13, it was founded in 1940 and since then has been managed by the women of the same family. Recipes and gestures were passed from one generation to the next and both continue to contribute to the careful preparation of the most traditional of Bologna’s dishes. Delicious are, for instance, the tagliatelle al ragù as well as the oven baked rabbit.
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
18 lokale inwoners raden aan
Trattoria Zita Bologna
68a Via E. PonenteVia Emilia Ponente 68 (which is the road to/from Bologna airport). In the first periphery of Bologna, yet well connected by buses 19 or 13, it was founded in 1940 and since then has been managed by the women of the same family. Recipes and gestures were passed from one generation to the next and both continue to contribute to the careful preparation of the most traditional of Bologna’s dishes. Delicious are, for instance, the tagliatelle al ragù as well as the oven baked rabbit.
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Drinks & Nightlife
Same location since the year 1465, this osteria has evolved with the neighbourhood. Here customers can order and taste a variety of wines, but there is no kitchen. Yet you can take in your food, a mortadella sandwich or a portion of lasagne from one of the many shops in the nearby, and eat it in while sipping your drink seated at one of the shared large wooden tables.
153 lokale inwoners raden aan
Osteria del Sole
1/d Vicolo RanocchiSame location since the year 1465, this osteria has evolved with the neighbourhood. Here customers can order and taste a variety of wines, but there is no kitchen. Yet you can take in your food, a mortadella sandwich or a portion of lasagne from one of the many shops in the nearby, and eat it in while sipping your drink seated at one of the shared large wooden tables.
Parks & Nature
A short climb from Via Mirasole 11 and you will find yourself in a composite environment: the hilly agricultural landscape that surrounded an aristocratic mansion (nowadays in ruin, regrettably) and the wild woods. Beside that, you will enjoy the beautiful view of Bologna and the Padan plain. It is so large that you will always be able to find a quiet spot. In late August early September, several fig plants offer free snacks that are sensational!
21 lokale inwoners raden aan
Villa Ghigi station
A short climb from Via Mirasole 11 and you will find yourself in a composite environment: the hilly agricultural landscape that surrounded an aristocratic mansion (nowadays in ruin, regrettably) and the wild woods. Beside that, you will enjoy the beautiful view of Bologna and the Padan plain. It is so large that you will always be able to find a quiet spot. In late August early September, several fig plants offer free snacks that are sensational!
Ten minutes walking from Via Mirasole 11, this green area offers paved as well as dirt paths for walking or jogging. Large trees, mainly cedars, carobs and horse chestnut trees, and a couple of Etruscan tombs make it a pleasant place where to spend a couple of hours. The bronze statue of king Vittorio Emanuele II, once placed in the center of Piazza Maggiore, was moved here in 1944.
Seasonal coffee shop open from March to September (Porta Castiglione entrance).
353 lokale inwoners raden aan
Giardini Margherita station
Ten minutes walking from Via Mirasole 11, this green area offers paved as well as dirt paths for walking or jogging. Large trees, mainly cedars, carobs and horse chestnut trees, and a couple of Etruscan tombs make it a pleasant place where to spend a couple of hours. The bronze statue of king Vittorio Emanuele II, once placed in the center of Piazza Maggiore, was moved here in 1944.
Seasonal coffee shop open from March to September (Porta Castiglione entrance).