Where to eat in Bologna
Bologna is the food capital of Italy, and it takes its cooking seriously. Fresh egg pasta, tortellini in broth, mortadella and Parmigiano come from the surrounding region and are cooked in small osterie. Eat a long lunch, and book the best places before you arrive.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The Quadrilatero for markets and snacks, and the side streets for osterie.
- Order this
- Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and a plate of mortadella.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12.30pm and dinner from 8pm.
- Book or walk in
- Book osterie for dinner, and walk in for market food and tigelle.
- Tipping
- Service is often included, with a small coperto. Round up if you like.
What to eat in Bologna
- Tagliatelle al ragùFresh egg pasta with a slow-cooked meat sauce, the real Bolognese.
- Tortellini in brodoSmall stuffed pasta served in clear meat broth, a classic dish for Sunday lunch.
- Lasagne verdiGreen spinach pasta layered with ragù and béchamel, baked until crisp at the edges.
- MortadellaA silky cured pork sausage, sliced thin and eaten with bread or on its own.
- Tigelle and crescentineSmall flat breads split open and filled with cured meats and soft cheese.
- Zuppa ingleseA custard and sponge dessert with liqueur, found in old trattorie.
Where to eat in Bologna, by neighborhood
Quadrilatero
Market streets with delicatessens, food shops and small places to eat standing. Good for lunch.
University quarter
Cheaper osterie and bars, popular with students, and lively in the evening.
Santo Stefano and the south of the center
Quiet trattorie and wine bars, with a local crowd and fewer tourists.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Trattoria Anna Maria
€€Trattoria · Centro storico
Orderthe tortellini in brodo and the tagliatelle
A long-running trattoria with handmade pasta, a lively dining room and a classic menu.
- Book
- Book ahead for dinner.
- Closed
- Mondays
Confirmed open: bolognawelcome.com
-
Osteria dell'Orsa
€Osteria · University quarter
Orderthe tagliatelle al ragù and the tigelle
A busy, cheap osteria with long shared tables, popular with students.
- Book
- No bookings, so expect a queue that moves quickly.
Confirmed open: bolognawelcome.com
-
Tamburini
€€Delicatessen and restaurant · Quadrilatero
Ordera plate of cured meats and a glass of wine
A famous deli with a counter for tasting and a restaurant upstairs, near the main square.
- Book
- Walk in.
Confirmed open: bolognawelcome.com
-
Da Cesari
€€€Restaurant · Centro storico
Orderthe tortelloni and the lasagne
A family restaurant in an old building, known for classic Bolognese dishes and a deep wine list.
- Book
- Book ahead for dinner.
- Closed
- Sundays
Confirmed open: da-cesari.it
Food markets in Bologna
- Mercato di MezzoA food hall in the Quadrilatero, with stalls for pasta, cured meats, cheese and wine.Hours vary by stall, so check before you goSource: bolognawelcome.com
- Mercato delle ErbeA covered local market for produce, fish and meat, with a few places to eat at lunch.Monday to Saturday mornings, plus early evening on weekdaysSource: kupi.com
How Bologna eats
- Meal timesLunch from 12.30pm and dinner from 8pm. Kitchens close between.
- TippingService is often included, with a small coperto. Round up if you like.
- ReservationsBook osterie for dinner, and for Sunday lunch.
- PastaPasta is fresh and egg-based, and eaten as a first course, not a side.
Signs of a place to walk past
A menu that offers spaghetti bolognese.
Pasta that is not fresh and has no hand-rolled shape.
A restaurant with pictures of dishes outside on Piazza Maggiore.
Eating in Bologna: questions people ask
What food is Bologna known for?
Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, lasagne and mortadella. The region also makes Parmigiano and balsamic vinegar.
Is spaghetti bolognese from Bologna?
No. The local dish is tagliatelle al ragù, with a meat sauce that is cooked slowly.
Where is the best place to eat in Bologna?
The osterie and trattorie in the side streets, with a lunch at the Quadrilatero.
Is Bologna cheap to eat in?
It is cheaper than Florence or Venice, and a pasta lunch is good value.