The 18 Must-Visit Restaurants in Bologna

With the motto “fanculo la dieta” (screw diets), Forno Brisa is your go-to spot for indulgent carbs. This independent bakery focuses on slow, wild fermentation, ancient grains, and a welcoming work culture. Experience Bologna's take on bread craftsmanship, third-wave coffee, savory breakfast treats, and vegan desserts. If you’re in the mood for pizza, try their Roman-style slices, featuring flavors like ’nduja and burrata, anchovies, or the classic tomato. They also serve craft wines by the glass and have bottles available to pair with your pizza.

If you're a fan of Parmigiano-Reggiano, this is the shop for you. Emilia-Romagna is home to the largest variety of DOP food products in Italy, including this legendary aged cheese, all safeguarded by law. At Al Regno Della Forma, you can be assured of authentic cheese crafted through meticulous production methods. As you enter, the nutty fragrance of Parmigiano wheels fills the air, complemented by an impressive selection of other Italian cheeses. Consider picking up a piece of this concentrated dairy delight as a tasty souvenir to savor until your next visit.

Originally Ristorante al Pappagallo, which opened its doors in 1919, this beloved establishment closed in September 2022 after a century of service. It quickly transformed into Bottega Pappagallo, a fast-casual spot dedicated to high-quality, traditional fresh pasta. You can enjoy their gold-standard tortellini either to-go or dine in, where dishes are served in rich broth or topped with savory Parmigiano sauce. Skilled sfogline (pasta artisans) craft each tortellino in an open kitchen, ready for chef Federico Gasbarro to plate them beautifully.

Ristorante Diana stands as a historic institution renowned for its elegant white-tablecloth service, affluent patrons, and captivating tableside presentations. Here, you can witness the spectacle of steaming cauldrons of tortellini in brodo being served from a cart, alongside scoops of creamy crema gelato straight from the carapina (metal tub), topped with luscious Amarena cherries. Established in 1919, this iconic restaurant has consistently upheld its high standards, even as some of its contemporaries have lost their edge.

Since its debut in 2015, chef-owner Elisa Rusconi has rapidly gained recognition in Bologna’s traditionally male-dominated dining landscape. Her passion shines through in the trattoria’s intricate menu, blending influences from her Sicilian father’s home-cooked meals (like taglioni with tomato and creamy squacquerone cheese), local favorites such as lasagna (offered on Sundays), and her innovative creations, including a savory cheese gelato starter or licorice saffron risotto.

The youthful culinary team at Ahimè offers fermentation-driven, inventive dishes in a city renowned for its rich traditional cuisine, revitalizing Bologna’s lacking modern dining scene. Although somewhat overlooked by some locals, Ahimè has attracted an open-minded, international clientele. Begin your meal with slow-risen sourdough served with juniper butter, accompanied by free-range salami and oysters sourced from the nearby Po Valley delta. Continue with delightful small plates such as squash ravioli enhanced with apricot vinegar, turnips with lardo, gnocchi in dashi with parsley oil, and roasted brassicas dressed in miso and fruit-ferment reductions. For something unique, try the gummy bear-inspired spaghetti with wild licorice or chitarra tossed with duck liver and lemon, alongside hearty options like duck tartare seasoned with berbere spices. Simple desserts include baked quince paired with fresh whipped cream and crushed dried rose.

Mercato delle Erbe is a vibrant food market and hall featuring a variety of delis, pizzerias, charcuterie spots, and several restaurants, including Noi, which also has a location on Via dei Fornaciai. Situated in a restaurant area, it's a great spot to enjoy crescentine fritte—fried, lightly salted dough pillows that pair wonderfully with Bologna’s creamy squacquerone cheese and delicate cured meats. They also excel in polpette (meatballs), offering both classic and inventive varieties, like mortadella polpette encrusted with pistachios. The pasta offerings are quite commendable as well. Noi remains open on Sundays when many other restaurants are closed.

This artisanal coffee roaster has been curating single-origin coffee beans and whole-leaf teas in Bologna since 2002. While their coffee is enjoyed throughout the city, the original café is a charming spot, adorned with elegant vintage decor and meticulous ceramic details.

This premier wine bar is a haven for natural wine lovers and charcuterie fans alike. Enoteca Faccioli boasts an elegant ambiance more suited for bankers and lawyers than the typical natural wine enthusiast. Their charcuterie boards are a must-try, featuring artisanal cheeses and local cured meats, including mortadella from one of Bologna’s few fully artisanal producers, Pasquini. The walls are lined with wines from across Italy, but don’t miss the chance to delve into the lesser-known Emilia-Romagna region for its unique indigenous wines and Champagne-style Lambruscos.

Located a bit off the main tourist path (roughly a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride from the city center), Trattoria Bertozzi offers a delightful experience along its tree-lined residential streets. Due to its popularity, seating inside is limited and fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended. However, there's also outdoor veranda seating for pleasant weather. You can't go wrong with any dish here, but their gramigna, a twisted hollow pasta, is particularly noteworthy, often served in a rich saffron and Parmesan cream sauce with zucchini and occasionally crispy guanciale. The restaurant features a respectable selection of sparkling wines and a well-stocked cellar; the staff are happy to recommend pairings based on your preferences.

This innovative street food venture focuses on crescentine, Bologna's beloved fried dough treat, led by the dynamic trio of young entrepreneurs: Edoardo Malvicini, Andrea Liotta, and Pierluigi Sapiente. Their concept has quickly expanded to four locations. Typically, crescentine puff up when fried, making them perfect for tearing apart and enjoying with fresh cheese and mortadella. However, the founders have reimagined this classic by shallow-frying them for a fluffier, aromatic mini-flatbread that can be easily stuffed and enjoyed on the go. This modern take appeals to a younger crowd seeking lighter versions of traditional Bolognese dishes. Offerings range from classic combinations of high-quality prosciutto and mortadella with fresh, spreadable squacquerone cheese to creative fillings like snails, Modenese lard pesto, Sardinian porchetta, or even plant-based doner kebabs with burrata. Additional street food options include cones of fried tortellini served with warm Parmigiano dipping sauce sprinkled with Sarawak pepper, or pumpkin-stuffed cappellacci fried to perfection, optionally topped with black truffle.

This trendy pub is a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts, having originated in San Lazzaro before expanding to this location within Bologna’s city walls. In addition to a wide array of craft beers, they offer natural wines and creative cocktails infused with hops and homemade shrubs. The food menu features gastropub favorites, including indulgent panini filled with mortadella or pulled pork, using bread from esteemed local bakers, alongside charcuterie boards showcasing meats and cheeses sourced from nearby artisanal producers.

This charming vintage Mytoury exudes Parisian flair, offering an enticing array of dishes. Indulge in their pasta, including some of the finest tagliatelle with ragù in the area, gourmet cotoletta variations—like mortadella instead of prosciutto in a rich Parmigiano fondue—daily soups, French cheese selections, and an impressive wine list, all within a cozy setting adorned with nostalgic photographs of legendary opera stars like Pavarotti.

Nestled in a hidden alley, Ruggine—once a bike shop—now serves as a blend of vintage craft cocktail bar and pub. While the food is solid, the real draw is the drinks, set in one of Bologna’s creative districts. The skilled bartenders expertly craft classic cocktails using spirits from independent distilleries and a top-notch ice machine, striking a balance between hand-carved elegance and functional ice cubes that could ruin a fine Negroni. Due to its quality and service, this venue often sees a bustling crowd.

This location is well-known in dining circles, yet opinions vary among locals, mainly due to pricing. However, it remains one of Bologna’s most dependable restaurants for food quality, consistency, service, and an impressive wine selection. Featuring slow-food presidia products, such as a 36-month naturally cured culatello di Zibello from local heritage pigs, Osteria Bottega excels in a diverse range of traditional Bolognese dishes. Notably, its cured meat platter and game-heavy main courses, like pigeon in a wine reduction, receive high praise.

While Florence and Rome often steal the spotlight for Italian gelato, Bologna certainly deserves recognition, even with a more limited but quality selection. Just outside the city lies a gelato university run by Carpigiani, Italy’s top gelato machine manufacturers. Cremeria Santo Stefano exemplifies a traditional artisanal gelateria. Its charming and cozy atmosphere complements the expertise of owner and chocolatier Mattia Cavallari, who carefully sources high-quality cacao and creates exquisite chocolates and heavenly patisserie cream. The pistachio flavors are particularly exceptional; there are two varieties made from nuts roasted on-site: a salty pistachio from Turkey and a Sicilian type sourced from the volcanic Bronte region.

Nestled away from the main roads, this cozy and welcoming osteria buzzes with activity. The husband-and-wife duo, Antonella De Sanctis (front of house) and Mirco Carati (in the kitchen), established the unpretentious Dinogoy in 2005. They present a rotating traditional menu scrawled on construction paper or chalkboards. Diners can enjoy fresh pastas, crescentine (fried bread pillows typical of Bologna), local cured meats, seasonal interpretations of classic dishes like tagliatelle with asparagus, rustic Italian meals such as grilled capocollo with cardoons, and delightful cheese-based desserts. The owners thoughtfully select simple wines that they personally enjoy.

If you're planning to linger in Bologna (and you absolutely should), make sure to venture from the main historic area to Giardini Margherita. There, you'll discover Kilowatt, an urban initiative that transformed a derelict greenhouse into coworking spaces, community gardens, and Vetro—a charming restaurant/bar perfect for a leisurely lunch in the sun at one of their outdoor picnic tables. The menu focuses on vegan and vegetarian dishes with macrobiotic influences, featuring potato, olive, and tahini salads made with heritage local beans; fresh whole-grain pastas in a cauliflower roux; and farro kale bowls. The cuisine is sophisticated enough to satisfy a range of palates, offering a delightful respite from heavier meals. If you're not hungry enough for a full dish, Vetro is also ideal for a pour-over coffee and a slice of cake while you enjoy a good book.