Oh my, the food in Bologna. It is what dreams are made of. Bologna is the city to come and eat. Honestly, it is the best attraction in Bologna. Between mortadella, ragu, tortellini, and so much more the museums don’t even compete. The best restaurants in Bologna, Italy are incredible and ranges from the traditional to the truly different and innovative. If you have dreamed of eating great Italian food in Italy, then you must put Bologna on your itinerary. I mean they even call it the “la grassa” or “the fat one.” Bologna is meant to be savored and with the list of Bologna restaurants below you will have one memorable eating experience after the other. So keep scrolling to find the 16 best restaurants in Bologna, Italy.
At Pragmatic Travelers, we only recommend what we have actually drank and eaten! So you know our recommendations are based on our own experiences.
As a booking.com and Tripadvisor affiliate, I may earn a small commission on some of the links below, at no additional cost to you. As always, I only recommend what I have actually experienced so you know these recommendations are based on honesty rather a round up of internet research.
Best Place to Stay in Bologna, Italy
We stayed in a very small but cozy Airbnb while in Bologna. (Not affiliated with Airbnb.) It was clean, quiet and central. It is very small with only one bed so it won’t fit everyone’s needs. It was around a 20-25 minute walk from the train station. Also, there was a long flight of narrow stairs to the apartment so this won’t work for anyone who has mobility issues.
Not feeling this Airbnb?
Check out the hotels in Bologna. I haven’t stayed in one so don’t have a specific one to recommend.
Best Restaurants in Bologna, Italy
Ragu
Oh, Ragu. This restaurant will forever be cemented in my memory. They make homemade tagliatelle bolognese and an ancient version of ragu with livers. They have very limited seating and can get pretty busy so you can grab some of this delicious pasta to go. That is what I did. I walked around Bologna eating some of the best ragu tagliatelle ever. I highly recommend this restaurant. It is central, easy to find, tasty and affordable. A do not miss. One of the best restaurants in Bologna!
Sette Tavoli
This is a special and traditional restaurant. It is a bit away from the tourist crowds which made it feel like a place locals would visit. It is a small but charming restaurant with excellent service. The local wine selection was outstanding. The food, my goodness, the food. It was one of my favorite meals in Bologna. The food was fresh, traditional and delicious. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. It is truly one of the best restaurants in Bologna.
Ahime
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world. I have talked about my meal here often (perhaps too much). It is some of the best and most innovative food I have ever eaten. First, their wine list is outstanding. I enjoyed a wonderful orange wine during my dinner. Then the food, omg the food. Beautiful pumpkin ravioli in a whiskey sauce. This is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Sourdough bread with rosemary butter. Comforting and warm. Just so delicious. The menu changes frequently which is perfect for multiple visits. If I lived closer, I would go often. Go there, please. Check out Ahime’s website.
Tamburini
More specifically the wine bar attached to Tamburini called Wine Bar Enoteca. This is a perfect location to sit out on the street and watch people pass by with a spritz or great glass of wine. It is close to both the towers and the main piazza. But this is so much more than a great spritz location. The cold cuts and cheese boards are ample and enough for a meal. I loved the mortadella. (One of my favorite Italian cold cuts.) It is a relaxing location.
Pro tip: You will have to line up outside to put your name in for a table. It gets very busy.
Tigellino
Tigellino makes small sandwiches with bread that looks kinda like an English muffin. This bread is called tigelle. The bread itself has delicious flavor, is dense and crispy. They make it fresh in this very small restaurant (more street food). They provide a wide choice of fillings. I, of course, went with mortadella and it was amazing. Perfect snack while exploring Bologna. Super affordable as well.
Salumeria Simoni
Ok, so Salumeria Simoni is always busy. It’s ideal location in Quadrilatero boosts that busyness. So going at off times is key to getting at table among the Quadrilatero’s narrow streets. It is well worth it. It has been around since the 1960’s and specializes in the local cheeses and cold meats from the region. Another place to enjoy a spritz or local Lambrusco with a platter of meats and cheeses. (Can you guess what cold cut I went with?)
Corner Bar
The Corner Bar is a great spot for nice cup of espresso or Americano with some great sweets in the morning. It also has a great brunch menu for the weekends. Nice spot to sit and relax.
Sfarina
Located in Mercato delle Erbe. Sfarina serves piadina sandwiches. Piadina are crispy flatbread sandwiches with your choice of filling. The Sfarina sandwich with prosciutto di parma was delicious. Affordable quick bite while exploring the market. Perfect!
Mozzabella
Delicious pizza spot located in Mercato delle Erbe. Absolutely yummy pizza. A perfect lunch spot. Easy walk from the towers.
Best Coffee Spots in Bologna, Italy
- Caffe Pastry Gamberini-Fantastic coffee and sweet treats. This is not a sleepy spot. It is quite busy. The weekend in particular was packed. We usually stood at the counter or took our coffee to go. (Yes, I know very American of me!)
- Caffe Terzi-Small place to grab a decent cup of coffee in the heart of Bologna. A few tables to rest at.
- Caffe degli Orefici-Great spot to grab a quick espresso. Very close to the train station. Service was great. Definitely a local place.
- DO NOT GO TO PAPPARE. There are so many great reviews and it looks cute, just lies. It is the worst coffee I have ever had. The place is filthy. Don’t go.
Best Gelato in Bologna, Italy
Cremeria Cavour
This is the best gelato shop in Bologna (and maybe all of Italy). You cannot convince me otherwise. The gelato was freaking outstanding. Amazing texture and flavor. The pistachio gelato and hazelnut (not Nutella) was out of this world. It is worth the long line to get this gelato. There is a park across the street to sit and enjoy some of the best gelato you will ever have.
Cremeria la Vecchi Stalla
Ok, so this is the Instagram gelato. The store is adorable with the perfect decorations for the gram. The gelato is very good much better then most places but not as good as Cremeria Cavour.
Best Places to Enjoy a Spritz in Bologna
- Agricola e Vitale: This is the perfect spot to enjoy an Aperol or Select Spritz in Bologna. It is located in Piazza Santo Stefano overlooking the Santo Stefano Basilica. Gorgeous area to slow down and enjoy our time in Bologna.
- La Frasca al Vicolo: Located on a narrow pedestrian only street in the Quadrilatero. Great for people watching and taking a break.
Best Food Tours in Bologna, Italy
- Check out this great food tour! We got to eat great local food and learn about the city. Our guide was wonderful and engaging. We loved our time with Secret Food Tours in Bologna.
- Visit Parma where you can join factory tours for Parmigiano Reggiano and/or Prosciutto di Parma. (Yes, I know it isn’t in Bologna but it is super close by.) We loved our tour with Parma Look. We learned so much about how Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma is made. We got to go through nearly every part of the production process. We had so many samples and great local wine that we didn’t need a lunch. The guides were fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend this tour with Parma Look.
Bologna Travel Tools
- 11 Best Things to do in Bologna, Italy
- Best Things to do on a Day Trip to Parma, Italy
- Little Venice-Travel Guide to Treviso, Italy
I cannot recommend visiting Bologna enough. The food was the best I have experienced in Italy. Use this list of the 16 best restaurants in Bologna, Italy to help plan your trip to the city. You won’t regret it.
