Delicious Things You MUST Eat in Bologna, Italy

Last updated: 26 June 2023

Updated April 2023. In our home, affectionately referred to as our “Blogging Bungalow”, we have an annual travel tradition. A tradition where we get to choose one trip each, the rest of our travel is generally a mutual agreement.  For my turn, I chose a weekend in Bologna. There was no stopping me from enjoying some time exploring Bologna, the food capital of Italy, and from sampling from an assortment of delicious items from all the menus. In this post we will cover what you must eat in Bologna and where to find it! If you’re not hungry now then you will be by the time you finish this post! 

If you’re looking for some tips on the best things to see during our time in Bologna then you might also be interested in our other Bologna sightseeing post. 

[lwptoc]

Why Bologna?

The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, the region is bordered by the Apennine Mountains, the Adriatic Sea, and as far west as Piacenza. It’s neatly nestled between the big Italian cities of Genoa, Milan, Venice and easily accessible in just 40 mins by high speed rail from Florence.

I could happily live my life in Emilia-Romagna and spend my days eating my way around the region. From the Prosciutto Crudo of Parma to the truffles and mushrooms of Rimini, all washed down with a sparkling Lambrusco from Reggio Emilia. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we went to Bologna to eat. 

A paradise of savoury foods, the Emilia-Romagna region is known as the Food Valley of Italy for consistently producing high quality products in an area recognised by the European Union. This region boasts some 44 PDO and PGI products, these are two classification schemes were created to promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs within official guidelines to maintain a standard for a product.

Names you might recognise are Parmigiano Reggiano, a world-famous parmesan cheese, Culatello di Zibello, a cured pork from Zibello, and Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, the traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena. Then there’s the wine! 33 wines are protected by the PDO and PDI schemes.

I packed my fat jeans and prepared my body to eat everything in sight.

What’s the Best Food Experience in Bologna?

Aperitivo

Well, that’s an easy one. It has to be Aperitivo. As the sun dips behind the ancient city, the streets of Bologna come alive with locals and visitors alike streaming to partake in aperitivo. Technically aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink, something to awaken and open the stomach for the meal ahead.  But, in Bologna, the pastime is a social activity that involves food and drinks. Two of my favourite things!

There are a tonne of places to take aperitivo but I recommend you head for the Quadrilatero, for a haven of family run delis which, by night, become restaurants and wine bars. Lean and linger at pavement tables in the old market streets, or if you’re a non-smoker like me, get some respite from the cigarette culture by heading inside for a table and snack on some top notch meat and cheese platters washed down with a good selection of local wines.

Where To Find It? 

• Simoni
• Tamburini
• Osteria Il Cantinone

What to Eat in Bologna

If Bologna was defined by just a few specialities, it would certainly include mortadella, ragu and signature fresh pastas like tortellini stuffed with meat, mortadella and ham. With these delicacies and more, it’s no wonder that Bologna has earned the moniker, La Grassa, the fat one.  

Mortadella

Mortadella is certainly one of Bologna’s most famous products. Known as Bologna or Baloney to many native English speakers, Mortadella from Bologna is the original, the real deal and oh-so-much better than anything pre-packaged you’ve ever picked up in your local supermarket.

Mortadella is a semi-soft pink sausage with an even distribution of lardons throughout. A strictly enforced ratio of pork to fat ensures consistency of the product resulting in a high protein sausage with flavour profiles of myrtle berries, anise, coriander, pistachio and wine.

Mortadella is a popular and common addition to the charcuterie platter served alongside aperitivo. While Mortadella can be served cubed, I prefer it sliced wafer thin to fully experience the subtle flavours of the sausage.

Where To Find It? 

• Simoni 

Ragu

Let me just say this up front. While the it may take its name from the city, there is no such thing as Spaghetti Bolognese in Bologna. So much so, that if you see it on a menu, run away!

Instead opt for tagliatelle al ragù. The Bolognese ragu is a meaty rich yet well balanced hearty meal that is incredibly satisfying.  Paired with fresh made tagliatelle, for which the recipe is strictly monitored, just flour and egg, and nothing more. The thickness of the perfect tagliatelle is so precise it’s been cast in gold and safely stored at the city’s Chamber of Commerce.

Where To Find It? 

• You can find tagliatelle ragù just about everywhere in Bologna. If you’re invited to “Nonna’s” for a meal, TAKE IT! Failing that, find a small trattoria like Trattoria dal Biassanot

Fresh Pasta

Now I’ve started down the path of fresh pasta I may as well keep going.  Bologna is the home of fresh pasta.  Pasta comes in various shapes, sizes, and fillings, all designed to be paired with the right sauce.

Tagliatelle – with it’s strictly governed proportions goes with ragu so all the delicious liquid sticks perfectly to the pasta.

Tortellini – starts off life as a square, and ends up stuffed usually with meat and twisted to a ring shape, often served in a broth (“brodo”).

Tortelloni – slightly larger than tortellini, usually stuffed with concoction of ricotta and parmesan cheeses, nutmeg and parsley. It pairs perfectly with a simple butter and sage sauce.

Fagottini – translates to little bundles, often filled with ingredients such as ricotta cheese, chicory and other vegetables. Pair with a thin sauce or broth for the best meal.

If you happen to have an apartment where you can cook your own meals, or space in your luggage, swing by a traditional pasta shop like Ceccarelli Amedeo Srl to get some to takeaway.

Where To Find It? 

• Osteria dell’Orsa
• Trattoria del Rosso
• Trattoria Serghei

Parmigiano Reggiano

Possibly the most famous cheese in the world.  This iconic and distinctively salty cheese is often crumbled or grated over pasta dishes all around over the globe. The smell, texture and taste changes once it’s matured, at least 12 months. After 24 months it packs quite a punch, do it! 

This cheese is still made the same way it was eight centuries ago. With the same appearance and the same fragrance, to experience and truly understand the complexities that go into the making cheese today, a trip to FICO Eataly World, an 80,000-sq-m culinary theme park should be on your list of things to do in Bologna.  Be sure to stay there for lunch/dinner!

Where To Find It? 

• Tamburini
• La Baita
• Paolo Atti

Looking for day trip ideas during your stay in Bologna?

You might be interested in our Bologna day trip idea post

Finding Coffee in Bologna

For weekend warriors such as ourselves, coffee is an essential part of our daily routine.  I am always on board with trying things the local way, and the Italian way to drink coffee is to stand at the bar, drink your espresso, pay and leave. You don’t sit. There’s no people watching. It’s all about the caffeine hit and you’re out the door. So that’s exactly what we did in Bologna.

Some of the places I had planned for us were closed over the weekend. It’s Sunday and it’s Italy. I should know by now, Sunday’s can be hit and miss with finding cafes and restaurants open so do double check before setting off.

Places worth considering:

• Caffè Terzi
• Le Petit Cafè 
• Caffe Rubik
• Aroma

Your Say

If you’re heading to Bologna for a weekend city break then this guide will certainly get you started with all the delicious dishes you must eat in Bologna! Do leave us a comment with your favourite dishes. 

Buon appetito

Looking for others things to do in Bologna? Give these a look