Hello there, it’s been a while since I shared a post about Bologna on the blog! I won’t go into a super detailed spiral as to why but I’ll get straight to the point: I am focusing more on my newsletter (subscribe here- it’s free!), I’m more active on Instagram these days and writing articles for external publications, as well as keeping busy with leading culinary experiences.
Our food tour guests tend to ask where to eat in Bologna, the best pasta in Bologna, best gelato in Bologna, where to get a drink in Bologna- so I thought I’d compile this handy cheat sheet with my top 3-5 picks for each category plus links to my more extensively written guides on sites like Eater, Conde Nast Traveller and Vogue Magazine.
For Aperitivo in Bologna:
For cocktails- will say Bologna is not the best destination for it (Florence is and I’d love to take you on a craft cocktail and wine tasting experience here should you change your mind)
But here are a couple decent spots:
Gran Bar: super low key where locals go, great wines by the glass and craft spirits for simple aperitivo drinks
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rC5cYhy7EFDkR5Y46
Craft cocktail options
Bar Volare
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Md1L8pxsu8NHbUFc6
Ruggine
https://maps.app.goo.gl/j4iWanvMRfNMXLVC7
Amaro bar (totally old school, fabulous amaro selection)
Rubik
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V6ZKJZWBvA1Zgnt98
Pigro Mortadelleria (for mortadella and bubbles or cheap beer)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rKG9RzYeT3FMTA1fA
Here are some ideas for wine bars in Bologna/my top 2 picks:
Enoteca Faccioli
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JUWznybjabqmURQUA
Enoteca al Risanamento
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tiGhPzKZFfRhVh4b6
Enoteca Favalli when in a bind
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9FAKnGYvFWed4UvMA
Gelato, top 5 hands down
And gelato, these are some of favorites
Cremeria Santo Stefano (can have a line out on the weekends)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfjodXRUet6mca5V7
Il Gelatauro
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HZjC1doFkw1nrnM98
Cremeria Cavour
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jv73FV879L4UXvD58
Open Mondays:
Sorbetteria Castiglione
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mBohxZkEZURHvRVY6
Galliera 49
https://maps.app.goo.gl/r4QFgsugtrvL5Y476
Best spots for Pasta in Bologna
You’d think the answer would be “everywhere.” Well, it’s not. That’s also a loaded q, and depends on a lot of factors, but I’d say these would be my top of mind go-tos for pasta in Bologna
More ristorante-y
Grassilli
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KzL45gvyRwzVi1kx6
Diana
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HzgnBGkzJqbywQEL9
All’Osteria Bottega
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1WWVj6s79S74S4GG7
Trattoria Bertozzi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xi3aDXoAzW1MzhGE9
Caminetto d’Oro
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VirbD2y9fSJaZAKX6
For more modernist/contemporary pastas head to:
Ahime’
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aeKGFWJkE5fdeVxn7
Oltre
https://maps.app.goo.gl/umS55ANUbjfGzp4M8
Fast casual:
Bottega All’Pappagallo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Azs9sMCWky1qzpA7
For a more, complete curated food & drink guide to Bologna which I update, please consult this list:
This Essential 18 food & drink addresses I write and update annually for Eater
https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bologna
Or this Best 11 Restaurants in Bologna I also wrote for Conde Nast Traveller UK
https://www.cntraveller.com/article/the-best-restaurants-bologna
This is the first piece I ever wrote on Bologna for Vogue Magazine if you wanted a blast from the past:
https://www.vogue.com/article/bologna-food-tour-culinary-destination
And of course, I highly suggest this Lonely Planet-approved culinary tour by Curious Appetite (wink wink)
In your grassa eating trust (from someone who isn’t afraid to eat),
Curious Appetite