A Foodie's Guide to Bologna, Italy

No matter where you travel within Italy, you're guaranteed to find excellent food. But for serious foodies, there is one region that stands above the rest for its culinary excellence: the Emilia-Romagna region. 

This region, situated just north of Florence, is the birthplace of some of Italy’s finest food and drink exports. For example, favorites like Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, and Prosciutto di Parma all call Emilia-Romagna home. 

Bologna, the largest city within the Emilia-Romagna region, is often cited as the gastronomical capital of Italy. I had the great opportunity to live in Bologna for a summer, which was a dream come true for a foodie like me. After my stay, I can attest that it is nearly impossible to find a bad meal in this vibrant city.

Whether you take a day trip from Florence, or make it a trip on its own, visiting Bologna is certainly worthy of adding to your Italian travel itinerary. 

Here are 9 classic eats and drinks that you must try once you get there, and where you can find the best versions of them:

1. Mortadella

Mortadella, the most famous of the meats in Bologna, is a cured pork sausage that is injected with fat and often with pistachio. This simple delicacy can be enjoyed a number of ways: on its own, with crescentina fritta (a local fried bread), in a tigelle (a small sandwich similar to an English muffin), or in a sandwich.

‍Where to try it: Mo Mortadella

2. Tagliatelle al Ragu

If you eat one thing in Bologna, it has to be tagliatelle al ragu (or as it is commonly referred to outside of Bologna, “pasta bolognese”). Every trattoria, osteria, and ristorante in town will have this on the menu, and I recommend ordering it as often as you can. 

Where to try it: Da Cesari

3. Tortellini

Let’s clarify something first: tortellini are small, stuffed, crescent-shaped pasta (about the size of a quarter), while the similarly-named tortelloni are much larger. Tortellini are ubiquitous in Bologna and are typically stuffed with ham and cheese. You will find them served two different ways: in brodo (beef broth) and in parmigiano cream sauce. I recommend trying both!

Where to try it: Da Bertino

4. Tortelloni

Like mentioned above, tortelloni (as well as balanzoni) are stuffed pasta that are basically the larger cousins of tortellini and similar in size to ravioli. Tortelloni are most commonly stuffed with ricotta and spinach, and often served in a sauce of butter (burro) and sage (salvia).

Where to try it: Ragū

5. Lasagne

Though perhaps the most familiar of the dishes listed, eating lasagne in its birthplace of Bologna comes with side effects: you will never be able to truly appreciate lasagne stateside again. It is just that good.

Where to try it: Taverna di Roberto

6. Cotoletta alla Bolognese

A lesser-known specialty of the region, cotoletta alla Bolognese is a breaded and fried veal cutlet that is covered in a layer of parma ham and a layer of cheese. Next, it is baked until the cheese becomes melty goodness. This dish is certainly on the heavier side, but calories don’t count in Italy.

Where to try it: Scalinatella

7. Gelato

So maybe gelato isn’t native to Bologna (nearby Florence claims that title), but that doesn’t mean the Bolognese people haven’t perfected it. I have traveled all across Italy and the best gelato I have ever tasted was right in Bologna.

Where to try it: Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla

8. Lambrusco

Emilia-Romagna’s most famous wine is Lambrusco, a chilled and semi-sparkling (frizzante) red made from grapes of the same name. It pairs deliciously with just about all of the foods mentioned above, or you can always enjoy it on its own. 

Where to drink it: La Prosciutteria (with some fresh cuts)

9. Pignoletto

‍You have likely heard of prosecco (Italy’s most popular sparkling wine), but have you heard of its little brother, pignoletto? This lesser-known dry white wine can be found in three forms: fermo (still), spumante (sparkling), and frizzante (semi-sparkling). Frizzante is most popular and is my personal preference, as it has softer, rounder bubbles than you may find in a spumante prosecco. Enjoy it served with your meal or on its own on a hot summer day.

Where to drink it: Osteria del Sole (with your own lunch, as this bar is bring-your-own-food)

Okay, I’m hungry now. If you try all 9 of these Italian delicacies in Bologna, I can guarantee you will have a fantastic trip and a very happy stomach. Buon appetito!