So in about a month I will be in Bologna for 7 nights with fellow ST Pokey. Can't wait! (And if you have met Mindy, you know what I mean ). We will probably have 3 or 4 meals on our own that are not included in our small "culinary tour". I have dutifully read all the pertinent reviews, travel notes and trip reports on Bologna and have a few restaurants in mind to try.
I am quite passionate about eating well in Italy so it is a subject I like to research in detail. I know favorites are subjective but I would love to hear yours in this lively city well known for it's own passionate feelings about food.
Any great food experiences in Bologna we shouldn't miss?

One of my favorite restaurants in Bologna is Ristorante Teresina thanks to your review.

I would recommend Osteria al 15 (Via Mirasole, 13). I did a blog post on this restaurant if you are interested in seeing a few photos and reading a description of my experience there.

I know I need to do a review for Slow Travel. I have many reviews I still need to do. I am a terrible procrastinator. I do have it on my list of things to do.

Another big thumbs up for Osteria al 15. Their antipasti of a selection of cheeses and meats with piadina (the flaky flatbread Girasoli mentions) is wonderful; as are their pastas. We had the tortelloni and also the amazing lasagne. It's a homey, lively, and unpretentious place with great cooking.

Thanks so much for this recommendation, it looks fabulous! Great photos. So glad I asked as I had missed this one.

This place looks spectacular. Add it to the "must do" list Colleen
(note to self: buy bigger pants).

Pokey

We love Al Sangiovese (Vicolo Del Falcone, 2
Tel: 051 583057)
It is a small wonderful trattoria on the corner near Porto San Mamolo Hotel. I have eaten there 3 times, and all were great! Try the garganelli pasta with salsiccia, or the vitello with formaggio and asparagus.

Another great place is Da Cesari. Good tortellini con zucca! Close to Piazza Maggiore.

My third choice would be Scaccomatto (Via Broccaindosso 63b) for more unusual or gourmet fare. You won't find many Americans here, and the food is great.

Finally, La Capriata Strada Maggiore 19(near San Stefano) had wonderful food. We ate there our last night. Our friend ate three orders of lasagna!

For photos of the food at these, go to my blog and use the search feature, or Archives: September 08.

-- Meloncello
-- Trattoria della Rosa (not to be confused with del Rosso, or something to that effect, which also was decent)

I wrote a trip report: Bologna, Piedmont 2007

Da Gianni in the center of the market area has good traditional food at reasonable prices.

A second vote for Saccomatto for interesting upscale food.

A few years ago I enjoyed many nice lunches at Trattoria Serghei, Via Piella 12, but it was a disappointment last year when I returned (possible just an off day?).

I SO wish I were going too.

---Marlene

One of our favorites is Anna Marie's which is located on the street behind the theater in the University area. Not fancy by any means but just very good food, the rabbit in particular.

Of course, gelato is food--Gianni's Gelateria (not the restaurant.)

Oh, Anna Maria brings back memories! I had dinner there with Francis Fukuyama while I was a student.

I like La Brace, Via S. Vitale, 15, Bologna. Simple but good!

For atmosphere, Osteria de Poeti: via Dè Poeti 1, Bologna. One of the oldest restaurants in the country apparently. Link here.

My favorite pizza in Bologna was at Pizzeria Gianna, a hole in the wall on Via Santo Stefano. Via S. Stefano, 76/a. I lived just around the corner so I probably ate there three times a week!

Wow! Thanks so much for all these great recommendations. As is usually the case when traveling to Italy, too many great food experiences too little time. What a happy dilemma.

I'm also traveling to Bologna in a few weeks---(WOOHOO), so I really appreciate the post & the recommendations :-)

I just have a question...approximately what are the costs for some of the eateries?

Would a moderator please close this thread? Any more fabulous suggestions and my head will explode!

Pokey

quote:

Originally posted by Laura M:
I just have a question...approximately what are the costs for some of the eateries?

Laura: We like the lower-key places, but we do like good food. Price definitely can depend on numbers of course, time of day, vino type and amount, etc. Obviously! But ...

The two I recommended (prices from memory):
-- Meloncello: we went for lunch, ate a lot of appetizers too, not much wine. Maybe $25 each. yes, that's all.
-- Della Rosa: blowout dinner. Lots of apps, probably three of five of us got second courses, middle-priced wines. Probably $60-70 each.

Note conversion to dollars.

Hmm, when I visited Bologna, I took my recommendations from the reviews of one "colleenk".

quote:

Originally posted by Marian:
Hmm, when I visited Bologna, I took my recommendations from the reviews of one "colleenk".

And I took my La Buca recommendation, I believe, on the advice on one "Marian." (And the doctor, Jim Zurer!)

Aloha, Colleen and Pokey. Like Palma, Paul and I especially enjoyed Cesari -- the address is Via dé Carbonesi 8 (tel 051.237710). Try to find the wines of Fattoria Zerbina, probably the best in the region -- it will definitely surprise your waiter when you ask for a local wine, since the wines of Emilia Romagna aren't very well-known. Have a great trip!

OK guys -- STOP! (Just kidding). We only have four days in Bologna in June - and I now have to choose from an ever growing list of recommended eating establishments. Woe is me!

Judy

quote:

Originally posted by Laura M:
I'm also traveling to Bologna in a few weeks---(WOOHOO), so I really appreciate the post & the recommendations :-)

I just have a question...approximately what are the costs for some of the eateries?

Osteria de'Poeti I am not sure about but La Brace and Pizzeria Gianna are both very reasonably priced.

My favorite gelateria in Bologna was Stefino's. If you like rich dark chocolate gelato, it is NOT to be missed.

Another good one was was Gelateria delle Moline (on Via delle Moline).

- Roz

Thanks :-)

I can not wait to try out some of the suggestions...too bad I only have 3 days!

We really liked Trattoria Mariposa. Excellent gnocchi with pesto and lasagna. A nice, low-key place that filled up quickly with locals.

So many great ideas, my restaurant list for June in Bologna is becoming wonderfully packed!

Colleen and Mindy, I'll be anxiously awaiting your reviews when you return!

Judy, I'm lucky that I'll have seven days in Bologna!!! But the big question is: which of these restaurants should we pick for our GTG???

Best,
Sandra

The one that we liked the most

Clorofila
Centro area
3322-9597 & 3024-7611

I will also be returning to Bologna in May but will only be there two nights. My favorite restaurant of our last trip was Tratoria della Santa Via Urbana 7. It is south of Piazza Maggiore. If staying at Porta San Mammolo it is a very easy walk. They made a very good Pasitelli in brodo. I also loved the atmosphere here it was just very warm and friendly and felt like a neighborhood place.

For a wine bar try Enoteca Italiana Via Marsala 2. We were lucky enough to stop here one night when they were having a special event to showcase a red sparkling wine. They served oysters and giant prawns with all the wine you could drink all for free! Very lively place lots of friendly people.

I know many people like Teresina but when we ate there I didn't feel we were treated as well as other customers. The food was good and the Tortellini in brodo was excellent but the vibe was missing.

Colleen, Have a great trip! I can't wait to hear about your food tour. If you guys are free, my husband (also Jim) and I will be there May 8th and 9th. It would be nice to squeeze in a GTG.

Colleen

More great choices, thanks!
Colleen we should be free for dinner/and or some prosecco in a lovely Bologna piazza on Saturday, the 8th if that works for you. It would be great to meet some fellow STs there!

I think you should try Restorante Il Cacciatore Antica. I have had many 1st class meals there and have no problem recommending this very good restaurant.

http://www.ristoranteilcacciatore.com/storia.htm