Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Bologna

The Trattoria Belle Arti, not far from the City Theater, serves local and Mediterranean dishes imbued with traditional flavors and aromas. The restaurant is welcoming and simply furnished, and also has a private room. On warm days you can eat outside. Some of the most appetizing dishes include: frizzul with Porcini mushrooms, stracinati with cacioricotta (a kind of cheese), Tuna with honey and nuts, lamb cutlets in fig sauce, Filet steak with citrus fruits, and as dessert, lemon delight and Sicilian cannoli. Served by the friendly staff in a pleasant ambiance, enhances the whole delightful experience.

This famous restaurant is situated on the corner between Via Goito and the characteristic Vicolo delle Donzelle. It is near some of the most beautiful sights in Bologna, and takes its name from the restaurant owners, Franco and Lino Rossi. The presentation of this restaurant is exquisite, and they are masters of hospitality, often hosting illustrious guests. They have managed to make this small restaurant into a real jewel of the Italian catering industry, a place where pages of history have been written. The furnishings are well researched and refined. The restaurant has a welcoming air given to it by the warm tones of hazelnut wood, and there is usually live light background music playing which accompanies the pleasure of tasting the delicious dishes, and trying the excellent wines and liquors from their wine cellar which is one of the most well-stocked in Bologna. The cuisine is of an extremely high standard and ranges between traditional dishes to something rather more imaginative and creative. Some of the specialties that we recommend include a Parmesan tulip with cheese and truffle cream, artichokes in a leek cream sauce, tortelloni with taleggio (a kind of cheese) and truffles in capon stock, lagnasette with Trevisan chicory and sausage in a Parmesan cream sauce, and, beef with balsamic vinegar and ricotta pudding. The desserts include orange pudding with custard, and gelato cake with almonds and a hot chocolate sauce.

Many consider Nicola's to be the best pizza in Bologna: the crust is excellent, there are plenty of toppings and the price is not high. It is located in Piazza San Martino close to Montagnola and the Ghetto. The interior is elegant with wood furnishings and pastel-colored walls. Despite the fact that the interior of the restaurant is very welcoming, the best time to eat here is in spring and summer, when tables are set up outside in the lovely square. They also serve a variety of well-prepared fish dishes.