10 Things To Eat In Bologna Plus Dining Spots
Discover what to eat in Bologna, Italy to savor some of the best local cuisine.
What to eat in Bologna when you are new to the place? Out of all the captivating cities I've explored in Italy, Bologna holds a special place in my heart, especially when traveling with kids. There's something about the culinary scene in Bologna that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it feel like a true home away from home. The food here is simply irresistible!
In addition to its culinary delights, Bologna sets itself apart from other bustling Italian cities with its laid-back and relaxed ambiance. It warmly embraces visitors, making it an ideal destination for families seeking a stress-free getaway. Whether you're a seasoned food enthusiast or a budding gastronome, Bologna has something to offer for foodies of all kinds and sizes.
What is Bologna best known for?
Bologna, located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, is home to things like the University, tortellini, dozens of cute porticos to stroll through, bustling cafes, and plenty of medieval and Renaissance structures.
You can throw a rock and hit a street performer or gelateria within seconds.
Students are everywhere, restaurants embrace children, and noise levels are never really a problem because Italians are naturally loud.
In many ways, Bologna is to Italy as Berkeley is to the Bay Area. It is a unique place where students are everywhere, and food is never hard to find.
Many people may not know that Bologna is a haven for foodies. While we stayed in Italy with our kids, we spent most of our time eating. You will find that Bologna is home to some of the most iconic Italian foods and dishes. From your classic parmigiano-reggiano to meaty sauces and tortellini, Bologna is the place to eat.
01 | FRESH FRUIT FROM THE MARKET
Walk into a food market in Bologna and buy fruit.
A great place to visit is Mercato di Mezzo. This old food alleyway feels like stepping into Diagon Alley.
Find anything from meats and cheese to glimmering fruits and vegetables.
Try cherries, peaches, and grapes in the summer. They will be like sugar pills for your kids.
WHERE TO FIND IT |
02 | GELATO
Treat your kids to creamy gelato, made in flavors you can only dream of. The dream comes true in Bologna with peach, honey, and pistachio flavors, to name a few.
Gelato is made with less fat than American ice cream and is churned at a slower speed, giving you a dense ice cream to sink your teeth into. Perhaps this is the secret behind the temptation to indulge in multiple gelatos within a single day.
Try the Nocciola (hazelnut). This flavor is hard to find in the States.
WHERE TO FIND IT:
03 | PIZZA FRITTA
Some of the best food in Bologna is not necessarily from the foodie capital of Italy. L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele is the antidote to an afternoon crash after a full day of walking and it’s a Naples specialty.
Try a pizza fritta (fried pizza) if your taste buds have yet to experience the pleasure. It’s similar to a calzone, only much better.
You’ll taste soft, moist, and gooey yet solid in flavor, pizza.
Filled with fresh cheese, meat, and tomato sauce, you can find my father-in-law (an Albanian) inhaling this stuff in a corner as if it was a black market commodity.
WHERE TO FIND IT |
04 | PROSCIUTTO
Salty, sometimes smoky, depending on where it was cured, prosciutto is the cousin to bacon, and it’s a Bologna food specialty.
Prosciutto di parma is a type of ham made in the provision of Parma in the region of Emilia-Romagna.
You can eat it in a sandwich, on its own, or wrapped around a slice of melon for a sweet and salty combo. My daughter eats it like butter.
It’s hard to escape the taste of fresh cured meat in the Emillian region when places like Mercato di Mezzo have a handful of stalls where you can walk in and pick out meats like pancetta piacentina, coppa di parma, and prosciutto di modena.
WHERE TO FIND IT | Mercato Albani
05 | TORTELLINI
It’s hard to miss tortellini sighing in Bologna. You will find these little cut things behind food counters in Bologna, just waiting to be eaten.
Tortellini is filled with either meat or cheese and makes the perfect dish for little kids and parents too.
The best way to eat tortellini is covered in creamy white sauce.
WHERE TO FIND IT | Restaurant L’Umarell
06 | CURED MEATS
You will find some of the best-looking salumi smorgasbord in Bologna. In fact, Bologna puts the “board” in this famous way of presenting cured meats.
Try prosciutto, mortadella, pancetta piacentina, spalla cotta, coppa di parma, and coppa piacentina. Or just order a big board at La Prosciutteria Bologna, an iconic place to much on salty meat.
What’s lovely about this cured meat platter experience is that there is something for everyone in the family to pick from.
WHERE TO FIND IT |
07 | CRESCENTINE
Around 5 pm, cafes begin to serve food again, starting with what I like to call “happy hour beer bites” with things like bruschetta and the like. This is a total carb overload however, everyone must do it once.
Delight in warm and fluffy crescentine bread, served alongside an assortment of flavorful flaky bites and spreads.
Enjoy a Peroni on the side!
WHERE TO FIND IT |
08 | MORTADELLA SANDWICH
For the best street food in Bologna, a Mortadella sandwich is a must.
It’s, fatty, filling, and local to the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy.
WHERE TO FIND IT |
09 | TAGLIATELLE AL RAGU
Sample the iconic Bolognese dish of fresh tagliatelle pasta topped with a rich and savory meat ragu sauce.
This meaty dish is an amped-up version of your everyday spaghetti.
It’s approachable, easy to eat, and a crowd-pleaser with kids.
WHERE TO FIND IT | Osteria dell' Orsa.
10| PARMERSEAN CHEESE
Parmigiano Reggiano is the cheese of Bologna, the Emilia Romagna region, and it’s delicious.
Kids will love the dense, salty cheese over pasta or simply as an afternoon snack.
WHERE TO FIND IT | Salumeria Simoni.
Are you traveling to Bologna with kids and wondering what to eat?
Bologna is one of the top destinations for foodie travel in the world and the city is family-friendly. I recommend going to food markets with kids in the morning and using the afternoons to relax and eat your treats before you go out and get a gelato!
Looking for more family travel experiences in Italy? Get my Italy guides here.
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