In a recent poll, readers of Condé Nast Traveller named their favourite place to eat on the planet. The city of Bologna in Italy was voted the world’s food capital due to its range of top-tier restaurants and mouth-watering traditional dishes.
You won’t be surprised to hear that Bologna gave us Ragù alla bolognese, a key ingredient of the world-famous “Spag Bol”.
Bologna, and the wider Emilia-Romagna region to which it belongs, is also the birthplace of balsamic vinegar, mortadella, parmesan cheese and parma ham.
Despite its world-best cuisine, Bologna’s visitor numbers remain comparatively low when up against the likes of popular cities like Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence. This makes the city a hidden gem for food enthusiasts.
You can reach Bologna via its international airport, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which is only 6km from the city centre.
Or, if you’re visiting the popular region of Tuscany, Bologna is less than two hours away—and its unique cuisine is definitely worth the drive.
The best restaurants in Bologna
Bologna is home to several outstanding eateries which are beloved by locals and make for a fantastic food experience. Due to being relatively under the radar as a tourist destination, Bologna and its restaurants have managed to retain a level of authenticity and timelessness not found as easily in other Italian hotspots.
For a taste of Bologna’s traditional lasagne, try the lively, family-run restaurant of Trattoria da Me, which opened its doors in 1937.
Trattoria Bertozzi is also great for pasta plates, which it pairs with local wines in an intimate setting only a few steps away from the city centre.
If you’re looking for a standout gastronomic experience, head to I Portici. Set in the atmospheric Eden theatre, an age-old café-chantant of 1899, this Michelin-star restaurant serves traditional dishes with a creative twist.
You might be surprised to hear that I Portici is Bologna’s only restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star. But perhaps the city’s authentic dishes, informal service and homey restaurant spaces are what make it an all-time favourite for global travellers.
If you’re looking for a taste of Italy in a charming medieval setting, Bologna should be at the top of your list. There’s a reason the city’s unique traditional dishes have become world favourites, and where better to go for a bite to eat than the food capital of the world?
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