How on earth are you supposed to choose where to dine in a city that is widely recognised as having the best cuisine in the country, in a country whose cuisine is adored and imitated (well, attempted, at least) all over the world? Even for foodies hailing from other parts of Italy, Bologna is revered as a must-visit location for culinary adventures. The restaurant is known for its traditional meals, known as piatti tipici, which include lasagne alla bolognese, which is made with a robust beef sauce, delicate tortellini formed by hand and served in broth, and other handmade pastas.

The Emilia-Romagna area, in which Bologna is located, is equally as well-known for its various products, the most notable of which being aged Parmesan cheese and cured pork items. These goods are the highlight of the city's evening aperitivi, often known as happy hours, which Bologna does better than almost anywhere else. Then there is the pizza, the gelato, and all the other delectable delicacies that are the primary reason you travelled all the way to Italy in the first place.

When looking for a restaurant in Bologna, it is almost impossible to make a mistake if you ask a local for a recommendation of somewhere nearby to eat. Always keep an eye out for establishments that are packed with people of Italian descent. Whatever you do, don't ignore our recommendations for the top restaurants in the city. You won't regret it.

Best Aperitivo: Zerocinquantino

Zerocinquantino has become something of an institution in this city, having locations all across town and a dedicated following. This is fitting, given that this city is famed for the quality of its aperitivo spots. Aperitivo is a snack and drink that is traditionally had before dinner; but, at Zerocinquantino, you may find yourself inclined to do as many Bologna residents do and make it into a meal. A vast variety of wines can be purchased by the glass or bottle, and they provide baskets of the region's traditional tigelle bread alongside the famed cured meats and cheeses of the area. The service is lightning quick, and the ambiance is hip and contemporary. Try the spot at Via Pescherie Vecchie, right off Piazza Maggiore, for the ideal aperitivo experience in Bologna.

Best for Handmade Pasta: Sfoglia Rina

At Sfoglia Rina, a longstanding family restaurant located close to Bologna's famous Two Towers, you'll find that tradition, transparency, and innovation are all featured prominently on the menu (Due Torri). The first location of Rina's, which opened in the 1960s, was a fresh pasta shop, and the pasta is still hand-made at this location, albeit on a larger scale. Traditional daily dishes include tortellini in broth and lasagne alla bolognese, but a weekly menu serves up surprising flavours like green ravioli filled with potatoes and shallots served with red olives, avocado, and lemon mousse. Other traditional daily dishes include veal parmigiana and veal parmigiana with sage. The ingredients are sourced with care and in an environmentally responsible manner, and there are also pasta-making classes available on occasion for both children and adults.

Cheap and Authentic: Trattoria da Vito

It seems as though we type this statement at least once with each and every list of the top restaurants in each and every city in Italy: don't come for the atmosphere. Trattoria da Vito is a legendary gathering place in Bologna frequented by the city's creatives and intelligentsia. Perhaps the atmosphere is what draws people back to the restaurant time and time again. The decor hasn't been modernised since long before Vito departed the building, the menu hasn't been updated, and the service is somewhere in the middle of being grumpy and sassy. The prices on the menu are still astonishingly low, with nothing costing more than ten euros (with the exception of a few bottles of wine). Because the food served is of the classic, hearty sort, guests should arrive with an appetite and a good sense of humour.

Best Bar: Bar Senza Nome

The "Bar With No Name," also known as Bar Senza Nome, is an establishment that is much more than just a bar. In the politically and socially active city of Bologna, it serves as a focal point for the city's young and diverse clientele, and it is also an effective community project. Sign language, lip reading, and written notes are the primary modes of communication between customers and the hearing-impaired bartenders and servers who make up the majority of the staff. In other establishments, this may just be a clever twist, but at Senza Nome, the service is first class, the ambiance is warm and convivial, and the food, which consists primarily of aperitivo fare, is flavorful and abundant, with plenty of vegan options available. When we took into account the fact that they had ice cold beer on tap, an award-winning wine list, and crowds that were spilling out onto the sidewalk, we knew we had to check out this place.

Best Foodie Experience: FICO Eataly World

There are a total of 26 restaurants and bars. There are rides at the amusement park based on both food and animals. Markets, cooking classes, an expansive wine store, in-house factories producing food, and farm animals, the majority of which are destined to end up on a dinner plate, can be found on the premises. We would like to extend a warm welcome to you as you enter FICO Eataly World, the Italian foodstuffs empire's self-proclaimed "food theme park." FICO is practically a place of pilgrimage for people who are passionate about Italian cuisine. It is located about 8 kilometres north of the city centre of Bologna. In addition, there are a plethora of dining and snacking options, as well as activities that are appropriate for families, making it a full-day affair for both foodies and those who are just along for the ride. It is possible to get there by taking a bus from the city centre of Bologna, or by taking a shuttle provided by FICO on weekends from the Bologna Centrale train station.

Best Tortellini in Brodo: Trattoria Anna Maria

In Bologna, tortellini in broth is so revered that talking about it is almost sacrilegious. Recipes are passed down from nonnas and zias, and the preparation and enjoyment of this traditional Emilian comfort food are ingrained in the genetic makeup of the region. From the fresh pasta to the meat and cheese filling to the slow-cooked broth, everything about this dish is comforting. It is no surprise that so many Bologna residents have their go-to places for tortellini in brodo, and that they are willing to die on that hill. Many people feel that there is only one place to go, and that is Trattoria Anna Maria, which has been around nearly as long as the nearby campus of the University of Bologna. Although Anna Maria does not personally oversee the kitchen operations as she did for more than 30 years, the dishes remain just as genuine as they were when she did.

Best Lasagna: Osteria Va Mo La'

In addition to tortellini in broth, which is the second pillar of the traditional first courses (primi piatti) of Bologna, lasagne alla bolognese is prepared with a ragu (tomato meat sauce) that is cooked over a low heat for an extended period of time, layers of handmade pasta, bechamel sauce, and Parmesan cheese. The authentic Bologna dish is made with fogli verdi, which are thin sheets of egg pasta that get their distinctive green colour from the addition of spinach to the dough. The food at Osteria Va Mo La is prepared in the traditional manner, and the atmosphere manages to be trendy, homey, and global all at the same time. The walls of the restaurant are lined with books, vintage magazines, and wine bottles. There is also a lasagna that can be obtained in a vegetarian variety.

Best for Atmosphere: Drogheria della Rosa

Drogheria della Rosa is a sentimental favourite for having the best atmosphere in Bologna. It has tables that spill out under Bologna's mediaeval porticos, and the interior maintains the location's roots as a former pharmacy by retaining the location's roots as a former pharmacy, complete with the original fixtures. Thankfully, this ambiance is accompanied by excellent food and service, both of which are provided by chef and owner Emanuele Addone, who also makes a point of personally visiting each table. On the menu, you'll find regional specialties from the Bolognese region as well as regional specialties from other parts of Italy, so it should be easy to find something that everyone will enjoy.

Best for Michelin Dining: Ristorante I Portici

The city of Bologna itself is home to only one restaurant that has earned a Michelin star: I Portici, which can be found in the hotel that shares its name with the restaurant. This may come as a surprise to some. I Portici is a restaurant in an elegant Liberty-style salon with frescoed ceilings. Young chef Gianluca Renzi, who received his training from Heinz Beck, is in charge of the kitchen and has kept the restaurant's Michelin star. Indulging in a meal at this establishment may not be cheap (a bowl of fish soup will run you fifty euros, for example), but you can rest assured that it will be an experience you won't forget. We suggest going with a tasting menu consisting of five to seven courses in order to get the most out of the experience.

Best Pizza: Ranzani 13

Pizzas from Ranzani 13 are described as "small round works of art," and we are inclined to agree with them. The "secret" ingredients include wholegrain dough that is lofty while still being light and easy to digest, seasonal toppings, and a mix of traditional and innovative pizzas (mozzarella, pistachio cream, mortadella, and Parmesan?). Please, count me in!). Those who simply cannot stomach the thought of ordering yet another pizza can choose from the hamburger menu instead, and there is a rotating list of 300 beers available on tap to wash it all down. A satellite location can be found at Mercato delle Erbe, while the primary location can be found just outside the old city walls.

Best Gelato: Cremeria Santo Stefano

The following statement is a bombshell of truth: not every city in Italy is famous for its gelato. However, because Bologna places such a strong emphasis on paying careful attention to the primary ingredients and the overall quality of the food, it should come as no surprise that the city is home to some of the best spots for natural, artisanal gelato. Gelato that is freshly made using seasonal fruits, house-roasted nuts, and premium chocolate is what draws Cremeria Santo Stefano's devoted customers to the store, which is a little bit hidden and designed in the style of a jewel box. Additionally, they produce chocolate candies, macarons, pastries, and other traditional desserts for the various holidays.

Best With No Food: Osteria del Sole

You understood that correctly. There is no food available at this establishment. Instead, the Osteria del Sole only offers alcoholic beverages in the form of wine and beer. Customers make a reservation for a table and bring their own food, which they may have prepared at home or purchased from one of the many nearby street markets or restaurants that offer takeout service. Since 1465, the Osteria del Sole has been a staple in Bologna's historic centre, where it can be found in the heart of the city's mediaeval district.