Spending two nights in Bologna mid November. Is it really the foodies paradise that it claims? Will have spent a few days in Florence soaking up art and history so would welcome some lazy time. Looking for a hotels and wonderful places to eat. Also would be interested in a short cooking class if anyone has had experience, or anything else of importance as I have never been to Bologna.
Posted by
11152 posts
We enjoyed our dinners at da Cesari.
We stayed at Art Hotel Novecento which has a wonderful location in the historic center. There was a garage available in an adjacent building where we left our car the whole stay.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
Another vote for Ristorante Da Cesari in Bologna. You will need reservations - we arrived for dinner without reservations one evening and they were full that evening and the next. We reserved for lunch the next day and really enjoyed our meal. We’ve been there at least 3 times over the last few years and it always good!
We stayed at Albergo Delle Drapperie - the staff there is great, the location perfect, but the rooms are small and the hotel dated. It’s not one that we would chose again.
Enjoy Bologna!
Posted by
Phoenix, Arizona
20 posts
We got back Monday from ten days in Bologna. A third vote for da Cesari. And make sure you have reservations. Other favorites: Donatello, very traditional and a little more upscale; Cantina Bentivoglio, probably my personal favorite, with a jazz club downstairs (specify whether you want to eat in the jazz club when you make reservations); and Trattoria Nonna Gigia. We also did a food tour with Taste Bologna, which we enjoyed. We stayed at the Starhotels Excelsior across from the train station. It's part of a chain, and is kind of like staying at a Marriott, but its location was perfect for what we did, day trips to Parma, Modena, Ravenna etc. So far as site seeing, the archeological museum has a special exhibit, Pompeii Painters, featuring frescoes from Pompeii.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7346 posts
We’re in Bologna right now. Last 2 trips, we’ve gotten an apartment through Vrbo.com … kitchen with dishwasher, and having a clothes washer have been among our priorities. Hotels or hostels, looks like you’re getting suggestions.
Second the Archeological Museum temporary exhibit on “Pompeii Painters” (runs through March 19, 2023) - saw it yesterday, and the actual frescoes and mosaics are stupendous. Free, downloadable audio guide is 45 minutes - plan on at least 90 minutes for the exhibit, if you’re truly interested. Over 120 pieces, from small sections to full painted walls rescued from houses in Pompeii.
Restaurants: 1) our favorite, Osteria La Traviata, at Via Urbana 5C. Ate there twice last time (one lunch, one dinner, and will be doing the same this trip.
2) Also, Ristorante Alice da Oscar, at Via Massimo D'Azeglio 65. The small dining room is our choice, but tables outside too, albeit with smokers, like with any outside seating in Italy.
3) Our new find, where performers also go after their concerts - like Joshua Bell after his concert that we’d gone to last night, is Incrocio Montegrappa - seafood and pizza, at Via Monte Grappa 7.
Gelato:
1) Cremaria d’Azeglio, at Via Massimo D'Azeglio 75. Absolutely THE best strawberry (Fragola in Italian), and whatever else your heart desires.
2) La Sorbetteria di Castiglione, at Via Castiglione 44D. Despite the name, they have more than just Sorbetto - their Chocolate gelato is superior. All they do is dark chocolate, no milk chocolate.
3) There are at least 2 Venchi shops in the city center - can’t go wrong with those!