Bologna - foodies unite

Okay, so when I was browsing form topics, I saw this out of the corner of my eye and the first thing that came to my mind was Oscar Mayer baloney. I thought, what foodies like baloney? Ew! 😁

Carry on, I will see myself out. 🚪🚶‍♀️

I recommend Ristorante da Cesari for a wonderful dinner.
Will you be arriving by car or train? We had a car but there was a garage adjacent to our hotel so we left it parked during our stay. We liked Hotel Novecento for it’s central location in the historic area.

Had dinner about a month ago at Ristorante II Tinello. Traditional family run Italian, we thought it was quite good (Recommended by hotel - Albergo delle Drapperie). Not far off Piazza Maggiore. Not a five star Michelin experience, but very good dinner.

Did all day food tour with Italian Days, a great day but a LOT of eating :).

In Bologna: charcuteries at Simoni, chocolate at Majani shop, gelato at Cremeria Santo Stefano (but even Oggi), Montenegro as traditional liquor.
In Modena: gnocco fritto at Caffè Solmi (for breakfast, of course!), cakes at Pasticceria San Biagio, gelato at Bloom, nocino as traditional liquor.

I forgot.
For mortadella Scapin and Zivieri. ;-)

forgot to add, I don't eat meat..I hope I can find nice fish..I realize meats are more in line with N Italia.

I haven’t been to bologna since 2019, but I very much enjoyed my dinner at a small restaurant called Sette Tavoli. It’s not in the exact center of town but easy walking distance.

I haven’t been to Bologna since 2019, but I very much enjoyed my dinner at a small restaurant called Sette Tavoli. It’s not in the exact center of town but easy walking distance. And I can second the recommendation above for the all day food tour. with Italian Days.

We did the Italian Days food tour last fall. The Mercedes Benz vans depart from Bologna, but you’ll spend the day in the Modena region, discovering secrets about Parmigiano-Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar (plan to also buy a small bottle of Saba - its wonderful cousin), prosciutto - well, maybe they can provide alternatives, lambrusco and other local wines.

Two must do’s (and we’re going back this fall): lunch and/or dinner at Osteria La Traviata, 5 minute walk south of Piazza Maggiore. Also lunch and/or dinner at Ristorante Alice da Oscar, another 5 minute walk south of Traviata. It’s on via Massimo d’Azeglia street. A few doors from there, Cremeria D’Azeglio is a must do for special gelato.

If you do decide to take the Italian Days tour, they have a space to add that you don’t eat meat, but will eat fish. I’m not a meat eater either, so I gave them that info for our booking. It sounds like there’s enough food to not be too concerned it won’t be worth the price or will go wanting for sustenance.
I also looked at the menu of Frattoria Zivieri-which is the restaurant offering for Zivieri-out of Bologna and one needs a car or a good Italian friend to get you there-and there are options without meat. I’d be happy to eat there, but then, I can eat a lb of cheese a day! (Not that I do….) And pasta is never questionable for me.
I’m happy to read the answers you are getting since we will have 9 days there in October.

About fish the only two dish that can be considered traditional are fried frogs and "baccalà" (salted codfish, usually fried or stewed).
In Bologna there are even very good fish restaurants. Banco 32, Pescaria, Michelemma', Bartolini...