Top 10 Local Dishes and Can’t-Miss Food in Bologna, Italy

Often referred to as La città Rossa (The red city) because of its predominant color, and as La Grassa (the fat), for its gastronomic variety, Bologna, Italy is the ideal destination for travelers who love good food and unforgettable flavors.

Although Bologna is not as well known or popular in Italy as other tourist destinations, we are sure that many of the typical dishes of this city and its Emilia Romagna region will be familiar to you. They have spread across the globe and are loved in their different versions, from the delicious lasagna al ragù Bolognese to the irresistible Parmesan cheese.

What food is Bologna known for?

Bologna’s culinary history goes beyond their ingredients, and it’s what has allowed them to build a unique identity. In Bologna, Italy, food matters. And it matters a lot. Bologna’s food is famous in Italy and the rest of the world for its homemade fresh pasta, balsamic vinegar, cold cuts, Lambrusco wine, and parmesan cheese.

You may have heard before about the region, Emilia Romagna is famous for its flavors and all towns and cities have delightful dishes and unique combinations to explore. There’s a reason why Bologna is the region’s capital and largest city. Dive into Bologna, Italy’s food and you’ll notice a lot of the most popular Italian dishes worldwide.

Bologna Italy food and pasta — For Bolognese, the quality of the ingredients and food is fundamental. Photo credit: Kristijan Arsov

Must-try food in Bologna

Tagliatelle al ragù

A classic of Bolognese cuisine. Tagliatelle al ragù are a must-try. They consists of the perfect fusion between tagliatelle (long fresh pasta made of flour and egg) and an irresistible meat sauce (a mixture of pork and veal), seasoned with vegetables such as onion, celery, and carrot.

Its texture must be creamy and smooth to the palate, so it is essential to cook it over low heat for several hours, adding tomato sauce and red wine.

When serving, do not forget to add Parmesan cheese to taste. In Bologna, Italy, food can always have a bit more of Parmesan cheese.

Bologna Italy a plate of pasta with a meat sauce — Tagliatelle al ragù will never be the same, Bologna’s pasta dishes are to die for.

Tortellini in brodo

Bologna’s first course is usually fresh pasta, so the tortellini in brodo (in broth) is no exception. These are pasta bundles filled with pork loin, eggs, Bologna mortadella, Prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano, and nutmeg, with the particularity of being boiled in a chicken broth that accompanies them in the dish.

A delicious and comforting meal that fills your stomach, especially during winter, but that you’ll want to eat all year round.

pasta soup — The only thing better than a classic Tortellini dish? Tortellini in Brodo. Photo credit: Diana Simon

Mortadella

Whether on sandwiches, pizzas, or charcuterie boards, mortadella will always be the protagonist if you are in Bologna. If you’re wondering what is mortadella, it is a cooked sausage made with finely ground pork, fat, and spices, noted for its intense aroma and delicious flavor.

Currently, mortadella is an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication), so it cannot be called Mortadella if it is not made in Bologna.

Bologna market with prosciutto, mortadella, salami, and other meats — You’ll find mortadella tucked away in Italian delis with other meats like prosciutto and salami.

Lasagna al ragù

A typical Bolognese dish, lasagna al ragù is one of the hallmarks of Italian cuisine. This delicious dish, generally cooked on Sundays at home by all the Italian grandmothers, is composed of layers of fresh pasta, ragù sauce, béchamel sauce, and parmesan cheese.

Undoubtedly, when visiting Bologna you must compare if the taste is the same as as the one you have always tasted in your country, both at home and at your go-to Italian restaurant.

lasagna in glass casserole — Lasagna is one of Italy’s most ancient dishes. It dates back to the Romans! Photo credit: Anna Guerrero

Cotoletta petroniana

How would the typical milanese cotoletta be with some upgrades? The result would be the cotoletta petroniana, one of the most beloved main dishes by the bolognese. It is breaded meat fillets fried in lard, topped with prosciutto, parmesan cheese, and a sauce.

We are sure that cotoletta petroniana would be one of the most irresistible dishes to try in a typical Bolognese trattoria.

cotoletta petroniana con tartufo nero — Also known, of course, as *cotoletta alla Bolognese*, this dish is a culinary delight. Photo credit: Wilo Ma

Crescentina

If you are looking for the perfect match for mortadella and prosciutto di Parma, this would be the crescentina. These are small fried flour squares made with wheat flour, yeast, salt, water, milk, and lard. They are typically served as an antipasto on a platter of cheese and cold cuts.

woman holding small sandwich stuffed with sliced of meat in her hand — You can find *crescentine* in markets and local sandwich shops, and even some bars. It’s a delicious snack.

Torta di riso

Dessert should never be missing, and in Bologna you should try the torta di riso (rice cake). As we’ve said before, in Bologna, Italy, food is of utmost importance. You’ve already seen a variety of ragù dishes, but desserts are also essential to finish a great meal.

Just imagine the flavors of the typical rice pudding in a baked cake, all mushy and tasty. We strongly recommend that you enjoy it with a coffee. Of course, don’t forget how to order a coffee in Italy like a local. Italians take it very seriously.

If you’d rather take your coffee elsewhere, we suggest you check out the places that have the best coffee in Bologna.

Bologna Italy food and desserts: torta di riso — Rice cakes are delicious, airy and fresh, you’ll want to eat it all. Photo credit: Frideryka

Parmigiano Reggiano

One of the Italian cheeses known all over the world is the Parmigiano Reggiano. Although it does not belong to Bologna but to its sister city Parma, this ingredient is very present in Bolognese dishes because it is perfect to improve their flavors.

two older gentlemen working in food stand filled with different cheeses — In Bologna you’ll find Parmigiano Reggiano and many more delicious cheeses.

Prosciutto di Parma

Prosciutto di Parma, the king of Italian cured meat. You can eat it by itself, with a glass of wine, on top of pizza, on a sandwich, and in basically any way you can imagine. Pair it up with a cheese table for a delightful Italian evening.

As its name suggests, it belongs to Parma and consists of a raw pork leg cured with salt for a long time. Its flavor is intense, salty, and delicious.

woman at a table holding up slice of ham with a fork — Prosciutto di Parma is a flavorful snack that you can also find in many other dishes and sandwiches.

Green lasagna

Bolognese green lasagna involves spinach noodles in layers combined with ragú and bechamel. What a delicious idea! Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper green lasagna without an unspecified amount of Parmigiano Reggiano. We won’t say how much we like to use when preparing it. This is definitely a healthy and complete dish that we’d like to see more in any and all restaurants around the globe.

Of course, preparing the spinach noodles is not an easy tasks, and doing all the lasagna, as with any other typical lasagna dish, is a labour of love that will take a considerable amount of time. Thankfully, when visiting Bologna you’ll be able to find it all around and taste a variety of them. Definitely make sure to try it in at least one of the best restaurants in Bologna.

Green-noodle lasagna at Drogheria della Rosa in Bologna, Italy — Green lasagna at Drogheria della Rossa. Photo credit: Gigi Griffis

Update notice: This article was updated on August 19, 2024.

For first-time travelers in Bologna, Italy, food served in local restaurants is often a bit of a surprise. Sure, Italian food is beloved around the world, but Bolgna’s traditional dishes stand out on their own.

Often referred to as La Grassa (or, “the fat one”) for its mouth-watering gastronomic variety, Bologna is an ideal destination for travelers who love incredible beauty, captivating history, and of course, unforgettable culinary dishes.

Read along as we highlight Bologna’s top culinary classics.

Traditonal food in Bologna, Italy

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, a leading agricultural region in Italy. The city’s long culinary history is strongly tied to local ingredients and is what has allowed them to build a unique identity. From the delicious lasagna al ragù bolognese to the irresistible Parmesan cheese, food in Bologna is, without a doubt, a true culinary traveler’s delight.

Although Bologna may not be as popular as other Italian destinations, Bologna’s typical dishes are famous in Italy and around the world. In fact, because the city flies a bit under the radar as far as tourism, local restaurants have been able to retain a level of authenticity and tradition that is often lost in Italian tourist hotspots. Homemade fresh pasta, balsamic vinegar, cold cuts, Lambrusco wine, and Parmesan cheese make up Bologna’s famed dishes.

Tagliatelle al ragù

A classic of Bolognese cuisine and a must-try is the tagliatelle al ragù. A perfect fusion between tagliatelle (long, fresh pasta made of flour and egg) and an irresistible ragù (meat sauce made from pork and veal), this beloved dish is seasoned with vegetables such as onion, celery, and carrot.

Its texture must be creamy and smooth to the palate, so it is essential to cook it over low heat for several hours, adding tomato sauce and red wine. When serving, don’t forget to add Parmesan cheese to taste.

Tortellini in brodo

Bologna’s first course is usually made with fresh pasta, so the tortellini al brodo is no exception. These are pasta bundles filled with pork loin, eggs, Bologna mortadella, prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano, and nutmeg, with the particularity of being boiled in a chicken broth that accompanies them in the dish.

Mortadella

Whether on sandwiches, pizzas, or charcuterie boards, mortadella will always be the protagonist if you are in Bologna. It is a cooked sausage made with finely ground pork, fat, and spices, noted for its intense aroma and delicious flavor.

Mortadella is a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), so it cannot be called Mortadella if it is not made in Bologna.

Slice of mortadella — Mortadella pairs well with a variety of ingredients and can be enjoyed in different ways. Photo credit: Stu Spivack

Lasagna with meat sauce (Lasagna al ragù)

A typical Bolognese dish, Lasagna al ragù is one of the hallmarks of Italian cuisine. This delicious dish, generally cooked on Sundays in Italian grandmothers’ homes, is composed of layers of fresh pasta, ragù sauce, béchamel sauce, and parmesan cheese.

Undoubtedly, it is a dish that you should try to check if its original taste is the same as the one you have always tasted in your country.

Green lasagna (Lasagne Verdi alla bolognese)

Green lasagna from Bologna is a traditional and delicious pasta dish. The “green” in its name comes from the use of green pasta, which is typically made with fresh spinach, giving it a vibrant color. When it comes to the world of Bologna, Italy food, green lasagna is something you should definitely try.

Cotoletta Petroniana

How would the typical Milanese Cotoletta be with some upgrades? The result would be the Cotoletta Petroniana, one of the main dishes most beloved by the Bolognese. It is breaded meat fillets fried in lard, topped with prosciutto, parmesan cheese, and a delicious sauce.

We are sure that Cotoletta Petroniana would be one of the most irresistible dishes to try in a typical Bolognese trattoria.

Crescentina

If you are looking for the perfect match for Mortadella and Prosciutto di Parma, this would be the Crescentina. These are small fried flour squares made with wheat flour, yeast, salt, water, milk, and lard. They are typically served as an antipasto on a platter of cheese and cold cuts.

Torta di riso

While in Bologna, Italian food lovers will certainly look for the best places to try a nice creamy risotto, but in this region, Arborio rice is put to many other delicious uses.

As every culinary traveler knows, dessert should never be missing from a great meal. And in Bologna one of the best sweet treats to try is the torta di riso (rice cake). Just imagine the flavors of the typical rice pudding in a baked cake, simply irresistible.

Insider’s Tip: Other fantastic sweets to try while in Bologna are Pan Speziale (rich Christmas cake), pinza Bolognese (pastry filled with jam), raviole di San Giuseppe (discs of dough filled with jam or mustard), and zuccherini montanari (sugar-coated anise cookies).

Parmigiano Reggiano

One of the Italian cheeses known all over the world is the Parmigiano Reggiano. Although it does not belong to Bologna but to its sister city Parma, this ingredient is very present in Bolognese dishes because it is perfect to improve their flavors.

Prosciutto di Parma

Prosciutto di Parma is the king of Italian cured meat from the Emilia Romagna region. As its name suggests, it belongs to Parma and consists of a raw pork leg cured with salt for a long time. Its flavor is intense, salty, and delicious.

As you can see, Italian food in Bologna is a whole different world, and one that deserves to be explored. Once you are done tasting the top dishes in the city, make sure to make room on your calendar for more Bologna Italy food fun: 9 Essential Festivals in Bologna: Food, Art, Dance + More.