5 Pasta you can't miss in Bologna (and where to eat it)

Hungry for the ultimate pasta experience?

Bologna's got you covered! From traditional tagliatelle al ragù to delectable tortellini here are the top 5 pasta dishes that define Bologna's culinary excellence.

Wondering where to start?

Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, this blog post will lead you to the heart of Bologna's gastronomic treasures.

1. Tortellini

Let's start with the king.
This is the #1 reason to visit Bologna if you need one.

For locals this pasta is for special occasions: Christmas, Sunday lunch with families.

Traditionally served in meat broth, if you're brave you can have it also under the sun of August.

Who makes the best?
Hard to tell but on Oct 4th every year you can try to find it out at the Tortellino Festival at Palazzo Re Enzo.

And if you'd like to bring home a top-notch souvenir, learn the secrets to preparing it in a Bologna pasta making class.

Where to Eat It

A small osteria under the portico, outside of the crowd. Everything at Osteria Bottega is just perfect.

Info

Osteria Bottega
Via Santa Caterina, 51, 40123 Bologna BO
Tel. +39 051 585111

osteriabottega.com

2. Tagliatelle

Who'd like to eat Bolognese ragù in Bologna?
Sure, of course.

Then the first, but not only, way is to pair it with tagliatelle.
A long, flat, thin, yellow, rough pasta born to get the sauce and make you dream of heaven.

And if you want to elevate your culinary skills to Massimo Bottura's level, join our Bologna cooking class. You'll master the art of making tagliatelle, tortellini, and much more.

Where to Eat It

Tradition with a twist at Trattoria Da Me. Start with crescentine then go straight to tagliatelle. Book online in advance.

Info

Trattoria Da Me
Via S. Felice, 50a, 40122 Bologna BO
Tel. +39 051 555486
trattoriadame.it

3. Lasagne

Layers of green sfoglia, rich Bolognese ragù, bechamel sauce, and snowflake of aged Parmigiano Reggiano on top.

Try this pasta when on a cold and rainy Sunday, with a glass of Sangiovese or a good Lambrusco.

Now this will cost me a ban from Bolognese citizenship, but also in Modena, they're masters of lasagne.

Where to Eat It

Good times for a change. Maybe you get the quote, maybe you don't but it doesn't matter. You will find the best lasagne in Bologna at Al Cambio.
Out of the city, yes. But what taxis are made for?

Info

Al Cambio
Via Stalingrado, 150, 40128 Bologna BO
Tel. + 39 051 328118

4. Passatelli

Here comes my favorite.
A leftover pasta, born from the desire to avoid wasting old crusted bread.
So we mix it with eggs and Parmigiano cheese to get this sort of fat spaghetti.

You can have it as a soup, in meat broth for sure.
But I prefer passatelli served as pasta, with porcini mushrooms in Autumn, with a seafood ragù of red mullet, or even as a carbonara.

You will find it from Rimini to Modena, but Romagna is its true kingdom.
In our Ravenna cooking class a professional zdoura will share her precious tool to help you make it perfectly.

Where to Eat It

You will always find passatelli on the menu of this friendly Osteria.
My suggestion? Order the mix of antipasti and the mix of desserts. With pasta as a main course your dinner will be done.

Info

Osteria Broccaindosso
Via Broccaindosso, 7/a, 40125 Bologna BO
Tel. +39 051 234153

5. Gramigna

Ready to taste the best of Bologna?

These were the 5 not-to-miss pasta in Bologna.

But you know what?

There's a lot more to uncover.

Small family coffee shops addicted to coffee, tiny labs handmaking pasta day and night, Osterie that Cristoforo Colombo could've been into.

So come with me, I will take you by hand around my Bologna.

Oh no umbrella to follow, small groups only ;)

[Photo credits: Circolo Mazzini, saraguida5]