Eat Vegetarian in Bologna: Traditional Dishes and Restaurant Guide

31/08/2022 - Category: Eat

Bologna may seem challenging for vegetarians at first glance.
The city is famously home to iconic meat-based dishes like ragù and mortadella, and the food markets are filled with cured meats at every turn.

So if you don't eat meat, how you can survive here?

Follow my lead, grab a fork, and discover Bologna's best vegetarian food.

Vegetarian Food in Bologna

Friggione

Onion (cipolla) is an essential ingredient in Bolognese cuisine.
It's cheap and always available in the kitchen and it's produced all over the Bologna countryside (Medicina's white onion has a very good taste and reputation).

Many traditional preparations involve the use of onions, such as tagliatelle, and they are one of the bases of meat broth.

Onions are also the main ingredient of friggione, a sauce made with tomatoes, sugar, lard and salt, whose official recipe was registered in 1886.
Like most of the bolognese recipes, it takes a while to be prepared, and it changes from town to town (in Modena they use peppers too) and from grandmother to grandmother.

Nowadays it's not hard to find it in the lighter version with olive oil instead of lard and, even if the purists will look away, I'm sure you will love this simple sauce on a slice of hot bread.

Where to eat it
You can find it in almost all the classic osterie in Bologna since its fame.
At Trattoria Collegio di Spagna it's quite delicious.

Trattoria Collegio di Spagna
Via Collegio di Spagna, 15, 40123
Tel. +39 051 6448825

Tortelloni

Pay attention to the 'O'. Tortelloni are a filled pasta with ricotta cheese, egg and parsley usually served with butter, sage and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

The second 'O' makes the difference: don't confuse tortelloni with their smaller brother tortellini. They have meat inside and they are cooked and served with meat broth.

As it's common for most Italian recipes, this one shows some changes according to the place where it is cooked: so you can find tortelloni filled with pumpkin and amaretto cookies in the area of Mantova and Ferrara, or with spinach in Modena.

Where to eat them
Oltre, near Mercato delle Erbe food market, serves tortelloni handmade by Monica and Daniela, real masters of fresh pasta.

Oltre
Via Majani 1, 40122 Bologna
Tel. +39 051 006 6049
www.oltrebologna.it

Piadina

Piadina is a type of flatbread known since the Roman age where it was usually consumed by peasant families instead of bread.
Today it's one of the most famous gastronomic products of Romagna's cuisine.

The traditional recipe includes lard (strutto), salt, flour, and water, but if you're looking for a healthier piadina, you can also prepare it with extra virgin olive oil.

The filling can be different: I recommend squacquerone, a DOP fresh cheese produced between Forlì and Ravenna, in combination with rocket salad.

During our Modena Food Tour you can eat tigelle, which looks quite similar, but usually have lard inside.

Where to eat it
Sfarinà inside Mercato delle Erbe makes a different kind of tasty piadina (also with olive oil)

Sfarinà
Mercato delle Erbe Via Ugo Bassi, 25 (Box 24) 40121 Bologna
Tel. +39 051 269282
www.sfarina.it

Other Vegetarian Options to Try

Parmigiana di Melanzane: This baked eggplant dish layered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmigiano is a popular vegetarian choice. It's not typical of Bologna cuisine but you will find it in many restaurants, especially during summertime
Risotto ai Funghi: A creamy mushroom risotto that you can find in Autumn, especially with porcini. If you have a car, Amerigo restaurant up on the hills makes it perfect.
Crescione: A Romagna-style flatbread, similar to piadina, but with fillings like tomato, mozzarella, and fresh herbs. Easy to find around the best food markets in Bologna.

Do you know that all our food tours in Bologna, Modena, Parma and Ravenna are great also for vegetarians?

From fresh markets to family-owned trattorias, our tours show you the best of local vegetarian cuisine without the tourist traps.

BOOK OUR VEGETARIAN FOOD TOUR

Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Bologna

If you’re looking for more options beyond these traditional dishes, here are some top spots in Bologna known for their vegetarian offerings.

Zenzero Bistrot

A personal favorite. Most of the menu is veggie-friendly but you can find some meat options.

Don't miss the light and crispy tempura and the baked potatoes. And save space for the delicious apple crumble.

Info

Via Fratelli Rosselli, 18, 40121 Bologna BO
Tel. +39 051 587 7026

Il Rovescio

My most recent discovery.
In the vibrant Via del Pratello you can sit under the portico and choose from a monthly menu with only seasonal ingredients.

They also have one of the best pizza in Bologna and options for vegans too.

Info

Via Pietralata, 75a, 40122 Bologna BO
Tel. +39 051 523545

rovescio.it