Discover what to eat in Bologna, including tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano and the food traditions of Emilia-Romagna.

Italian food makes most sense when it is connected to place. This guide is designed to help you recognise the dishes, ingredients and everyday eating habits that give this destination its character, without turning the experience into a checklist.

Tagliatelle al ragù

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

Tortellini in brodo

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

Lasagne verdi

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

Mortadella

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

Parmigiano Reggiano

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

Traditional balsamic vinegar

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

Markets and aperitivo

This is one of the dishes or food traditions that helps explain the city and the wider region. Look for versions that keep the ingredient list focused and allow the main flavours to do the work. Quality varies, so it is worth choosing places that specialise rather than menus trying to serve everything at once.

How to use this guide

Build meals around a few local specialities, leave room for bakeries, markets and coffee stops, and avoid trying to fit every famous dish into one sitting. Italian Gourmet will continue to expand this guide with related recipes, ingredient explainers and practical destination articles.