Ristorante Cesarina

Ristorante Cesarina is a central restaurant at Via Santo Stefano 19 in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, on the long porticoed street that runs south-east from the two towers toward the Basilica di Santo Stefano. The location places it within easy walking distance of Piazza Maggiore and the main sights of the historic centre, and the restaurant serves traditional Bolognese pasta and meat dishes to a mix of residents and visitors exploring this part of the city.

The menu follows the regional canon. Tortellini in brodo, the small stuffed pasta served in clear broth, is the traditional first course and a dish closely tied to the city's identity. Tagliatelle al ragu, made with fresh egg pasta and slow-cooked meat sauce, is the other defining plate, and tortelloni, the larger filled pasta, offers a lighter alternative. For a main course, cotoletta alla bolognese, a veal cutlet topped with ham and Parmigiano Reggiano, is the signature meat dish. The cooking emphasises familiar recipes rather than reinvention, which suits visitors looking for a clear introduction to local flavours.

The dining room has a relaxed, traditional character. It is neither a formal fine-dining room nor a hurried canteen, and a smart casual dress style is sufficient. Noise levels are moderate and rise when the room is full. Drinks centre on Emilia-Romagna wines, with Sangiovese di Romagna, Lambrusco and Pignoletto the most common pairings for pasta and cutlets.

Prices fall in the mid-range for the centre, though a specific per-person figure is not confirmed for this listing. Lunch and dinner are both served, but exact hours are not confirmed, so visitors should check locally. Reservations are advised, particularly for dinner and at weekends, and booking a day or two ahead is a sensible approach during normal periods. During trade fairs, holidays and the summer tourist season, the area fills up and booking several days ahead is better. No phone number is listed in the available data.