Emilia Romagna is Italy's gastronomic heartland, stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Known as the 'Food Valley' for producing Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar, the region also boasts medieval cities, Ferrari's birthplace, and vibrant beach resorts.
Emilia Romagna is Italy's culinary capital, producing Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, traditional balsamic vinegar, and dishes like tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and lasagna. The region's food culture emphasizes quality ingredients, handmade pasta, and centuries-old traditions.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Emilia Romagna.
Tagliatelle al Ragù
Handmade egg pasta with slow-cooked meat sauce (the original Bolognese)
Where to try: Any Bologna trattoria
Price: €12-18
Tortellini in Brodo
Ring-shaped pasta filled with meat, served in clear broth
Where to try: Traditional trattorias throughout Bologna
Price: €10-15
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Aged Parmesan cheese, best tasted fresh at Parma markets
Where to try: Parma markets and farms
Price: €5-10 per portion
Prosciutto di Parma
Sweet, delicate dry-cured ham aged minimum 12 months
Where to try: Parma salumerias and restaurants
Price: €8-15
Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale
Traditional balsamic vinegar aged 12-25 years in Modena
Where to try: Modena acetaias and restaurants
Price: €3-8 per tasting
Piadina Romagnola
Flatbread filled with squacquerone cheese, arugula, and ham
Where to try: Street kiosks throughout Romagna
Price: €3-6
Mortadella
Large Bolognese sausage with pistachios, the original bologna
Where to try: Bologna markets and delis
Price: €4-8
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Osteria Francescana
Massimo Bottura's legendary 3-Michelin-star restaurant, ranked among the world's best for over a decade. Bottura transforms classic Emilian dishes into avant-garde masterpieces, celebrating Italian culture through food.
Known for: Book 4 months in advance; waitlist available on website
Via Stella 22, 41121 Modena
I Portici
Bologna's Michelin-starred restaurant in the Hotel I Portici, celebrating Emilian ingredients in beautifully creative presentations with a panoramic view of the city's porticoes.
Known for: Best Michelin-starred restaurant in Bologna; reservations essential
Via dell'Indipendenza 69, 40121 Bologna
Ristorante Parizzi
Parma's finest dining at Hotel Sina Maria Luigia, serving elevated Emilian cuisine with the best Culatello di Zibello, aged Parmigiano, and seasonal truffles. A pilgrimage for food lovers.
Known for: Michelin-starred; best Culatello selection in Parma
Strada della Repubblica 71, 43121 Parma
Trattoria Anna Maria
The quintessential Bologna trattoria run by Anna Maria Monari since 1978. Photos of celebrity visitors line the walls, but the real stars are the handmade pasta and classic Bolognese recipes unchanged for decades.
Known for: Possibly the best tagliatelle al ragù in Bologna; book ahead
Via delle Belle Arti 17, 40126 Bologna
Ristorante Diana
Bologna institution since 1909, serving traditional Bolognese cuisine from a legendary rolling antipasto cart and exceptional bollito misto. A formal but welcoming classic.
Known for: Legendary bollito misto and antipasto trolley
Via dell'Indipendenza 24, 40121 Bologna
Osteria Bottega
Beloved Bologna osteria by Valeria Piccini and Daniele Minarelli, combining traditional Emilian recipes with seasonal creativity. One of Bologna's most-loved restaurants for genuine local cuisine.
Known for: Must book in advance; seasonal menu changes weekly
Via Santa Caterina 51, 40123 Bologna
Trattoria Amerigo
Famous hilltop restaurant in Savigno (30km from Bologna) celebrated for exceptional pasta, wild boar, truffles, and the best Apennine ingredients. A true pilgrimage for food lovers.
Known for: Best white truffle restaurant in the Bologna hills; book ahead
Via Guglielmo Marconi 14/16, 40060 Savigno BO
Trattoria Aldina
Beloved no-frills Modena trattoria offering genuine home cooking at very fair prices. Aldina's generous portions of tortellini, zampone, and cotechino attract locals and visitors alike.
Known for: Best value traditional Modenese cooking near the Albinelli market
Via Albinelli 40, 41121 Modena
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Ferrarese
Romagnola
Seafood
Apennine Bolognese
Apennine Mountain Cuisine
Artisan Gelato
Bolognese
Bolognese Street Food And Sandwiches
Classic Bolognese
Classic Parmigiana
Elevated Parmigiana
Emilian With Live Jazz
Historic Pastry Shop
Modern Bolognese
Piadina Romagnola
Pizza
Pizza Al Taglio
Specialty Coffee And Pastries
Traditional Bolognese
Traditional Ferrarese
Traditional Modenese
Traditional Parmigiana
Traditional Romagnola
Wine
Wine And Cicchetti
Wine Bar And Cicchetti
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Piadina
Flatbread sandwich—the quintessential Romagnola street food
Find it at: Rimini, Riccione, Cesena, and all Romagna towns
Gnocco Fritto
Fried dough puffs served with salumi
Find it at: Bologna and Modena area bars
Crescentine
Small fried dough rounds served with cheese and meats
Find it at: Bologna trattorias and markets
Tigelle
Small round flatbreads baked in terracotta molds, served with fillings
Find it at: Modena and Apennine foothills
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercato di Mezzo
Bologna's historic indoor food market with local produce and specialties
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-8PM
Mercato Coperto di Parma
Covered market in Parma with cheese, ham, and local products
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-1PM, 4PM-7PM
Mercato Albinelli
Modena's beautiful Art Nouveau covered market
Hours: Mon-Sat 6:30AM-2PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12:30-2:30 PM) is typically the main meal; dinner starts late at 8 PM
Most trattorias do not accept reservations—arrive early or be prepared to wait
Ask for the menu del giorno (daily menu) for best value
Tipping 10% is appreciated but not mandatory
- Vegetarian
- Available but limited at traditional restaurants; fresh pasta dishes and pizzas offer options
- Halal
- Limited options; major cities have halal restaurants
- Gluten free
- Increasingly available; ask for 'senza glutine'
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €8-15 per meal | Piadina stands, pizza by the slice, and mercato lunches |
| Mid-range | €25-50 per meal | Traditional trattorias and osterie with full menu |
| Upscale | €80+ per meal | Fine dining and special occasion restaurants including Michelin-starred |