Caffe Scaramagli on Strada Maggiore in Bologna is the long-running family cafe with the traditional morning cornetto-and-cappuccino, the Sunday pastries crowd and a small standing bar.
Must order: Cornetto integrale, cappuccino, brioche
Tip: Counter-stand only; arrive before 09:30 for the morning cornetto and pasticcini. The Sunday pastries sell out fast.
Address: Strada Maggiore 38/A, 40125 Bologna BO
Gelateria Stefino Bio in Bologna's Centro Storico is the 100 percent organic gelateria with the small-batch daily carte, the Bolognese gelato-in-brioche tradition and the granita carte.
Order: Pistachio gelato in brioche, granita
Tip: The gelato-in-brioche is the morning order; cash and card both fine. The pistachio rotates Tuesday through Sunday.
Aroma Caffe in Bologna's Centro Storico runs the modern weekend brunch from 09:00 to 15:00, with avocado toast, granola bowl and the V60 filter coffee from Aroma roasters.
Order: Avocado toast, granola bowl, flat white
Tip: Walk-in only; the weekend brunch fills after 11:00. The avocado toast is 12 euros and the brunch sets 18 euros.
Forno Brisa in Bologna's Centro Storico runs the weekend bakery brunch with the cornetto integrale, the sourdough bread, the daily pastries and the filter coffee bar from 08:00.
Order: Cornetto integrale, brioche, sfoglia pastries
Tip: Five shops citywide; the Galliera flagship has the widest carte and the brunch crowd fills after 10:00 on weekends.
Caffe Terzi in Bologna's Centro Storico is the Manuel Terzi specialty espresso bar with a simple morning carte of cornetti and brioche, the long bar standing counter and the morning crowd.
Order: Single-origin espresso, cornetto, brioche
Tip: Counter-stand only; arrive before 10:00 to skip the queue. Cash and card both fine.
Caffe Rubik in Bologna's Centro Storico runs the modern weekend brunch from 09:00 to 15:00, with eggs benedict, avocado toast and the V60 pour-over from the in-house roasters.
Order: Avocado toast, granola, eggs benedict
Tip: Walk-in only; the weekend brunch fills after 11:00. The brunch sets are 18 euros and the avocado toast 12 euros.
Le Cementine in Bologna's Bolognina is the modern third-wave cafe with the cement-tile floor and the daily-changing weekend brunch from 09:30 to 15:00 with eggs and sourdough.
Order: Eggs, sourdough, brunch board
Tip: Walk-in works; the weekday lunch sets run 12:00 to 15:00 at 12 euros and the brunch on weekends fills after 11:00.
