Where to sit, sip and slow down in Bologna.
Coffee shops, bakeries with seats and the places Bologna lingers in over a cortado.
Caffe Terzi in Bologna's Centro Storico is the Manuel Terzi 2003-founded specialty espresso bar with single-origin beans, hand-pumped espresso machines.
DrinkSingle-origin espresso
TipCounter-stand only; arrive before 10:00 to skip the queue. Cash and card both fine.
Caffe Zanarini on Piazza Galvani in Bologna is the 1850-founded grand cafe in the Bolognese 19th-century tradition, with the long marble bar.
DrinkCappuccino, Sfogliatella
TipThe terrace seating runs at full sit-down prices; the bar counter is the locals' price tier and the morning cappuccino is the order.
Aroma Caffe in Bologna's Centro Storico is the Aroma roasters' flagship cafe, with the V60 pour-over and the filter brew bar at the back, plus a daily brunch.
DrinkFilter coffee
TipCounter and table seating both work; the brunch carte runs 09:00-14:00 on weekends, walk-in works.
Caffe Rubik in Bologna's Centro Storico is the modern third-wave cafe with the V60 pour-over, the affogato al caffe and a small but well-edited.
DrinkEspresso, gelato affogato
TipOpen daily 07:30-19:30; the brunch slot 10:00-13:00 on weekends is the busiest. Walk-in only.
Caffe della Corte in Bologna's Corte Isolani is the courtyard cafe in the medieval Casa Isolani arcade, with the 1860 fittings, the morning cappuccino crowd.
DrinkEspresso
TipThe courtyard terrace seating is the spot to ask for in summer; the morning espresso runs 07:00-10:00 with the locals.
Le Stanze Cafe in Bologna near Via Indipendenza is the cocktail-bar-and-cafe built into a 16th-century chapel, with frescoed ceilings, aperitivo from 18:00.
DrinkAperitivo, cocktail
TipWalk-in works for the aperitivo; the cocktail bar runs until 02:00 Friday and Saturday. Cash and card both fine.
Pasticceria Impero on Via Indipendenza in Bologna is the 1920s-founded pasticceria-and-cafe, with the long marble counter, the morning sfogliatella ricciu.
DrinkEspresso, sfogliatella
TipThe counter runs from 07:00-21:00 daily; the lunch tramezzini sell out by 14:00 and the morning cornetto integrale by 10:00.
Bar Calice in Bologna's Quadrilatero is the long-running aperitivo bar with the porticoed pavement seating and the daily Bolognese tagliere of mortadella.
DrinkAperitivo, Lambrusco
TipWalk-in only; arrive before 19:30 to claim a porticoed seat. The Quadrilatero passeggiata makes this loud after 20:00.
Doppio Civico Coffee & Bakery in Bologna's Saragozza-Sturzo quarter is the modern coffee + bakery counter with the in-house leavened focaccia.
DrinkFilter coffee, focaccia brunch
TipWalk-in works; the focaccia and the cream croissants sell out by 12:00, and the Tuesday and Thursday seasonal cakes go fast. Closed Monday.
Bologna's natural-wine bar near the central station: daily-changing Emilian salumi taglieri, aperitivo 18:00-21:00, salumi board free with a glass.
DrinkAperitivo, natural wine
TipWalk-in works; aperitivo runs 18:00-21:00 with the salumi board free with a glass. The street terrace fills first in summer.
Caffe Scaramagli on Strada Maggiore in Bologna is the long-running family cafe and pasticceria with the morning cornetto-and-espresso ritual and the Sunday.
DrinkCappuccino
TipCounter-stand only; arrive before 09:30 for the morning cornetto and pasticcini, the Sunday pastries sell out fast.
Forno Brisa Cafe in Bologna's Centro Storico is the modern bakery-and-cafe flagship with the daily sourdough cornetto, the filter coffee bar and the brunch.
DrinkFilter coffee, cornetto
TipThe Galliera shop runs 07:00-20:00; the weekend brunch carte fills after 10:00 and counter pastries restock through the morning.
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