Caffe Terzi in Bologna's Centro Storico is the Manuel Terzi 2003-founded specialty espresso bar with single-origin beans, hand-pumped espresso machines and a tiny standing counter.
Tip: Counter-stand only; arrive before 10:00 to skip the queue. Cash and card both fine.
Address: Via Oberdan 10/D, 40126 Bologna BO
Caffe Zanarini on Piazza Galvani in Bologna is the 1850-founded grand cafe in the Bolognese 19th-century tradition, with the long marble bar, terrace seating and the morning sfogliatella.
Signature drink: Cappuccino, Sfogliatella
Tip: The 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 carte.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: Counter and table seating both work; the brunch carte runs 09:00 to 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 daily-changing brunch carte.
Signature drink: Espresso, gelato affogato
Tip: Open daily 07:30 to 19:30; the brunch slot 10:00 to 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 and the aperitivo terrace.
Signature drink: Espresso
Tip: The courtyard terrace seating is the spot to ask for in summer; the morning espresso runs 07:00 to 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 and a late-night cocktail carte.
Signature drink: Aperitivo, cocktail
Tip: Walk-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 and the lunch tramezzini.
Signature drink: Espresso, sfogliatella
Tip: The counter runs from 07:00 to 21:00 daily; the lunch tramezzini sell out by 14:00 and the morning cornetto integrale by 10:00.
