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.
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.
Address: Via Indipendenza 39, 40121 Bologna BO
Bar Calice in Bologna's Quadrilatero is the long-running aperitivo bar with the porticoed pavement seating and the daily Bolognese tagliere of mortadella, prosciutto and squacquerone.
Signature drink: Aperitivo, Lambrusco
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive before 19:30 to claim a porticoed seat. The Quadrilatero passeggiata makes this loud after 20:00.
Le Cementine in Bologna's Bolognina is the modern third-wave cafe with the cement-tile floor, the V60 pour-over and the daily-changing weekday lunch carte from 12:00.
Signature drink: Filter coffee, brunch
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.
Stafilio in Bologna near the central station is the natural-wine bar and aperitivo room with the daily-changing taglieri of Emilian salumi and the long aperitivo standing crowd from 18:00.
Signature drink: Aperitivo, natural wine
Tip: Walk-in works; aperitivo runs 18:00 to 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 pastries crowd from 09:00.
Signature drink: Cappuccino
Tip: Counter-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 carte on weekends.
Signature drink: Filter coffee, cornetto
Tip: The Galliera shop runs 07:00 to 20:00; the weekend brunch carte fills after 10:00 and counter pastries restock through the morning.
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.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso
Tip: Counter-stand only; arrive before 10:00 to skip the queue. Cash and card both fine.
