Pasticceria Impero is a cafe in Bologna.
Pasticceria Impero on Via Indipendenza in Bologna is the 1920s-founded pasticceria-and-cafe, with the long marble counter, the morning sfogliatella ricciu.
Editorially verified May 19, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: The counter runs from 07:00-21:00 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.
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.
Doppio Civico Coffee & Bakery in Bologna's Saragozza-Sturzo quarter is the modern coffee + bakery counter with the in-house leavened focaccia.
Signature drink: Filter coffee, focaccia brunch
Tip: Walk-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.
Signature drink: Aperitivo, natural wine
Tip: Walk-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.
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.
Signature drink: Filter coffee, cornetto
Tip: The Galliera shop runs 07:00-20:00; 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.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso
Tip: Counter-stand only; arrive before 10:00 to skip the queue. Cash and card both fine.
