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.
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
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.
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.
