Tamburini in Bologna's Quadrilatero is the 1932-founded salumeria-and-self-service operating from Via Caprarie, with cured-meat counters, a daily-changing carte and aperitivo from 18:00.
Signature dishes: Mortadella tagliere, Tortellini in brodo, Cotechino
Must order: The mortadella tagliere, the daily pasta plate, a tigella with squacquerone.
Tip: The self-service runs 11:00 to 22:00 daily; the salumi counter closes at 19:30 and the aperitivo crowd takes over after 18:00.
Address: Via Caprarie 1, 40124 Bologna BO
Salumeria Simoni on Via Drapperie in Bologna's Quadrilatero is the 1960s-founded family salumeria with a dine-in tasting room behind the counter, slicing mortadella and prosciutto to order.
Signature: Mortadella platter, Tigelle, Tortellini in brodo
Order: The mortadella platter, the tigelle with squacquerone, the prosciutto di Parma 24-month.
Tip: The dine-in tasting room behind the counter takes walk-ins for the tagliere; the salumi counter is busiest at 11:00.
Salumeria Simoni on Via Drapperie in Bologna's Quadrilatero is the 1960s-founded family salumeria with a dine-in tasting room behind the counter, slicing mortadella and prosciutto to order.
Signature: Mortadella platter, Tigelle, Tortellini in brodo
Order: The mortadella platter, the tigelle with squacquerone, the prosciutto di Parma 24-month.
Tip: The dine-in tasting room behind the counter takes walk-ins for the tagliere; the salumi counter is busiest at 11:00.
Antica Trattoria della Gigina in Bologna's Bolognina is the long-running family room with the canonical Sunday-lunch carte and the carrello dei bolliti at lunch on Wednesday and Sunday.
Signature: Tagliatelle al ragu, Tortellini in brodo, Lasagne verdi
Order: Tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragu, the Sunday bollito misto.
Tip: Book a fortnight ahead for Sunday lunch; the carrello dei bolliti is the order to make and sells out by 13:30.
Trattoria Fantoni on Via del Pratello in Bologna is the long-running neighbourhood trattoria with the porticoed pavement seating and the canonical Bolognese carte for the lunchtime trade.
Signature: Tagliatelle al ragu, Cotoletta alla bolognese, Tortelloni
Order: Tagliatelle al ragu, the cotoletta alla bolognese, the tortelloni di ricotta.
Tip: Book a fortnight ahead by phone; the Pratello passeggiata is loud after 19:30 and the lunch service is the easier seating.
Trattoria Leonida in Bologna's Centro Storico is the long-running family trattoria one street back from Piazza Re Enzo, running the canonical Bolognese carte for the lunchtime trade.
Signature: Tagliatelle al ragu, Cotoletta alla bolognese, Bollito
Order: Tagliatelle al ragu, the cotoletta alla bolognese, the Saturday bollito misto.
Tip: Book three days ahead by phone; the dining room runs only the canonical Bolognese carte and the lunch service is the most-booked.
Trattoria Belfiore in Bologna's Saragozza is the neighbourhood family room running the canonical Bolognese carte with a strong Sunday carrello dei bolliti and weekday lunch tradition.
Signature: Tagliatelle al ragu, Tortelloni, Bollito misto
Order: Tagliatelle al ragu, tortelloni burro e salvia, the Sunday carrello dei bolliti.
Tip: Book a week ahead by phone; the Sunday bollito carrello runs only at lunch and Sunday dinner closes.
Osteria Buca Manzoli in Bologna's Centro Storico is the long-running buca (cellar) osteria with stone walls, hand-rolled pasta and the canonical Bolognese carte at weekday lunch.
Signature: Tagliatelle al ragu, Sfoglia pasta carte, Bollito
Order: Tagliatelle al ragu, tortelloni di ricotta, the Saturday bollito.
Tip: Book three days ahead by phone; the buca dining room is intimate and the dinner service is calmer than lunch.
