10 editor picks in Modena.
10 restaurants in Modena, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Modena.
Zemian Piccola Osteria in Modena packs a handful of tables on Via Fonte d'Abisso, plating classic Emilian dishes for its devoted local crowd.
OrderWhatever the chef built into that day's short tasting sequence of Emilian classics.
TipSeats are few and demand is high; call weeks ahead for a weekend table.
Franceschetta 58 in Modena is Massimo Bottura's Michelin Guide bistro on Via Vignolese, pairing Emilian staples with contemporary small plates.
OrderThe tortellini in Parmigiano Reggiano cream and the aged pancetta with mostarda.
TipBook a few weeks ahead online; the short wine list gives Lambrusco a full page.
Trattoria Aldina in Modena overlooks the Mercato Albinelli from a first floor room, a no reservations canteen for tagliatelle and tortellini.
OrderThe tagliatelle al ragu and the tortellini in broth, made fresh each morning.
TipLunch only and no bookings; arrive by 12:15 or expect to share the communal single table.
Patrizia in Modena is Tommaso Zoboli's counter-driven dining room near the Ghirlandina, a Michelin Guide address whose menu changes with the seasons.
OrderThe tasting menu built around that season's theme, taken at the chef's counter.
TipOnly 14 covers, run like an omakase with storytelling at the counter; book ahead and ask for a counter seat.
Da Danilo in Modena has run as a family trattoria since 1934, plating pumpkin tortelloni and meat ragu tagliatelle near the Ghirlandina tower.
OrderThe pumpkin tortelloni with butter and Parmigiano and the mixed boiled meats cart.
TipAsk for the bollito misto cart tableside; the kitchen finishes several dishes with the house Aceto Balsamico.
Il Fantino in Modena keeps a retro dining room on Via Donzi, serving hand rolled gnocco fritto and tortelloni with butter and sage most nights.
OrderThe gnocco fritto with cured meats and the tortelloni with butter and sage.
TipClosed Mondays; the wine list leans almost entirely on Lambrusco di Sorbara as the house pour.
Terra Mia Modena fires contemporary Neapolitan pizza on Via Emilia Est, with a dedicated gluten free kitchen and late weekend closing hours.
OrderA classic Margherita or the seasonal special from the wood fired oven.
TipAsk for the dedicated gluten free kitchen if that matters; no reservations needed midweek.
Cucina di Quartiere - Trattoria in San Faustino sits on Modena's Via Giardini, a family kitchen plating handmade tortellini and tagliatelle.
OrderThe handmade tortellini and whatever fresh pasta the kitchen rolled that morning.
TipClosed Sundays; the neighbourhood setting keeps prices lower than the centro storico equivalents.
Il Patriarca in Modena runs a seafood forward pizzeria ristorante on Strada Vignolese, open late for raw crudi and wood fired pizza nightly.
OrderThe raw seafood starter and a wood fired pizza from the late kitchen.
TipKitchen runs until midnight most nights; closed all day Tuesday.
Lo Stalliere in Modena occupies a converted stable near the Modena Nord tollbooth, plating calf liver and gnocco fritto with cured meats daily.
OrderThe calf liver with caramelised onions and the gnocco fritto with mixed cured meats.
TipA covered terrace seats extra guests; closed Monday evenings, otherwise open most nights.
