15 editor picks in Modena.
15 restaurants in Modena, editor-picked for restaurants open sunday. Where to eat a sit-down dinner on sunday. 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.
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.
La Masseria in Modena's Marzaglia frazione runs an Apulian kitchen from an 18th century mill, a Michelin Guide address for stuffed peppers and grills.
OrderThe stuffed peppers and the wood grilled meat selection.
TipThe frazione of Marzaglia sits about halfway between Modena and Reggio Emilia; closed Mondays and from 4 to 31 August.
Trattoria Pomposa - Al Re Gras in Modena serves Michelin Guide Emilian cooking on Piazza della Pomposa, from golden tortellini to bollito misto.
OrderThe tortellini with 24 month Parmigiano cream and the bollito misto with mostarda.
TipIn warm months ask for a table outside on Piazza della Pomposa.
Trattoria Tagliatella in Modena's centro storico serves classic ragu tagliatelle and pumpkin tortelloni on Via Masone, a reliable everyday address.
OrderThe tagliatelle al ragu and the pumpkin filled tortelloni.
TipClosed Mondays; book ahead for dinner on weekends when the small dining room fills fast.
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.
Pizzeria La Lanterna in Modena has fired sourdough pizza since 1969, tucked under an overpass with a short, well chosen list of craft beers.
OrderThe Diavola with spicy sausage sauce and the Cacio e Pepe with crisp pancetta.
TipOpen Thursday to Sunday evenings only; the dough uses organic stone ground flours.
Da Enzo in Modena's centro storico is a warm family trattoria near the Synagogue, serving gnocco fritto, tigelle and Emilian classics nightly.
OrderThe gnocco fritto with cured meats and the zampone with mashed potato.
TipSaturday dinner runs until midnight, later than the rest of the week; the kitchen closes on Mondays.
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.
Trattoria Ermes in Modena has cooked Emilian home food on Via Ganaceto since 1963, a small osteria now run by a new generation since early 2023.
OrderThe passatelli in broth and the scaloppine with balsamic vinegar and potatoes.
TipDinner service returned Thursday to Saturday in 2023, plus Sunday lunch; the small room still fills fast.
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.
Osteria Gallucci in Modena keeps a rustic room a few steps from Piazza Grande, serving local appetizers and Emilian plates until well past midnight.
OrderThe wild boar ragu and a plate of mixed local appetizers to start.
TipOpen Friday and Saturday until 02:00; the beer and wine list runs deeper than most osterie nearby.
Accademia by Italo in Modena has run as a family pizzeria since 1980, now serving pizza alongside meat and fish plates until well past midnight.
OrderA wood fired pizza and the tuna tartare from the fish side of the menu.
TipThe family renovated the dining room when the founder's son took over in 2013; kitchen runs past midnight most nights.
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.
tRe in Pomposa is chef Luca Marchini's pizzeria on Piazza della Pomposa in Modena, with a tall airy crust and pizzas inspired by Modenese recipes.
OrderThe mozzarella di bufala and nduja pizza, or one from the Modena-inspired list.
TipDine outside on Piazza della Pomposa in mild weather; the pizzeria is closed on Mondays and takes bookings through its own website.
