The main civic square anchored by San Petronio, Palazzo Re Enzo and the Fountain of Neptune, lined with cafes like Zanarini and the porticoed daily passeggiata.
Ristorante Diana on Via dell'Indipendenza in Bologna is the 1909-founded room running the canonical Bolognese carte and the famous Sunday carrello dei.
Signature: Tortellini in brodo, Lasagne verdi, Carrello dei bolliti
Order: Tortellini in brodo, lasagne verdi, the carrello dei bolliti on Sunday lunch.
Tip: Book a fortnight ahead for Sunday lunch; the carrello dei bolliti runs only on Sunday and Wednesday lunches.
Osteria Bartolini on Piazza Malpighi in Bologna is the Romagna group's seafood branch with a courtyard garden, daily fritto and a Romagnola seafood carte.
Signature: Fritto misto, Crudo of Adriatic seafood, Spaghetti alle vongole
Order: Fritto misto, the Adriatic crudo plate, the spaghetti alle vongole.
Tip: Book three days ahead online; the garden seating is the spot to ask for in summer and the Friday-night carte is busiest.
Terrazza Mattuiani opens for the warm months on the fifth floor of Hotel Touring Bologna with a cocktail bar, loungers and an in-deck jacuzzi.
Tip: Reservations are required; the jacuzzi slot runs 30 minutes per booking. Open May through September only, hours can shift if the weather closes the deck.
The Roof Garden sits on the fifth floor of Hotel Metropolitan a couple of streets from Via dell'Indipendenza, with loungers, dining tables and a sightline.
Tip: Aperitivo runs from 17:00 and the kitchen sends a short bites list at the bar. Closed October to February so plan for the warm months.
I Portici tucks its rooftop deck above a 19th-century palazzo on Via dell'Indipendenza, with a cocktail bar that looks across the green of Parco della.
Tip: Cocktails from 18:00 with a short bar menu; the room downstairs takes the dinner crowd so the rooftop stays drink-only. Reserve through the hotel for a terrace seat.
Borgo Hi-Fi opened on Christmas Eve 2025 as Bologna's first listening bar, set inside the Borgo delle Erbe arcade of the Mercato delle Erbe with a vinyl-only.
Tip: Saturday nights book up; reservations via prenotazioni.borgoerbe@gmail.com. Sunday tardeo runs from afternoon into evening with a softer playlist.