If there is one city in Italy where you should take food seriously, it is Bologna.

The capital of Emilia-Romagna is famous for its fresh pasta, ragù, tortellini, mortadella and generous portions. But eating well in Bologna is not simply about ordering the most famous dish you see on a menu. The real experience is sitting down in a traditional trattoria, ordering a plate of handmade pasta, drinking a glass of local wine and taking your time.

Bologna has changed a lot over the years, and its restaurant scene is now full of modern restaurants, international food and places designed specifically for visitors. That is not necessarily a bad thing. But if what you are looking for is traditional Bolognese cooking, there are still plenty of places where the food comes first.

So, where should you actually eat?

Here are some of our 6 favourite traditional restaurants in Bologna, combining long-standing local recommendations with places that continue to take Bolognese cuisine seriously. Several of these restaurants are also recognised by major Italian food guides, including Gambero Rosso and Michelin's selection.

1. All'Osteria Bottega – For serious traditional food

If you want to understand what traditional Bolognese cooking is about, All'Osteria Bottega is one of the places we would put near the top of the list.

Hidden on Via Santa Caterina, away from the busiest tourist streets, this is the kind of restaurant where the menu is built around the ingredients and recipes of Emilia-Romagna rather than trends.

The pasta is the obvious place to start. Think tagliatelle with ragù, tortellini and other handmade pasta dishes, followed by traditional meat dishes and local cured meats.

What makes it interesting is that the restaurant does not try to reinvent Bolognese food just for the sake of it. The approach is much more about doing traditional food extremely well. Gambero Rosso describes it as a faithful representation of Bolognese cuisine, while Michelin's Bologna selection highlights its traditional recipes and local ingredients.

Try: tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, local cured meats and cotoletta alla bolognese.

Our tip: Book ahead. This is not the place to simply turn up at 8:30 pm and hope for a table.

2. Trattoria da Me – Tradition with a modern touch

Trattoria da Me is a good choice if you want traditional Bolognese food but don't mind a little more creativity.

The restaurant has been part of Bologna's food scene for generations, and today chef Elisa Rusconi combines the city's classic recipes with carefully selected ingredients and a more contemporary approach.

The important thing is that the traditional dishes are still at the centre of the experience. Tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù and cotoletta alla bolognese are exactly the sort of dishes you come to Bologna for.

At the same time, the restaurant is not stuck in the past. There is a little more attention to presentation and technique than you might find in a very old-school trattoria.

That balance is what makes Trattoria da Me interesting. Gambero Rosso and Bologna Welcome both highlight the restaurant for its combination of Emilian tradition and contemporary touches.

Try: tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù and cotoletta alla bolognese.

Best for: a slightly more refined traditional Bolognese dinner.

3. Trattoria di Via Serra – A little outside the centre, and worth it

One of our favourite pieces of advice for eating in Bologna is simple: don't stay only around Piazza Maggiore.

Some of the best food is found a little further away from the main tourist routes, and Trattoria di Via Serra is a perfect example.

Located in the Bolognina area, this small and welcoming trattoria focuses heavily on local ingredients and traditional recipes. The menu changes regularly, so you may not find exactly the same dishes every time you visit.

That is part of the charm.

Expect handmade pasta, tortellini in broth and other dishes inspired by the food traditions of Emilia-Romagna. There is also a strong focus on small local producers and ingredients.

It has been recognised by both Gambero Rosso and Slow Food, and it regularly appears on recommendations for people looking for authentic Bolognese cooking away from the obvious tourist spots.

Try: tortellini in brodo, gramigna with sausage and whatever seasonal pasta is on the menu.

Our tip: This is one of those places where booking in advance really makes sense.

4. Trattoria da Cesari – A classic in the historic centre

Sometimes you don't want to overthink dinner.

You have spent the day walking under Bologna's porticoes, you've seen Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers and the old university area, and now you simply want a plate of good pasta.

That's where Trattoria da Cesari comes in.

Located right in the historic centre, Da Cesari is one of the city's traditional restaurants and has been serving classic Bolognese dishes for decades.

The menu is exactly what you would expect: handmade pasta, ragù, tortellini and traditional meat dishes.

It is particularly convenient if this is your first time in Bologna because you can combine dinner with an evening walk through the old town without having to travel across the city.

Try: tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo and cotoletta alla bolognese.

Best for: your first traditional Bolognese dinner.

5. Trattoria Serghei – Simple, relaxed and very Bolognese

Not every great restaurant needs to feel formal.

Trattoria Serghei is the kind of place that works particularly well if you are looking for a relaxed meal with classic local dishes and no unnecessary complications.

The menu focuses on the staples of Bolognese cooking: tortellini, tagliatelle with ragù and gramigna with sausage.

This is the sort of restaurant where you can sit down, order a plate of pasta and a glass of wine and simply enjoy Bologna for what it is.

Gambero Rosso has included Trattoria Serghei among its recommendations for traditional restaurants, describing it as a family-run place with a friendly atmosphere and classic local dishes.

Try: gramigna with sausage or tagliatelle al ragù.

Best for: an informal dinner with friends.

6. Sfoglia Rina – Handmade pasta without the fuss

If your main priority is pasta, put Sfoglia Rina on your list.

The name itself gives away the philosophy: sfoglia is the thin sheet of fresh pasta that forms the basis of so many Emilian dishes.

Here, handmade pasta is the star. You can find classics such as tagliatelle, tortelli and passatelli, with a more informal and accessible restaurant format.

It is a particularly good option for travellers who want to try traditional pasta without committing to a long, expensive dinner.

Gambero Rosso also highlights Sfoglia Rina as an informal and relatively accessible place for fresh pasta and homemade recipes.

Try: whatever fresh pasta looks best that day.

Best for: a casual lunch.

What should you order in a traditional Bolognese restaurant?

Before choosing a restaurant, it helps to know what you are actually looking for.

Bologna's cuisine is much more than spaghetti bolognese — in fact, you are unlikely to find "spaghetti bolognese" on a traditional Bolognese menu.

Instead, look for these dishes:

Tagliatelle al ragù

Tortellini in brodo

Lasagne verdi

Cotoletta alla bolognese

Mortadella

Crescentine

So, which one should you choose?

If you only have one night in Bologna, we would choose All'Osteria Bottega for a serious traditional meal.

If you want tradition with a more contemporary touch, go for Trattoria da Me.

If you don't mind getting slightly away from the centre, Trattoria di Via Serra is an excellent choice.

For a classic restaurant in the historic centre, try Da Cesari.

The important thing is not to obsess over finding the single "best" restaurant. Bologna has too much good food for that.

Instead, look for a place where the pasta is handmade, the ragù has clearly been cooking for a long time, the menu follows the seasons and people around you are actually enjoying their meal.

That's probably the closest thing to eating like a local.

And if you want to go beyond choosing a restaurant and actually understand why Bolognese food tastes the way it does, that's where a food tour can make a difference. Tasting tortellini, mortadella, fresh pasta and local specialities is one thing. Knowing the stories, techniques and traditions behind them makes the experience much more memorable.