In a former pharmacy, this traditional-looking trattoria serves up masterly meals of sophisticated cuisine. Its intensely skilful, welcoming chef, Emanuele Addone, gives it personality. Anyone who's anyone, from Noam Chomsky to Arnold Schwarzenegger, has eaten here. The food is unfussy and full of local flavour, such as potato ravioli with thyme.

Bologna's first Michelin-starred restaurant, I Portici has been pulling in serious foodies since it opened in 2008.
 Set inside the 19th-century Eden theatre, expect theatrical presentation and top-notch ingredients from chef Agostino Lacobucci. There are three tasting menus to choose from: meat, seafood and the chef's secret selection. Dinner only.

A wood-panelled, bottle-lined restaurant, Rodrigo exudes traditional elegance. It's a relaxed place for a leisurely meal, with sublime food and is renowned for its truffles. Meat lovers should try costata di manzo Robespierre, thinly sliced steak rubbed with rosemary and grilled on one side. Desserts are homemade.

Adding a touch of modernity to an otherwise traditional dining scene, Il Posto offers all the trimmings of a high-end eatery but with a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Locally sourced ingredients and daring chefs ensure dishes like red tuna steak with apple crisps and slow cooked suckling pig are served with aplomb. The wine list is excellent too.

This modern osteria is renowned for its creative dishes but it also excels at classic pasta dishes accompanied by excellent wines. It's slightly on the dinky side, so try and nab a table outdoors. Jazz and funk tunes add to its laid back vibe, enticing diners to linger all evening long.

This reasonably priced trattoria has loads of personality and serves up delicious Bolognese dishes. 
Overseen by the fierce Anna Maria, a real Italian mamma, the tortellini here is tremendous and its panna cotta are pretty good too. The walls are covered with photos of famous previous diners.

This popular slow food mecca has different stalls selling delicious dishes and big wooden tables and stools in the centre. Almost like a permanent street food market, it's great for sampling local titbits, such as tortellini, fried fish or octopus salad. Pizzeria Eataly on the first floor is particularly good.

A popular cheap eatery in the university area, Osteria dell'Orsa has long wooden tables that encourage socialising and a long history of satisfying bohemian clientele with hearty local cuisine and a fine array of accompaniments. There is a second branch at Via Andrea Costa 35, near the stadium.

Tamburini is the best place in town place to buy homemade pasta, local hams and cheeses. Head to the back of the shop for a chance to sample their mouth-melting lasagne or ask the butcher for a plate of ham and cheese, and swish it down with a glass of red wine.