The “tasty quarter”. The name itself promises a deliciously memorable itinerary.
Where is it? What is it? Do you need a ticket?
Here’s everything you need to know to organise your visit!
First of all, the tasty quarter is in the historic centre of Bologna. It earned this name thanks to its high concentration of small delis mainly specialising in the local cuisine typical of Emilia and Bologna.
Its perimeter is marked by the intersections of Via Rizzoli, Via dell’Archiginnasio, Via Farini and Via Castiglione. Inside, it’s a tangle of tiny lanes bearing the names of the arts and trades practised in them since ancient times.
In one of them, Vicolo dei Ranocchi to be exact, you’ll find Bologna’s oldest tavern: Osteria del Sole. It’s the only one still holding true to its origins, serving only wine and other drinks, where customers must bring their own food. It’s a lovely way to enjoy a unique lunch!
Be sure to try all the delicacies as you come across them on this treasure hunt of an itinerary throughout the tasty quarter.
The time has come for you to travel down Via Clavature, one of the main arteries of the tasty quarter. Here you’ll find one of the entrances to Mercato di Mezzo, which certainly deserves a visit. This historic site fully represents Bologna’s gastronomic culture with small stands offering a variety of culinary delights for take away or to enjoy at the communal tables.
Obviously, the quarter houses countless other temptations. Many of these can be found in the traditional shops and delis in Via Capraie and Via Drapperie, where you can taste local cheeses and cold cuts (like the famous mortadella), fresh pasta, rotisserie products, preserves and desserts.
You can’t leave Bologna before trying Pinza Bolognese, a soft pasta frolla roll filled with mostarda, a typical preserve made from pears and quinces.
Also be sure to stop in at the historic bakeries that, in addition to baking bread, cakes and biscuits non-stop, produce fresh hand-made pasta and Bologna’s most famous traditional cake: Certosino, flavoured with dark chocolate, honey, almonds and pine nuts.
A few steps away are wonderful groceries and wine cellars to browse through, with the finest selection of wines and liquors, sauces, dressings, balsamic vinegar, chocolate and confectionery.
Before ending your tour of the tasty quarter, enjoy an unforgettable tasting of tigelle bread and cold cuts in one of the many inviting cafés lining Via Pescherie Vecchie, perfect for your sunset happy hour.
Besides the swarms of delis, greengrocers', butcher shops and bakeries, you’ll find that what really takes hold of you is the atmosphere, thick with history and tradition, discovery and sharing.
This is Bologna’s beating heart, where every shop has a story to tell!
