Best Street Food in Bologna
what and where to eat it
Street food in Bologna means tortellini, mortadella, piadine and lively markets like Mercato delle Erbe: a true feast for every food lover.
Bologna street food
Bologna is famous for its rich culinary heritage, and exploring its street food scene is one of the best ways to experience it.
From quick bites to traditional recipes served in a casual way, Bologna street food combines authentic flavours with local atmosphere.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the best street food in Bologna, showing you where to find the tastiest spots and unique dishes worth trying.
Street food in Bologna. Skip to:
Best Street Food in Bologna: Top Places to Try
Piadina Pratello – Traditional flatbread with customizable dough and fillings; highlights include La Brensa with mortadella, scamorza, mozzarella, radicchio, and balsamic vinegar.
Indegno 2.0 – Famous for crescentina bolognese with classic or creative fillings, plus tortellini fritti with Parmigiano cream; paired with craft IPA beer.
Pizzeria Altero – Historic spot since 1953, serving pizza al taglio with both savoury slices and sweet pizza al cioccolato.
Ragū & Draft – Street food pasta house offering tagliatelle al ragù, gramigna with sausage, and quick bites, paired with artisanal cocktails.
Mò Mortadella Lab – Specializes in gourmet mortadella sandwiches with unique breads and creative fillings like truffle mortadella, burrata, and pistachio.
Mercato delle Erbe – Largest covered market with daytime fresh produce and evening eateries serving pizza, seafood, and pasta.
Mercato di Mezzo – Historic food hub with fresh pasta dishes, artisanal products, and food events in the heart of Bologna.
Mercato Ritrovato – Farmers’ market with seasonal, zero-kilometre products, live music, workshops, and authentic local street food.
Bologna Street Food: the best spots
Piadina Pratello
Let’s start this street food in Bologna guide with a stop at Piadina Pratello. Here, the star is the piadina — a traditional flatbread from Emilia-Romagna, cooked fresh on the spot and filled with your choice of ingredients.
What makes this place special is the option to select not just the fillings but also the dough, from a thin version to a thicker one enriched with lard for extra flavour.
Among the highlights is the Piadina La Brensa, stuffed with mortadella, scamorza, mozzarella, radicchio, and a touch of balsamic vinegar — a perfect balance of savoury and tangy.
For something lighter, vegetarian options are available, and the menu features a range of classics to more modern combinations. Pair your piadina with a glass of prosecco or a bubbly Lambrusco, the local red wine that elevates every bite.
Set in the heart of the city, this family-run spot combines authentic flavours with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it a must-try on any Bologna street food itinerary.
Indegno 2.0
Just a short walk from Piadina Pratello, Indegno 2.0 is another essential stop on lively Via del Pratello, a street buzzing with nightlife and flavours.
The speciality here is the crescentina bolognese — a traditional fried bread, golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying soft inside. Typically eaten with cured meats and cheeses, at Indegno 2.0 it’s transformed into a modern street food Bologna experience with both classic and creative fillings.
The menu features everything from classic combinations to playful, experimental pairings. A standout is the crescentina “Indegno”, generously filled with authentic mortadella from Bologna, perfectly showcasing local tradition.
Another must-try is the tortellini fritti, served with a silky Parmigiano cream — a true indulgence that captures the soul of Bologna street food.
For a complete experience, pair your crescentina with Indegno’s own IPA craft beer, a bold match for the rich and savoury flavours. Casual, fun, and full of character, this spot reflects the vibrant energy of the Pratello district.
Pizzeria Altero
No tour of street food in Bologna would be complete without mentioning Pizzeria Altero, a true institution in the city centre since 1953.
Here, pizza is served al taglio — by the slice — a square-cut tradition that makes it easy to taste different flavours in one visit. This format is what turns their pizza into ideal Bologna street food, perfect to grab and enjoy while strolling through the historic streets.
Altero’s menu ranges from timeless classics to more original creations, all prepared daily with artisanal methods and high-quality ingredients. Vegetarian and lactose-free options ensure that everyone can indulge.
While savoury slices are the main draw, there’s also a sweet surprise: the pizza al cioccolato. This speciality layers rich gianduia chocolate cream between two sheets of dough, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar — a treat that has become a local favourite.
Beloved by generations of locals and visitors alike, Altero is more than a pizzeria — it’s part of the city’s culinary identity and a must-try for anyone exploring the best street food in Bologna.
Street Food Bologna: PizzAltero - picture from their website
Ragū & Draft
Ragū & Draft is a street food spot that brings traditional Bolognese cuisine into a casual, on-the-go format.
The menu features fresh handmade pasta, from tagliatelle al ragù — not to be confused with spaghetti Bolognese, which doesn’t exist in Italy — to gramigna with sausage ragù and balanzoni, a typical Bolognese stuffed pasta.
For a quicker bite, the “Cibo da strada” section offers dishes perfect for eating while walking.
Everything here is made in-house, from the pasta sheets to the bread, meat cuts, and sauces, ensuring authentic flavours that evoke childhood memories.
Opened in 2017, Ragū & Draft blends tradition and innovation, creating a true Bolognese street food experience paired with artisanal draft cocktails.
Mò Mortadella Lab
Mò Mortadella Lab elevates Bolognese street food with a focus on mortadella, crafted exclusively for the lab using a local recipe. The star is the Rosetta, a handmade bread designed to hold generous fillings, crisped on the outside while staying soft and airy inside.
The menu pairs this unique bread with a variety of mortadelle, including traditional Bolognese, truffle-flavoured, and alternative versions made from buffalo, donkey, or wild boar.
Southern Italian ingredients like stracciatella, burrata, pistachio powder, and taralli enrich the sandwiches, creating inventive combinations that highlight regional flavours.
Mò Mortadella Lab is a playful and flavorful stop for anyone seeking the best street food in Bologna.
Not sure about Where to Stay In Bologna? Check here the Best Accommodations in town, close to all the amenities and point of interests.
Street Food Markets in Bologna
Bologna is also famous for lively street food markets where you can taste local specialities on the go.
From fresh pasta bites to creative sandwiches, these markets bring together the best of Bolognese flavours in a casual, bustling atmosphere.
We’ll now explore three of the city’s top street food markets, each offering a unique experience for food lovers.
Mercato di Mezzo
The Mercato di Mezzo has been a hub of flavors and gatherings since the Middle Ages, evolving over centuries into one of Bologna’s most iconic food destinations.
Transformed into the city’s first covered market after Italy’s unification and renovated in 2014, it now blends tradition with modernity, offering a space where locals and visitors can shop or enjoy freshly prepared meals.
Inside, you’ll find everything from artisanal products to hearty plates of fresh pasta. We suggest you to go to Coop Minimarket — think tortellini, tagliatelle with ragù, or butter-sauced varieties, served in generous portions at fair prices.
The market also hosts tastings and food culture events, making it not just a place to eat, but a lively venue that celebrates the city’s culinary heritage.
For travelers eager to dive into street food in Bologna, Mercato di Mezzo is the perfect stop to experience authentic flavors in a historic setting.
Mercato delle Erbe
The Mercato delle Erbe is Bologna’s largest covered market and one of the city’s favorite spots to enjoy street food in a lively atmosphere. Originally designed in 1910 and later rebuilt after World War II, it combines the charm of traditional food stalls with modern dining spaces.
During the day, locals shop for fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, cured meats, cheeses, and wines from the many stalls scattered inside.
By evening, the market transforms into a social hub, with small eateries and wine bars serving pizza, seafood, pasta, and classic Bolognese dishes.
With its warm indoor piazza, open until late, the Mercato delle Erbe is both a place to taste authentic flavours and a meeting point for friends and visitors — an essential stop for anyone exploring Bologna street food markets.
Mercato Ritrovato
Held at the Cineteca di Bologna since 2008, the Mercato Ritrovato is a farmers’ market built on sustainability and local traditions.
Managed by an association of producers under strict guidelines, it features only seasonal, zero-kilometer products sold directly by farmers and artisans. This makes it not only a place to shop but also one of the most authentic street food markets in Bologna.
With more than 50 local producers, the market offers high-quality ingredients, freshly prepared snacks, and simple street food to enjoy on the spot.
Beyond food, the atmosphere is enriched by live music, workshops for adults and children, and cultural events, making it a lively community gathering.
Open on Saturdays from September to June, and also on Wednesday evenings from April to October, Mercato Ritrovato is an original and welcoming stop for those looking to experience genuine flavors and the social side of Bologna street food.
Conclusions
Exploring street food in Bologna is one of the most enjoyable ways to discover the city’s authentic character.
From family-run spots like Piadina Pratello and Indegno 2.0 to long-standing institutions such as Pizzeria Altero, the variety is endless.
Do you feel lost and you can’t choose where to start exploring the countless delicacies that Bologna has to offer? Why not book a Bologna Food Tour with Delicious Bologna, where an expert foodie guide will explain how to enjoy this culinary experience to the best.
Whether you’re searching for tortellini Bologna street food or looking to wander through a Bologna street food market, this city offers flavours and experiences that make it a must for every food lover.
