5 great Michelin starred restaurants near Bologna (that are not Osteria Francescana)

If I say Michelin starred restaurant near Bologna your first thought will go to Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana.

And I can say you're right because #1 restaurant in the world is a worth-a-plane place.
But it's not the only Michelin star that you should check out if you are in Bologna.

It took me some time (and money) but here are 5 very different places that have more than a star in common.

Savigno is a small town inside Val Samoggia, about 25min from Bologna, surrounded by woods and hills full of vineyards.

Since 1934, Amerigo offers the best products of his land in a family trattoria opened by Alberto Bettini's grandparents.
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You won't find any fois gras or caviar there, but only the best local and seasonal products like mushrooms and truffles (black and white), river fish like salmerino del Corno alle Scale or deer in a cuisine that celebrates the tradition in combination with innovation.

The location is very warm and cozy and it is inspired by a vintage style with old coffee machines and liquor posters on the walls. A jump back to the ‘30s!
At the entrance there's a small shop to buy some products, I recommend their liquors (China China or Marasca) or Saba (cooked grape must).

Prices
50€ à la carte, 60€ fixed-price menu

I suggest you
On the first Sunday of the month, Savigno hosts the antique market. Go for a walk and take home some vintage souvenirs

One dish not to miss
Amerigo's egg. A sort of soufflé, soft as a cloud usually served with truffle when available, I ate it with asparagus.

Via Guglielmo Marconi, 14-16, 40060 Savigno (BO)
Tel. +39 051 670 8326
Email: [email protected]
www.amerigo1934.it

Ready to meet the only Michelin star of Bologna city centre?

​The first surprise is that is inside I Portici, one of the best hotels in Bologna, a few meters from the train station.

The restaurant is set in the elegant cafè chantant, called Teatro Eden, opened in 1889.

Exactly 100 years after, Gianluca Renzi was born in Rome.
This young chef built his skills near Heinz Beck and now is ready to take walk on his feet.

On your dish you'll travel from Rome to Florence, then Bologna, following the chef's origins and destination.

Don't expect a classic cacio e pepe or panzanella.
Just open your mind and mouth and you won't get disappointed.

Prices
85€ 5 courses menù, 105€ 7 courses menù, 55€ 3 glasses wine pairing, 88€ 5 glasses wine pairing.

I suggest you
Ask to eat inside the old ice cave used by the pope. A wonderful and intimate location to eat by candlelight.

One dish not to miss
Pigeon with pistachio, braised shallot and blackberries.

Via dell'Indipendenza, 69, 40121 Bologna
Tel. +39 051 4218562
Email: [email protected]
www.iporticihotel.com/ristorante-i-portici

It's not easy to find a woman chef with a Michelin star.

Along with his brother Massimo (whose service will offer you the best Pignoletto I ever had), Aurora Mazzucchelli is the only starred woman chef in Emilia Romagna and she keeps her star from 2008 with firmness.

The restaurant, renovated in 2016, has now a modern and elegant style, but you will feel at ease.

​The combination of local ingredients and excellent products creates dishes like their famous Macaroni al torchio, smoked eel, raw oysters and spinach or the turnip ravioli, goat cheese and balsamic bubbles.

In this way, Aurora shows her bravery and her skills.

UPDATE 2021
Ristorante Marconi changed its format to a new one dedicated to pizza and bread called "Casa Mazzucchelli".
It's still unsure if the Michelin star will be confirmed.
It's sure that it will be as great as in the past.

Prices
Menu 55€ (8 pizza tastings) 45€ (6 pizza tastings).

I suggest you
After lunch visit Rocchetta Mattei, an astonishing castle not far from there

One dish not to miss
​Parmesan cheese tortelli with lavender, nutmeg and almonds.

Via Porrettana n.291, 40037 Sasso Marconi (BO)
Tel. +39 051 846216
E-mail: [email protected]
casamazzucchelli.com

Ok, it's about 1,5h far from Bologna, but I promise it does worth the efforts.

We're in the bassa, the flat humid area near Po' river where you go to follow one myth: culatello. A heavenly cured meat, caressed by the fog raising from Emilia land.
Massimo Spigaroli gets the best from it, like for its guinea-fowl covered by culatello and cooked in clay.
Or just try it pure, just to taste how the aging changes its flavors.

If you haven't had enough culatello at our Parma food tour, that's the address you should write on Google Maps.

Prices
90€ (Tasting menu)

I suggest you
Try also the Hosteria del maiale, for a cheaper experience dedicated to the pig.

One dish not to miss
Podium of Culatelli from “White Pig” aged over 18, 27 and 37 months.
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Strada Palazzo due Torri, 3, 43010 Polesine Parmense PR
+39 0524 936539
www.acpallavicina.com

Ok, these are the Michelin Restaurants near Bologna to spend that romantic dinner you're planning for too long.

But as you've set the quality to the highest level, can you eat ordinary food while you visit our land?

During our food tours, we visit legendary restaurants, hidden cafes and family shops famous to be the top in their field.

So read our +300 5 stars review on Tripadvisor and follow the advice of The Guardian, BBC's Rick Stein and Netflix's Phil Rosenthal who chose us in the past.