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), salmerino river fish, or deer, in a cuisine that celebrates tradition mixed with innovation.

A warm and cosy location 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.

Info
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, which opened in 1889.

Young chef Nicolò Annuziata arrived at I Portici in early 2023, after an intense career around European Michelin stars.

Don't expect a classic cacio e pepe or panzanella.

Just open your mind and mouth and you won't get disappointed.

Prices
110€ 5 courses menù, 150€ 7 courses menù, 55€ 3 glasses wine pairing, 85€ 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
Broken spaghetti with seafood

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

Ready to go 7 m below sea level?
You don't need a mask and snorkel, no worry.

You are in the Po river lagoon, a fascinating foggy land full of flamingos and fishermen.

Capanna di Eraclio stands there since 1922.
Fresh fish comes in every morning from the boat fishing at night. Eels of course, but also small lagoon shrimps, moeche crabs, and if you're lucky granseola, the spider crab.

All around you, there are rooms that look like an apartment. With paintings, large tables, freshly ironed white tablecloths, a fireplace.
It feels like home.
But in a house where you eat very well.

Prices
140€ (6 courses menu with paired wine)

I suggest you
Stop to visit Comacchio, a gem of the Po lagoon that sits on the water.

One dish not to miss
Anguilla in umad, stewed eel. It's the historic dish of the tavern. Cut into slices, passed over poplar wood embers to harden the skin and then cooked in the oven

Info
Località per Codigoro, 3 – via Per Le Venezie 3 Codigoro (FE)
Tel. + 39 0533 712154

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

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's 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 ageing changes its flavours.

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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Info
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.