Bologna Restaurant Recommendations

Superb, I love it! www.alpappagallo.it

If you walk up the spectaular 2km portico to the Madonna San Luca you will get an unforgettable view of Bologna http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g187801-d246574-r123352766-... There is a bus or taxi option up/down too. You can have a pizza at the pizzeria Da Vito at the top near the church & there are plenty of caffé & bars at the bottom in Via Saragozza  there's a bar/pasticceria at the bottom of the walk which looks a bit underwhelming but you will get drinks & snacks there at local prices. If you go off the beaten track in Bologna it is hard not to find good food. Try rubbing shoulders with the office workers in the caffé at the Tamburini self-service restaurant! In bocco al lupo!

I thought that you were after something more formal, hence my recommendation to go to Osteria al  Papagallo, but for something casual... Bologna is a foodies paradise. I go to Tamburini to buy products, really worth a visit, but I have never been to their restaurant.  Try to have some tortellini....

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone.  I will look into Papagallo.  We have always wanted to walk up Madonna San Luca and hopefully will have time for that.  We have visited Bologna in the past but never for more than a few days.  If I could break away from Le Marche, we would have more time to explore!

The Pappagallo is not bad but as frequent visitors to Bologna we prefer Il Bitone. It is a couple of km from the centre but easy to find - http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187801-d1111708-Reviews-Bit... More centrally we like the Cesarina -  http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187801-d802877-Reviews-Da_C... Watch out for closing days, often Mon and Tues, tho' Pappagallo says it stays open.  

Thanks so much Robert, I will add your suggestions to my list to consider.  We will have a car but are planning on leaving it at our bed and breakfast as it's only about a 10 minute walk into town.

Via San Rocco 16, is quite hard to find as it is in an old warehouse and the front door is at the side. The food is excellent, but I am not suer if they open for Lunch. This was the best place we ate in Bologna when we had a few days there.....see Trip Advisor.