Italy Local Guide.
Read reviews on the best hotels, restaurants, and amenities available for both tourists and those looking to live in this city.
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Ristorante L'Abside (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) I wish I was exaggerating - this was the MOST delicious meal I had in Italy! Not sure why this restaurant isn't Michelin rated! Goes to show the simplicity of Southern Italian cuisine is far better than the most renowned restaurants. I didn't have to reach for any added salt or pepper - and for those who know me, that says A LOT. The lemon sauce for the pasta was so addictive that I wish I had more bread to sop it up. Anyway, TLDR you MUST eat here!
Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) The second-best meal I had in Italy, and didn't have to spend all my money on it! You can easily get homemade pasta, gnocchi (highly recommend), and other dishes for 10 euros here. Be prepared for a LONG line and wait, even if you're just one person. But it's well worth the wait. Once again, didn't have to reach for salt and pepper, everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned :-)
Restaurant Antiche Mura (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) The owner and his wife are two of the kindest people in Italy! TLDR, I went through a hero's journey just to try their lobster pasta and it was well worth it :-) CAUTION: You MUST make reservations before showing up or you risk missing out. And trust me you don't want to miss it. A beautifully decorated restaurant for an amazing lunch or dinner <3
Voglia... Pane e vino (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) Best tasting panini in Italy! And reasonably priced. Got to enjoy this while basking in the sun - couldn't have been a better experience.
Gelateria Santa Trinita (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) The BEST gelato I had in Italy HANDS DOWN. I mean, you have to go out of your way to find terrible gelato in Italy. But THIS gelateria wins for best (cheapest) price + highest quality! Lines are long even at 10 pm - that's how good it is. (And yes, I was out there that late every day, lol). They also have the best variety of flavors I've seen during my trip.
Gamberini (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) Surprised at how low ratings are for this cafe! I had the cheapest yet tastiest breakfast here in Bologna...you can get a savory and sweet treat + coffee for under 5 euros! Definitely add this to your stops while in Italy.
CENERE (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) Who would think the best Italian dining experience would be in Pompeii? Besides the exquisite food offered on the menu, the chef offered several "gift" meals for me to try. Each one was full of amazing, complex flavors. A foodie nerd would love it here! Would give 10 stars if I could.
Le Moline (⭐⭐⭐) You gotta decide if you want affordable or great-tasting Bolognese pasta when deciding to eat here. In my opinion, this place is only good for affordability. I was very disappointed in the quality BUT seems this is a restaurant mostly catering to the college students nearby vs. tourists. So perhaps it's not their goal to produce the best pasta ever.
La Bettola Del Gusto (⭐⭐⭐⭐) It's a Michelin restaurant BUT I think it was just ok. The wait staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and helpful in making a decision. However, I honestly had more exciting meals at less-known mom-and-pop restaurants.