Bologna is a gourmet's paradise. In fact, the city's status as a culinary capital has given it the affectionate nickname La Grassa: 'the fat one'. And some of Italy's most famous pasta dishes, meats, cheeses and wines hail from its region. Parmesan cheese, Parma ham and Modena balsamic vinegar all come from this corner of Italy.
Stop off in a city-centre trattoria or osteria to tuck into a delicious tortellini al ragu or a tagliatelle dish. Or if you fancy a takeaway bite to eat or perhaps a pre-dinner drink, head to the Mercato di Mezzo covered market. Sip a Spritz amid the bustle there as you relish a mouth-watering dish that was freshly made before you. The Mercato della Erbe (literally the 'herb market') is also an unmissable spot for those keen on local produce. After a bit of food-shopping there, take a seat in one of the restaurants it houses and treat yourself to a coffee or a tasty pizza.
The Italian aperitivo – an early-evening drink with light bites – is a good way to eat cheaply. At the end of the day, some of Bologna's bars even offer a self-service buffet where you order an aperitivo drink.