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Mercato di Mezzo is the beating coronary heart of Bologna’s meals scene, mendacity within the heart of the historic Quadrilatero neighborhood. It’s certainly one of my favourite spots within the metropolis and is at all times a spotlight of my Bologna meals excursions.

The market has been a gathering level for meals lovers because the twelfth century, however lately, it’s fairly a bit extra refined and arranged! What started as a spot for customers to load up on important produce has reworked right into a lined market that blends sit-down eateries with stalls stocked with native recent meals.

Learn on to seek out all of the need-to-know particulars about Mercato di Mezzo, together with its historical past and background and all the perfect eating and consuming choices!

What to Count on at Mercato di Mezzo

Photograph credit score: Mercato di Mezzo

Mercato di Mezzo is all about unforgettable eating and procuring experiences, with various stalls and eating places unfold throughout three bustling flooring. Though this market is now comparatively trendy in type, with communal tables and modern decor, I can’t assist however love the old-school vibe that’s nonetheless current in each nook.

It’s among the many most-visited vacationer points of interest in Bologna whereas persevering with to attraction to locals, so don’t anticipate to have the place to your self! That mentioned, it tends to be a bit of quieter right here earlier within the day earlier than lunchtime rolls round or within the late afternoon. As such, you possibly can keep away from the worst of the crowds by tucking into your lunch or dinner at off-peak occasions.

Should-Strive Meals and Stalls

L’Antica Bottega

Photograph credit score: L’Antica Bottega

L’Antica Bottega is certainly one of my go-to sandwich spots in Bologna, and though there’s usually a protracted queue right here, it’s at all times been value it! You’ll have your choose of regional cheeses and meats, which may be loved on their very own or inside a heat piadina.

I went for a glass of floral lambrusco and their ‘nico’ sandwich, which consisted of spicy salami and earthy zucchini topped with punchy balsamic vinegar and parmigiano reggiano. 

Sorelle Ribelli

Photograph credit score: Sorelle Ribelli

Sorelle Ribelli is a vibrant little spot with a menu that encompasses a mixture of traditional Bolognese flavors and a variety of different typical Italian dishes. 

I went for the tortellini en brodo, a beloved meals in Bologna, and teamed it with peachy soave. It was a very chilly afternoon after I arrived right here, and the wealthy pork-filled pasta and savory broth had been simply what I wanted.

Pescheria del Pavaglione

Pescheria del Pavaglione might appear to be your run-of-the-mill fishmongers from the skin, however it really doubles as a small restaurant. Their cold and hot meals choices embody recent salads and rice-based dishes, however you possibly can’t come right here and never attempt the seafood.

I opted for a mixture of objects, together with crunchy calamari, candy oysters, and the smokey salmon quiche, which I washed down with a zingy glass of pinot grigio.

Rossopomodoro 

Photograph credit score: Rossopomodoro 

Rossopomodoro has a bunch of areas throughout northern Italy, and I like their quaint and comfortable restaurant in Mercato di Mezzo. It’s largely referred to as a pizzeria, although in addition they supply some tasty pasta dishes.

I’d been craving a great old school Neapolitan pizza for days after I received right here, and the tomato buffalo mozzarella-topped version actually hit the spot. The dough was skinny and crispy, whereas the gentle mozzarella was completely gooey and creamy. For additional taste, I added some basil and parmigiano reggiano.

Baladin

As unlikely as it could appear in a metropolis like Bologna, it’s not unusual to seek out your self craving one thing aside from Italian meals every now and then. In these moments, energetic spots like Baladin are at all times dependable.

I began issues off with a craft beer, a specialty right here, and went for a malty American amber ale. This was a surprisingly nice accompaniment to my tangy tartrate burger with velvety mayo and a toasted bun.

Aperitivo and Wine on the Market

When you fancy grabbing a lightweight chunk and having fun with a cocktail or a glass or two of wine, cease by Mercato di Mezzo round 6:00 pm for an aperitivo. This gives you a implausible alternative to absorb the ambiance whereas sampling some native snacks and drinks.

Regional wines like pignoletto, lambrusco, and sangiovese are at all times nice decisions, as are small servings of olives, cured meats, mini pizzas, and focaccia.

The Market’s Function in Bologna’s Meals Scene

Photograph credit score: Mercato di Mezzo

Bologna has an illustrious repute as Italy’s meals capital, and few locations embody town’s gastronomic heritage fairly like Mercato di Mezzo.

The situation and format alone display this, because the market lies within the Quadrilatero space, Bologna’s storied buying and selling heart. This district is the go-to spot within the metropolis for almost any product you possibly can consider, however Mercato di Mezzo is on the heart of all of the motion.

Throughout the confines of the market, you’ll discover a mixture of native suppliers who’ve been promoting their items right here for generations, alongside newer distributors specializing in curated merchandise and dishes.

Planning Your Go to to Mercato di Mezzo

Photograph credit score: Mercato di Mezzo

Under is a few key visiting data to remember when planning your go to to Mercato di Mezzo.

• Opening hours and days: Mercato di Mezzo is open each day from 10:00 am to 12:00 am, although the precise hours range between distributors.
• Methods to get there: In beneath two minutes, you possibly can stroll from Piazza Maggiore to Mercato di Mezzo by persevering with alongside Through Clavature for lower than 100 meters till you discover the market in your left. Public transport additionally serves the close by space, together with bus traces 11, 25, 27, and 30.
• Close by points of interest: Piazza Maggiore, Two Towers, Through Clavature, Archiginnasio, Basilica di San Petronio
• Greatest occasions to go to: If you wish to keep away from the crowds, cease by midweek for lunch, or when you’d desire to absorb the colourful ambiance, cease by on the weekend for an aperitivo.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss Mercato di Mezzo

Any foodie or tradition connoisseur has to incorporate a go to to Mercato di Mezzo on their Bologna itinerary. It’s the right place to immerse your self within the metropolis’s culinary traditions whereas sampling the entire regional specialties beneath one roof!

Sources:

Bologna Welcome. (n.d.). Mercato di Mezzo – The Center Market. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/locations/shopping-places/mercato-di-mezzo-the-middle-market

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Bologna Meals Excursions. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/bologna/

Dunn, Ok. (2024, November 29). A information to Bologna meals: High dishes and the place to attempt them. Consuming Europe. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/bologna-food/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). L’Antica Bottega Bologna. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187801-d6989222-Evaluations-L_Antica_Bottega_Bologna-Bologna_Province_of_Bologna_Emilia_Romagna.html

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Sorelle Ribelli. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187801-d15838988-Evaluations-Sorelle_Ribelli-Bologna_Province_of_Bologna_Emilia_Romagna.html

Pescheria del Pavaglione. (n.d.). Pescheria del Pavaglione. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from http://www.pescheriadelpavaglione.it/

Rossopomodoro. (n.d.). Rossopomodoro Bologna Centro. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://ristoranti.rossopomodoro.it/mercatodimezzo-a98f04e4792f

Baladin. (n.d.). Baladin Bologna. Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.baladin.it/baladin-bologna