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Mercato di Mezzo is the beating coronary heart of Bologna’s meals scene, mendacity within the middle of the historic Quadrilatero neighborhood. It’s one among my favourite spots within the metropolis and is all the time a spotlight of my Bologna meals excursions.
The market has been a gathering level for meals lovers for the reason that twelfth century, however as of late, it’s fairly a bit extra refined and arranged! What started as a spot for buyers to load up on important produce has reworked right into a coated market that blends sit-down eateries with stalls stocked with native recent meals.
Learn on to search 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 ingesting choices!
What to Count on at Mercato di Mezzo
Photograph credit score: Mercato di Mezzo
Mercato di Mezzo is all about unforgettable eating and purchasing experiences, with numerous stalls and eating places unfold throughout three bustling flooring. Though this market is now comparatively trendy in model, 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 enchantment to locals, so don’t count on to have the place to your self! That stated, 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 may keep away from the worst of the crowds by tucking into your lunch or dinner at off-peak instances.
Should-Strive Meals and Stalls
L’Antica Bottega
Photograph credit score: L’Antica Bottega
L’Antica Bottega is one among my go-to sandwich spots in Bologna, and though there’s usually an extended queue right here, it’s all the time been price it! You’ll have your choose of regional cheeses and meats, which might 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 contains a mixture of traditional Bolognese flavors and a spread 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 once I arrived right here, and the wealthy pork-filled pasta and savory broth have been simply what I wanted.
Pescheria del Pavaglione
Pescheria del Pavaglione could appear to be your run-of-the-mill fishmongers from the surface, nevertheless it really doubles as a small restaurant. Their cold and hot meals choices embody recent salads and rice-based dishes, however you may’t come right here and never attempt the seafood.
I opted for a mixture of gadgets, 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 places throughout northern Italy, and I really like their quaint and comfortable restaurant in Mercato di Mezzo. It’s largely often known as a pizzeria, although in addition they supply some tasty pasta dishes.
I’d been craving old school Neapolitan pizza for days once I acquired 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 might appear in a metropolis like Bologna, it’s not unusual to search out your self craving one thing aside from Italian meals now and again. In these moments, vigorous spots like Baladin are all the time 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
For those who 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 will provide you with a unbelievable alternative to soak up the ambiance whereas sampling some native snacks and drinks.
Regional wines like pignoletto, lambrusco, and sangiovese are all the time nice decisions, as are small servings of olives, cured meats, mini pizzas, and focaccia.
The Market’s Position in Bologna’s Meals Scene
Photograph credit score: Mercato di Mezzo
Bologna has an illustrious status as Italy’s meals capital, and few locations embody town’s gastronomic heritage fairly like Mercato di Mezzo.
The situation and structure alone display this, because the market lies within the Quadrilatero space, Bologna’s storied buying and selling middle. This district is the go-to spot within the metropolis for nearly any product you may consider, however Mercato di Mezzo is on the middle of all of the motion.
Inside 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 info to bear in mind when planning your go to to Mercato di Mezzo.
- Opening hours and days: Mercato di Mezzo is open every day from 10:00 am to 12:00 am, although the precise hours range between distributors.
- The right way to get there: In below two minutes, you may stroll from Piazza Maggiore to Mercato di Mezzo by persevering with alongside By way of 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 strains 11, 25, 27, and 30.
- Close by points of interest: Piazza Maggiore, Two Towers, By way of Clavature, Archiginnasio, Basilica di San Petronio
- Greatest instances to go to: If you wish to keep away from the crowds, cease by midweek for lunch, or in the event you’d want to take in 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 below 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: Prime 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-Opinions-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-Opinions-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
