10 foodie things to do in Bologna

1. Start your day outside Caffà¨Vittorio Emanuele in Piazza Maggiore with a cappuccino and brioche (they'llalso give you a glass of water to go with it), and watch the world unfold.

2. Head for the Mercato delle Erbe for fruit, vegetables, prosciuttocrudo, balsamic vinegar, parmigiano reggianocheese, local products and more. You needto look for the sign that's fairly hidden by the shopping centre. Go atlunchtime and try one of the cafés. Altro? (named after the Italian way ofsaying, anything else?) does light lunches, pizza and artisan beer.

3. Go out the other side of themarket and opposite the exit you'll find a place called Le Sfogline. Sfoglina (singular) refers to awoman who makes pasta using traditional techniques and this is where they arestill making their tortellini as they always have done. According to thelegend, Venus was staying in an inn during the battles between Modena andBologna in the 14th century. The innkeeper went to wake her, andwhen he saw her naked, was amazed by the beauty of her belly button. And thusthe tortellino was born, in the shape of Venus' belly button.

4. Eat tortellini and tagliatelle alrag๠at Trattoria Anna Maria. Signora Anna Maria has been managing therestaurant and serving up traditional home cooking for the past 32 years.

5. Head for Salumeria Simoni for Parma ham, mortadella,culatello, ciccioli (Italian pork scratchings), parmigiano reggiano cheese and freshly madebread. It's a traditional style deli where you can sit in and eat.

6. All'OsteriaBottega is reputed to be one of Bologna'sfinest, and offers traditional Bolognese cooking within a family-runatmosphere. Try their local salumi (cured meats), traditional pasta dishes(such as tortellini in capon broth) and cotoletta alla bolognese, a classic veal cutlet in breadcrumbsthat's fried in butter and then topped with Parma ham and parmigiano reggiano cheese and cooked inbroth.

7. Go for fast food - or casualfood, as they call it - Italian style at Bottega Portici where theemphasis is on high quality ingredients and local gastronomic culture. Sit in,take out, or take a look at their range of local products. They also offercooking classes.

8.Milan has its fashion quadrilateral and Bologna has its food quadrilateral. ViaDrapperie, via Pescherie Vecchie and via Clavature is an area that dates backto the tradesmen and merchants of Medieval times. Browse the markets, buy a fewlocal products or sit at one of the tables outside and have an aperitivo or biteto eat. 

9. Majani have been producing chocolate since1796. Try their gianduia (soft chocolates made with hazelnutcream) or FIAT creminochocolates, known as cremino because the chocolate is creamy and made up offour distinct layers. This is the chocolate with which Majani won the 1911 Fiatcompetition to develop a new chocolate to celebrate the launch of the Tipo 4model.

10. And finally, go for ice creamat Cremeria Scirocco. Owner Andrea Bandieri won Gambero Rosso's prize for best gastronomicalice cream in 2018. Try parmigiano with dried figs or gorgonzola with nuts.