The best bistros and brasseries - Emilia-Romagna in 2024

Practical information : Take a break Emilia-Romagna

Timetable

Cafés, tea rooms and gourmet shops (pastry shops and bakeries with tasting rooms) are generally open from morning until late afternoon (Italians love the little pastry shop with an espresso around 5-6pm!). Ice cream shops open a little later, around noon, and close in the evening. Bar hours vary: often open at noon in the city, around 5pm elsewhere, they close between 11pm and 3am.

Budget & Tips

An espresso will cost you €1 on average, €1.50 for a cappuccino. In many cafés, you first go to the cashier where you are given your strain (scontrino). You can then give it to the barman and consume it at the counter. In more touristy places, the coffee, which costs 1 € at the counter, will cost you more if you are sitting on the terrace. A glass of wine costs about 5 €. If there are several of you - or if you are very motivated - it is more interesting to order a bottle directly. Beer is quite expensive in Italy, especially the artisanal beers that are on the rise at the moment. Cocktails are charged between 5 and 8 € on average.
Unsurprisingly, it is the university cities that are the most lively, and Bologna is well ahead with 80,000 students attending its university. The city's biggest concentration of bars is around the via Zamboni. In Ferrara, via Carlo Mayr, via Ragno and via Romano are the streets where most of the bars with nightlife are located. In Parma, the Strada Farini is just a succession of bars, restaurants and wine bars and there is always a certain amount of excitement. You will also find some addresses in the adjacent streets.

Age restrictions

In Italy, the legal drinking age is 18.

What's very local

Swallow an espresso at the bar counter in the morning before heading to work. Prefer a glass of lambrusco to a cocktail at aperitivo time, and accompany it with some cold cuts.

Smokers

Smoking has been banned in bars and cafés since January 2005.

The best bistros and brasseries Emilia-Romagna

LE BISTROT

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners