Trattoria di Via Serra

This place is the real deal.. a wonderful, authentic Italian dining experience that feels like home. Such a charming interior and all of the dishes we had were remarkable, especially the salted caramel cheesecake. Genuinely one of the best meals and desserts we experienced on our trip to Italy. Do not miss out if you are in the area! The location is small and is booked up solid for days at a time. They leave 1-2 tables available for walk in right when the restaurant opens and it becomes increasingly difficult to secure a spot as the night goes on. We were lucky enough to be 1 of those 2 walk-in tables that were let in. The phone basically rings nonstop the first hour they are open as people are frantically trying to secure a spot for dinner - and it's a testament to how exceptional this place is. Would love to return in the future!

One of my favorite places where me and my partner ate in Bologna. The place is quite small and from the outside is more difficult to spot. Pro tip: make a reservation, we were lucky and found a spot because we came on at opening time. House wine was amazing, the tortellini and broth was just outstanding, the cheese platter, and the gramigna with a light sausage and pumpkin ragu and zuppa Inglese were also good (even though they change the menu periodically). In my opinion this is a must go place, as the staff is friendly, they speak English, they have day specials and the place feels very cozy.

The best value of all trattorias around bologna. Class, hospitality, authentic flavours. Wine suggestions was beyond expectations. This place belongs to my heart from the first moments. A Must.

This place is a must if you’re visiting Bologna. The traditional menu stays true to Bologna’s reputation as Italy’s epicurean capital. Waiting staff were incredibly hospitable and the setting warm and intimate. I highly recommend the tortellini in brodo - the first spoonful instantaneously transported me back to my childhood. If you’re not lucky enough to secure a booking, arrive 15 min before opening and they may be able to accommodate you at the counter.

If you dont have a reservation, be prepared to line up at 6:45 ! We got the last table and had one of the best meals of our life :) The tortellini in brodo and tagliatelle were fantastic and the main course as well. The desert and house wine were excellent. Warm service, without pretentiousness. Would definitely reccommend !

Food was so good! We arrived a little before 7 PM because we didn’t have a reservation and luckily they improvised a table for us. Thank you! They also had 4 bar seats for later arrivals and people usually won’t stay for long at those seats so if you arrive and they are taken, I suggest you just wait a little. Unlike the tables, that are reserved for the whole night, there was some rotation with the balcony seats. Now, about the food, we wanted to try everything! We had the tortellini in broth, which was beautifully handmade, the papardelle bolognese, the meatballs and a special pasta of the day: gramini with pumpkin and sausage. It was all delicious. We would come back. Service was also very sympathetic :)

The tortellini and broth was fantastic. I didn't know what to expect, but the tortellini was small and the broth was very flavorful. It was so good that I ordered a round of the tagliatelle with ragu, which was also very good . What really caught my attention, though, was the owner making it very clear to me that my table was mine for the entire lunch period, while at the same time, he was turning people away at the door because there were no open tables. If you get here at noon, you don't need a reservation. After that, you will need some luck on your side. I recommend going and going early. That will give you time for a second entree.

Not so visible restaurant from the outside but very well kept and nice inside. The waiters were kind and dishes arrived quickly. Food was pretty good and enjoyed also the wine. Overall positive feedback

I've been here so many times and every time is like the first time! True celebration of slow-food, with excellent local ingredients and selection. Flavio is a great host and spends the time to walk you through the menu. It wouldn't be the same experience without him. Every time I got here, I got a discount. Extremely well-priced for the quality. Highly recommended! Uno dei miei ristoranti preferiti in assoluto.

This restaurant is said to be the BEST restaurant in Bologna so of course I had to cross all my fingers and try to get a table (which is VERY difficult per all the reviews online). And obviously, since I'm able to give my two cents here, I GOT IN!! I also later met someone who lives in Bologna with his family and he said this restaurant was very good and well known among the locals! I went here in the summer of 2019. The restaurant is cute and the food delicious. I clearly am not familiar with authentic Italian food or what is mind blowing delicious because I thought it was okay. I probably need to try it again just to make sure. I'm sure I'm missing something here!

This was our best meal in Bologna - Flavio is a great host and explains all dishes in detail. He can also help pairing wines with food. We started with the Tosone avvolto nella Pancetta which was perfect, then had some tortellini in brodo and pasta in ragu bianco followed by Rabbit wrap in pancetta. For dessert some crema inglesa. All dishes were amazing, servers were nice and the house amaro was delicious. A must try when in Bologna.

Omg. This place was not open when we first stopped off for lunch on our way to Milan. We took a walk and came back was it worth it, Not only is it the best food we've had in Italy so far it is the best meal I've had in years. The owner is amazing he took 20 minutes to explain every single thing on the menu , the food was fresh and incredible. Made it worth the stop!

Wow. Just wow. The service. The food. Perfetto!!! Appetizer ham wrapped with cheese? Bring it. Two types of pasta? Fantastic. Braised beef cheeks? Omg. The service was most courteous and informative. The gentleman showed extreme pride in their food and in the slow-cooking food regime. If we didn't miscalculate the days of the week, we would've eaten here again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Bologna.

We never got to eat. We were turned away on a Tuesday night in October. He claimed all booked up. But nobody was in there. He said he Doesn't want tourists, if so, then remove all your stickers , website, telephone, and Michelin shit . What a douche.

This is one of the best trattorias in Bolognia. Starting from the friendly welcome from Flavio (one of the owners), and then the food is just perfect. We will come back next time we are in Bolognia. Keep in mind that a reservation is recommended if you want to find a table.

I echo what others mentioned that this lovely, intimate restaurant as being one of the best meals I ate in Bologna. I would have never found this place on my own and I'm so grateful that an Italian friend from Imola introduced me to it. Flavio, the owner, carefully described in detail how specific dishes were prepared (by Tommaso who we also met), from the traditional regional antipasti, homemade bread, and dessert. All of the courses provided reasonable portions and complimented each other beautifully. It's easy to rave about this place when the owners take such pride in their offering. It's no surprise getting a reservation here can be a challenge so plan ahead so you won't be turned away. Everything was perfect.

Good food, friendly service, good value and cute ambience. Only negatives: beyond the house wine no wines by the glass was offered and this strange service charge that was added called "copperto". The latter which was at 2 euros per diner, came out of the tip we'd have otherwise left. This is the only place we've been levied such a fee in Italy so far. Make a reservation in advance or be prepared to dine at 7pm. Phone was ringing off the hook on a weekday. Patrons were both locals and tourists.

Wow, I came to Bologna strictly for the food and walked away completely satisfied with this place. From knowledge of ingredients, to hospitality and ambience, onto taste, and fairness of price = A+

What a gem! The trattoria di via Serra is a small but lively spot in charming Bologna. We were included in a friend's birthday celebration and were guided to a private room that would easily seat 8-10 downstairs, somewhat away from the bustling main room. Our little group was welcomed by the proprietor Flavio who described in appealing detail the nature and process used in n army every dish on the menu. His enthusiasm and friendly nature were catching and we were all drawn into the promise of a wonderful evening. Service was prompt and attentive, appetizers were creative and appealing, and the main dishes were exemplary. The trattoria adopts the "slow food" philosophy, with locally sourced organic ingredients, extending even to the wine selection. All in all a delightful celebration made especially so by the gracious host and professional staff. We hope to return before departing Italy this week.

What an absolute gem of a place. Tucked on a side street behind an unassuming facade is a marvelous little restaurant we cannot get enough of. It is a small place, maybe 25 tables, a simple trattoria...really...It says so on the wall..but from the moment you enter you are in a different world. We do not usually indulge in the full course meal but we did here. Apps were a delicious prosciutto and parmesan rooting and a mushroom bruschetta that delivered a deep porcini flavor. Primo piatti were taglitelli Bolognese and tortellini in bro do featuring a delicious capon broth. Mains were delicious meatballs and porcini in a light sauce and a roasted guinea fowl stuffed with olives, mushroom and stuffing. The skin on that was crispy and delicious...the inside meat moist and tender. It was all enjoyed with a house wine that was amazing. The service from beginning to end was impeccable and the cost was extremely reasonable. This is the kind of place you see in travel vids...This is why you came here.

We were staying at the hotel next door (Hotel Il Guercino) and were able to secure a reservation during their 7pm spot. We were the first ones there and had the pleasure of the owner, Flavio, explaining the entire menu for us, in detail. He was very personable and very helpful. We got the house wine, which was pretty delicious. For antipasti, we had the "Tosone avvolto nella Pancetta e cotto al forno" and also a fritter dish. It was unique and very tasty. For primi piatti, we ordered the tagliatelle and the tortellini with sage and butter. Easily some of the best pasta we've ever had. For the secondo piatto, we ordered the rabbit wrapped in pancetta and it changed our lives. Wonderful flavor and very filling. We finished up with the chocolate cake and were significantly impressed with this meal. You could taste the love in the food. Make a reservation and try to get a table at this restaurant!

Quite a cozy place and enjoyed the food as well. I have only good words for the service, the staff was helpful and kind. We called for a reservation and it was indeed necessary because the place was full. A great dining experience and would recommend the place for everyone

Can't fault the place we've had a lovely time, great food and ambiance. The other reviews are exactly what we experienced. The house wine was fine, just didn't hit all the buttons, but that may be personal taste, the special tonight was very good, spaghetti chitarra.

This is the best meal I had during my brief trip to Bologna, and it had some stiff competition! The staff was very friendly and attentive. They provided detailed descriptions of all of the dishes, thankfully in English once they realized how terrible my Italian was. The food was amazing. The highlight for me was a roasted hen secondo that they had on the menu that day. Overall it was a wonderful experience.

We had a spectacular meal here with a wonderful host. I wrote a detailed review that vanished. We were charmed and had great authentic local fare. Favio took care to explain each dish passionately in English and helped us select courses we were all satisfied with. My daughter loved the brodo and was treated to a dessert! The tortelloni in butter and sage was excellent and my husband got beef cheeks that were succulent and perfectly seasoned. We were served a complimentary green walnut liqueur made in house to cap our meal. This was, if not the very best food on our trip (maybe it was :), it was certainly a dining experience that was the highlight of our trip to Italy. We sincerely thank our wonderful host for this experience.