Ristorante Da Cesari

A family eatery beside Piazza Maggiore

Da Cesari is at Via de' Carbonesi, 8, a street off Via Farini two minutes from Piazza Maggiore and the Basilica of San Petronio. The place began in the early 20th century as an osteria and wine shop. The Cesari family has run it since 1955: first Ilario and, from 1962, Paolino and his wife Irene. The main room seats 60, with white tablecloths and wooden bottle racks, and there is a private room for 40 for groups.

It is a good place to try classic Bolognese cooking without leaving the centre, in a traditional dining room with table service.

What to order

The traditional menu is short and clear. For first courses, tortellini in veal broth, tagliatelle al ragù and gramignone verde, a short egg pasta with spinach, with sausage ragù. For a main course, scaloppina alla petroniana, the breaded cutlet with ham and cheese named after the city's patron saint, with roast potatoes. For dessert, dark chocolate tenerina, zabaione semifreddo with almond crunch or panna cotta. They have a cellar with wines from the region.

The website does not publish prices.

Booking and when to go

It is open Monday to Saturday, from 12:30 to 14:30 and from 19:30 to 22:30. It closes on Sundays, in August and over the Christmas holidays; in 2026 the summer break runs from 31 July to 31 August. Book by phone, calling from 10:00 to 13:00 or from 19:00 to 23:30; email is only for groups of more than ten or with a fixed menu. There is no online booking.

With children, they have a high chair, though no baby-changing facilities. Dogs are welcome. It fits well after the Archiginnasio or before the Clock Tower, which are a few minutes' walk away.