The best seafood restaurants in Bologna
Discover the city's top spots for authentic seafood flavours
Bologna is renowned for its rolling hills, an impressive historic centre, medieval towers and romantic porticoes. Cured meats, cheeses, handmade fresh pasta and expertly cooked meat are staples across its classic trattorias, yet seafood holds its own here too, offering a wide variety of fresh daily catch to enjoy alongside a chilled glass of white wine.
From raw crudo, baked fish and grilled catches to seafood stews and rich sauces tossed with handmade pasta, the city’s dedicated seafood spots bridge past and present, tradition and experiment. Their single aim: evoking the salty tang of a seaside holiday, from the Adriatic coast to the wider Mediterranean. Ready to set sail? Our guide to the best seafood restaurants in Bologna will win you over.
Osteria Bartolini
Piazza Malpighi, 16
Set within the splendid Palazzo Dondini Ghiselli (formerly Marescotti), Osteria Bartolini opened in September 2016. The historic setting opens onto a lovely courtyard garden shaded by a centuries-old plane tree. Inside the former stables, a bright, minimalist dining room in coastal whites and soft blues welcomes diners. In warmer months, you can enjoy Adriatic seafood outdoors with a crisp glass of white wine. The à la carte menu follows the seasons and the day’s catch, bringing authentic coastal flavours to the table.
Trattoria Pane e Panelle
Via San Vitale, 71
A colourful, inventive trattoria with deep respect for produce, welcoming guests into a vibrant dining room that opens directly onto an inner courtyard. The kitchen draws inspiration from across the Mediterranean, seeking out fresh catch to prepare nose-to-tail with imaginative cooking techniques. Nods to Sicily appear in robust, deeply flavourful dishes, also available in small plates (‘nicareddi’) for sharing. Pair it all with a bottle from the natural wine list, guided by the hospitality of host Isabel Diotima Muratori and chef Luca Giovanni Pappalardo.
Trattoria “da Maro”
Via Broccaindosso, 71/B
“Da Maro” is a traditional Bologna address tucked into the university quarter, named after its original owner, Adelmaro. In 1996, Sicilian-born Gianluca Romano took over, blending island recipes with classic local trattoria cooking before shifting focus towards the flavours and aromas of the Mediterranean Sea with a seafood-led menu. A steadfast commitment to fresh, quality ingredients and authentic recipes from across Italy is backed by an Italian-focused wine list built for lingering toasts.
Acqua Pazza
Via Augusto Murri, 168
The name hints at its ethos: a tribute to the sea and its pristine produce, sourced fresh daily to ensure a seasonal, ever-changing menu. Camilla and Francesco, partners in life and in hospitality, opened Acqua Pazza in 2006, crafting a warm, inviting dining room where deep red and burgundy accents blend with warm wood and subtle coastal touches. The menu balances creativity and technique, featuring raw seafood, crisp fritto misto and expertly cooked fish with seasonal vegetables, for an intimate tête-à-tête by the waves.
Antica Trattoria di Sacerno
Via di Mezzo Levante, 2/B, Sacerno
Just 15 minutes from central Bologna, a short drive through the quiet countryside brings you to this delightful farmhouse, opened in 2010 by chef Dario Picchiotti and sommelier Giada Berri. The intimate dining room extends in summer into a lush garden, setting the scene for cooking dedicated to Italian seafood, spanning the Adriatic Riviera, Sicily, Sardinia and Puglia. Raw seafood platters are the kitchen’s signature, alongside nods to Bolognese heritage. A major highlight is the cellar, featuring over 400 labels with a strong focus on sparkling wines.
Matusel
Via Antonio Bertoloni, 2
Tucked away in the historic centre near the Accademia di Belle Arti, inside Palazzo Bianconcini, this trattoria pairs Bolognese tradition with Sicilian seafood in a vibrant menu that pleases every palate. The atmosphere is warm and informal, with dark wood tables under original vaulted arches, paintings on the walls and slate blackboards evoking old-world charm. The menu focuses firmly on oily fish, wonderfully fresh and top quality, alongside shellfish and tender octopus. It is home-style cooking packed with genuine flavour, meant to be savoured unhurriedly.
Re Sole Bistrot
Via San Mamolo, 14/C
Inspired by Art Deco and American prohibition speakeasies, this distinctive bistro features a dedicated tasting room and a private salon lined with New York-style furnishings, a large library with browseable books, and a palette of warm tones set against deep black. The menu highlights prime produce handled with savoir faire, with a special emphasis on raw seafood that captures the purest sea flavours. Alongside, the cocktail list features signature drinks and international classics crafted with flair.
Ciacco
Via San Simone, 1/C
Inside an ancient palazzo dating back to the ‘600s, where wine from the hills was once stored before being sold in town, for 50 years Ciacco has championed the maritime tradition of Italy, pairing freshness with quality ingredients. It is a setting where history and modernity sit comfortably together among exposed brick walls, stone and vaulted ceilings, with a varied menu showcasing seafood cooked in many different ways—or served raw—alongside traditional pasta and seasonal sides. And as the dining rooms were once used for wine cellaring, a glass from the rich selection of local labels is not to be missed.
