The best spots in Bologna for delicious fritto misto
Crispy, golden fried seafood at Bologna's top spots
It is an established fact that any food tastes better when fried. This is especially true for seafood: a good fritto misto is pure comfort food, perfect at any time of year. Although Bologna is inland, you can still find exceptional restaurants serving fresh catch turned into a golden, steaming and crispy fritto misto that is impossible to resist.
Restaurants, fishmongers and trattorias in the city master the art of fried seafood, making it a summer staple where calories do not matter. Flawless has selected the best spots in Bologna for a delicious fritto misto di pesce, where you can enjoy great seafood without leaving the Emilian capital.
Osteria Bartolini
Piazza Malpighi, 16
The magical setting of this osteria is reason enough to choose it for lunch with friends. Set in the former stables of Palazzo Dondini Ghiselli (formerly Marescotti), the restaurant invites you outdoors in summer beneath the shade of a 280-year-old plane tree. The menu pays homage to the Adriatic in all its facets, starting with fish selected by the staff each morning. Fried dishes take centre stage, from paranza to boneless fillets and baby squid served with crispy courgettes, guaranteeing peak freshness and authentic maritime flavours.
Banco 32
Via S. Gervasio, 3/A
Banco 32 is a cosy little restaurant inside Mercato delle Erbe that serves quick, flavourful lunches inside a historic market that has welcomed shoppers for over 100 years. Operating as a fast-casual spot by day, in the evening it transforms to serve a selection of seafood tapas, both raw and cooked, paired with a glass of wine for a tempting aperitivo. Every morning, the chef draws inspiration from the market’s sounds, scents and flavours to craft a daily changing menu. Fried seafood is naturally a fixture, served in the traditional brown-paper cone.
Ristorante Sabbia di Mare
Via delle Borre, 7/a
A warm, intimate setting where you can enjoy excellent seafood paired with wines chosen by the resident sommelier. This is the philosophy behind Sabbia di Mare, designed to evoke the flavours and aromas of a seaside escape. Its setting also breaks the mould of traditional Bolognese eateries, surrounded by greenery well away from the bustle of the city centre. The menu is dedicated entirely to seafood in all its forms. The star of the show is undeniably the fritto misto, a generous mix of squid, prawns and king prawns that never fails to impress.
Pescheria San Gervasio
Via Belvedere, 13
Pescheria San Gervasio offers a fresh, original concept: an inviting space to enjoy traditional Italian and international seafood dishes in a warm, convivial atmosphere. The dining room walls are lined with blackboards listing daily specials, while outdoors there are plenty of tables for relaxed dining with friends during the warmer months. Fried dishes are the house specialty, spanning fried anchovies, fish balls and fish & chips, alongside the quintessential fritto misto made here with squid, prawns, courgettes and cod.
Ristorante Trattoria Oberdan da Mario
Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 43/A
When strolling through central Bologna, a stop at Ristorante Oberdan da Mario is well worth your time. The welcoming venue features a spacious veranda, ideal for dining outside in fine weather. Just a short walk from Piazza Maggiore, the kitchen serves regional classics with a Mediterranean twist. Alongside hand-rolled fresh pasta, the menu features a wide selection of seafood, prepared with precision to highlight the quality of the catch. The fritto misto is a treat for both the eyes and the palate, bringing together tender squid and prawns served crisp, golden and piping hot.
