We had a fabulous upscale but not overly fancy meal at Osteria Brunello in Milan last Christmas.

In Bologna, we really enjoyed Da Cesari in Bologna. Really good lunch at Nabucco in Milan. Chapters Two Through Nine chronicle our days in Milan and Bologna last autumn (lots of photos). Might give you some restaurant and other ideas. Have a great trip.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/italy-2018/

In Bologna, I can vouch for Serghei, but reservations are needed. Medium priced. Eleven tables. We ate there 3 nights in a row. Was a recommendation by a local.

Huggy

Was in Venice in May for Biennale d'Arte. I enjoyed Trattoria da Jonny, CoVino, Vecio Fritolin (for fried fishy things), Corte Sconta, Combo for snacks and drinks (open all day or close to it).

On a trip two years before, also for Biennale, I enjoyed some of the above as well as Anice Stellato, Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti, Estro, and Bancogiro.

In Bologna this June, I liked Drogheria della Rosa (but read up on the service/the proprietor to see if you can deal with the scene) and Twinside.

Bologna is a great place to eat. My favourite was Ristorante Enoteca da Lucia, in the restaurant corridor between the central plaza and the train station. Its refined decor is matched by its balanced menu, with polished service that does not intimidate. No prices on the link below but I consider it medium price-range, starting at $50 for a full meal and going up depending on your tastes and thirst for wine of course. Closed Sunday; no lunch Monday, according to Trip Advisor, which shows all times.. Reservations are wise and can be made by the Trip Advisor subsidiary The Fork.

https://ristorantedalucia.it/index

" We are looking for the hidden gems that are local favorites."
Aren't we all? Soon as we discover them and share them on-line, though, they lose that special cache.

We spent a month in an apartment in Bologna and loved the food there. You will be spoilt for choice but, if you want to eat somewhere specific, then you will need to book most places in the evening.

Osteria dell’Orsa is one of more famous places in the university quarter. It was good, inexpensive but not memorable.

Sfoglia Rina close to Piazza Maggiore was probably the best https://www.sfogliarina.it/en/ and specialises in pasta. Definitely need to book.

Close to the two towers is Bottega Portici https://www.bottegaportici.it/?lang=en downstairs you can watch them making the pasta and order it, and eat upstairs. Great daily specials. A place just to eat, not to hang out.

Either of these two places are very central. The Quadrilatero is an area of streets also in the centre packed with loads of bars and restaurants. A great place to graze on aperitivos , glass of wine or one of the huge array of cured meat and cheese platters for which Bologna is renowned.

The covered market area ( I forget the name) is excellent for lunch, lots of stalls selling fish, pasta, pizza by the slice.

Thank you Huggy.

Thank you. With all these great suggestions, I think I should extend my trip ��

Seems this is a popular choice. Thank you.

Agree but places come and go etc.

Looks great. Thank you.

Thank you. Great info.

We just returned from a trip to Lake Como. We went to several places in Bellagio we loved, an easy ferry ride from Varenna. La Fontana and Bilacus were both excellent. In Bologna, we really loved Ristorante Da Nello, right in the heart of the city. All low-key places, excellent food. And for gelato in Bologna, Gianni, right next to the two towers, was our favorite. Enjoy!

"Da Nello." Good choice! We enjoyed a terrific lunch there.