Caffè della Repubblica — Restaurant in Bologna

Sunday 30/7 ~6.30PM

We were a group of 5 and sat inside for some drinks. We got our order taken from the young male waiter with a mullet hairstyle, I think his name was Cassiere on the receipt.

As we move to a table outside for some air, I accidentally leave my phone inside. I realised after 5 minutes and went back to the table we were originally at, but my phone wasn’t there. Panic rising, I asked the bartender and Cassiere whether they had found a phone. I received blank looks from both. Then after about 30 seconds of frantic searching and further panic, Cassiere pulls my phone out of his pocket and says, “Oh this one?“.

Basically he had found the phone that was obviously mine (due to my phone background, plus I had just been sitting there) and judging by his very delayed reaction it seemed like he was planning on keeping it. I don’t think he would have given it back if I wasn’t on the verge of crying.

I’m still in shock at how casual he was about having my phone the entire time. There was no apology, no explanation. I said thanks and took my phone back. I know it’s my fault for leaving it, and maybe there was a cultural/language barrier, but it’s pretty tragic when you can’t trust the wait staff. Here’s to hoping that he learns some basic honesty and empathy.

At least the...

Do not come here if you’re tourists, they do not welcome tourists. The worst and only unpleasant service I’ve received in Italy.

I ordered some pastries and a cup of cappuccino. The food was just okay and the coffee was not so great.

The service was by far the worst I’ve ever had in Italy, if anything THE ONLY unpleasant encounter. Anywhere I had been to in Italy, people greeted, said thank you and goodbye, never failed. I was impressed by how polite and friendly Italian were until I came across the older gentleman in this cafe (I assume he is the manager). He didn’t want to make eye contact nor did he greet to us. He didn’t even say thank you after we paid. The level of immaturity from this guy was absolutely appalling, I cannot imagine myself treating people differently like he does (he was very friendly to others in lines). Why would anyone make such efforts to make others feel uncomfortable/unwelcome? I hope his life improves somehow so that he doesn’t need to be so miserable.

The atmosphere looked nice at first but then started to realise it wasn’t so clean. There were many flies (there are large bins right outside) so I left as soon as I finished my food.

Overall, the only good thing about this cafe is that the price was reasonable. Do not recommend and I...

Came here for our first lunch in Bologna - supposedly the food capital of Italy - and what a disappointment! One of us ordered a Caesar salad that was made with a whole mixture of lettuce but without a Cos (aka Romaine) lettuce to be seen (and as anyone who actually knows how to make a Caesar salad will appreciate Cos is the ONLY lettuce that should be used!), carrot (yes, seriously, carrot in a Caesar Salad!), no crotons & finally drowned in an awful glutinous mayonnaise. The second of us had Tagliatelle a Ragu. The pasta was dry & the Ragu was tasteless. If I had made this at home I’d be apologising for it! In a city supposedly famous for its food, & especially for its Ragu, it’s challenging to believe this muck is tolerated! No thanks! We...