Franco Rossi — Restaurant in Bologna

I regret to say this but this was our worst dining experience in a long time. We have traveled quite a bit and know that some places are better than others. However, as long as there is hospitality and an effort from the host, even average meal can be a pleasant experience. Regrettably, this was not.

We came here for a dinner with the recommendation from the hotel, Art Hotel. The restaurant was crowded, noisy (most of it from the waiters who were always rushing, shouting), and limited in space. Seated at the table there was a constant concern that things would get knocked off the table.

Menu was simple, very traditional, limited on choices. For starters we ordered Parma ham with melon. The order came without any melon and only one or two slices of Parma ham, rest were cuts of bologna. When asked, the waiter explained that they were out of melon (knowing that in advance would help). Needless to say, the order was refused which greatly upset the waiter. On the plus side, the wine was good and secondi piatti were ok.

Overall, the restaurant has no ambiance whatsoever and appears to cater to larger groups of visitors, and doesn’t appear to care whether you enjoyed your dining experience. The waiters seem to be irritated with your presence, which was a bit odd.

Please consider other choices in Bologna, culinary destination, as this was not an experience that I would wish upon...

A warm fonish after a cold start

Our experience at Franco Rossi in Bologna began with a slightly chilly reception. Hoping to enjoy the evening air on the terrace, we were instead offered a table in the cellar area, which felt a bit off-putting at first. Fortunately, we were eventually seated inside the main dining room, and from that moment on, the evening took a delightful turn.

The true highlight was our waiter—a young man with a moustache—whose impeccable service truly elevated the night. He struck the perfect balance between professionalism and humor, making us feel completely at ease and welcomed. His charm and attentiveness added a personal touch that made all the difference.

We started with a funghi porcini salad with apple, which was refreshingly unique and well-balanced. The Tagliatelle al ragù, a classic Bolognese staple, was rich and satisfying, while the guancia di manzo (beef cheeks) were beautifully tender and full of flavor.

All in all, Franco Rossi delivered a memorable dining experience. While the initial interaction could have been warmer, the excellent food and outstanding service more than made up for it. Worth a visit—especially if you’re lucky enough to be served by the...

With over 80€ per person by far our most expensive dinner we ever had in Italy. But more questionable than the price is the overall experience. The quality of the food was miserable for italian standards. You could see, feel (and lastly also taste) that the dishes were made without any passion. Half the ingredients were missing, the Lasagna tasted like any Lasagna from the supermarket and the Carbonara was more like a scrambled egg. Overall just very disappointing! But the worst part for me was the unfriendly & agressive service-staff, that was obviously ill and should've stayed at home rather than to cough on to our food and into our faces. Disgusting! No wine service and we literally had to ask 5 times for everything because she kept forgetting. It was the first time in my life i didn't leave a tip and walked out an italian restaurant with such massive disappointment....