Marsalino — Restaurant in Bologna

September 2025: Evening waiters were incredible! Great food. The following day though, the morning waiter, nose piercing/beard, couldn’t have been more condescending or unhelpful. The English menu wouldn’t load on my phone after scanning their QR code so I tried to ask the waiter for recommendations. I understand I’m a tourist and it must be annoying serving so many foreigners who are unfamiliar with Italian cuisine or Italian culture, but if you enjoy talking down to your clientele and can’t be bothered to explain or suggest menu items, perhaps you are working at the wrong restaurant in the wrong location. There was no language barrier; and yet it seems asking for a menu item such as something similar to a sandwich or the pizza (which I had the previous evening) is opening myself to condescension because I clearly should’ve known that the pizza is only an evening item. Every question I asked was met with exasperated one word responses. I walked down the block and found another restaurant that also didn’t have a sandwich/pizza type item but was able to help me find something else to eat on the way to the airport. I travel 3/4ths of the year and have spent a fair amount of time in Europe, bordering on years. I always approach local establishments with respect and an understanding that I am a foreigner. But when I’m treated like scum, I feel it’s only right for other customers to be aware of the potential of being treated the same way. (I was wearing a backwards baseball cap, quintessential American, so maybe I was...

We came to Bologna shortly before lunch time and found this place nearby due to its good rating. Well deserved! We had the bruschette (it's 4 kinds) as a starter. I loved the red pesto, my wife was into theone with bacon. We ordered a bottle of lambrusco as it's typical for the region and we like it. Our main dishes were tagliatelle ragu and tortellini with tartufo. The ragu (basically what you'd call the typical bolognese sauce anywhere else) was very good and a decent amount, the tortellini were even better. The lambrusco was nice and overall it was a great experience for a fair price. When we knew it would only be two main meals in Bologna we decided not to try out another place (even though there are certain recommendations online) because we were so happy with this experience. On the second day we repeated the lunch there, ordered our favorite bruschette (which was possible, thanks!) and additionally tried out the tortellini with mushrooms and sage. They were also fine even though I'd say we liked the two other dishes even better. The service was good and we had a nice chat with the guys working there (one of them being the owner as far as I know). We are grateful and definitely recommend this...

This place was truly fantastic for us. There is seating in the street and within the restaurant. Indoor there’s a fan in the roof which was very welcome on a hot July evening like this. Staff were super attentive and helpful. They play rock hits in the background and both the atmosphere and clientele is quite hip. Felt like a good mix of tourists and genuine Bologna people.

We started with an antipasti plate of Foie Gras with goose salami and prosciutto. My wife being allergic to mammals totally loved this dish as she hasn’t been able to enjoy anything like it since she got the allergy. It was much appreciated by me as well. We had some Franciacorta sparkling to this which was a good match. We ordered pasta for the main course. While waiting we were served some pizza bread and the water was also on the house. For the pasta we were recommended a local red wine which also was a good match.

Again very good attention from the staff and they were super friendly, all of them. Definitely...