Hotels near Quadrilatero

The Quadrilatero is a medieval market district in the streets immediately east of Piazza Maggiore - four blocks of specialist food stalls and shops that have occupied the same streets since the Middle Ages. Via Pescherie Vecchie has the fish stalls, Via Caprarie the poultry and game, Via degli Orefici the cheese and charcuterie. The shops here sell mortadella di Bologna (the original, protected-designation version), tortellini, tagliatelle, Parmigiano Reggiano wheels, and Prosciutto di Parma at quality levels not available in supermarkets.

The market stalls operate Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM. The surrounding streets have several osterie (traditional wine bars) serving standing lunches with wine from about 8-12 EUR. This is where Bolognesi actually buy food, not a tourist reconstruction - quality standards are very high.

Pro Tip: The tortellini from the specialist pasta shops in the Quadrilatero (particularly La Dispensa di Eataly, Via degli Orefici 17) are made fresh daily and are categorically different from anything sold in supermarkets. Buying 200g of fresh tortellini and a small container of ragu (about 5-8 EUR total) makes the best quick lunch in Bologna.