This Eataly in Bologna is different from most other locations in that it's half bookstore, half everything else you'd expect from an Eataly (cafe, bar, grocery store). Located in a three-story building a stone's throw east from the main Piazza Maggiore and directly across the alley from Mercato di Mezzo (a separate moderate sized food hall), the Eataly retail space is spread over all 3 floors, with groceries mainly located on the 2nd story. The ground/1st floor is mostly books and a casual bar/cafe, where they serve simple pastries and coffee/tea in the morning and apertivo options (meaning light bites and classic cocktails) in the early evening. Upstairs on the second floor (1st floor for Europeans ;), there is a selection of olive oils, vinegars, condiments, dry goods, snacks, candies, wines and liquors, and gifting items. A smaller selection of grocery items than other Eataly locations and no fresh produce. There is a wine bar/beer garden area upstairs as well though it didn't seem to be in use during the couple times I dropped by in early April, however the still carried quite a broad wine selection considering the space. I dropped by one late afternoon and tried the fried polenta and an aperol spritz. The food was kinda unimpressive, the fried polenta felt a bit thick and heavy, the drink was ok. It took a while to wait for the food though the drink was ready fairly quickly. Overall a convenient location to pick up a food/cook book in Italian or other souvenirs. read more

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Eataly was located next door to our hotel in Bologna, Italy. We stopped by for a quick bite and some caffeine. The restaurant is a cute deli style that also serves wine and beer. We ordered mortadella panninis and cappuccinos. Both were good. The sandwich was simple, but filling. The cappuccinos were good. It's a nice place to take a break from walking and relax a bit. But if you're looking for a delicious authentic Italian meal, keep looking. This is more like a fancier subway sandwich shop. read more

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I have to admit I have tended to avoid the various Eataly restaurants and stores considering them to be a version of Italian fast food. But recently in Bologna, I stayed right next to the Bologna Eataly so it was probably inevitable that I would wander in. Yes, It is large and modern - 3 floors of books, food products and restaurants. It has probably 4-5 different eating and drinking areas, with 2 areas of outside tables. Neither the wine list or the food menu are long and extensive, but what they do have is very good. You're not going to find a fancy Italian meal here but you will find some very good Italian cooking. And if you are in the mood to buy Italian food products - dried pasta, jarred tomato sauces and tons of other sauces to take home - this is the place to go. Maybe I'll have to give other Eataly's a try. read more

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Three floors full of Italian foods and books. Tables service out front & a menu is posted. There was table service. It seemed pretty ironic to me since Italy is American and it's sitting in the middle of the hugest most delicious Italian food hall I've ever seen. Why would anyone go here? read more

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Eataly is one of my favorite bookstores and restaurant in Bologna. Ideal place to enjoy lunch or dinner. They have a variety of Gluten-free products for Celiac folks. I could have been happy to eat here everyday that is how pleasant the food was for me. Who ever came up with this awesome bookstore concept, it was a superb idea. read more

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What I loved about the Bologna EATALY was the little bar on the first floor where I could pick up a to-go salad, and choose the ingredients. I mean, the pasta is fantastic in Bologna, but was in need of a good salad. Look at the freshness! Was craving artichokes, so went heavy on that and some tuna. Also the beautiful arugula, shaved fennel and carrots. Later, wandering around on an upper floor, I found the bookstore section. What a treat! Love the children's books, in Italian language, of course. read more

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It was so cool to see the original Eatly store. So many books and cooking products to shop around for inside. We ate dessert inside the store. It is always lovely to have some Italian dessert. read more

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Italy is Eataly, or so their t-shirts proclaim. One of my favorite places in downtown Bologna was this combination cafe, wine bar and grocery store on three floors inside the amazing bookstore, Ambasciatori. Talk about your one-stop shop. While the bookstore dominates the real estate, there is a cafe on the first floor, deli on the second floor (with one long communal table for seating) and wine bar on the third. On the top level they also sell pasta, sauces and kitchen accessories in La Dispensa. I drank, I shopped, I was happy. A local recommended visiting the wine bar that is a cozy space filled with small tables as well as a kitchen bar. The building is a renovated church (although the remains of the church are minimal), but features arched glass ceilings with beautiful beams. The architecture is beautiful, but very modern, so very different than most of the other buildings in this part of town. The walls are dominated by wine bottles, as well as some beer, so you can have a glass with some food, then buy a few bottles to take home. Many wines are served by the glass or the bottle and the Barolo (€6/glass) was recommended by our host. One thing that was quite funny is that even though this is a very casual space, they still offered a special prix fixe menu on Valentine's Day for €48 with wine. You just can't escape that "special menu" pricing wherever your travels take you. read more

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We had been to Eataly in Bologna on our last trip 5 years ago and couldn't wait to return. We were very disappointed when we visited last month. All the individual inside shops were gone. Just a bookstore and one indoor and one outdoor restaurant with no one there. Wondering what happened? read more

Wow I have been to a few Eatalys, but this one is like Eataly meets IKEA! They have bikes at the front of the store to use to get around for goodness sakes:) I really like how open it is because usually I feel very overwhelmed at Eataly but this open floor plan helps you not feel that way. My favorite part is the food court area! So many choices of great food. We started at the fry place which I know sounds funny but they were so good and they have great sauces for them including an avocado one which I highly suggest. The food area also has a place for you to watch cheese being made which is very cool if you have never seen it. You can also see most of the other food being made like pastries, pasta etc. Then there is all of the amazing shopping it has to offer everything from appliances to grocery items to make an awesome dinner and beer/wine to wash it down with. If you are in the area swing by and check it out. read more

I recently foolishly stated it was impossible to eat a bad meal in Italy. Then I came to this restaurant. The white wine was warm. The steak chewy and it into giant inedible slabs. The chips cold and tasteless and overly salty No mayo No ketchup No gluten free options No anything Go eat anywhere except here. Final note serving staff deserve a medal but kitchen staff should be fired read more

Eataly - Bars Near Me - Bologna, BO

Top marks for Eataly, really impressed with the concept and execution. It's basically a bookstore that spans three levels, but on the bottom floor there is also a small deli where you can get paninis. The second floor has an informal restaurant with tables scattered around the book shelves, as well as italian produce like pasta, sauces, preserves and so on. Top floor has more books and an osteria serving up salami and cheese plus an extensive range of craft beer. We ate on the second floor and I had a fantastic pasta dish with olives, cauliflower, tomato and fresh pasta which was cooked to perfection. My partner had a mixed salami and cheese plate and loved it. Started getting very busy at 1pm so get there just before to avoid the rush. It's modern Italian and it's worth the rave. Visit! read more

Eataly - Fresh pasta with cauliflower, olives and tomato (special of the day). - Bars Near Me - Bologna, BO

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You have to visit. It's three floors of bookstore, cafe and gourmet grocery shop. Is it authentically Italian? Definitely, but the Italy of the 21st century, not the 17th. It's full of food and ideas, put together with the Italian flair for design. Check it out. Lots of fun even if you don't buy anything. read more

Eataly - Three floors of food and books. - Bars Near Me - Bologna, BO

I heard good things about Eataly, but unfortunately my experience was quite underwhelming. Since I was in Bologna, it makes sense to try some bolognese pasta. The pasta tasted very boring. The pasta was pretty dry and tasteless. There was also very little meat compared to what my friend got, so the food is inconsistent. I would honestly try something else other than the bolognese pasta. You will probably find better bolognese at a different restaurant in Bologna. read more

Thumbs up for the concept. This restaurant is a library. It's like going to Barn's and Noble's with a cafeteria in it and a mini food market. I think it's awesome! The lighting is as white as in a library. The food is as good as you could expect from a library; not their speciality. But i don't care; it's cheap italian food at its best. The service is expeditive. Good job! I had a spaghethi bolognese; the original one! Wow, it sucked! It it was so blend. I think the way they make it is outdated. Don't expect anything fency; just classic pasta with shredded beed and tomato sauce. But it's okay. I wanted to taste it and compare it to my own french canadian spaghethi. I gotta tell you; i now have to open my own restaurant. I am confident that what I cook is better than what I eat in a restaurant. But yes, try it out! It's right in the city center of Bologna. read more

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I heard a lot about Eataly and I was excited to check it out, but it wasn't that amazing. I guess I just had high expectations after reading about it. I didn't eat here, so the review is strictly about the book and food store. The concept is pretty cool, but I think it tries to do too many things. First off, it's a book store. It sells various types of books with loads of cooking ones. There is also a food area where you can buy different types of pasta, biscuits, sweets, and sauces. There is also a deli where you can get fresh food to take home. In addition, you can order meals and have a bite after looking through the books. On the ground level, there is a place where you can just buy wine and appretivo. The prices of the food is a big higher than what you'll get at the grocery store, but they offer many different types of pasta with various flavouring. It's a fun place to go and check out if you're in the area. Great place to buy goodies to take home or decent place to grab food and wine. read more

It was okay. The food was solid, i.e. neither better or worse than expected, and the ambiance that is sitting in a shop is pretty nice. Service was a bit slow but when we got their attention it was nothing to complain about. The place is very vanilla which is what you want sometimes. Everything, except the pre-food-bread that was horrendous, was just solid. read more

As with most things in Italy, Eataly Bologna is a smaller version of what we're used to in America. But don't let the size fool you, this place is packed with great products and great food. I had an outstanding lunch in the second floor restaurant and everything, from appetizers to dessert, was brimming with freshness. The restaurant itself was small, very busy at lunchtime and the service was slow but if you can afford the time I highly recommend it. If not, try the deli on the first floor. When you're done eating you can continue your culinary explorations at the grocery store featuring fresh produce, local pastas and sauce, and other accessories. read more

Eataly Bologna has three floors of food goodness. You can go food shopping on the three floors and you will be able to order hot/food as well. There is waiter service on the third floor if I remember correctly. I did a quick grocery shopping in this location and I found the price to be a little bit expensive than the local grocery store in the neighborhood. I am guessing that this is due to its tourist location - understandable, rent and so forth. read more

Excellent selection of pasta and wine with great service! A great place to stock up while you are in Italy. I recommend the Afeltra spaghettoni lunghi. It travels well in your luggage (wrap it well). read more

One of my favorites in bologna. The menu is rich items. If you've spent quite a long time in bologna and you are looking for a rich salad then this is the place. Food tastes quite different there, it is amazing till the last bite. The menu keeps changing, something I don't like cause some dishes are made to survive. I really wish they could make like a menu that is based on old favorite dishes... The atmosphere is amazing between books and people walking...even outside is nice. You have a free wifi outside. read more

There are tons of different restaurants to choose from. Many gluten free and organic options if that's what you want. You can shop, eat and have dessert. You can rent bicycles for free to get around. They offer classes on agriculture and the whole process of food from farm to table. They even have small crops, gardens, and even many farm animals outside. read more

I think this is the original. I still love the one in NY more. This is more a bookstore than a dining destination. When in Bologna, there are better places to go. read more

We found ourselves in Bologna (the food capital from what I've read) on a Sunday night when most restaurants were closed. I guess we should have done more research but alas we found ourselves at Eataly so I guess it wasn't too bad. The food was decent but nothing spectacular the service was slow and a little rude. Not sure I'd go back since it seems there are so many other fantastic options in Bologna. read more

I love this place! It reminded me of ikea. Great place for food souvenirs. Great place for affordable international beers. I suggest going during the day because it was a bit sketchy on our way to the metro at night. Several places to eat but very touristy. I was so excited about this place.... And then I found out it was in the US too! Lol oops. read more

This is our 4th Eataly location and they never disappoint!!!! Cacio e Pepe is incredibly good!!

Meh....not really sure what all the fuss is about. Seems like an expensive grocery store mixed with a bookstore. It was crowded and very difficult to get around. People were just stopped and blocking aisles and making me frustrated. In all, it seemed like a decent selection of things to buy. We were going to try some various foods but I think we had the impression that you could try little samples of various foods...however that was not the case. It was like a cafeteria and you had to get a whole meal. read more

Delicious food, conceptually a nightmare for the people who run it but it seems to work. We waited around 20 mins for a table. The service is good and the atmosphere great. You're eating in the bookshop in Bologna. It's a symbian relationship with the customers squeezing by. All the right things happen at the right time. I had the chicken with potato mash. It was very good. read more

What better place than a book store and great eating destination. Delicious food (again, Bologna is known for great food), good service, but a more median price. Can get crowded and some might be fussy about sitting arrangements, but when we were there it was still quite early so we had our pick. Be warned, this place gets busy. We stuck to traditional Italian pasta fare and thought it delicious. read more

Meh is about right. There is of course an eatly in NY (which in my opinion is not that great). Someone recommended this as a place for us to grab a quick bite. It was OK. I wouldn't recommend it. read more

We did not eat here, but wandered through on a self guided walk through Bologna. This place is good for condensed, if not overpriced, array of goods to pack your bag for the trip home. Much more charming one off spots available though compared to this chain store. read more