Critics' Choice in Emilia-Romagna: The Region's Most Acclaimed Tables

In the heart of Modena, this avant-garde Italian restaurant holds three stars and stands as the region's undisputed summit and one of the most talked-about tables in the world. The cooking is chef-driven, daring and intensely refined, taking traditional Emilian recipes to a conceptual level. The experience unfolds entirely through a tasting menu, composed from first course to last. With a 9.7 rating, it is the highest-scored address on this list — for the once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

In Imola, an institution of classic Italian haute cuisine, awarded two stars. With elegant dining rooms and service polished to the smallest detail, it upholds a timeless refinement that sits beyond passing trends. It is one of the most deeply rooted names in regional fine dining — ideal for special occasions, anniversaries and long celebratory lunches. The 9.3 rating measures a mastery built up over the years.

At Polesine Parmense, on the banks of the Po, a historic Michelin-starred estate that produces its own culatello. It is as much a destination as a restaurant: family-run, steeped in history and bound to its land, it offers one of the most authentic experiences in the region. Refined yet rooted plates meet ingredients aged in the house's own cellars. With a 9.3 rating, it is worth the journey for a long lunch or a special evening.

In the hills of Longiano, an elegant address serving creative Italian cuisine at two stars. The approach is chef-driven, seasonal and built around a tasting menu, reading the region's produce through a contemporary lens. Its quiet, polished atmosphere makes it ideal for couples and special celebrations. With a 9.1 rating, it is one of the lesser-known yet most rewarding stops at the top of the region.

In the centre of Bologna, a one-star Mediterranean fine-dining address. With its refined, elegant and romantic atmosphere, it is one of the city's most striking dining rooms. The chef-driven kitchen brings classic Italian foundations together with a contemporary polish. With an 8.9 rating, it is one of the strongest choices within Bologna itself — for date nights, anniversaries and special occasions.

At Castel Maggiore, just outside Bologna, a one-star address that creatively blends the cuisines of Campania and Emilia. It offers a refined, chef-driven tasting-menu experience, bringing two great Italian traditions together at a single table. The elegant room is made for special occasions and anniversaries. With an 8.7 rating, it is one of the region's most original starred interpretations.

In Sasso Marconi, an intimate one-star restaurant serving creative, modern Italian cuisine. With a chef-driven, seasonal approach, it turns regional produce into contemporary plates. Its small scale and private atmosphere make it especially well suited to couples and date nights. The 8.7 rating reflects a kitchen that keeps reinventing itself while holding its balance.

In Savigno, a true institution that pairs the warmth of a trattoria with a Michelin star. Chef-driven yet faithful to its roots, it serves classic Emilian dishes tied to the season and, in particular, to truffle, with real mastery. An informal but exacting experience, for long lunches and special occasions. With an 8.7 rating, it is one of the rare addresses where tradition is interpreted at the very highest level.

In the centre of Modena, an intimate one-star address serving creative Italian cuisine. With a modern, chef-driven and elegant approach, it shapes the flavours of the region into a refined composition. Its contained scale makes for a personal, welcoming experience. With an 8.6 rating, it is one of the strongest alternatives within Modena — for date nights, couples and special occasions.

In Rimini, an institution of Adriatic seafood cooking since 1946, awarded a Michelin star and family-run. Classic but utterly exacting, it works the port's daily catch with decades of mastery. It is the summit of a tradition passed down from one generation to the next. With a 9.0 rating, it is the highest-scored address in this section — for dinners, couples and long lunches.

Also in Rimini, a one-star address devoted to contemporary Adriatic seafood. With a chef-driven, modern and seasonal approach, it reinterprets the coast's catch, pairing the warmth of a classic trattoria with a refined culinary sensibility. A destination restaurant, for dinners, couples and special occasions. The 8.7 rating is proof of a tradition reworked in a contemporary key.

In Cesenatico, an elegant one-star address devoted to Adriatic seafood. Chef-driven yet faithful to its classic foundations, it brings the seasonal catch to the table with careful presentation. Its quiet, polished atmosphere makes it ideal for a special dinner. With an 8.6 rating, it is one of the safest starred stops on the Romagna coast — for dinners and couples.