‹ 25 small cities with big food › No. 18
Small city, big food · No. 18 of 25
Modena, Italy
Photo: Gerolamondo, CC BY-SA 4.0,Balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, Lambrusco and tortellini, and Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana down a side street. A small city where lunch is the main event.
Tortellini in brodo and real aceto balsamico
Where to eat in Modena
1
Osteria Francescana
Get: The tasting menu, or à la carte tagliatelle al ragù and culatello
Three Michelin stars, a menu of about 350 euros and a tiny dining room. Tables open about a month ahead. (scattidigusto.it)
2A photo like it
Franceschetta58
Get: Tortellini in Parmigiano cream, the Emilia burger, zuppa inglese
Bottura's casual bistro. 2foodtrippers called its zuppa inglese the best on the planet, and a tasting menu runs about 74 euros. (2foodtrippers.com)
3
Hosteria Giusti
Get: Tortellini, tagliatelle, braised veal cheek, cotechino
Four tables behind the oldest salumeria in Europe. Lunch only, and the pasta is rolled by hand every day. (hosteriagiusti.it)
4A photo like it
L'Erba del Re
Get: The tasting menu, with a wine from the 700-label cellar
Luca Marchini's small palazzo dining room, one Michelin star since 2008 and kept in 2027. Walkable from Francescana. (scattidigusto.it)
Plan the trip
- When to go
- April to June and September to October.
- Getting there
- 25 minutes by train from Bologna (BLQ airport). About 2 hours from Milan.
More for Modena
Why it's on the list
Home of Osteria Francescana.
- Michelin Italia 2026: all the stars
- Katie Parla: eating and drinking in Modena
- 2foodtrippers: Modena restaurants
Next small city
Places checked November 14, 2026; hours and menus change. "A photo like it" is the same kind of food, not from that place. Nobody pays to be on our lists.
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