Since 1932, Tamburini has been the Quadrilatero's temple of Emilian excess — a deli whose window displays of mortadella, culatello, wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano, and hand-stuffed tortellini constitute a still life that would have made the Dutch masters weep with inadequacy. The wine bar upstairs completes the proposition: a glass of Lambrusco poured alongside a board of the same products you just admired in the cases below. This is not a wine bar that happens to have food; it is a food institution that understood, quite rightly, that its products deserve to be consumed on the premises with appropriate liquid accompaniment. The Quadrilatero market swirls around the entrance, and the smell of aged cheese follows you up the stairs.
Location
Map
Insider Intel
A tagliere of mortadella, culatello, and Parmigiano-Reggiano with a glass of dry Lambrusco — this is the essential Bologna combination and Tamburini sources every element at a level that renders most other versions inadequate. The Pignoletto pairs beautifully with the lighter salumi. If the self-service counter is running, the tortellini in brodo is a revelation consumed standing up with a glass of red.
Late morning between 11am and 1pm when the market energy peaks and the wine bar upstairs offers a civilized refuge from the Quadrilatero bustle. The self-service lunch counter draws a crowd from noon — arrive early or wait. Afternoon visits are quieter for lingering over wine and cheese.
Tamburini operates as both a retail deli and a wine bar — you can buy products to take home and eat and drink on-site. The ground floor is the shop; the wine bar and self-service counter are upstairs. Located on Via Caprarie at the heart of the Quadrilatero, Bologna's ancient market district. Quality is exceptional and prices reflect it, though a glass and a board remains remarkably affordable. The self-service hot counter at lunch is one of Bologna's best-kept semi-secrets. Card accepted.