27 Underrated Foodie Cities You've Probably Never Considered

26. Bologna, Italy: The True Pasta Powerhouse

Forget Rome or Milan—Bologna is Italy’s culinary soul, and it’s all about substance over style. This is where you taste the original ragù alla Bolognese, served properly with tagliatelle, not spaghetti. Locals take pride in their mortadella, tortellini in brodo, and rustic, slow-cooked sauces. The city’s markets are a sensory playground, and the traditional trattorias are refreshingly unpretentious. Eating in Bologna is less about the 'gram and more about heritage, depth, and comfort. It's not just Italian food—it’s the blueprint.