Osteria del Vicolo Nuovo
This intimate, brick-vaulted osteria on a quiet lane off Via Emilia has been feeding Imolesi honest Romagnolo cooking since the 1980s and shows absolutely no sign of chasing trends. The tagliatelle al ragù is made fresh every morning and the tortelloni stuffed with ricotta and Swiss chard is the kind of dish that makes you cancel your afternoon plans.
What to Order
Start with the affettati misti — a board of locally sourced mortadella, prosciutto di Parma and ciccioli (crispy pork cracklings) served with warm piadina flatbread that arrives folded in a cloth napkin. It is a simple pleasure executed with total conviction and costs around €10.
For your first course, the gramigna con salsiccia (a short, curly pasta with crumbled pork sausage in a light tomato sauce) is a regional classic you will rarely find done better. The pasta is extruded through a bronze die that gives it a rough texture perfect for catching the sauce.
Wine, Atmosphere and Practicalities
The wine list leans heavily on Sangiovese di Romagna, the local red that pairs beautifully with the meat-forward cooking. Ask the owner for a recommendation — he is invariably enthusiastic and will often open something interesting by the glass that is not on the printed list.
The dining room seats only around 30 people across a handful of bare wooden tables, so booking ahead is essential on Friday and Saturday evenings. Lunch on a weekday is more relaxed and often includes a slightly shorter, even better-value menu del giorno at around €14 for two courses and a glass of wine.
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