Shopping in Bologna

For food counters, begin with the covered Mercato delle Erbe. For objects to take home, compare Double Trouble’s leather pieces, the independent design selection at 20ZERO3 and Magnolia’s handmade ceramics. The Quadrilatero adds historic market streets and specialist commerce to the picture.^{[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]}

In Bologna’s historic centre, the Quadrilatero’s market lanes and specialist shops carry on a commercial tradition that reaches back to the Middle Ages. Via Drapperie is one of its familiar streets and a natural place to begin browsing the area.^[9,10]

Double Trouble’s shop is at Strada Maggiore 13/E. The workshop makes leather goods, including tortellini-shaped key rings. The Lab is a different address, at Via degli Albari 5/A, and receives by appointment; a shop visit does not include access to that workshop.^[3,4]

At Via de’ Marchi 19b, 20ZERO3 is a design shop for objects and home accessories by independent artists and artisans. Its design-led focus offers a different way to browse from Bologna’s food and craft markets.^[5,6]

Magnolia brings its ceramics studio and shop together at Via Romagnoli 2/A. Its functional handmade ceramics range from tableware to vases, with each piece made by hand and unique. Courses are separate from the shop, so contact the studio directly if a class is the reason for your visit.^[7,8]

At Via Ugo Bassi 25, Mercato delle Erbe is a covered food market with categories ranging from produce, meat and cheese to cured meats, wine and fish. The current hall opened in 1949 after post-war reconstruction, giving this everyday market a long civic history.^[1,2]

These selections do not form a guaranteed timed route. Check a current map between the separate addresses, and confirm each shop’s current contact information before travelling. Double Trouble’s public shop and appointment-only Lab are separate; Magnolia’s shop and courses are separate too. Market stalls and opening arrangements can change.^{[1,2,3,4,7,8]}

Bologna's market lanes, leather shop, ceramic studio and covered food hall invite different kinds of looking. The distinction most worth carrying is access: Double Trouble's public shop is not its appointment-only Lab, and buying a Magnolia ceramic is not the same as joining a class.^[1,3,8,9]