I Portici

The story

Ristorante I Portici – Michelin Star Contemporary Dining in Bologna, Italy

Ristorante I Portici: Contemporary Elegance in Bologna

Since 2012, Ristorante I Portici has held a Michelin star, a recognition it continues to uphold under the direction of Executive Chef Nicola Annunziata. Located on Via dell'Indipendenza in the heart of Bologna, within the I Portici Hotel, the restaurant is a destination for those seeking refined contemporary cuisine rooted in simplicity and seasonality.

Chef Annunziata, born in 1991 in Sarno, is one of Italy's youngest Michelin-starred chefs. His career began at Il Faro di Capo d'Orso, a one-star restaurant in Maiori, where he spent five years. He later earned his first Michelin star at Vistamare in Latina at just 25, and a second star at Pietramare Natural Food in Isola di Capo Rizzuto before joining I Portici in January 2023. His philosophy is straightforward: light, high-quality cuisine with few genuine ingredients, selected with deep respect for seasonality. The result is a menu that is vast in technique yet simple in concept, letting each ingredient speak.

The Sweet Side of the Kitchen

Pastry Chef Vincenzo Digifico, a native of Puglia, joined the team in February 2024. His path includes stints at Four Seasons Hotels in Milan and Florence, Armani Hotel Milano, Casa Vissani, and work alongside Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and Paco Pérez at Restaurant Miramar in Girona. Digifico describes his pastry style as "a mano libera" – free from rigid geometry, focused on seasonal fruit, minimal sugar, and varied textures. His desserts are conceived as edible works of art, balancing sweet, bitter, salty, and acidic notes. In September 2025, he opened Pasticceria Eden, a dedicated pastry shop within the hotel that extends his artistry throughout the day.

Dining at I Portici

The restaurant's setting reflects the hotel's Liberty-style frescoes and Italian design, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance. The tasting menus – both lunch and dinner – showcase Chef Annunziata's contemporary vision, with dishes that are visually striking yet anchored in the flavors of the Emilia-Romagna region. An extensive wine list and curated aperitivo program complete the experience. For a more casual option, the hotel also houses Osteria Pizzeria Portici, offering pizza and traditional fare under the same culinary direction.