by Matteo Tambini
In the historic centre of Bologna, increasingly popular with international tourists, four young partners had the intuition, vision, and timing to open Ruggine in October 2014. This venue offered a place for socialising with eclectic cocktails and simple food made from quality ingredients in a small location. The success was remarkable, prompting the team to evolve the project, especially considering the limited production space in the atmospheric yet small vicolo Alemagna.
The genesis of RAGŪ
Riccardo Vastola, one of the partners, explains that the new project, RAGŪ, began in 2017 with the aim of creating a format that combines Bolognese tradition with the innovation of street food. This led to the establishment of the location on Via Goito, also meeting the need to supply Ruggine, by then one of the city’s most well-known cocktail bars, with food of as high a quality as its drinks. What better recipe to promote than the most iconic one from Bolognese and Italian cuisine worldwide?
What’s on the Menu
Ragù, specifically two types: a traditional one and an "ancient recipe" with hand-chopped offal, pancetta, and chicken livers, became the stars of a menu designed for take-away. This menu earned the Regional Champion award in the new Street Food 2025 guide. The ragù is used to fill delicious sandwiches or as a perfect sauce for fresh egg pasta made in the on-site kitchen, such as tagliatelle, tortelloni, balanzoni, and gramigna. Alternatively, there are fun options like crispy chicken cutlets with parmesan cream and prosciutto crumble.
Thenew kiosk
As the business grew more complex, the team had to adapt. Giacomo Crosa handles administration and management, Davide Patta oversees purchasing and products, and Stefano Dionisi manages human resources. To support their growth and future prospects, two additional projects were launched. Errelab on Via S. Isaia, a kitchen lab where fresh pasta, sandwiches, sauces, and other basic preparations for the group’s venues are made. In 2023, RAGŪ & DRAFT was launched, a street food kiosk serving great draft cocktails, based on Ruggine’s recipes. One popular choice is the Negroni Sospeso, with gin, coffee vermouth, and artisanal bitters. The formula has been so well received that keykeg draft cocktails are now requested for catering and external events.
The Summer in Bologna's Gardens
This summer, the group is involved in the basketball tournaments at Gardens Sport Village in the Giardini Margherita and at LIDO RUGGINE, a pop-up at the Giardini del Cavaticcio, a cultural and musical entertainment hub located between MAMbo (Museum of Modern Art of Bologna), the Cassero, and the Cineteca. Vastola emphasises that all the elements are in place to consolidate their activities. Although there are challenges, particularly the shortage of staff, the enthusiastic clientele appreciates the energy of the projects, and tourists are increasingly knowledgeable and ready to appreciate the quality of their offerings.
RAGŪ - via Goito, 9b - Bologna - ragubologna.it
RAGŪ & DRAFT - p.zza Aldovrandi, 13-2a - Bologna - ragubologna.it
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