Tucked away down Via della Volte, Trattoria il Mandolino is an eccentric, cosy bolthole serving up simple Ferrarese classics like the aforementioned salama da sugo, and pumpkin-stuffed tortellini with a sage butter sauce (00 39 532 760080, ristoranteilmandolino.it). Ca’d’Frara (00 39 532 205057, ristorantecadfrara.it) puts a modern and playful twist on some regional favourites, while La Borsa bistro and wine bar has a daily changing menu and a well-stocked wine cellar (00 39 532 243 363, ildongiovanni.com). For the grab-and-go option, don’t be put off by Pizzeria Slurp’s name; they forge the freshest, crispiest pizzas in their ovens (00 39 532 1825 365).

Since 1998, the Trattoria Il Mandolino restaurant has been a favourite Ferrara restaurant, excellent for authentic Emilian products such as handmade egg pasta stuffed with pumpkin or ricotta cheese. Located in the heart of the medieval quarter, its most striking feature is a huge collection of objects, paintings, photographs and cards left by countless guests – including many famous names – keen to leave their mark of appreciation.The restaurant’s somewhat rustic atmosphere goes well with the intense flavours of authentic homemade cuisine that revives some forgotten flavours.

Another good restaurant for traditional ferrarese food is Il Mandolino, not very far from Da Noemi (good food, but slightly less traditional). Both restaurants are very central; Il Mandolino is on Via delle Volte, the most famous old city street of Ferrara. I Tri Scalin is a bit outside of the city center, on via Darsena; for me it would be a bit far to walk.