The story
Osteria Francescana is a contemporary Italian restaurant at via Stella 22 in Modena, and it holds three Michelin stars in the 2026 guide. Massimo Bottura has run the kitchen for three decades.
Bottura was born in Modena and grew up under the kitchen table while his grandmother Ancella rolled out pasta dough. The restaurant describes itself as a laboratory of ideas that looks at tradition "from 10 kilometers away", critically rather than nostalgically. The World's 50 Best Restaurants list ranked it first in 2016 and again in 2018.
This year's theme, Miseria e Nobiltà, marks the 30th anniversary. The tasting menu costs €350 and moves from Zucca and Onions Dreaming of Caviar through Pane e Acqua and Jazz Duck to La Genovese. Those who order à la carte can choose miniature Modenese tortellini in a 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano sauce (€80) or five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different textures and temperatures (€90).
Contemporary art hangs on the dining room walls. The restaurant treats the pieces as windows onto ideas, and they feed the conversation between room and kitchen. Beppe Palmieri looks after the floor. The wine pairing (€240) pours Picolit from Friuli and Fiano di Avellino from Campania. It also includes a double malt beer from Bologna brewed with smoked chestnuts and juniper.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
The opening of Osteria Francescana's 2025 menu reads: "Only after having studied, explored, and respected tradition do you have the right to set it aside, but always with the awareness that we owe it at least for having helped clarify our ideas. Naturally, if you remain anchored to the past, life that moves forward becomes life that stands still, but if you use tradition as a springboard, it is obvious that you will jump much higher." Taken from a reflection by Eduardo de Filippo. Miseria e Nobiltà is the theme for this year on Via Stella. Each year, the Modenese chef, together with his team, unveils a new tasting menu that subsequently shifts slightly with the changing seasons. After more than three decades, Francescana remains the restaurant that defines the benchmark for Italian haute cuisine. The menu features inspired dishes such as Bread and Water and the Genovese, which are miniature masterpieces and alone can make the trip worthwhile. In the dining room, Beppe Palmieri will ensure you feel thoroughly pampered.
Exceptional cuisine
Location
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