Massimo Bottura has built a group of restaurants in and around Modena that range from a three-Michelin-star tasting menu to a countryside guesthouse and a historic Ferrari-adjacent trattoria. This is a working list of what exists, what each place is, and how they differ from each other.
Osteria Francescana
Osteria Francescana is Bottura’s three-Michelin-star restaurant in Modena city centre, twice ranked number one on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The menu is a tasting format built around dishes that interpret Emilia-Romagna classics through a contemporary lens — Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna, Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart. All dishes are new work; the menu rotates twice yearly. Bookings open months in advance and are difficult to obtain.
The restaurant also reflects Bottura’s engagement with contemporary art, with works installed throughout the dining space.
Franceschetta58
Franceschetta58 is Bottura’s bistro — more casual in format and considerably more accessible in price and availability than Osteria Francescana. The menu reinterprets traditional Emilia-Romagna recipes with seasonal ingredients and changes regularly. It is the practical option for experiencing Bottura’s cooking style without the formality or waiting list of the flagship.
Casa Maria Luigia
Casa Maria Luigia is Bottura’s countryside estate and boutique hotel, located about 20 minutes from Modena near the Modena Sud motorway exit. The on-site restaurant focuses on Bottura’s most celebrated dishes from across his career — a different proposition from Osteria Francescana, which serves only new work. The estate also includes Acetaia Maria Luigia, with over 1,200 barrels of aging traditional balsamic vinegar, and contemporary art installations throughout.
Al Gatto Verde
Al Gatto Verde is located at the Casa Maria Luigia estate, near Acetaia Maria Luigia. Led by chef Jessica Rosval, the kitchen works with local traditions and seasonal ingredients in a setting that integrates the surrounding vinegar lofts and contemporary art installations. It represents Bottura’s more sustainability-focused and experimental direction.
Il Cavallino
Il Cavallino is in Maranello, about 15 minutes from Modena, situated directly opposite Ferrari’s historic factory. Originally frequented by Enzo Ferrari, it has been reimagined under Bottura’s creative direction. The menu celebrates Emilia-Romagna cuisine with a contemporary approach; the interiors reference Ferrari’s racing history. It occupies a different cultural register from the Modena restaurants — food, design, and automotive heritage in the same room.
For an understanding of the local food culture that underpins Bottura’s work — the producers, markets, and traditional artisans of Emilia-Romagna — our Modena food tour covers the ingredients and traditions his restaurants draw from.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michelin stars does Massimo Bottura have?
Osteria Francescana holds three Michelin stars and has twice been ranked number one on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Bottura’s other restaurants operate at different levels — Franceschetta58 and Al Gatto Verde are more accessible in price and format, while Il Cavallino in Maranello occupies a different category entirely.
Do I need to book Osteria Francescana far in advance?
Yes. Osteria Francescana is one of the most difficult restaurant reservations in the world to obtain. Bookings typically open months in advance and fill quickly. Franceschetta58 is considerably easier to book and offers a more casual experience of Bottura’s cooking style.
What is the difference between Osteria Francescana and Franceschetta58?
Osteria Francescana is a three-Michelin-star restaurant serving a tasting menu of new and rotating dishes at a high price point. Franceschetta58 is a bistro format — more casual, less expensive, and focused on reinterpreting traditional Emilia-Romagna recipes rather than presenting entirely new creative work.
Is Il Cavallino in Modena or Maranello?
Il Cavallino is in Maranello, about 15 minutes from Modena city centre, situated opposite Ferrari’s historic factory. It is part of the wider Bottura portfolio but not geographically in Modena itself.
Can I visit Bottura’s restaurants as part of a food tour?
Osteria Francescana and Franceschetta58 require independent bookings and are not included in standard food tours. For a guided experience of Modena’s food culture — covering producers, markets, and traditional artisans — our Modena food tour covers the local context that informs Bottura’s cooking.
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