Al Frattino
Follow via mazzini as it turns into via saraceno and turn onto via porta san pietro at the top. on the corner of san pietro and via carlo mayr is a small, unremarkable-looking sicilian pizzeria which serves without a doubt the best pizza in town. try the "diablo" and make sure to chat with the friendly owners, even if it's in sign language.
Agapi mou
On via saraceno is a small greek restaurant with decent greek food, though a bit pricey for the amount.
Il Cucco
Located on a backstreet near via delle volte, at via voltecasotto 3, this charming and inexpensive trattoria offers a variety of local ferrarese specialties. garden seating available in warmer weather. (http://www.trattoriailcuc...)
Birreria Giori
It's the bar that looks a little like a greenhouse set up right against the moat with tables outside. with a "make your own panino" option on the menu, friendly waiters, and an ideal location literally in the shadow of the castello, it makes a perfect lunch stop.
Mordicchio
A little on the costly side, but for a quick bite head down via garibaldi to the piadina stand across from the indian restaurant. don't forget to try the perfectly cooked french fries.
Il Ciclone
Located upstairs in an alley via vignatagliata just off via mazzini, this friendly restaurant offers regular meals but its specialty is pizza.
Il Brindisi
Wooden, atmospheric, and crammed with dusty wine bottles, this charming enoteca has not only of being the oldest winebar in europe but also as having had copernicus as a tenant while he was a student in ferrara. although most come at night to drink, they also serve exclusively ferrarese fare such as pasticcio and cappellacci di zucca for dinner the portions are small, so make sure to eat a real italian meal and order both a primo and a secondo.
Bar Settimo in Via Cortevecchia. Don't be put off by the dingy bar at the front. At the back is one of the friendliest restaurants in Italy, presided over by the splendid Norberto. The food is simple but excellent and not at all expensive. Pizzas and Salama da Sugo con Pure are particularly good. For years it has been the favourite watering hole for performers at the Teatro Communale and Ferrara Musica. After concerts the place is very lively and, unusually for Ferrara, it closes late.
...Panini and Piadine:
[Note: In Italian, a "piadina" is the type of pressed, flatbread sandwich that is known in the United States as the "panini." Actual "panini" singular "panino" are merely normal sandwiches.]
...Pizza:[Note: In Italy it is customary for each person to order a whole pizza for him or herself. The crusts are thin, so one pizza is almost exactly enough for a filling dinner for one person. Generally cheaper than a full-course meal, perfect for students.]
Osteria Savanarola
Located right next to the savonarola statue, this restaurant offers a good selection of traditional ferrarese fare.
...non-Italian fare
The Chinese restaurants are mediocre, but the Indian restaurant on Via Garibaldi is in fact quite good, even by non-Italy standards.
...Pasta:[Note: Do not leave Ferrara without trying its trademark cappellacci di zucca round pasta stuffed with squash/pumpkin, either "al burro e salvia" with butter and sage or "al ragu" with meat sauce.]