"Anna Maria Barbieri's family-run Emilian kitchen on the Via Emilia in Modena — tortellini and traditional balsamic, for a classic regional dinner."
About Antica Moka
Antica Moka is the family-run restaurant of chef Anna Maria Barbieri, at Via Emilia Est 1496 on the eastern edge of Modena. Barbieri has cooked here for decades, with her son Sandro running the dining room, and the kitchen has been a reference point for regional cooking for more than half a century. The cuisine is rooted in Emilia: top-quality Modenese ingredients, handled with respect and given an updated touch rather than reinvented. The restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide.
For more of the city's tables, compare the traditional cooking at Ristorante da Danilo, the historic Hosteria Giusti and the modern bistro Franceschetta 58. For the category, see our Italian guide.
The Kitchen
The cooking is Emilian, built on the region's defining produce and a few signature plates. Tortellini come dressed with traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena; there are golden fried dumplings with Modena ham, scallops, and guinea fowl breast in an orange sauce, alongside the area's cured meats and fresh pasta. The cellar is a serious draw in its own right, with more than 900 national and international labels to match the food. The average spend is around 100 euros for two courses before drinks. This is confident regional cooking from a chef who has resisted chasing trends for fifty years, letting the produce lead.
The Room
The room is elegant and quietly formal, an owner-run dining room where the family's long tenure shows in the warmth and polish of the service. The mood suits a relaxed but special meal rather than a quick bite, and the wine list invites a longer evening. It sits on the Via Emilia Est, the old road on the eastern side of Modena, a short drive from the centre with easier parking than the historic core. Reservations are recommended, particularly at weekends, and the kitchen runs for both lunch and dinner.
Best for an Anniversary
The elegant room, the regional cooking and the deep cellar make Antica Moka a fitting anniversary dinner or a relaxed business lunch, and a considered choice to impress clients in Modena.
Not for
Not for a quick, casual or budget meal — this is an elegant, owner-run regional restaurant with a serious wine list, built for an unhurried lunch or dinner.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef at Antica Moka?
The chef is Anna Maria Barbieri, who has cooked at Antica Moka for decades and runs it as a family business, with her son Sandro in the dining room. She is known for confident Emilian cooking that updates regional classics rather than chasing trends.
What should I order at Antica Moka?
Start with the Emilian classics: tortellini dressed with traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena, the golden fried dumplings with Modena ham, and the guinea fowl in orange sauce. The cellar holds more than 900 labels, so it is worth asking for a regional pairing.
Is Antica Moka in the Michelin Guide?
Yes, Antica Moka is listed in the Michelin Guide, recognised for its regional cooking. It does not carry a star, but it has long been a reference point in Modena for Emilian cuisine, run by chef Anna Maria Barbieri and her family.
How much does Antica Moka cost?
The average spend is around 100 euros per person for two courses before drinks, putting it in the mid-to-upper range for Modena. The deep wine cellar can add to the bill, but it is also part of the appeal of a longer, unhurried meal.
Where is Antica Moka in Modena?
Antica Moka is at Via Emilia Est 1496, on the eastern side of Modena along the old Via Emilia. It is a short drive from the historic centre, with easier parking than the core, and serves both lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended at weekends.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Antica Moka
Reservations are recommended, particularly at weekends; Antica Moka is on the Via Emilia Est on the eastern side of Modena.
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Practical Information
AddressVia Emilia Est 1496, 41126 Modena
NeighbourhoodVia Emilia Est (east Modena)
CuisineEmilian
PriceAround €100 per person for two courses before drinks
Dress CodeSmart-casual
SeatingElegant owner-run dining room with a 900-label cellar
ReservationRecommended
