BEST Food Tour in Bologna (Choose from 18 Handpicked)

If you find yourself in Emilia-Romagna, the northern region of Italy (between Florence and Milan), be sure to join one a food tour. This region is considered as the food capital of Italy as it's home to many famous Italian food products (Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Aceto Balsamico among others).

The city of Bologna is the place to go for pasta dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù, lasagne and tortellini in brodo, as well as tigelle bread pockets filled with local cured meats and cheeses.

You can explore the city's food spots on your own, or leave all the hard work to the experts and simply book one of the guided food tours. You'll enjoy exploring the city along a plenty of eating.

Have a look at handpicked food tours in Florence and Rome!

Handpicked Bologna Food Tours:

1. Bologna walking food tour

• Available every day at 10am, 10:30am, 3pm and 3:30pm
• The tour meets at Piazza della Mercanzia, 4, in historic centre
• Can be booked also as a private tour (choose the time between 9:45am and 3:30pm)
• TOUR COMPANY: Secret Food Tours
• 👍 Travellers adore this Bologna food tour!

This 4-hour fantastic food tour will take you to the heart of Bologna's vibrant Quadrilatero market, where you'll get to experience the buzzing atmosphere and see locals buying fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other local specialities. The morning tour kicks off with a true Italian breakfast – coffee and croissants!

Next, you'll have the opportunity to visit a local store (to taste the world-renowned Parmigiano Reggiano) and a pastificio (pasta store) to see how the famous tortellini are made.  You'll also get to taste 2 delicious pasta dishes.

Afterwards, you'll visit traditional bottegas (to sample a range of balsamic vinegar from Modena, cheeses and cured meat).

The tastings on this tour are absolutely delicious and you'll learn so much about the local food. In addition, you'll hear fascinating history facts about sights such as Palazzo della Mercanzia and Basilica di San Petronio!

"Claire was a wonderful guide who provided much history and interesting commentary throughout our tour. We enjoyed many of Bologna's regional specialties and even got to see a pasta laboratorio. There was plenty of food served and by the end of the tour we were comfortably full. We would highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to explore Bologna's wonderful food history!"

2. Classic Bologna food tour

• Tour takes place at 9:30 from Monday to Saturday
• The meeting point is in the corner of Via De Pignattari, just at the right of San Petronio Basilica
• Tour can be customised to vegetarians, pescatarians and gluten-free intolerants (advise when booking)
• TOUR COMPANY: Taste Bologna
• 👍 This tour is an absolute must for foodies!

This classic 4-hour food tour of Bologna by Taste Bologna takes you to explore the culinary traditions of Bologna in a small-group. You are going to visit Mercato delle Erbe (local food market), family food shops and osterie. 

You'll taste local specialties such as tortellini (you'll also see how they are made), bolognese ragù, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, aceto balsamico di Modena, dessert and local wines such as Pignoletto or Lambrusco. And of course, the gelato! This is small-group tour so you'll enjoy personalized attention from your guide. Don't miss this tasty Bologna food tour!

"The food tour was amazing. Samantha met our small group on time as promised. After a short walk, We started with Coffee (Cappuccino) and Pasta ( Italian term for breakfast pastry). Then we stopped at a fresh pasta store to watch them make tortellini and we had a try ourselves. Then at a local market, we ate freshly made and cooked tortellini. Delicious. We walked through an area full of meat and stopped in an Osteria to eat meat and cheese platters with wine. We sampled and learned about Balsamic Vinegar and ended with a delicious gelato. This was truly a highlight of our trip. Don't miss it. Samantha was incredible."

3. Bologna food tour from a local perspective

• The tour is available at 10am (from Monday to Saturday)and lasts for 4.5 hours
• Meet your guide and group at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking
• TOUR COMPANY: Delicious Bologna
• 👍 One of the most favourite Bologna food tours!

You'll love exploring Bologna and its delicious gastronomy on small-group morning tour. Along the way, you'll get an insight into main Bologna sights.

The tour starts with classic Italian breakfast at the cafè (cappuccino and cornetto). Next, you'll visit pasta workshop to see how "Sfogline" make handmade pasta and then stop in the shop to taste cold meat and aged Parmigiano Reggiano. While visiting Quadrilatero, a local food market, you'll enjoy aperitivo with local food.

Next, you'll spend 1 hour enjoying a delicious lunch with 3 kinds of pasta, along a wine. After the lunch, it's time for sampling aged aceto balsamico di Modena and in the end the best artisanal gelato of Bologna. You won't need lunch after this tour!

"Matteo was a delight. He provided a great mix of Bologna history with fantastic local food. Matteo is extremely personable and kept the group laughing and engaged. We left Bologna completely full and highly satisfied. Highly recommend and great value for the money!"

4. Bologna gastronomic experience with a local

• This gastro experience is available every day (except Sunday) at 10am, 10:30am, 4:30pm and 5pm
• The meeting point is by the Fontana del Nettuno
• TOUR COMPANY: Tours and the City

This is a unique opportunity to experience the local way of eating and drinking in Bologna. Your guide will take you on a gastronomic journey through Bologna, to discover all hidden places that only locals knows (you'll enjoy more than 15 food and wine tastings).

Your foodie adventure will start with tigelle, round flatbreads, which are served as pre-aperitivo. The filling of tigella is usually prosciutto, mortadella, salami, cheese... Next, you'll go shopping for cold cuts, cheeses and breads and eat all this along local wine in the oldest osteria of the city.

You'll continue walking through the city centre until you arrive to classis osteria Bolognese to try tortellini and tagliatelle (2 kinds of local pasta), all paired with local wine. Conclude your gastro journey with a scoop or two of best gelato in the city! 3 hours pass too quickly on this amazing tour!

"An amazing tour around Bologna, learning the various foods, seeing the food market, learning about trattoria and osteria, having yummy tortellini and bolognaise and topped with gelato. Fantastic tour - thank you."

5. Tastes & Traditions of Bologna (with food market visit)

• The tour departs in front of ExtraBo info point at Piazza del Nettuno at 10am (from Monday to Saturday)
• The tour lasts 3h 30 minutes
• Tour is adaptable for pescatarians and vegetarians as well as dairy-free and glute-free intolerant
• TOUR COMPANY: Devour Tours
• 👍 Very popular among travellers in Bologna!

You'll spend an unforgettable morning, while exploring food traditions of Bologna on this great tour. You'll take a stroll through the lively food markets, see how artisan chef crafts fresh batches of pasta by hand and enjoy a morning expresso.

Jour journey start with a coffee and freshly baked pastry at Caffè Pasticceria Gamberini. Next, you head to Mercato delle Erbe, the local market, where you'll sample different varieties of cheeses and taste panini with mortadella while your guide shops for cold cuts that you'll enjoy later.

Your next stops will be Osteria del Sole and La Salsamenteria Bologna, to enjoy traditional local dishes, including pasta (freshly handmade each morning at the spot). The tour ends on a sweet note with a delicious regional dessert as you admire 2 iconic symbols of the Bologna. If you have a dietary requirement or food allergy, please note it when booking.

"Excellent tour, very informative and fun. Guide was friendly and engaging and brought the tour to life, sharing not only food knowledge but plenty of historical info as well. Plenty of food tastings along the way ending with a traditional ragu and wine!"

6. Bologna traditional food tour

• The meeting point is in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, in front of Feltrinelli bookstore (near Two Towers)
• Choose from 2 daily departures: 12pm and 6:30pm
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• TOUR COMPANY: Do Eat Better Experience
• 840 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews

This 3.5 hour tour of Bologna is a mix of high-quality gastronomy and a walking experience together with a local guide. The tour start with tasting delicious pasta like tagliatelle al ragù (topped with Parmigiano) or tortellini served in broth (two typical pasta dishes from Bologna).

Next, you'll eat tigelle or mortadella in a cone or on a platter (both loved food of Emilia-Romagna). Afterwards, you'll have opportunity to taste cotoletta alla bolognese (veal meat served with a rich cheese sauce and topped with prosciutto and more cheese) - typical local dish.

In the end, you'll have an artisanal Italian gelato or torta degli addobbi - a cake made with rice (prepared in Bologna from 1400, usually at the end of May) - cut into diamond shape. You'll taste a loads of amazing food on this tour.

"Food was amazing especially the ragu!! Make sure you haven’t eaten before taking this tour as the portion sizes are very generous. Miriam our guide was very welcoming, knowledgeable and funny. Would recommend this tour."

7. A taste of Emilia tour from Bologna

• Take this tour from Monday to Saturday with departing time at 8:30am
• The driver will pick you up in front of your hotel (if arriving from another city, you will be picked up from train station or airport)
• TOUR COMPANY: Slow Emotion

This unique trip to Bologna's countryside, takes you to local producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, the traditional Balsamic vinegar and prosciutto are made. This will be a day full of delicious tastings!

First stop will be Parmigiano dairy farm to see the live production of this aged cheese. Here, you'll taste the fresh made ricotta and 3 different agings of Parmigiano and other delicacies.

You'll next proceed to prosciutto factory to see how this delicacy is produced and taste delicious prosciutto with breadsticks and focaccia paired with Lambrusco wine.

Finally, you'll visit a family run balsamic factory where you'll discover the secrets behing the "Black gold of Modena". Here you'll taste a range of balsamic vinegars, from the young to the "extravecchio" which spent a minimum of 25 years in the wooden barrels!

"This tour was absolutely amazing! Everyone visiting the Bologna/Modena area should do this tour. Our guide, Marco, was excellent! This experience of a private your and visiting smaller producers of Parmigiano, Prosciutto and Balsamic Vinegar was the best! The quality of the products, the passion of the people, the fact that they were willing to spend time and share with us—. It was super special. We loved every second of this tour."

8. Bologna's tastiest treats private tour

• Choose your preferred time between 8am and 5pm
• After booking, you can agree the meeting point to fit your preferences
• You'll get contacted within 24 hours after booking to find out more about your tastes and interest
• TOUR COMPANY: City Unscripted

Follow your senses around Bologna on this 3-hour private food tour and let a local show you the best food places around the historic centre.

Enjoy 6-8 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in Bologna. Sample Bolognese specialties like tortellini and mortadella, discover new favourite dishes, and rest your feet over an aperitif at an indoor market.

You'll browse through historic markets (Il Quadrilatero, Mercato di Mezzo and Mercato delle Erbe), local trattoria in the end gelateria, to end your day with an organic gelato. This tour is a true food feast!

👉 Book this private foodie tour of Bologna

"Elisa was a great guide who made learning about Bologna very enjoyable. We had a lovely gelato and then a meal of ragu and bruchetta, cheeses, meats, spreads and breads. Topped this off with an aperol spritz. A great tour."

9. Bologna food and wine factory tour

• Meet your group in Piazza XX Settembre (close to central train station)
• This is a full day experience lasting 8.5 hours
• TOUR COMPANY: Italian Days
• 840 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews

On this full-day foodie experience, you'll visit local producers in the region to see how regional products are made. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the sights, smells, and tastes of Emilia-Romagna!

The trip start with an early pick-up from Bologna (at 7am) with a private minivan and drive to the countryside. First stop would be Parmigiano Reggiano factory, where you'll see cheesemakers taking care of all production steps of this hard cheese. You'll have opportunity to touch the creamy curd, taste the cooked cheese and of course taste final products (young or aged, delicate or intense - choose your favourite one!).

Next, you'll see how local prosciutto is cared of at local producer and taste this amazing meat product (along other cured treats, homemade bread and a glass of Lambrusco). Afterwards, the proper lunch will be served (starter, 3 kinds of pasta dishes along wines. plus a dessert).

Third visit will be to the producer of balsamic vinegar of Modena. You'll get into a magical world of smells and flavours of this unique Italian product.

👉 Book this incredible foodie experience

A FEW TOUR REVIEWS:

Sarah says: "This is possibly the best foodie tour I have ever booked! Alessandro was a great guide but the access to the food factories was brilliant. We ate and drank so much during the day as well- not something any of us will forget- if you're worried about the cost - don't- worth every penny!! You will not regret taking the tour and huge thanks to Alessandro and Roberta!"

Ralph says: "This trip got 5 stars simply because I couldn’t give more. A foodie’s dream, from start to finish this experience was A++. Our driver, our guide, the staff at the three stops were exceptional and were engaging, knowledgeable, and thorough. I’d do this trip again in a heartbeat."

10. Drinks & Bites Bologna tour

• This tour is available every day (pick preferred time from 7pm until 11pm)
• The tour lasts 2.5 hours
• Vegetarian options are available on this tour
• Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
• TOUR COMPANY: Withlocals

If you're looking for a perfect night out in Bologna this drinks and bites tour is just the thing. Join a friendly local for a fun evening tour with not only drinks and bites, but also the highlights of the area (such as Finestrella and Palazzo del Podestà. 

Discover the city's center, a vibrant area in Bologna where the locals like to unwind and have fun at night. Visit some of the best spots in town and have a drink together with a typical local bite (3 drinks & 3 bites). The hosts will be happy to personalize the tour to your wishes and make their Bologna, your Bologna! Truly unique experience!

👉 Book this unique food tour of Bologna

Food tour review: We had a great evening with Luca. He provided both a tour of the city as well as introduced us to the foods the region is famous for. His choices were spot on and our entire family (including 2 teenage sons) had a great time. We had been traveling in Italy for a week and this was for sure the most authentic and “local” food and dining we had our entire trip. Highly recommend! Luca was also super helpful setting up a tour for the next day to Modena and surrounding areas.

11. Walking food tour and highlights of Bologna

• The tour is available every day at 11am and 5:30pm
• Meet your group is in Piazza Galvani, near the Galvani statue.
• TOUR COMPANY: Hili Travel

This food tour is for those who want to explore Bologna and its culinary treasures in a company of a local guide. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, savour the mouth-watering food, and create lasting memories on this foodie experience.

Prepare your taste buds for a loads of delicious local food. You'll stop at several spots to taste panini with mortadella, tagliatelle al ragù along a glass of wine. To conclude this unforgettable gastronomic experience, we'll tempt you with a delightful Italian gelato. Get ready to fall in love with the flavors and charm of Bologna!

👉 Check prices and reserve your spot

Food tour review: We loved our guide Ilaria, for the Bologna food tour. From the moment we met her, we knew we were in good hands. She was very kind and hospitable, and she was very knowledgeable about Bologna’s food culture and history. We learned so much from our conversations with her, and she focused all of her attention on the tour while she was with us. We also loved the local eateries that we visited. The Mortadella and Lambrusco were a great pairing, and the Taglietelle and Ragu was truly authentic. I would definitely recommend this tour as well as recommend Ilaria as a guide. My daughter and I truly enjoyed the experience.

12. The 10 Tastings of Bologna

• This tour is available every day (choose your preferred time from 11am until 6pm)
• Meet your guide in front of 'Pollo e Patate Pollomino' 
• Vegetarian options are available on this tour
• Available languages: English, Italiano, Dansk, Español, Français, 日本語, Nederlands
• TOUR COMPANY: Withlocals

You'll fall in love with delicious Italian cuisine on this foodie tour of Bologna. You are going to enjoy a selection of 10 food and drink tastings hand-picked by your local host, spread over at least 3 different food places.

Enjoy a bite of the ultimate classics, tortellini fritti and formaggio bianco, and taste them in their true local flavour! Quench your thirst with a selection of drinks like coffee, an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) cocktails, wine and beer.

This is not only culinary tour, but also a cultural and history journey through Bologna. Along the way, you'll stop to admire the Piazza Maggiore, Quadrilatero, and Piazza del Nettuno and hear about their local relevance from your host. Pick your host according to your interests and you’ll be a part of a unique and flavorful experience catered to your taste buds.

👉 Book this private food tour of Bologna

Food tour review: Giuseppe was a joy to spend time with and has a wealth of knowledge about Bologna and food. Everything we ate was delicious, and he took us places we would have not known about or been too intimidated to go to on our own. He couldn’t be kinder and led the tour at our pace. It was a great way to see Bologna while also trying all of the traditional foods from the area. Foodie heaven! Grazie mille per tutto, Giuseppe.

13. Emilia Romagna cheese tour

• This experience is available every day at 5pm; tour lasts 2 hours
• Meet your group in Piazza Maggiore in front of the tourist office Bologna Welcome
• TOUR COMPANY: Bologna Gourmet

Are you a cheese lover and would like to know more about regional Emilia-Romagna dairy products? Then you can't miss this 2-hour tasting tour through Bologna (you'll taste 6 different cheeses).

Starting from the medieval food market, the guide will introduce you to all kinds of cheeses this beautiful region could offer. You'll learn about Parmigiano Reggiano (how it's made and how many different kinds you can find), Grana Padano and why it's so different from Parmigiano. You'll also see Pecorino di fossa and Squacquerone, typical cheeses of Romagna.

At the end of the tour, you'll head to guide's house to taste them all, served with jams, honey, wine jelly, caramelised figs and drops of the true balsamic vinegar.  The highlight of the tasting is the rare possibility to taste the Traditional Balsamic vinegar from Modena PDO 25 years old, completely different from what you have tasted before!  This is a truly unique foodie experience!

👉 Book this cheesy experience in Bologna

14. Bologna city center wine tour

• This wine tour takes place every day at 11am, 2:30pm and 5pm
• Meet your guide near Vittorio Emanuele bar, right in front of the Neptune Fountain
• Choose between 2-hour and 3-hour tours and private enoteca tour
• Available in English, Italian, Spanish
• TOUR COMPANY: Bologna Wine

Embark on a tour of some of the best wineries in the city center, guided by a real local wine expert. Taste different varieties, learn from a certified local sommelier and explore the hidden spots of the city.

Move from an enoteca to an osteria, where you'll have the chance to taste unusual, delicious, refreshing wines from the Colli Bolognesi area. All the wines will be explained during the tour. Depending on the length of tour selected, enjoy 4 or 5 different wines. Longer tour (3 hours) includes a traditional snack in the oldest tavern in town.

A private enoteca tour offers a private evening in a secret enoteca in the heart of the old Bologna, with a local certified sommelier, who will guide you through the pairing of four of the best wines of Emilia-Romagna and a full 3-courses dinner with the best local food. 

👉 Book here this unique wine tour

Wine tour review: Really enjoyed this. Filippo was a great guide and we went to some different places and drank some great wine! Definitely tried new varieties and learned a lot about wine and Italy! Fully recommend.

15. Bologna: Olive grove and vineyard tour with tastings

• This tastings take place at 6:30pm and 8pm (Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
• You'll have to reach small and charming village of Varignana, situated 20km from Bologna (from Bologna Central Station take the train to Castel San Pietro Terme or you can call a taxi Cotabo)
• OPERATOR: AGRIVAR, agricultural estate of Palazzo di Varignana

This tour takes you to Agrivar, the agricultural estate near Bologna, that cultivates vines and olive trees and produce wine, extra virgin oil, jams, juices, saffron, goji berries and salts flavoured with herbs. It stretches on 600 hectares of lands. You'll taste Bologna wines and olive oils accompanies by a local food products. Choose from the following tastings:

1. Extra virgin olive oil tasting (tasting of 3 types of extra virgin olive oil of Palazzo di Varignana)
2. Extra virgin olive oil and wine tasting (tasting of 2 glasses of white wine, 2 glasses of red wine, and 2 extra virgin olive oils with local products)
3. Extra virgin olive oil and wine superior tasting (tasting of 2 glasses of your choice and 2 extra virgin olive oils with local farm products)
4. Wine tasting (tasting of 3 glasses of wine of your choice from a selection of both white and red varieties).

👉 Book this unique tastings near Bologna

Tasting review: The winery was gorgeous! The wines were all delicious— I bought several bottles to bring home. And my host could not have been nicer or more knowledgeable. I learned a ton!

16. Bologna: Italian Red Wine and Food Tasting

• This foodie experience is available at 12pm and 4pm
• The meeting point is Piazza del Nettuno, 4
• TOUR COMPANY: Bologna Tour & Best Italy Tour

This 2.5 hour activity is ideal for lovers of Italian wines. In the heart of Bologna, you'll start with a welcome tosate with local bubbly white. Afterwards, you will start your journey through the most important wine regions of Italy with 3 great Italian reds. 

This is the ideal activity for those who love to discover the great Italian red wines. A wine expert and a local host will always be available to satisfy your curiosity about the wines and the city. Your wine tasting will be perfectly paired and accompanied by a selection of typical products and dishes.

👉 Book this unique food and wine tasting

Wine tasting review: Our wine tasting was amazing! The cheese and meet platters were plentiful and delicious!! The location was changed and was held on a rooftop terrace overlooking the city and mountains. It exceeded our expectations!! Wonderful!!

17. Food markets tour in Bologna in the historical center

• The tour is available every day at 11am; lasts 2 hours
• Meet your group in front of Mercato delle Erbe entri (Via Ugo Bassi side)
• The groups are limited to 10 participants (small group)
• This is no waste and sustainable food tour (you decide which food you want to sample and how much)
• Vegetarian/lactose free options are always available on the tour
• TOUR COMPANY: MyBologna (Benedetta Crespi)

On this unique food tour of Bologna, you'll visit 2 city's markets (Mercato delle Erbe and Quadrilatero), where you'll discover the local products and family business shops. You are going to learn how the local people shop, cook and eat. You'll have opportunity to taste food bites, such as Parma ham, cheese, fresh pasta, mortadella, balsamic vinegar, bread and gelato in the end.

Note that the food is not included in the price and in every spot you can decide if you want to try the food and how much you'll eat. The price of the food would be circa €17 (you'll have to pay this on the spot). We're sure you'll love this affordable food tour of Bologna!

👉 Book this unique Bologna's food tour

FOOD TOUR REVIEW: Benedetta was great and we really enjoyed the experience! We've been on several food tours, in various cities and always enjoy them. This was the first where the food was NOT included. I had looked at several before reserving, and, was surprised to hear that when we arrived. BUT, I think it was for the best, and I think in the future, I will look for those tours. You don't always want to try all of the samples offered, and I'd rather purchase those I actually want. Benedetta clarified all this before we began, which we really appreciated. And I think she's right - this is a better way to go. We spent far less overall than if we had got the "all inclusive" tour. Highly recommend the tour with Benedetta. She was very flexible and full of info.

18. Balsamic vinegar experience (from Bologna)

• This foodie experience is available every day from 3:30pm
• You'll be picked up from your Bologna hotel/apartment
• TOUR COMPANY: Bologna Tour & Best Italy Tour

For a truly unique experience, take this tour to the heart of the food valley, to discover the history and tradition of the famous Aceto Balsamico (known as Block Gold of Modena).

The driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to a traditional vinegar factory, where you'll learn about various stages of vinegar production. The best part will be tasting real balsamic vinegar in different stages of aging.

👉 Book this unique foodie experience

Tour review: Really fascinating tour! I had no idea of the process of making real balsamic - or how much time it takes. Excellent guide who spoke perfect English and was so knowledgeable and interesting. The tasting was a great bonus! Highly recommend this trip.

Food Tour in Bologna FAQs

More travel info you may like:

• One day in Rome
• Leonardo Express Train
• Best Cooking Classes in Florence
• 10 Florence's Museums to Visit
• Rome to Florence Day Trip
• Uffizi Gallery Tickets
• Florence in 3 Days