7 Best Food Tours in Bologna, Italy: 2024 Guide
Bologna is not only home to delicious local cuisine, it is the culinary capital of Italy—and has been since the Middle Ages! If it’s your first time to this oft-overlooked gem of northern Italy, there is no better way to make sure to get your fill of its delicious offerings than to take one of the best food tours in Bologna.
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My vote for the absolute best introduction to the Bologna food scene is the “Classic Bologna Food Tour.” This small-group tour takes a deep dive into the food traditions of Bologna by exploring the best places in the beautiful city center to discover the best fresh pasta, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, gelato, and so much more.
During your walking tour of delicious Bologna, you’ll visit local markets to enjoy food tastings of local delicacies, and you’ll stop in at a famous osteria to learn about local wines and enjoy a delicious glass of wine beloved in the region.
But there is more than one way to taste Bologna. That’s why we’re offering up an array of diverse culinary experiences to allow you to sink your teeth into what most interests you in the food capital of Italy.
Whether it’s wine tastings, cooking classes, the balsamic vinegar of Modena, touring a cheese factory—we’ll share the best way to get the most of what you’re looking for!
Best Bologna Food Tours
We’re looking to provide you with the best food tours of Bologna, Italy. And, if you’ve done some research elsewhere, you’ve already figured out that not all gastronomic tours or every tour operator is the same. Food tours in Bologna differ significantly in quality and price.
Private tours are great, but they’re often prohibitively expensive. Secret food tours can be a bit gimmicky: They might be fine, but they typically try to entice you by not revealing the one item they’re claiming is a great secret—even though they already know exactly what it is.
We think small groups are the way to go. You still have great access to the best things available in the local food scene, but without the giant price tag of a private food tour. And unlike the case in a larger group, you get enough personalized attention from your tour guide and an opportunity to experience everything up-close.
In addition, every Bologna experience we recommend below will be led by a local tour guide or host who speaks excellent English. And they are all top notch!
These are the best food tours Bologna has to offer—every one has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars!
1.Classic Bologna Food Tour
This is our TOP PICK and the best food tour Bologna has to offer!
Samples of the delicious items to enjoy on the best Bologna food tour
Meet up in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s main square and the beating heart of the city. Here, a stone’s throw from some of the best Bologna restaurants, you’ll begin your guided walking food tour.
After enjoying some delightful pastries and gourmet coffee, you’ll explore one of the greatest Bologna food markets, Mercato delle Erbe, the oldest covered food market in the city center.
Marvel at the astounding assortment of fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and wines and learn interesting facts about these local specialties and their role not only in Bologna’s rich culinary history, but in the overall history of the city itself.
Move from one market area to another as you make your way to the Quadrilatero—Bologna’s oldest market, filled with local produce stalls, fish mongers, restaurants, and food shops of every variety. You’ll get to sample satisfying salumi specialties like Prosciutto di Parma and Mortadella from leading producers. You’ll also visit with expert pasta makers as they prepare tortelloni by hand, and then you’ll have a chance to sample their culinary works of art.
Exploring the Quadrilatero on a food tour in Bologna
Next on this wonderful food-tasting tour, visit the oldest osteria in Italy where you’ll enjoy more delicious Italian food and learn some tips about wine pairings as you toast with your new friends.
Finish off the day on a sweet note: The last of your food stops features one of the best gelaterias in the city, where you can savor some amazing gelato. As your Taste Bologna food tour draws to a close, you’ll be convinced of the aptness of one of Bologna’s nicknames, La Grassa, or “The Fat One,” in honor of the bounty of delicious food choices the city has to offer.
Watching tortelloni being made
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars—Over 250 reviews!
“Our guide Francesco put together a perfect food tour of Bologna's culinary best. It started early with coffees and pastries, we saw how tortellini is made, visited the farmer's market where we learned about local fruits and vegetables as well as seafood and meats. The food we ate was out of this world. My only complaint is there was so much I couldn't finish everything. The day was capped off with gelato. We were also lucky everyone on the tour was a delight.” Read more Classic Bologna Food Tour reviews.
✔︎ Expert knowledgeable guide
✔︎ Breakfast with gourmet coffee
✔︎ Different tastings, including Bolognese ragù, cured meat, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar tradizionale of Modena, bread, and dessert
✔︎ Local artisans making tortelloni and/or tortellini, followed by samplings of their handiwork
✔︎ Local wine like Pignoletto or Lambrusco
✔︎ Gelato tasting
A maximum of 10 people will be on your tour
Can accommodate vegetarians but not recommended for vegans
A moderate amount of walking is involved (3 km; 1.9 mi)
Wheelchair accessible
Minimum drinking age is 18
Approximately 4 hours
Make Tagliatelle al Ragù from scratch in a Bologna cooking class.
One way to bring home the rich flavors of Bologna is to buy foodie souvenirs. But these will eventually be used up. Another way to relish the amazing cuisine of the city is to learn how to make traditional recipes of the region using traditional cooking methods and the highest-quality ingredients. Afterward, you’ll be able to make authentic Bolognese dishes whenever you like long after you return home.
Take this incredibly fun pasta-making class with Grazia, who opens her home to you and welcomes you with genuine warmth and a love for sharing her craft.
She’ll teach you how to make two of the most beloved pastas of Bologna: tortelloni and tagliatelle. You’ll also learn how to make two sauces: the world-famous Bolognese sauce, known in Bologna simply as ragù, and an additional sauce appropriate to the season.
After learning to make these Bolognese specialties, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor with a meal featuring your freshly made pastas and sauces and accompanied by wine. For a perfect ending, Grazia will share a delightful sweet treat, a homemade traditional dessert.
Drying tagliatelle in a Bologna cooking class
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars—Over 330 reviews!
“We had a wonderful cooking experience at Grazia’s home! She is a fabulous host and teacher of her family recipes for pasta and ragu. Each person in our small group of 5 had such interesting stories and it was quite enjoyable to spend time with them learning from Grazia how to make these delicious recipes . . . and then eating our creations! I highly recommend this experience if you love cooking and eating as much as I do. Grazia is amazing!” Read more reviews.
✔︎ Friendly, expert instruction
✔︎ Use of cooking equipment
✔︎ Yummy multi-course lunch
✔︎ Unique classic recipes for the dishes you made
A maximum of 5 people will be in your class
Not wheelchair accessible
Approximately 3 hours
Lambrusco grapes on a Bologna wine tour
Enjoy a visit to the beautiful vineyards and olive tree groves of Cantina da Vittorio, in the verdant hills outside of Bologna. You’ll learn about the entire wine-production process from an on-staff expert while touring the wine-making facility and exploring the impressive wine cellar.
The enchanting setting is a perfect place to soak up breathtaking views while sipping on award-winning white wine, red wine, and sparkling varietals. You’ll also sample the various acclaimed olive oils made from plantings on the property and salumi produced in house as well.
You’ll see why local foodies and oenophiles choose this spot to celebrate special occasions—while you enjoy a unique experience of your own.
Lambrusco vineyards
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!
“This tour was a highlight of our trip! The owners and the sommelier were very kind and welcoming and had a true passion for their jobs. We were given a guided tour of the vineyard and a tasting of multiple types of wines and local foods (cheese, prosciutto, etc.). There was more than enough food and wine and we had the best time learning about the different wines from the vineyard! We bought several bottles and are excited to enjoy them later. Cannot recommend this tour enough!” Read more reviews.
✔︎ Guided winery tour
✔︎ Wine tasting
✔︎ Local products tasting
A maximum of 6 people will be on your tour
Wheelchair accessible
Approximately 2.5 hours
Wine tasting in Bologna
Explore the best regional wine from throughout Emilia-Romagna without leaving the city center of Bologna. In the comfort of one of the city’s leading enotecas, treat your taste buds to a tour of 6 different wines that showcase the most significant offerings of the local viticultural scene.
In a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, learn about the varietals of the region, what to look for when selecting them, and which labels you better get your hands on in town since they are not available back home. Enjoy a selection of traditional snacks to complement your wines as you indulge in the finest flavors of the area.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars! Badge of Excellence!
“I loved it, the bar is located close to the city centre, it is easy to find. The interior is beautiful. The wines are excellent. The staff explains where the grape comes from, which winery, and how it is related to the region. It was absolutely fantastic. The aperitivo that comes with the tasting was also delicious. You have plenty of time to stay and enjoy yourself. Highly recommend, it is worth it.” Read more reviews.
✔︎ 6 wines from the Emilia-Romagna region
✔︎ Tasty snacks
Wheelchair accessible
Approximately 1 hour
Wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on a Bologna food tour
The Emilia-Romagna region of Italy is known for its local specialties, delicious Italian food, and traditional products. Bologna is a great place to launch your culinary journey to taste two of the regions most revered foods.
Both Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma carry the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This means that both must be produced according to strict regulations within a certain location. You’ll learn all about the demanding process of making these two Italian icons.
Your first stop on this day trip will be the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory, where you’ll begin with a brief history of the “King of Italian Cheeses.”
Cheesemakers are early risers! You’ll need to arrive before 9:00 am to see the fresh milk being pulled from the vats and observe each stage of Parmesan cheese production. Afterward, you’ll have a tasting of different aged cheeses along with balsamic vinegar and local wine.
Your next stop will be a visit to a local Parma ham production facility. There, you’ll learn all about Prosciutto di Parma and why this cured meat is so highly regarded in Italy. You’ll sample exquisite Parma ham aged 24 months, accompanied by local bread and Lambrusco wine.
What a delicious way to learn about two of Italy’s most beloved foods!
Plenty of Prosciutto di Parma
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars—over 300 reviews! Badge of Excellence!
“The parmigiano cheese and ham tour was great, exactly what we expected, with a small cheese tasting, and a meal of ham, bread and wine. Our guide Matia was very friendly and thoughtful, we were very happy to have him as our tour guide!” Read more reviews.
✔︎ Private air-conditioned transportation with WiFi
✔︎ Guided tours of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese-making facility and prosciutto factory
✔︎ Tastings and snacks
A maximum of 8 people will be on your tour
Not wheelchair accessible
Approximately 5 hours
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory
Enjoy a full-day culinary adventure within Italy’s premier food valley, Emilia-Romagna. You’ll travel through the gorgeous countryside to local factories and family-run producers of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Modena balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto.
You’ll receive breakfast, plenty of samples of fresh hand-crafted products, a hearty lunch, and bottomless wine. You will not leave hungry or thirsty!
Prosciutto di Parma tasting
Your deep dive into the food culture of the region starts off at a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory with a tasting experience. Then you’ll head to a prosciutto producer, where you’ll have a tasting session followed by an incredible Italian family-style lunch featuring traditional products paired with local wine. The last stop of your tour will be at an acetaia (vinegar house) for a traditional balsamic vinegar tasting.
Lunch in the countryside outside of Bologna, Italy
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars—Over 775 reviews! Badge of Excellence!
“What a fantastic tour! Alessandro (the driver) was a great guide and explained everything extremely well. The visits to both the Parmigiano Reggiano producer and acetaia were great. The prosciutto facility was amazing as well. Alessandro (the host) was extremely personable and made sure that everyone had an amazing time. The tasting and lunch were awesome as well. Do not make dinner plans, as there is so much food that you will not leave hungry. Very highly recommended. Thanks again!” Read more reviews.
✔︎ Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
✔︎ Expert driver/guide
✔︎ Breakfast
✔︎ Food tastings
✔︎ Factory tours of state-of-the-art facilities
✔︎ Lunch with matching wines
✔︎ Coffee and/or Tea
✔︎ Alcoholic Beverages
A maximum of 20 people will be on your tour
Not wheelchair accessible
Approximately 8 to 9 hours
The oldest balsamic vinegar maker in Modena, Acetaia Cavedoni
Taking the short trip from Bologna to Acetaia Cavedoni, the oldest traditional balsamic vinegar producer in Modena, provides a unique experience. There, you’ll tour the centuries-old facility and sample some of the finest Modena balsamic vinegars ever produced.
In addition, Cavedoni's dedicated staff will provide an educational insight into the production process and aging techniques that are used in making their premium balsamic vinegar of Modena.
From learning about the selection of local grapes to fermenting them for extended periods of time, then blending traditional recipes including vinegar from Trebbiano and Lambrusco grape musts, this exciting tour offers guests an intimate view of why Modena’s balsamic vinegar is renowned for its unparalleled flavor and quality—and known as the black gold of Italy.
After the aged balsamic vinegar tasting, you're sure to understand why Acetaia Cavedoni is considered one of the world's leading producers of Balsamico di Modena.
Aging barrels of balsamico di Modena
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars—Over 175 reviews! Badge of Excellence!
“We spent three weeks in Northern Italy. Of all the fabulous places we went to and things we saw, this was one of the best experiences. To say it is a balsamic vinegar tasting is an understatement. Marcello and his father Paulo, 5th and 6th generation, were THE BEST. I echo so much of what's written in other reviews, the decades-old vinegar, Lambrusco, cheese, humor . . . this tour has it all.” Read more reviews.
✔︎ A variety of aged balsamic vinegar tastings
✔︎ Regional food tastings
✔︎ Wine
Led by an expert local guide
A maximum of 15 people will be on your tour
Wheelchair accessible
Approximately 2 hours
Some Bologna food tours take you through the surrounding countryside.
Tips for Taking a Bologna Food Tour
Well, now you know 7 of the absolute best food tours in Bologna, Italy. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Italy’s “Fat City” or are returning to bask in even more of what the city has to offer, there is at least one food tour in Bologna among these choices that will elevate your stay far above the ordinary and leave you with a lasting memory to savor long after you return home. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of whichever tour, or tours, you choose.
These are all fantastic tours for small groups, so there aren’t many spots per tour, and tours do sell out. Please try to reserve as early as possible.
Always read all policies and double-check details before booking your tour.
A gratuity is not included in any of these top food tours, but they are sincerely appreciated by your guide.
These are all unforgettable food tours, epicurean Bologna activities, or gustatory adventures. Yours is going to be a great outing. Just show up on time, relax, and have fun!
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