7 Must-Try Food Tours in Bologna (2024)

Often referred to as Italy’s food capital, Bologna captivates with its mouthwatering cuisine. 

Known as “La Grassa” or The Fat One, the best food tours in Bologna emphasize the city’s rich culinary culture and traditional recipes.

On our culinary travels throughout Italy, we could not miss exploring Bologna and specifically to understand why it is considered one of the top food cities in the world.

Taking food tours in Bologna with local guides introduced us to the regional food specialties and local artisans.

The simplicity of the food and the outstanding flavors of the local produce blew our minds. Not to mention the excellent wines.

To visit Bologna is to eat well. To ensure the best Bolognese culinary adventure, we’ve selected the best food tours in Bologna to take.

Pack a pair of loose pants, comfortable walking shoes and embrace being a good eater, or as the Italians say, “’buona forchetta.” 

Comparison Table For Bologna Food Tours

Bologna Food Tours	Price ($USD)	Group Size	Start Time	Duration (hours)	Best For
Taste Bologna Food Tour With Market Visit	$88	Max 12	10:00 am	3.5h	Best overall
Secret Food Tours Bologna	$107.48	Max 12	10:00 am or 3:30 pm	4h	Local gems
10 Tastings with Locals Private Food Tour	$100.96	Private tour	Every 30 mins from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm	3h	Personalized experience
Classic Bologna Food Tour	$124.85	Max 10	10:00 am	4h	Market visits
Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours With Lunch	$216.89	Max 26	7:00 am	8.5h	Producers visits
Bologna Food Tour From a Local Perspective	$119.42	Max 9	10:00 am	4.5h	Local experience
Drinks & Bites Bologna Private Tour	$137.87	Private	Every 30 mins from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm	2.5h	Wine lovers

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Beyond food tours, taking cooking classes in Bologna is another way to dive into the traditional dishes and recipes. While in Bologna, we took a Pasta Mama cooking class at a local’s home and learned to make traditional Bolognese pasta dishes. For over three hours, we had fun learning about Bologna’s culinary culture while making different fresh pasta dishes and sauces. Read more about our experience in our guide to the Best Bologna Cooking Class For Authentic Bolognese Pasta Making

Top Food Tours in Bologna

1. Taste Bologna Food Tour With Market Visit – Best Overall

Our favorite and most comprehensive food tour we took in Bologna was this Taste Bologna food tour with a market visit.

This 3.5-hour Taste Bologna food tour takes you to the local artisans to explore the food culture and local specialties that make Bologna food world-famous.

There are more than 10 food and wine tastings, starting out with breakfast at one of the oldest pastry shops. 

At Mercato Delle Erbe, the oldest covered market in Bologna, you’ll savor food tastings of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Mortadella, seasonal produce, and much more.

During your culinary adventure, you’ll watch a live pasta-making demonstration and sample fresh tortelli pasta. You’ll also enjoy a fascinating stop for food and wine at the oldest osteria in the city.

While already satisfied, be sure to leave room for a delicious lunch featuring homemade tagliatelle at a local trattoria. A sweet finish ends the tour with a surprising local treat.

What You’ll Love About This Taste Bologna Food Tour With Market Visit 

• A wide variety of more than 9 food tastings at local off-the-beaten-path eateries.
• Fascinating stories and culinary insights from a passionate local guide. 
• The diversity of food stops from a local market, wine shops, and family-owned eateries.

2. Secret Food Tours Bologna – Best For Local Gems

Food and walking tours in Bologna’s historic city center are a great way to explore the local food scene while exploring the city’s medieval history.

This 4-hour Secret Food Tours in Bologna offers a complete experience from local pastries, cheese, fresh pasta, wine, balsamic vinegar, gelato, and more. 

After breakfast, you’ll try regional Emilia Romagna specialties like Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, and more.

After watching a live pasta-making demonstration, you’ll savor the rich flavors of homemade fresh pasta and Bolognese sauce at a local trattoria. 

A secret signature dish will end your food tour, along with artisanal gelato from a renowned gelateria.

If you want a private Bologna food tour, Secret Food Tours offers a private option as well.

What You’ll Love About This Secret Food Tours Bologna

• Learning about Bologna’s culinary history with an insightful local guide.
• Exploring delicious Bologna through cheese, pasta, wine, vinegar, and more.
• Discovering Bologna while stopping at key landmarks on your walking tour.

3. Private Food Tour Bologna 10 Tastings – Best For Personalized Experience

If you are looking to uncover the best of Bologna food consider a private tour with a local guide.

This 3-hour private food tour with 10 tastings offers an intimate experience to taste Bologna with an informative local guide.

The delicious Italian food you will try on this tour includes a curated sampling of iconic Bolognese dishes. 

From cured meats to regional cheeses and homemade pasta, you are in for nonstop fun and great food eating.

Regional wines and local drinks are also part of the package, providing a well-rounded Bologna culinary experience.

On this food and walking tour, you’ll also visit some of Bologna’s main attractions, like Piazza Maggiore, Piazza del Nettuno, and others.

What You’ll Love About This Private Food Tour Bologna

• Award-winning private tour with the undivided attention of your knowledgeable guide.
• Ability to tailor the gastronomic experience customized to your needs.
• Enjoy learning about the city while stopping at key landmarks and attractions.

RELATED: The 10 Best Rome Food Tours: Eat Like A Roman in Italy

4. Classic Bologna Food Tour – Best For Market Visits

Explore Bologna’s famous markets and eat your way through the medieval city center on a traditional Bologna food tour.

This 4-hour classic Bologna food tour takes you from coffee at breakfast to lunch to a wide variety of traditional eateries.

You’ll enjoy breakfast as you visit Piazza Maggiore, the city’s main square. Then, you’ll sample several local delicacies at two of the city’s vibrant food markets, Mercato delle Erbe and Quadrilatero. 

You will try fresh fruit and vegetables, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Mortadella, and other culinary specialties.

At one of the most famous local Bologna restaurants, you’ll watch the intricate preparation of handmade tortellini pasta and enjoy them with Bolognese ragù, the city’s famous sauce.

Lunch is offered at a historic Osteria, and your Bologna food tour ends with delicious Italian gelato.

What You’ll Love About This Classic Bologna Food Tour 

• The intimacy of a small group tour as you discover Bologna.
• Exploring two vibrant and local markets.
• Savoring a wide array of Bologna foods and local wines.

RELATED: Top 7 Sicily Food Tours: Must-Try Experiences Not To Miss

5. Bologna Food Experience Factory Tours With Lunch – Best For Producers Visits

Get outside of Bologna and go behind the scenes on visits to local factories and producers in the wider Emilia Romagna region.

This 8.5-hour Bologna food experience with factory tours and lunch is a full-day culinary tour to meet the people behind the local foods.

You’ll learn how regional products are made as you savor delicious food paired with wines from the Emilia Romagna region.

You’ll go behind the scenes at factories and family-owned producers to learn how Bolognese local food is produced.

At a cheese factory, you’ll sample Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses, from freshly made to cheeses of different ages.

You’ll discover the real taste of Modena Balsamic Vinegar at an Acetaia or vinegar factory and learn about the aging process.

And, the finest Prosciutto di Parma along with wine tastings will also be savored along the way.

This tour includes breakfast and a delicious lunch at a winery with traditional recipes. 

Multiple food tastings throughout the day will excite your taste buds as you admire the beauty of Emilia-Romagna’s countryside.

What You’ll Love About This Bologna Food Experience Factory Tours With Lunch

• Going outside of Bologna and exploring the Emilia Romagna region.
• Visiting factories and meeting the local producers and artisans behind the food.
• A multi-course Italian lunch at an organic winery.

RELATED: 10 Must-Try Food Tours of Florence To Explore the Local Cuisine

6. Bologna Food Tour From a Local Perspective – Best For Local Experience

Live an authentic experience in Bologna with an exclusive walking tour with a local guide.

This 4.5 Bologna food tour from a local’s perspective, introduces you to some of the city’s most loved and historic food venues.

Along with a local guide, you’ll visit local artisans and learn about Bologan’s culinary traditions as you sample the local specialties. 

You’ll make at least 6 food stops from breakfast to lunch visiting family-owned eateries and experiencing what Bologna is best known for.

You will sample many local specialties from the Emilia Romagna region. Amongst them are nigella with pesto, parmigiano reggiano cheese, prosciutto di Parma, mortadella and more.

At family-owned restaurants, where you savor delicious local cuisine including different kinds of homemade pasta dishes.

And you’ll also try regional wines, Balsamic Vinegar from Modena and the tour ends with exquisite gelato.

What You’ll Love About This Bologna Food Tour From a Local Perspective 

• Discovering the city’s hidden gems with a Bolognese local guide.
• An intimate and in-depth culinary experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation of Bologna’s food culture.
• A wonderful blend of food, history, and culture in a small group setting.

7. Drinks & Bites Bologna Private Tour – Best For Wine Lovers

The lively university city of Bologna has an energetic vibe that comes to life at sundown.

This 2.5-hour drinks & bites Bologna private tour takes you on an exciting evening tour of the city center for the best bites and drinks.

On your private guided tour, you’ll stop at three wine bars for regional wine pairings and local food specialties.

You will sample selections of cured meats, like Mortadella and Prosciutto di Parma. Local cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano topped with Balsamic Vinegar, will surprise you.

Everything will be paired with regional wines like Lambrusco wine, Sangiovese, and others.  

If you have non-drinkers and vegetarians as part of your group, substitutions will be provided making it a tasty Bologna food tour for all.

While the food and wine are at the heart of this culinary tour, you’ll also enjoy learning about the city’s history at iconic landmarks.

This private and tailored experience, focused on nightlife and culture, is one of the best food tours for wine lovers.

What You’ll Love About This Drinks & Bites Bologna Private Tour

• Exploring some of Bologna’s historic and trendy bars for a taste of the night culture.
• Ability to explore Bologna’s nightlife at your own pace on a private tour. 
• Easily customize the private tour for the needs of your group.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you love wine and want to explore wine making in Bologna and the region, see our in-depth guide to the 10 Top-Rated Wine Tasting and Tours in Bologna

What to Consider When Choosing a Food Tour in Bologna Italy?

Bologna, Italy’s food capital is famous for many regional specialties. We enjoyed taking Bologna food tours, and you are guaranteed to have an amazing time with local knowledgeable guides.

To help make your planning for visiting Bologna easier, here are a few considerations as you book your Bologna food tour.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancelations, car rental protection, or tour cancelations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.

What Kind of Food Tour Experience Do You Want

Before making your Bologna food tour choice, consider your preferences.

What time of the day do you prefer? Do you want a morning tour or would you prefer an evening Bologna food tour?

Are you more comfortable in small group tour or do you prefer private tours customized for you and your group?

Do you want to explore Bologna’s historic center, or do you have time in your schedule to visit factories and producers in the Emilia-Romangna region?

With these considerations in mind, select the Bologna food tour that best suits your needs.

RELATED: 9 Top Italian Culinary Tours for Amazing Food and Wine

What Is Your Budget for Your Bologna Food Tour

Another aspect to consider before booking your food tours in Bologna is your budget.

The best Bologna food tours range in price from $88 to $216.89 per person.

Depending on your group size, the tour operator may offer discounted rates.

On a positive note, all these food tours in Bologna have a free cancellation policy up to 24 to 72 hours before the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions – Bologna

Have you taken or would you like to take food tours in Bologna? Please let us know in the comments below,

Savor the Adventure!

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