For many, food is one of the best things about traveling. When you visit a new place, there’s nothing better than trying the local cuisine. And Bologna is no exception!
We have spent 2 months in Bologna tasting our way through the city and have done multiple food tours. In this article, we’re only sharing the best and most highly-rated food tours in Bologna!
This city is famous for its amazing Emilia Romagna cuisine, and there are plenty of delicious tours to choose from.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Book our favorite Bologna Food Tour for an incredible half-day food tasting experience.
These tours will take you through the city’s most delectable cuisine, and the great thing about joining a dedicated Bologna food tour is that you’ll get to see and sample everything from pasta dishes to gelato.
So whether you’re a first-time visitor or have visited Bologna before, be sure to check out these top food tours in Bologna, Italy!
10 Best Food Tours in Bologna
While there are many incredible things to do in Bologna, the #1 thing on your list should be to take a food tour.
All of these food tours in Bologna feature sampling the best foods, from small local restaurants or classic trattorias with an experienced guide who will share their knowledge and love for the local cuisine.
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
1. Classic Bologna Food Tour
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 4 hours | Check rates and availability
There’s a good reason why we’ve ranked this as the best Bologna food tour. You’ll get to discover the authentic flavors of Bologna during this half-day food tour! Your local guide will take you around the city’s markets to meet artisan food producers as you get to taste local delicacies like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Bolognese ragu and mortadella.
Start off your tour with a gourmet coffee and then visit local markets to sample fresh produce. Watch artisans work their magic creating traditional pasta such as tortellini. You’ll also get to visit a historic osteria for lunch and end your tour with a delicious gelato tasting!
“Mattia was an outstanding tour guide! All the food and wine we tried was amazing! He did a great job of explaining the history of Bologna as well.”
Ruzella_W (See more reviews)
Languages available: English
Highlights:
- Breakfast with gourmet coffee
- Different tastings include bolognese ragù, cured meat, Tortellini, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Balsamic vinegar Tradizionale of Modena, bread, dessert, local wine like Pignoletto or Lambrusco
- Artisan gelato tasting
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
2. Bologna walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 4 hours | Check rates and availability
You’ll get to explore the city with a local guide, starting with breakfast, then sample fresh pasta, balsamic vinegar, cheese, wine, gelato and a secret dish – revealed only on the tour.
You’ll get to explore the city by foot between tastings and learn about the vibrant culture and history behind Bologna’s food heritage. You’ll also have the opportunity to watch fresh pasta being made from scratch! Discover other hidden gems such as shopping for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and learning about the ageing process of balsamic vinegar at an authentic bottega. You’ll also have the chance to discover stalls in speciality food markets like the Quadrilatero
“Gabriele was a wonderfully knowledgeable and passionate guide- very generous with his time and willing to share his experience and insights from many culinary regions. The tour was great, with a huge amount of delicious and varied food and information.”
Sheree_B (See more reviews)
Languages available: English
Highlights:
- Watch fresh pasta being made from scratch
- Learn tips on shopping in Bologna for Parmigiano Reggiano
- A visit to an authentic bottega
- Explore the food market, the Quadrilatero
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
3. Bologna Food Tour from a local perspective
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 4.5 hours | Check rates and availability
During this tour you’ll get taken on a journey through the culinary traditions of Bologna with a local guide. You’ll make 6 stops at some historical shops where you can taste local specialities like tortellini, ragù, Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico di Modena, mortadella and regional wine!
As you explore the city, you’ll get to visit the main culinary spots of Bologna including the food market and discover local legends and stories. Plus, visit family-run restaurants and cafes away from the usual tourists.
“This is a fantastic tour. Riccardo has a wealth of knowledge on all of the different foods and drinks that you experience as well as knowing his hometown like the back of his hand. You will go away from this tour feeling full, and happy and having gotten a peak into the beautiful heart of Bologna. A must do tour!”
Natekramer (See more reviews)
Languages available: English
Highlights:
- Visiting family-run restaurants
- Hidden gems away from tourists
- Six traditional food and wine stops
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
4. Bologna Food Experience: Factory Visits with Gourmet Lunch and Wine Tasting
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 8-9 hours | Check rates and availability
This full-day culinary tour takes your taste buds on a journey through the famous food region of Bologna. You’ll get to take a day trip from Bologna to visit local factories and family-run producers to get behind-the-scenes access to how products like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Modena balsamic vinegar, prosciutto and wine are made.
During the day, you’ll sample the fresh, hand-crafted products as you explore the countryside of Emilia-Romagna and treat yourself to an Italian feast for breakfast and lunch – both paired with regional wines!
“Awesome food tour, informative, fun and loads of delicious food n wine throughout the trip! Our guide, Alexandro is super knowledgeable and shares a lot of info on cheese making, different types of prosciutto ham and balsamic vinegar ageing. He also explains the difference between DOP and IGP and how we can identify products under each certification n the price difference. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour n the sumptuous and delicious food and wine.”
Lynette_L (See more reviews)
Languages available: English
Highlights:
- A full-day culinary tour of Bologna province
- Visit local factories and small family-run producers
- Experience the beauty of Emilia-Romagna’s countryside
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
5. The 10 Tastings of Bologna With Locals: Private Food Tour
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 3 hours | Check rates and availability
During this private food tour, you’ll get to taste the delicacies that Bologna restaurants have to offer. This is great if you want to avoid the crowds and have a guide all to yourself as you visit a variety of eateries and sample 10 local specialities – from savoury to sweet!
You’ll get to try tortellini, local cheese, piadina (Italian flatbread), fresh fruit and more authentic Bolognan cuisine in the company of your own local foodie guide.
“My wife and I had the pleasure of being guided around the amazing eateries of Bologna by Simone. He was a fantastic host, providing really interesting stories and the history of each dish we ate. We are extremely happy that Simone humored us by speaking in Italian for the majority of the tour. We wanted a genuine experience through which we could improve our Italian so this made it a million times more enjoyable. Grazie tanto, Simone!”
Donald_M (See more reviews)
Languages available: English, Italian, French, Spanish
Highlights:
- Go at your own pace with a private guide
- Ten different food and drink tastings
- A mixture of locations including a food market and a bakery
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
6. Private Emilia Romagna Food Tour Full Day
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 7 hours | Check rates and availability
You’ll get to discover the flavors of Emilia Romagna with this private half- or full-day food tour. During the day you’ll visit local producers such as prosciutto and Parmigiano, and taste filled pasta, cheese and cured meat paired with local wine. On the full-day tour, you’ll get to visit a traditional balsamic vinegar house and learn how they make this world-renowned condiment.
You can either opt to drive yourself or have a driver take you to experience the revered culinary heritage of this region.
“Andrea was an excellent guide and made it a very personal experience for my wife and I. His fluency in English was superb and we really enjoyed ourselves.”
Greg_S (See more reviews)
Languages Available: English, Italian
Highlights:
- Options for half- or full-day or self-drive private food tour
- Visit local producers in the Emilia Romagna region
- Try a wide range of foods including Parmesan cheese dairy, a Parma ham, pasta paired with wines, balsamic vinegar and more
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
7. Bologna: the red medieval pearl and its delicious food (private tour)
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 4-5 hours | Check rates and availability
This tour allows you to discover the delicious food culture of the Apennine Mountains between Florence and Bologna on this exclusive food-focused private day trip!
You’ll visit the producers of two traditional ingredients from the region: Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar. Experience a basic cooking class, tour historic castles and abbeys, and then finish off with a private lunch.
“I highly recommend this tour for those who are interested to learn about the history of Bologna! I learned so much from the information that Riccardo shared about the history of Bologna (and its connection with other Italian cities and other countries) from Roman times up to the present. This tour is like a peek into how the people of Bologna lived during different historical periods.”
Ericka_A (See more reviews)
Languages available: English, Italian
Highlights:
- Private food tour focusing on the history of food in the region
- Visit local producers and try foods including Parmigiano Reggiano
- Discover the region of the Apennine Mountains
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
8. Bologna: Guided Traditional Food Tour
Rating: 4.6/5 stars | Tour Length: 3.5 hours | Check rates and availability
Discover the unique cruises on its tour through Bologna’s traditional Italian food culture! Your guide will take you through the history and importance of food in the region. Learn about the stories behind and preparation of each dish.
Sample classic dishes like cured meats & cheeses, Bolognese tortellini, Bolognese cotoletta, Brazadela cake, and a special espresso with artisanal whipped cream — all from the Emilia-Romagna region.
“Food was delicious! The guide was so kind. We showed up late after some transportation issues. I wish the guide talked about the food or talked about the city, but that’s my only critique. She was super helpful and kind. We even bumped into her later. She gave us some advice on the food we missed.”
GetYourGuide traveler (See more reviews)
Languages available: English, Italian
Highlights:
- Make 5 food stops to try the top food in Bologna
- Taste a variety of traditional foods away from the main tourist traps
- Enjoy the company of a friendly like-minded small group
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
9. Bologna: Self-Guided Food Tasting Tour with Vouchers
Rating: 4.6/5 stars | Tour Length: 8 hours | Check rates and availability
Explore the culinary delights of Bologna with a self-guided food-tasting tour! This is great if you don’t want to be restricted to times. You’ll receive vouchers for delicious local samples which include handmade chocolates, ice cream, and the famous Tigellone with ragù sauce. Adults will also receive a glass of wine. You’ll also get vouchers for a coffee and a parmesan sample along the way.
The tour takes you through the narrow streets of the old town. Stop off when you feel like taking breaks or for photos and explore points of interest suggested by the map. Collect tastings at your own pace and scan QR codes to follow the path on Google Maps.
“It was fun, and pushed us to try more than the most typical dishes and step into places we wouldn’t have otherwise visited. The portions are small, more of a snack than a meal, but I would still recommend to get one set of vouchers to share with another person, then simply order more of anything you end up enjoying.”
GetYourGuide traveler (See more reviews)
Languages available: English, Italian, Spanish
Highlights:
- Visit the beautiful centre of Bologna at your own pace
- Enjoy tasting typical food with 7 different vouchers
- Visit places off the main tourist trail
BOLOGNA FOOD TOURS
10. Bologna: City Center Guided Wine Walking Tour
Rating: 5/5 stars | Tour Length: 1-3 hours | Check rates and availability
Discover Bologna’s lesser-known wine scene on this guided walking tour of the city! You’ll get to visit some of the best wineries, taste different varieties and learn from a true local expert guide. As you move from an ‘enoteca’ to an ‘osteria’ you’ll get to enjoy 2 to 5 different wines produced in the region.
Depending on which tour length you select you’ll get to experience the oldest tavern in town and wines accompanied by delicious local food.
“I did the 2hr experience. I have a love of wine but I don’t really know Italian wine so wanted to learn and try some different local Italian wines. We went to 2 establishments and tried 4 wines. I enjoyed all 4 wines and was pleasantly surprised. Our guide Fillipo was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. He was pleasant and spoke good English. Highly recommend the tour.”
Fiona and Ken (See more reviews)
Languages available: English, Italian
Highlights:
- Discover and try the best wines of Bologna and Emilia Romagna
- Explore the city centre
- Possibility to taste local food in the oldest tavern on the 3-hour option
Why we recommend doing a guided Bologna Food tour
There are so many reasons why we recommend joining one of these great Bologna food tours. For starters, you’ll get to sample some of the best foods in the region and gain a better insight into what makes them so special.
You’ll also get shown the most authentic places that the locals go to, and not just the restaurants and shops aimed at tourists and try more samples than if you were doing it yourself.
Your local guide will have the best insight and be able to answer any questions you might have, and even give you recommendations on the best places to eat! Not only that, the walking tours will take you to some of the most beautiful places in the city, tell you about the history and show you some absolute hidden gems.
Bologna Food Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the famous food in Bologna?
The most famous food in Bologna is ragu, a flavorful and meaty sauce that is paired with tagliatelle. The city is also known for tortellini, which is a small hat-shaped pasta stuffed with a pork filling and is commonly eaten with a flavorful broth.
What food region is Bologna in?
Bologna is located in the Emilia Romagna region. This region is also known as Italy’s food valley because of its fantastic cuisine. Popular Italian products, such as balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, prosciutto, and mortadella are all made in this region.
What is the food capital of Italy?
Bologna is the food capital of Italy because of it’s high quality restaurants and fabulous Italian cuisine. The city is home to many classic dishes like tagliatelle al ragu, lasagne verde, tortellini, and more.
Final thoughts: Best Food Tours in Bologna, Italy
After having been on several food tours in Bologna, we can say for certain that you will absolutely love experiencing a taste of the city’s cuisine on one of these tours!
No matter which type of tour you choose, you’ll get a unique experience of discovering the best food in the region. Now we’ve whetted your appetite, go ahead and book one of these Bologna, Italy food tours. You won’t be disappointed!
Additional Bologna Travel Articles
Looking for more information for your trip to Bologna? Check out these additional Bologna travel guides:
- Bologna Food Guide: 27 Traditional Bologna Italy Foods You Need To Try Now
- How to get from Bologna Airport to Bologna Centrale
- The 8 Best Gelato Shops in Bologna in 2023
- 13 Life-Changing Foods of Emilia Romagna You Never Knew Existed
- 23 Best Day Trips from Bologna, Italy
- 12 Best Things To Do in Bologna, Italy
- Walking the Amazing Portico di San Luca in Bologna: Everything You Need to Know
ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE
Italy Travel Insurance – Should you get travel insurance for Italy? YES! We always get travel insurance before all of our trips for peace of mind. Check out Travel Insurance Master to find the best plan for you.
Italy Rental Cars – Is it safe to rent a car in Italy? Yes! We’ve rented a car in Italy too many times to count, and it’s definitely the most convenient way to get around the countryside. We rented our car through Discover Cars (our go-to rental agency), which helps you find the best rates no matter where you are traveling.
Italy Phone Plans – If your phone plan does not offer free coverage in Italy, then we suggest getting an eSIM. We used Airalo during our trip to Italy, and we had fantastic coverage the entire time. It’s easy to download and you can even top up via the app if needed.
Italy Hotels – Wondering where to book your accommodations for Italy? We’ve been reserving all of our hotels through Booking for years. Their messaging tool makes it easy to communicate with the hotels, and there are endless options to choose from.