Italy could arguably be considered the world’s capital of food, so eating everything and anything that’s local and delicious is probably on your Bologna itinerary already. But what if I told you that Bologna is actually considered the foodie capital of Italy?
The region of Emilia Romagna, where Bologna is located, is where many of Italy’s staple products are made, including Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham.
And Bologna is certainly where you’ll find the most mouthwatering dishes in the country! So how about joining a local and enjoying some amazing food tours around the city?
This way you’ll not only indulge in Italian delicacies but also learn about Bologna’s culinary history and traditions. Whether you want to meet other foodie travelers or enjoy a private experience, there are alternatives for pretty much every taste.
Why should you trust my selection? I was born and raised in Bologna, so you can say I know a thing or two about the food scene here. I’ve also been to a few food tours in the city myself, and have a decade of experience selecting top-notch tours around the world.
Check out the best food tours in Bologna (warning: it will be hard to choose only one!)
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world, and I especially recommend them for their cancellation policy. If your travel plans change, you can get a full refund on most activities by canceling up to 24 hours in advance.
My favorite tour this time is one by Devour, a tour company specializing in foodie experiences in Italy, Europe, and beyond. They also allow free cancellations and date changes (pending availability) up to 24 hours before your tour date.
Limited time? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Tastes & Traditions of Bologna: Food Tour with Market Visit |
| EMILIA ROMAGNA TOUR | Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours & Lunch |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Bologna: |
| SELF-GUIDED TOUR | Bologna Self-Guided Food Tasting Tour |
OUR PICK: The BEST Food Tour in Bologna
I never thought I’d go on a food tour in my hometown, but when Devour asked me to review their Tastes & Traditions of Bologna: Food Tour with Market Visit, I said “why not?”. And I ended up loving it! So let me tell you all about it.
This tour accommodates small groups of up to 12 people. This ensured a personalized experience: our guide Isidora was always close by in case we had a question, and the small group made it easy to connect and chat with the other participants who were from all over the world.
There are nine food tastings included (plus a few drinks) and the menu can be adapted to different diets.
Our first stop was at a historic cafe (one that my grandma used to bring me to when I was a kid) where we had the choice between an espresso and an espresso macchiato accompanied by torta di riso, a sweet cake specialty of Bologna (delicious!). All in the typical Italian fashion of standing at the bar.
Our second stop was at the Mercato delle Erbe, the largest covered market in the city center. This market dates back to 1910 and sells all kinds of food products.
We started with a stop at a cheese stall to try Parmigiano Reggiano with balsamic vinegar. It was a huge success and multiple people bought products to bring back home.
Then it was time for a panino alla mortadella (mortadella sandwich), another specialty of Bologna. The last stop at the market was to try tortelloni burro e salvia, a type of fresh pasta filled with ricotta and topped with sage and Parmigiano. One of my favorite dishes ever.
The next place on the itinerary wasn’t any restaurant or bar, but was one of the most emblematic places in Bologna. Osteria del Sole is the oldest osteria in Bologna, having opened in 1465!
They only serve drinks, and everyone is welcome to bring their own food. We had some easy-to-drink Pignoletto wine and our guide had brought bread, salame and prosciutto di Parma to go with it.
One or two wine bottles later, our last food stop on the tour was at a modern restaurant. There we had an incredible plate of tagliatelle al ragù (what most people would know as bolognese sauce).
And when I say incredible, trust me – my grandma makes the best ragù in the world and I consider myself an expert in it, so it was a really good one.
Since I’m originally from Bologna, I thought the tour would be a bit boring for me, but I actually really enjoyed it. I even left having learnt a thing or two about food from Bologna and the region (and my husband who is from Argentina learnt a LOT).
This tour includes: All food and drink tastings and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Why should you consider this tour? This is a relatively new tour but it already boasts many 5-star reviews. It’s one of the most generous tours, offering a variety of delicious dishes. It’s guided by a Bologna native, so you’ll dive into the gastronomic scene but also the history of the city, which only enriches the experience.
But it’s not just me saying it! Read what the reviews say:
“Best way to taste Bologna! Excellent tour, our guide Isadora was knowledgeable and fun, she shared everything about the local gastronomy and gave us plenty of recommendations. The food was the best, we tried everything from a local pastry to parmesan mortadella, tagliatelle different wines.. I was so full at the end! I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get the best knowledge and the best food when in Bologna.”
Giulia D. – Read more reviews
Other Great Tours To Consider
▶️ This Bologna Food Tour from a Local Perspective is one of the most authentic experiences! It allows you to explore the culinary scene with an insider, who’ll tell you all about the Foodie Capital of Italy.
Start the day the right way: with a breakfast of Cornetto and Cappuccino in Bologna’s best café. You’ll then visit a pasta workshop to witness how fresh pasta is made and relish a board of cold cuts and Parmigiano Reggiano, the star of the region.
The 20 tastings you’ll enjoy include tortellini, Aceto Balsamico di Modena, ragú, gelato, and wine at various bars and restaurants. Breakfast and lunch will be covered, so get to the tour on an empty stomach!
Your guide will also take you to a bustling food market, where you’ll mingle with the locals as you learn about life in Bologna.
This tour includes: A guide, and all food and drink tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Classic Bologna Food Tour is the perfect introduction to the city’s cuisine. During the 4-hour tour, you’ll sample local delicacies in a variety of markets and shops.
Sample the famous Parmigiano Reggiano, mortadella, tortellini, wine, desserts, coffee, and gelato. The tastings will make up for breakfast and lunch!
You’ll meet artisans crafting the tortellini, stop at osterias, and learn about the city’s foodie scene from your guide.
This tour includes: A guide, all tastings, and meals. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ If you’re interested in discovering Bologna’s history through its cuisine, the Bologna Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours is a perfect fit.
You’ll enjoy tastings of pasta, cheese, wine, and gelato – among other dishes, one of which is secret! – and explore the city with your knowledgeable guide.
Discover Bologna’s food heritage, watch a live pasta-making session, and visit a Bottega to learn about balsamic vinegar.
This tour includes: Bottled water, coffee/tea, and all tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Emilia Romagna Food Tours from Bologna
You’ve come all the way to Bologna… You might as well explore the rest of the region that is responsible for delicacies such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham! Emilia Romagna is known as the foodie capital of the country for a reason.
▶️ Check out this Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & Family-Style Lunch. Leave the city behind, and travel to local factories where you’ll witness the making process of some of the region’s staples.
These include Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Modena balsamic vinegar, which you’ll get to taste! Enjoy samples of prosciutto as well, before relishing a multi-course Italian lunch with wine tastings.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, breakfast, all tastings, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Private Emilia Romagna Food Tour Full Day involves a gastronomic and literal journey. You’ll be exploring the Emilia Romagna region in search of the best local products it offers.
Head to Parma, where Parmigiano is produced, and visit a prosciutto maker to learn about the making process of this beloved product. You’ll also tour a balsamic vinegar house, and enjoy copious tastings, of course.
Finally, visit a wine cellar before indulging in a substantial lunch with wine pairings.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, all tastings, and lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Bologna Food Tours
Keen on going on a tour but looking for private experiences to enjoy with just your friends or family? We got you covered too. Read on!
▶️ Check out the Bologna: The Red Medieval Pearl and its delicious food (Private Tour). It allows you, and your group of 10, to discover the culinary culture of the Apennine Mountains.
You’ll visit producers of Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar, and enjoy a cooking class before indulging in lunch.
Wine and food tastings of different local products are included, as well as a visit to an abbey, a Gothic church, and a historic castle.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, entrance fees, all visits and tastings, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Bologna: The 10 Tastings is a stellar alternative. You’ll learn about the city’s cuisine and food culture while visiting several eateries only known to locals.
Sample traditional products such as pasta, fresh fruit, cheese, and piadina, among other delicacies and drinks. You’ll benefit from the insights of your guide and get to skip lunch after all the tastings – trust me, you’ll be stuffed!
Vegan and vegetarian alternatives are available upon prior request.
This tour includes: All food and drink tastings, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Bologna Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: Bologna’s Tastiest Treats accommodates groups of up to 8. Led by an expert, you’ll eat your way through Bologna as you visit cafes, markets, and bakeries.
You’ll relish tortellini, mortadella, pastries, and drinks. That’s besides enjoying an aperitif at an indoor market! As a plus, you’ll get to explore hidden gems and landmarks of the city.
This tour includes: All food and drink tastings, and a private walking tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Self-Guided Food Tour in Bologna
You can also eat your way through the city with your own Bologna Self-Guided Food Tasting Tour with Vouchers.
It enables you to enjoy the experience at your own pace, and with as many detours as you like. There won’t be anyone rushing you!
You’ll be given a map and a set of vouchers, with which you’ll collect your food samples in specific eateries. Indulge in tastings of tortellini, cured meats and mortadella, parmesan, a glass of wine, and coffee, as well as delicious ice cream for dessert.
This tour includes: A map with the route marked, and food vouchers for all tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Drinks & Bites in Bologna by Night
The Drinks & Bites in Bologna Private Tour takes place after sunset. You’ll get to discover Bologna’s vibrant nightlife as you visit the most fashionable eateries for drinks and snacks with a local guide.
Sample cheeses and mortadella – or vegetarian alternatives – as you sip on Lambrusco wine at three different bars. As you move from one location to the next, take in various landmarks lit up for the night, and witness how the locals enjoy their evening in Bologna.
This tour includes: A private guide, and 3 food and drink tastings with vegetarian alternatives. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
