10 Best Bologna Food Tours – Our Honest Reviews (2025)

If you’re heading to Italy and love great food, Bologna food tours should be at the top of your list.

We spent a few days exploring the city one delicious bite at a time—and every food tour in Bologna offered something unique and seriously tasty.

From rich, meaty tagliatelle al ragù (yes, the real Bolognese sauce) to delicate tortellini in brodo, we quickly discovered that this city takes its food very seriously. Bologna isn’t called La Grassa (“The Fat One”) for nothing!

One of our favourite moments? Aperitivo time. Imagine a chilled glass of Pignoletto wine, served with warm tigelle bread, savoury prosciutto, and generous chunks of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s simple, local, and absolutely unforgettable.

What we loved about food tours in bologna

What made these Bologna culinary tours special was how they took us beyond the usual tourist stops.

We found ourselves in hidden trattorias, buzzing markets, and local street food stalls where real Bolognesi eat. Every tour gave us a deeper understanding (and appreciation) of this city’s incredible food culture.

Some food tours in Bologna even took us out into the Emilia-Romagna countryside—Italy’s ultimate foodie region. From traditional balsamic vinegar tastings to visits with artisanal cheese producers, we got a bigger taste of what makes this region so exceptional.

Along the way, we met fellow food lovers from around the world, all here for the same reason: to eat well and experience authentic Bologna.

If you're looking to explore the heart of Italy through its food, trust us—a Bologna food tour is the way to do it.

1. Secret Food Tours Bologna

🕒 Start Times: 10 AM, 10:30 AM, 3:00 PM, 3:30 PM (daily in 2025)
⏳ Duration: ~4 hours
📍 Meeting Point: Piazza della Mercanzia, 4, Bologna
💰 All major currencies accepted - €96 / $111 / £84
👥 Private Tours: Available on request
⭐ 4.9 (1108 reviews)

Our experience with Secret Food Tours Bologna:

If you’re heading to Italy and love food, put Bologna right at the top of your list. Known as the culinary heart of Italy, this city completely stole our hearts—and stomachs.

Our Secret Food Tours in Bologna was, without question, the highlight of our trip.

From the very first stop—an authentic Italian breakfast—we knew we were in for something special. Our local guide was incredibly welcoming and full of personality, and it felt more like exploring the city with a friend than being on a tour.

We spent the next few hours winding through Bologna’s charming streets, tasting handmade tortellini, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, creamy gelato, and even sipping on real, aged balsamic vinegar from Modena (a total game changer!).

One of the highlights of the Secret Food Tours Bologna tour? Watching fresh pasta being made right in front of us and learning the secrets behind the perfect tortellini. The visit to the bustling Quadrilatero Market was another standout—it was a feast for all the senses, and our guide helped us navigate it like locals.

Along the way, we heard amazing stories about the city’s history, stopped by landmarks like the Basilica di San Petronio, and even had a surprise tasting at the end that left us grinning from ear to ear.

2. Delicious Bologna food tour from a local perspective

🕙 Start Time: 10 AM, Monday to Saturday (available all year in 2025)
📍 Meeting Point: Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, Bologna
⏳ Duration: 4 h 30 minutes
💰 All major currencies accepted - €110 / $131 / £98
🥗 Vegetarian Option: Available (please advise when booking)
⭐ 5.0 (799 reviews)

Why This Is Bologna’s Best Food Tour (According to Reviews!)

While in Bologna, we booked one of the best-rated food tours - Delicious Bologna food tour, and it completely lived up to the hype.

Their 4.5-hour walking tour was one of the most authentic and enjoyable ways to experience the city like a local. With a small group size (max 9 people), it felt more like a fun foodie outing with friends than a traditional tour.

We started the day with coffee at a cosy local café, then visited a pasta workshop to watch skilled sfogline (traditional pasta makers) hand-roll tortellini—an unforgettable experience. Along the way, we sampled classic Bolognese specialties like aged Parmigiano Reggiano, salami, and fresh breads.

A highlight was exploring the lively Quadrilatero market, where our passionate guide led us on a flavorful journey filled with tastings and local aperitifs. Lunch featured three handmade pasta dishes, each perfectly paired with local wine. We also tried aged balsamic vinegar and ended the tour with some of the creamiest gelato we’ve had in Italy.

What sets Delicious Bologna apart is the guide’s deep love for the city’s food culture. Their knowledge, energy, and personal touch made this more than a food tour—it was a true taste of Bologna.

3. Classic Bologna food tour

🕙 Start Time: 10 AM, Monday to Saturday (available all year in 2025)
📍 Meeting Point: Tobacconist on the corner with Via De Pignattari, just right of San Petronio Basilica, Bologna
⏳ Duration: 4 hours
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly: One of the best Bologna food tour for kids!
💰 All major currencies accepted - €115 / $137 / £102
⭐ 4.9 (394 reviews)

Our honest review of Classic Bologna food tour:

We saved our final food tour in Italy for Bologna, and wow—Taste Bologna food tour was the perfect way to wrap things up. We’d read a ton of glowing reviews beforehand, and honestly? It lived up to every word.

From the start, it felt like we were exploring the city with a passionate local friend. Our guide—who also happened to be a trained cook—didn’t just take us to the best food spots in town, she brought Bologna’s food culture to life with stories, history, and personal touches that made everything feel special.

We wandered through the historic market, peeked into a pasta workshop where tortellini were being made by hand, and stopped at small, family-run shops you’d never stumble into on your own. Everywhere we went, you could feel how much pride locals have in their food.

And of course—we ate. Really well. Bold espresso to kick things off, tagliatelle al ragù just like Nonna would make, perfectly aged Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar that was more like syrupy gold, cured meats, fresh bread, local wines, and a sweet little dessert to end on a high note. Every bite felt like a love letter to the city.

Bonus points for how thoughtful the tour was—vegetarian or gluten-free? No problem, they’ve got you covered. Forget the touristy food spots—this felt like a behind-the-scenes pass to Bologna’s soul.

4. Devour Bologna food tour: Tastes and traditions of Bologna

🕙 Start Time: 10 AM daily in 2025
⏳ Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
📍 Meeting Point: Piazza del Nettuno, in front of ExtraBo info point, Bologna
💰 All major currencies accepted - €89 / $106 / £79
🥦 Vegetarian-friendly
🥛 Dairy-free friendly
🍞 Gluten-free options
⭐ 4.9 (82 reviews)

Visiting Bologna and want to taste its legendary cuisine? The Devour Bologna Food Tour is a delicious way to do it.

This 3.5-hour walking tour takes you through the city’s top food spots, with just 12 people per group for a personal, local experience. Your guide knows exactly where to go—and what to eat.

The day starts like a true Italian morning: a quick espresso or macchiato, paired with a sweet treat at a cosy café. Then it’s off to Mercato delle Erbe, one of Bologna’s best-loved markets, where you’ll sample local cheeses, traditional balsamic vinegar, mortadella panini, and sparkling wine.

As you wander through the streets, there are more cured meats to try—but the real highlight is the pasta. You’ll sit down to a plate of freshly made tagliatelle al ragù and three types of tortelloni, all crafted that morning. You’ll even get to see the pasta-making process up close.

The tour wraps up with a classic local dessert—just in case you weren’t full already.

All in all, it’s a delicious, low-key way to dive into Bologna’s food scene—and you’ll walk away with a full stomach and a real feel for the city.

5. Bologna food tour with local delights

🕛 Start Times: 12 PM and 6:30 PM daily in 2025
⏳ Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
📍 Meeting Point: In front of Feltrinelli bookstore at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana (near the Two Towers), Bologna
💰 All major currencies accepted - €89 / $106 / £79
⭐ 4.8 (486 reviews)

We’ve chosen the Do Eat Better gourmet food tour in Bologna for its perfect mix of history and mouthwatering local specialties. This 3.5-hour walking tour takes you through Bologna’s top food spots, blending the city’s rich culture with its iconic cuisine.

Your journey starts with classic Bolognese pasta—savour tagliatelle al ragù topped with Parmigiano or enjoy traditional tortellini in flavourful broth. Then, indulge in tigelle, round breads stuffed with cured meats, or dive into the famous mortadella salami.

For meat lovers, the tour’s highlight is “cotoletta alla bolognese”—a veal cutlet breaded, fried, and smothered in prosciutto, Parmesan, and a rich buttery sauce. It’s a local treasure you won’t find anywhere else!

Finish the tour with a sweet treat: opt for artisanal gelato or the beloved “torta degli addobbi”, a fragrant rice cake with orange and almond flavours.

6. Italian Days food experience Bologna

🕖 Start Time: 7 AM, Monday to Saturday (available all year in 2025)
⏳ Duration: Full-day experience (exact time varies – typically 8–9 hours)
📍 Meeting Point: Piazza XX Settembre, near Bologna Central Train Station
💰 All major currencies accepted - €240 / $297 / £221
🌟 Why choose this tour: One of the top food tours from Bologna, with unforgettable stops in Modena and Parma!
⭐ 5.0 (1058 reviews)

The Italian Days Bologna food experience lasts 8.5 hours and takes you into the countryside between Bologna and Modena, where you’ll visit local food factories and sample the region's best flavors—all while enjoying a comfy minivan ride!

First, you’ll stop at a real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory. Watch the experts at work, touch fresh curd, and taste cheese at different ages to discover your favourite variety.

Next, head to a prosciutto factory, where you’ll learn how prosciutto is made and enjoy thinly sliced prosciutto, cured meats, homemade bread, and a glass of sparkling Lambrusco wine. Then, it’s time for a full lunch with appetizers, three types of pasta, more wine, and dessert!

The final stop is a balsamic vinegar producer in Modena, where you’ll experience the rich aromas and flavors of this iconic Italian condiment.

7. Bologna private food tour with a local foodie

🕗 Start Time: Anytime between 8 AM and 5 PM, available daily throughout 2025
⏳ Duration: Typically 3 to 4 hours (customizable)
📍 Meeting Point: Flexible – arranged with your guide after booking to suit your preferences
💰 All major currencies accepted - €135 / $172 / £125
🌟 Why choose this tour: One of the most genuine and personalised Bologna food tours!
⭐ 4.9 (34 reviews)

City Unscripted’s Bologna tasting tour is fully customized to your preferences, so you can explore the city’s food scene exactly how you want. Plus, you can even choose your favourite local guide from several amazing options! We’d love to take this tour ourselves!

This 3-hour food tour Bolonga, Italy, takes you to local salumerias (specialty shops) where you’ll sample the best cured meats and cheeses, including the famous mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano. Your guide knows exactly where to find the tastiest, most authentic products.

Next, you’ll visit a pasta shop that makes fresh tortellini and tortelloni every day. Then, stroll through Mercato delle Erbe, Bologna’s largest covered market, where you’ll experience traditional Bolognese foods like silky tagliatelle alla ragù, freshly baked focaccia, and more—all made with zero-kilometer ingredients.

The tour also includes a stop at a local osteria and a visit to a gelateria for a delicious gelato to finish off your culinary adventure.

8. Bologna food tour with a local guide

🕗 Start Times: 10 AM, 10:30 AM, 4 PM, 4:30 PM, and 5 PM
⏳ Duration: 3 hours
📍 Meeting Point: Piazza del Nettuno, 4, in the very heart of Bologna
💰 All major currencies accepted - €84 / $100 / £75
🌟 Why choose this tour: One of the most genuine and personalised food tours in Bologna!
⭐ 4.9 (535 reviews)

If you want to experience how Bolognesi eat, celebrate, and share good times with family and friends, this 3-hour food tour in Bologna is just the ticket. You’ll sample over 15 delicious bites and sips that bring the city’s flavours to life.

The tour kicks off with tigelle — those soft, round breads filled with a variety of cold cuts, cheeses, and fresh breads all from the nearby countryside. And yes, everything is perfectly paired with some fantastic local wines.

Next, get ready to dive into Bologna’s pasta legends: tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini. Both are absolute must-tries (we’re still torn on which we love more), and there’s plenty of wine to wash it all down.

To finish, you’ll visit a local gelateria for a scoop of silky Italian gelato — the ideal sweet ending to your foodie adventure.

Plus, this tour is family-friendly, so even little ones can join the fun!

9. Delicious Bologna's parmigiano, wine and balsamic vinegar tour

🕗 Start Time: 7 AM in 2025
⏳ Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
📍 Meeting Point: You'll be picked up from your hotel in Bologna
💰 All major currencies accepted - €260 / $312 / £230
🌟 Why choose this tour: Small-group full-day trip from Bologna to local food producers - ideal for every foodie!
⭐ 5.0 (41 reviews)

If you're visiting Bologna and love Italian food, this 8.5-hour food tour is an experience you won’t want to miss. It’s full of rich flavours, local traditions, and amazing value.

Your day kicks off with a relaxing minivan pickup and a true Italian breakfast—freshly baked pastries and a strong, aromatic coffee at a local café. It’s the perfect start to a full day of eating and exploring in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.

Throughout the tour, you’ll meet skilled local artisans who are keeping Italian food traditions alive. You’ll see how famous products like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, traditional Modena balsamic vinegar, and regional wines are made—up close and in person.

And yes, there will be plenty of tasting! Expect everything from warm, fresh ricotta and aged cheeses to cured meats served with soft tigella bread. And of course, that sweet, syrupy balsamic vinegar, aged to perfection and full of flavour.

This is a small-group tour, so it’s more personal and relaxed. There’s plenty of time to ask questions, take photos, and truly enjoy each bite. You won’t feel rushed—and you definitely won’t leave hungry.

10. Italian days prosciutto factory tour

🕗 Start Time: 11 AM in 2025
⏳ Duration: 4 hours
📍 Meeting Point: Prosciuttificio Montevecchio Prosciutto Factory at Corallo-Sveglia (20 km from Bologna); you'll need to get there by car or taxi
💰 All major currencies accepted - €65 / $78 / £58
🌟 Why choose this tour: It’s a rare chance to see how authentic Italian prosciutto is made up close—plus, you’ll enjoy incredible food, friendly hosts, and a genuine taste of local life.
⭐ 4.9 (15 reviews)

Ever wondered how Italy’s famous prosciutto goes from pork to perfection?

This unique 4-hour food tour near Bologna takes you inside one of the few prosciutto factories open to visitors—and yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds.

Watch skilled artisans craft prosciutto di Modena, guanciale, pork loin, and pork belly using traditional methods. Then comes the best part: sitting down to a feast of prosciutto tastings, bruschetta, fresh pasta, tiramisu, and perfectly paired Italian wines.

Your hosts, Ricardo and Alessandro, bring warmth and hospitality that make you feel like family. They’ll share stories, answer your questions, and help you choose the best products to take home.

If you're after an authentic Italian food experience off the beaten path, this is it. Come hungry—you won’t leave disappointed.

What foods you'll eat on Bologna food tours?

Bologna, affectionately known as "La Grassa" (The Fat One), is a food lover's paradise. One of the highlights of most Bologna food tours is a plate of tagliatelle al ragù.

This thick meat sauce is always served with tagliatelle, long flat ribbon pasta made with eggs and flour, never spaghetti. This slow-cooked sauce combines ground meat, soffritto, wine, and tomatoes.

Mortadella, is a must-try local specialty, whether your are on your own or taking a Bologna food tour. This refined smooth pork sausage is sometimes studded with pistachios and peppercorns.

Because of its tender texture and mild taste, Mortadella is often enjoyed in thin slices, making it a popular choice in sandwiches, antipasti platters, or simply on its own, sometimes paired with cheese or fruit. 

Tortellini in brodo is another Bologna essential. These small, ring-shaped pasta pieces filled with meat, cheese, and nutmeg are served in a rich chicken broth. Their larger cousins, tortelloni, often come with ricotta and spinach filling. On certain Bologna food tours, you can watch "the sfogline" handcrafting fresh tortellini right before your eyes.

No Bologna food tour is complete without sampling Parmigiano Reggiano, produced in the region. Often paired with a few drops of traditional balsamic vinegar from nearby Modena, this aged cheese is a testament to local craftsmanship.

For street food, try tigelle, round flatbreads, eaten straight from the pan, stuffed with a delicious cured meats and cheeses.

End your tour with gelato, which some historians believe originated in Bologna. The city's gelaterias offer classic flavours alongside innovative combinations, providing a sweet conclusion to your culinary adventure.

Can vegetarians and vegans join Bologna food tours?

Vegetarians can often join Bologna food tours, but vegans will have a much harder time.

🥕 Vegetarians:

Most Bologna food tours can accommodate vegetarians with a bit of notice.

While traditional Bolognese cuisine is meat-heavy (think mortadella, ragù, cured meats), many tours are willing to swap out meat dishes for vegetarian-friendly options like:

• Cheese tastings (e.g. Parmigiano Reggiano)
• Fresh pasta with vegetarian sauces
• Balsamic vinegar and bread
• Pastries and espresso

👉 Tip: Always inform the tour company when booking so they can make adjustments.

🌱 Vegans:

Unfortunately, most Bologna food tours are not vegan-friendly. The region's cuisine relies heavily on dairy, eggs, and meat. Even fresh pasta often contains egg, and cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano are made with animal rennet.

Some potential challenges for vegans:

• Few/no vegan options at traditional food stops
• Pasta is usually made with egg
• Desserts and baked goods typically contain dairy or eggs

👉 What to do:

• Contact the tour provider directly to ask about accommodations—some might be flexible or suggest alternatives.
• Consider private or custom tours focused on plant-based options.
• Or, explore Bologna’s growing number of vegan cafés and restaurants on your own.
  
  

Bologna Food Tours: Your Top Questions Answered

Top Picks from Tasty Italian Travels

• Best food tours in Rome
• Top Naples street food tours
• Top cooking classes in Florence
• Gifts for Italian food lovers

Welcome to
Tasty Italian Travels!

Note!

© Tastyitaliantravels.com. All rights reserved.

All images and content on this website are copyright protected. Please do not use our images and text without our permission. Thank you!