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

Bologna food tours are without question one of the best ways to experience this delicious city—and we should know, because we tried a bunch of them.

If you love food and Italy (and honestly, who doesn’t?), Bologna is your kind of place.

What happens on a typical Bologna food tour

We spent a few days eating our way through the city, one tour at a time, and every single one offered something different—and seriously tasty.

From the rich, meaty tagliatelle al ragù (the real Bolognese) to delicate tortellini in brodo, we quickly realised this city doesn’t mess around when it comes to food.

We also learned what makes Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma so legendary—getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they’re made and aged, and, of course, tasting them fresh.

One of our favourite moments? Aperitivo time. Picture a chilled glass of Pignoletto wine paired with warm tigelle bread, prosciutto, and generous chunks of aged Parmigiano. Simple, but unforgettable.

These tours took us beyond the touristy spots and into hidden trattorias, buzzing markets, and street food stalls that locals actually go to.

A few tours even stretched into the Emilia Romagna countryside—aka Italy’s ultimate foodie region—and gave us a bigger taste of what makes this area so special.

Along the way, we met fellow food lovers from around the world, all here for the same reason: to eat well and experience the real Bologna. And let us tell you—Bologna food tours are the way to do it.

👉 No time to scroll through every tour? We've got you covered – view all Bologna food tours in one place!

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
• 💰 Price: €96 per person
• 👥 Private Tours: Available on request
• 👍 Want the perfect food tour Bologna, Italy? This is it!
• ⭐ 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 - 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
• 💰 Price: €110 per person
• 🥗 Vegetarian Option: Available (please advise when booking)
• 🌟 One of the best-rated food tours in Bologna
• ⭐ 5.0 (799 reviews)

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

While in Bologna, we couldn’t resist trying another highly-rated food tour, and this one with Delicious Bologna totally lived up to the hype.

After reading a bunch of glowing reviews, we booked their 4.5-hour walking tour—and honestly, it was one of the most fun and authentic ways to explore Bologna like a local.

What we loved most about this tour was how relaxed and personal it felt. The group size is small (just 9 people max), which made it feel more like a foodie hangout with new friends than a typical guided tour.

Our day started just like a true Bolognese—sipping coffee at a cozy local café. From there, things got even better. We watched skilled sfogline (traditional pasta makers) roll and shape fresh tortellini by hand—it was incredible to watch such a timeless craft in action. Throughout the tour, we tasted amazing local bites like salami, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, and a variety of other regional treats.

One of the absolute highlights was exploring the Quadrilatero market. It’s a lively, historic food market full of hidden gems, and our guide led us on what felt like a delicious treasure hunt, complete with tastings and local aperitifs.

When lunchtime rolled around, we were treated to three different handmade pasta dishes, each paired perfectly with local wine. Just when we thought we couldn’t eat more, we sampled aged balsamic vinegar and finished with some of the creamiest gelato we’ve had in Italy.

What really sets the Delicious Bologna food tour apart is the guide’s passion for the city’s food culture. You could tell they genuinely loved sharing their knowledge and making sure everyone had a great time.

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
• 💰 Price: €115 per person (free cancellation available)
• 🌟 Why choose this tour: If you’re after the gold standard in Bologna food tours, you’ve found it!
• ⭐ 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
• 💰 Price: €79 per person
• 🌟 Why choose this tour: This amazing walking food tour in Bologna is a total winner — just look at all those 5-star reviews!
• ⭐ 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.

Note: this tour isn’t vegan-friendly, and dietary needs should be shared when booking.

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
• 💰 Price: €89 per person
• 🌟 Why choose this tour: This is one of the most beloved Bologna food tours!
• ⭐ 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
• 💰 Price: €240 per person
• 🌟 Why choose this tour: One of the top food tours from Bologna, with unforgettable stops in Modena and Parma!
• ⭐ 5.0 (1058 reviews)

Looking for a unique way to experience Emilia-Romagna’s food culture?

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
• 💰 Price: €135 per person
• 🌟 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
• 💰 Price: €84 per person
• 🌟 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 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 & balsamic vinegar tour

• Delicious Bologna food experience near Bologna starts at 7am in 2025
• You'll be picked up at your hotel or nearby
• Delicious Bologna food experience to Modena and Parma costs $275.18
• 👍 This is among the best food experiences around Bologna (Modena and Parma)!

You'll taste this creamy ricotta topped with aged Modena balsamic during your unforgettable Bologna food tour

Looking for the best Bologna food tour? This 8.5-hour food experience near Bologna is packed with incredible value, rich flavours, and unforgettable moments.

Your day starts with a comfortable minivan pickup, followed by a classic Italian breakfast—freshly baked pastries and rich, aromatic coffee at a cozy local café. It’s the perfect way to begin your culinary journey through Emilia-Romagna.

Along the way, you'll meet passionate local artisans and watch them craft iconic Italian specialties like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena, and regional wines. Yes, you’ll get to taste them all—from fresh ricotta and aged cheeses to cured meats paired with tigella bread, and that sweet, complex “liquid gold” balsamic vinegar.

This is a small-group tour, which means a more intimate, authentic experience with plenty of time to ask questions, take photos, and truly savour each bite.

💶 Price: €260 per person (free cancellation)

10. Prosciutto factory tasting tour in Bologna

• Italian Days prosciutto factory tour starts at 11am in 2025
• You'll have to take a taxi to the prosciutto factory
• 👍 This is among the best food tours in Bologna!

Ever wondered how Italy's famous prosciutto is made? Get ready for a delicious journey at one of Bologna's rare, open-to-visitors prosciutto factories! This special 4-hour Bologna foodie experience lets you peek behind the curtain of Italian meat-making magic.

Watch in fascination as expert craftsmen transform pork into delectable prosciutto di Modena, guanciale, pork loin, and belly. But that's just the beginning! The real treat comes when you sit down to a feast that'll make your taste buds dance - imagine sampling different prosciutto varieties, crunchy bruschetta, authentic pasta, heavenly tiramisu, and wonderful Italian wines.

Your hosts, Ricardo and Alessandro, treat every visitor like family. Their warm Italian hospitality will make you feel right at home as you learn, taste, and even shop for these incredible meat products to take home. Trust us - this isn't just a factory tour, it's a slice of Italian food paradise!

💶 Price: €65 per person (free cancellation)

When is the best time to take a food tour in Bologna?

Well, you really can't go wrong - they're fantastic any time of day! But here's a little insider tip: we absolutely love the morning tours. Bologna food tours, usually kick off around 10am or 11am, and here's the best part - you get to enjoy both breakfast and lunch along the way.

Looking for some solid recommendations? You can't miss with either Delicious Bologna food tour or Taste Bologna food tour - they're both amazing!

If you need more flexibility, Secret Food Tours Bologna and Do Eat Better Experience run tours both morning and afternoon.

If you prefer something more personalized, City Unscripted and Withlocals offer private food tours in Bologna that work around your schedule - pretty convenient, right? Just make sure to plan your food adventure around whatever else you've got going on that day, and you're all set!

You can join a Bologna food tour any time of the year, but the best time to go is between April and June when the weather’s perfect for strolling around. September and October are also great months to visit!

Read also: Where to Eat in Rome

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.
  
  

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