13 Bologna Food Tours You'll Love

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The Bologna food tours, Italy are the best way to eat your way through this Italian city.

A walking food tour Bologna brings you the tastiest mortadella sandwiches, handmade tortellini pasta (you'll see also how they are made by Sfogline), the appetizing plates of tagliatelle pasta tossed into meat ragù that will delight your taste buds!

You'll also participate in the beloved aperitivo tradition, enjoying local Pignoletto wine paired with tigelle (round bread), prosciutto and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Bologna food tours also reveal to you those hidden gems, trattorias and street food spots, that truly capture the essence of Bologna. Some explore the rest of the Emilia Romagna region - known as the foodie capital of the country for a reason.

We have spent some time in Emilia Romagna's capital, tasting our way through the city and have done multiple Bologna food tours. On this page, we're only sharing the best food tours in Bologna, Italy, based on our own experience and our research. Here are our top picks for 2025!

In all cases, Bologna’s food scene is diverse enough to be enjoyed by people of all ages and preferences. Solo travellers, couples and families with kids will enjoy taking a walking food tour in Bologna!

Read also: Finding Pasta Making Class in Italy

How to book a walking food tour Bologna?

We always use Viator and GetYourGuide for booking food tours in Bologna! These websites are reliable and the booking can be made in just a few clicks. You can still cancel the tour up to 24 hours in advance! Or you can just reserve your spot now, without paying!

1. Walking food tour Bologna

• Secret Food Tours Bologna food tours are available every day at 10am, 10:30am, 3pm and 3:30pm; can be booked also as a private
• The tour meets at Piazza della Mercanzia, 4, in the heart of historic centre
• Secret Food Tours Bologna food tour costs $109.79 per person (with free cancellation option)
  
• 👍 Want the perfect food tour Bologna? This is it! The fantastic reviews prove it.

Treat yourself to one of the best Bologna food tours, where you'll discover why everyone's crazy about the food here!

On this Secret Food Tours Bologna food tour, your friendly local guide will start you off with a tasty breakfast, followed by lots of yummy samples - fresh pasta, special vinegar (aceto balsamico di Modena), cheese, wine, gelato, and a surprise dish they'll reveal during the tour.

Along 4-hour food tour Bologna, you'll watch real pasta makers create ring-shaped tortellini from scratch (it's pretty amazing!) and then taste their very best dishes. Your guide knows all the good stuff about shopping for real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and will take you to a traditional shop to learn about aged balsamic vinegar and taste it.

You'll also visit the Quadrilatero food market, where your guide will show you all the most exciting food stands. It's like a treasure hunt for food lovers! In addition, you'll hear fascinating history facts about sights such as Palazzo della Mercanzia and Basilica di San Petronio!

👉 Book Secret Food Tours Bologna food tour!

2. Delicious Bologna food tour from a local perspective

• Delicious Bologna food tour starts at 10am (from Monday to Saturday
• Meet your guide and group at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking
• Delicious Bologna food tour costs $121.91 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👍 You won't find a better food tour in Bologna - the reviews speak for themselves!

Let us introduce you to one of the best food tours in Bologna! This incredible 4.5-hour morning food tour in Bologna is definitely worth adding to your bucket list. In our experience, it's one of the best food tours you'll find, not just in Bologna, but in all of Italy!

Delicious Bologna food tour is like spending a wonderful morning with a small, friendly group (never more than 9 people) as you discover the city's amazing local specialties. You'll get to hang out in authentic Italian café, watch skilled sfogline (traditional pasta makers) craft perfect tortellini by hand, and sample mouth-watering salami and aged parmigiano. The tour takes you through the historic Quadrilatero market where you'll enjoy aperitifs and more delicious tastings.

This walking food tour Bologna includes a fantastic lunch featuring three different pasta dishes paired with wine. And for the grand finale, you'll taste aged balsamic vinegar and finish with a creamy scoop of gelato. The guides on Delicious Bologna food tours are absolutely fantastic - they really know their stuff and make sure everyone has a great time. Just remember to let them know ahead of time if you're vegetarian!

👉 Book your spot on this Bologna food tour now!

3. Classic Bologna food tour

• Taste Bologna Classic Bologna food tour takes place at 10am (from Monday to Saturday)
• Meet your group at the tobacconist in the corner with Via De Pignattari, just at the right of San Petronio Basilica
• Taste Bologna's classic Bologna food tour starts at $127.54 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👍 If you're after the gold standard in Bologna food tours, you've found it!

Looking for a perfect morning in Bologna? Join Taste Bologna's classic Bologna food tour! They keep groups small (just 10 people) so everyone can enjoy the experience. You'll taste amazing local foods while a guide shares interesting stories about Bologna's history.

During 4-hour classic Bologna food tour, you'll visit:

• local food shops where friendly owners prepare fresh treats
• the historic food market filled with local specialties
• a pasta workshop where you'll see how tortellini is made by hand.

Classic Bologna food tour includes gourmet Italian coffee, tagliatelle al ragù (pasta with meat sauce), traditional cured meats, authentic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, aged balsamic vinegar (you'll love its rich, sweet and tangy taste), fresh-baked bread, classis dessert and local wines (Pignoletto and Lambrusco).

Taste Bologna's guides really know their food - some are even professional cooks! They'll share their favourite places to eat during your stay in Bologna. Just let us know if you're vegetarian or need gluten-free options, and they'll take care of you! 

👉 Don't miss classic Bologna food tour!

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

• Devour Bologna tasting tour starts at 10am
• The group meets at Piazza del Nettuno, in front of ExtraBo info point
• Devour Bologna food tour starts at $87.61 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👍 This amazing walking food tour Bologna is a total winner - just look at all those 5-star reviews!

Experience the culinary delights of Emilian Romagna on this intimate 3.5-hour Devour Tours walking food tour Bologna, limited to just 12 participants. This mouthwatering adventure is absolutely worth every minute and penny! It's guided by a Bologna native!

Your gastronomic journey begins with a proper Italian wake-up call - a perfect espresso or macchiato paired with a cake at a charming local café. Next, you'll explore the bustling Mercato delle Erbe, where you'll indulge in various regional cheeses, premium balsamic vinegar, and savor authentic mortadella panini, accompanied by sparkling white wine. More cured meat tastings await as the tour progresses!

No Bologna food tour would be complete without pasta, and you'll feast on tagliatelle with a rich meat ragù and three different types of tortelloni, all handmade that morning. You'll even get to witness the fascinating art of traditional pasta-making in action!

This food experience in Bologna concludes with a delectable local dessert that'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Just remember to notify the tour operator about any dietary restrictions when booking (note that the tour isn't suitable for vegan participants). 👉 Book Devour Bologna food tour!

5. Do Eat Better Bologna food tour

• Do Eat Better Bologna tasting tour starts at 12pm and 6:30pm
• Meet your group in front of Feltrinelli bookstore at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana (near Two Towers)
• Do Eat Better food tour in Bologna costs $97.96 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👍 This is among most beloved Bologna food tours (with excellent reviews)!

Experience the perfect blend of history and gastronomy with Do Eat Better walking food tour Bologna. This delightful food journey through the city combines cultural exploration with mouthwatering local specialties - what could be better than discovering Bologna through its famous cuisine?

Your 3.5-hour food tour in Bologna begins with classic Bolognese pasta dishes: savour the rich tagliatelle al ragù topped with Parmigiano, or enjoy traditional tortellini swimming in flavourful broth. Then, treat yourself to tigelle, charming round breads stuffed with local cured meats, or sample the city's celebrated mortadella salami.

For meat enthusiasts, the tour's highlight is the unique "cotoletta alla bolognese" - a local treasure you won't encounter elsewhere. This dish features a carefully prepared veal cutlet, breaded and fried to perfection, then elevated with prosciutto and Parmesan cheese. The dish is finished by simmering in broth and butter, creating an unforgettable sauce. So inviting!

Round off one of the best Bologna food tours with sweet delights: choose between artisanal gelato or the beloved "torta degli addobbi", a fragrant rice cake infused with orange and almond flavours that's cherished throughout the region. Remember to mention any dietary restrictions when booking!

👉 Book this traditional food tour Bologna!

6. Italian Days Bologna food experience - factory tours with lunch

• Italian Days food tour from Bologna departs at 7am (Monday to Saturday)
• Meeting point is Piazza XX Settembre, close to the train station
• Italian Days food tour from Bologna costs $266.16 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👉 This is one of the best food tours from Bologna (Modena and Parma)!

This Italian Days food experience doesn't take place right in the city, but in the countryside between Bologna and Modena. A comfy minivan picks you up in Bologna to take you to the countryside for food factory visits. This gourmet tour is a feast for all senses (lasts for 8.5 hours).

First stop on Italian Days food tour from Bolonga, is the real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory! You'll get to watch the master cheesemakers work their magic, and here's the cool part - you can actually touch the fresh curd and taste the cheese at different stages. They'll let you sample both young and aged varieties, so you can figure out which one makes your taste buds happiest.

The second stop on this Emilia Romagna food tour is prosciutto factory, where you'll learn about prosciutto production and enjoy it, thinly sliced along other cured meats and homemade bread and a glass of sparkling Lambrusco wine. But save some room - there's a proper lunch coming up with appetizers, three different kinds of pasta, more wine, and of course, dessert!

Lastly, on Italian Days food tour from Bologna, you'll visit a traditional balsamic vinegar producer in Modena. Get ready to enter what I like to call the "balsamic wonderland" - the aromas and flavours of this precious Italian condiment enjoyed drizzled over dishes.

Sound tempting? It's seriously one of the best ways to experience the amazing food culture of Emilia-Romagna! 👉 Book Italian Days Bologna food and wine factory tour!

7. Bologna's Tastiest Treats: Bologna private food tour

• City Unscripted private walking food tour Bologna can be organised anytime between 8am and 5pm
• After booking, you can agree the meeting point to fit your preferences
• Your guide will reach out to you within 24 hours of your booking to learn more about what you love and what interests you.
• Price of this food tour Bologna is $149.99 (can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the starting time)
• 👍 This is among the most authentic Bologna food tours!

City Unscripted's Bologna tasting tour is fully tailored to your preferences. You can even choose your favourite local guide (from among many options). We would love to take this tour someday!

Within this 3-hour walking food tour Bologna, you'll visit small salumerias, specialist food stores that sell cured meats and cheeses (your host knows exactly which ones make the best mortadella and parmigiano). Mortadella is often enjoyed in thin slices.

Plus, you'll visit a specialty pasta store where they produce fresh batches of tortellini and tortelloni daily. You'll also admire the biggest covered market in town, the Mercato delle Erbe, for a true taste of Bolognese tradition where everything is made with 'zero-kilometer ingredients', from silky tagliatelle alla ragù to freshly-baked focaccia. A visit to a local osteria is also in the itinerary of this Bologna food tour, as well as a gelateria.

👉 Book this food tour Bologna!

8. Bologna private food tour (10 tastings)

• Withlocals walking food tour Bologna is available every day (choose your preferred time from 11am until 6pm)
• Meet your guide in front of 'Pollo e Patate Pollomino' 
• Vegetarian options are available on this tour
• The tour starts at $88.96 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👍 This is among the most popular Bologna food tours!

We picked this 3-hour Bologna food tour as it's completely private and more affordable than the other ones. You'll fall in love with food from Emilia-Romagna region during tastings on this food tour in Bologna (you'll try 10 different foods in total). Some of them are tortellini fritti, formaggio bianco, prosciutto, tigelle... You'll quench your thirst with a selection of drinks like coffee, an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) cocktails, wine and beer.

This is not only culinary tour, but also a cultural and history journey through Bologna. Along the way, you'll stop to admire the Piazza Maggiore, Quadrilatero, and Piazza del Nettuno and hear about their local relevance from your host.

👉 Book this special food tour Bologna!

9. Walking food tour Bologna with a local guide

• Tours and the City Bologna tasting tours are available at 10am, 10:30am, 4pm, 4:30pm and 5pm
• Meet your group at the Piazza del Nettuno, 4, in the very heart of Bologna
• This Bologna food tour starts at $93.16 per person (with free cancellation option)
• 👍 This is among the most authentic Bologna food tours!

The goal of guides on this 3-hour food tour in Bologna is to show how they enjoy with friends and family. You'll be eating and drinking like a true Bolognese. Be ready for over 15 food and wine tastings, showcasing the very best of local cuisine on one of the best Bologna food tours.

During this food tour in Bologna, Italy, you'll eat tigella, a selection of cold cuts, cheeses, bread, all sourced from the nearby countryside, paired with local wines. Plus, you'll get to try two of the most beloved pastas - tagliatelle and tortellini (we can't decide which one is better) accompanied by more local wines. To end on a sweet note, the group on this Bologna foodie experience will stop by gelateria to taste a yummy gelato.

👉 Book this Bologna food tour with a local guide!

10. Delicious Bologna's food experience from Bologna

• Delicious Bologna food experience from Bologna starts at 7am
• 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)!

This Delicious Bologna food tour that spans 8.5 unforgettable hours, is carefully selected for its exceptional value and authentic experiences. 

Your journey begins with a comfortable minivan pickup, followed by a classic Italian breakfast of aromatic coffee and freshly baked pastries at a charming local café. As the day unfolds, you'll meet talented food artisans who are masters of their craft, watching them create legendary products like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar (rich and sweet), and exquisite local wines. 

You'll taste a real staff - ricotta and various Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses, local wines (along tigella and cured meats) and liquid gold from Modena - balsamic vinegar. You'll be part of a small group! 👉 Book this food experience near Bologna!

11. Prosciutto factory tasting tour in Bologna

• Italian Days prosciutto factory tour starts at 11am
• 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! 👉 Book this food experience in Bologna!

12. Bologna food markets tour in historic centre

• My Bologna walking food tour Bologna starts at 11am (every day except Sunday)
• Meet your guide in front of the MERCATO on Via Belvedere
• You choose the food you want to eat (and pay separately)!
• My Bologna food tour costs €42
• 👍 This is among the most special Bologna food tours!

This 2-hour morning food tour in Bologna is completely no-waste. You'll explore two vibrant food markets and visit family-owned shops. Your guide will show you how Bologna's residents shop, cook and enjoy the food.

Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to sample authentic delicacies like Parma ham, regional cheeses, hand-rolled fresh pasta, mortadella, traditional balsamic vinegar, local bread, and artisanal gelato. What makes this tour special is its flexibility - you choose what and how much to eat at each stop. The food costs are separate (approximately €17 total per person) and entirely optional. Everybody can join, even if you have food allergies or you are vegetarian.

👉 Save your spot on this special Bologna food tour!

13. Bologna food tour from Florence

• City Wonders runs Bologna food tour from Florence at 8am (Mon / Wed / Sat / Sun)
• Meet your group at Piazzale Montelungo, close to SMN train station; your host will wait you on the left side of the street
• Bologna food tour from Florence starts from €149 (now €119.20) per person
• 👉 Experience this unique Bologna food tour that departs from Florence!

On this 11-hour Bologna food tour from Florence, you'll step aboard a comfortable coach and head into the heart of Italy's culinary excellence. 

Your first stop is a local dairy, where the magic of crafting Parmigiano Reggiano unfolds in front of your eyes. Witness the meticulous process from the milk vats to the aging rooms, and savor the nutty, complex taste of this world-famous cheese aged to perfection.

Next, journey to a balsamic vinegar producer steeped in centuries of tradition. Discover how grape must transforms into rich, aromatic vinegar, and indulge in tastings of aged varieties. Pair these with Parmigiano shavings and enjoy a surprising treat - balsamic-infused gelato—highlighting the artistry of Modena’s culinary heritage.

This Bologna food tour from Florence continues at a cured meats facility, where you’ll uncover the secrets behind prosciutto production. Relish a light lunch of Italy’s finest cured meats, including prosciutto, truffle-infused culatta, and salami. Accompanied by aged Parmigiano, freshly baked tigelle bread, and a glass of local Lambrusco wine, this meal celebrates the Emilia Romagna flavours.

The day concludes in Bologna, where your tour leader offers a brief introduction to the historic city center. Enjoy free time to explore landmarks like Piazza Maggiore, wander its charming streets, or sample more local delights. Don't forget to buy some food souvenirs!

After a day filled with unforgettable experiences, relax on your scenic return journey to Florence.

👉 Book this Bologna food tour from Florence!

Why you should take a walking food tour in Bologna?

On a Bologna food tour, you'll eat the most delicious tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini al brodo, you'll learn why the Parmigiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma are so unique. A food tour in Bologna takes you through traditional trattorias and vibrant markets of city, like the Quadrilatero, to see where locals buy their food ingredients for preparing the meals. Plus, you’ll meet fellow food lovers and your friendly local guide from Bologna.

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

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!

Various Bologna food tours run all year round, but April to June is the best period when the weather is pleasant for walking around. Other ideal months are September and October.

Read also: What 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. 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.

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 kids join a Bologna food tour?

Yes, kids can absolutely join a food tour in Bologna! Many food tours in the city are family-friendly and offer a fun, educational experience for children. While the tours focus on Bologna's rich culinary traditions, they also make the experience enjoyable for younger travellers by including interactive activities and tastings that appeal to all ages.

Kids can enjoy learning about how traditional Bolognese dishes like fresh tortellini are made, and they’ll likely love sampling delicious treats like gelato or fresh cheese. It’s a great way to introduce them to the flavours of Italy in a relaxed and engaging way. Just be sure to check with the tour provider beforehand to ensure it’s suitable for younger children!

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