It’s no secret that Italy is known for its world-class food, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t visit one of the country’s culinary hotspots: Bologna.
This gastronomic gem is renowned for its rich hulinary heritage and mouthwatering dishes carefully prepared with fresh produce, aged cheeses, succulent meats, and handmade sauces.
However, if you really want to get a solid grasp on their authentic cuisine, it isn’t likely to fall into your lap at one of the most popular restaurants.
I recommend instead going on one of the 7 top Bologna food tours that I’ve carefully curated on this guide, that are all worth your time and money. Let’s jump right in!
Best Food Tours in Bologna
| Bologna Food Tour from a Local Perspective | Bologna Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours | Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours & Family-Style Lunch | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 |  |  |
|
| Location: | Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, P.za di Porta Ravegnana, Bologna | Piazza della Mercanzia, 4, 40125 Bologna | Piazza XX Settembre, 40121 Bologna |
| Start: | 10:00 AM | Between 9:45 AM to 3:30 PM | 7:00 AM |
| Duration: | 4.5 hours | 4 hours | 8.5 hours |
| Includes: | Small-group tour, Food tasting at six stops and taste more than 20 local specialties, Lunch, Breakfast, Tour escort/host | Parmigiano Reggiano, 2 traditional types of homemade pastas, Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella Bologna and many more regional cold cuts, Artisanal gelato, A selection of local wines | Round-trip transport to and from Bologna, food tastings, lunch with paired wines, breakfast, driver/guide, coffee and/or tea, alcoholic beverages |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Bologna Food Tours For 2025
- Bologna Food Tour from a Local Perspective
- Bologna Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
- Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours & Family-Style Lunch
- The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Bologna: 6 or 10 Tastings
- Classic Bologna Food Tour
- Bologna Gastronomic Experience with a Local
- Bologna Traditional Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience
Bologna Food Tour Reviews
1. Bologna Food Tour from a Local Perspective
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Departure: Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, P.za di Porta Ravegnana, Bologna
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM
- Includes: Small-group tour, Food tasting at six stops and taste more than 20 local specialties, Lunch, Breakfast, Tour escort/host
Sure, you could explore Bologna’s culinary scene by doing some research and creating an itinerary from your own findings. However, I’m willing to bet that you’ll taste much more authentic food and have an all-around more enriching experience if you let a professional guide do it for you.
That’s just a part of what you’ll get with the Bologna Food Tour from a Local Perspective, where they plan a delicious breakfast and lunch during the day for you.
Starting off by meeting your guide around 10:00 am, this tour is a great way to try a couple of fantastic meals, learn about the local food, and still be back in time for afternoon and evening plans.
Our guide was very friendly and did a great job of answering all of our questions, taking us to a couple of little hidden gems along the way. We started things out with a delicious Italian breakfast consisting of a cappuccino and cornetto, which is essentially like an Italian croissant.
Our first stop of the day was at this charming little pasta workshop where we got to see how they handmake their pasta using centuries-old techniques and traditions! I can see why they haven’t needed to change things over hundreds of years – it was incredible!
Expand To See More
They even have a little shop inside (do not miss this!) where they sell all kinds of phenomenal cold meats and aged Parmigiano Reggiano which I purchased and actually had shipped home!
Next up, we visited Italy’s oldest market which is a foodie paradise, bustling with all kinds of interesting artisanal crafts and food stalls that not only offered tasty food, but insight into how things were during medieval times!
Afterward, we strolled on over to the Piazza Maggiore, which is Bologna’s main square filled with interesting architecture, art, and plenty of stories!
This tour wouldn’t be complete wtihout a mouthwatering lunch consisting of 3 types of handmade pasta and some of the best wines in the country, all while learning about the techniques that make each one so great!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Bologna Activities You May Enjoy
2. Bologna Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Piazza della Mercanzia, 4, 40125 Bologna
- Departure Time: Between 9:45 AM to 3:30 PM
- Includes: Local welcoming sweet, Parmigiano Reggiano, 2 traditional types of homemade pastas, Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella Bologna and many more regional cold cuts, 8-12-25 year old Aged Balsamic vinegar from Modena, Artisanal gelato, Delicious Secret Dish, A selection of local wines (red and white), Espresso or macchiato, Local liquor
Something that I love about Italian food, is that you can almost taste the warmth and hospitality that’s gone into each aspect of a dish.
The Bologna Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours experience really highlights that, along with the city’s love for gastronomy and tradition. Our local guide was perfect for the tour, offering up a warm personality, knowledge of food and Italian culture, and plenty of enthusiasm!
This tour kicks off at the Palazzo della Mercanzia, setting the tone for an afternoon full of learning, seeing, and tasting Bologna’s culinary scene.
Dating back to the 14th century, the central square boasts historical significance and architectural grandeur, with its San Petronio wooden statue offering a certain allure referring to the city’s deep-rooted religious heritage.
We learned all about how it was once the central hub for Bologna’s economic and commercial activities, and how the city was one of the most important for rade and commerce during that time.
Right next to it is the famous Quadrilatero neighborhood known for its captivating medieval streets, traditional porticoes, and busy markets filled with locals haggling over fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and many other artisanal delights.
Expand To See More
The vibe is definitely a sensory overload, but it’s also a must-visit for any foodie interested in trying traditional bites, as well as the history behind them.
I think the market does a great job of encapsulating the vibrant spirit of Bologna while letting us learn about the cooked and cured meats, and the history behind some of their most famous foods.
I definitely ate more than I comfortably should have, but the combined historical facts, fun atmosphere, and obviously amazing food made it hard to resist!
I was grateful for our walk over to the Basilica di San Petronio which gave us the opportunity to digest and appreciate one of the largest, most beautiful churches in the world. Overall, it was a fantastic way to spend a few hours in this legendary city, with some of the best company I could ask for!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours & Family-Style Lunch
- Duration: 8.5 hours
- Departure: Piazza XX Settembre, 40121 Bologna
- Departure Time: 7:00 AM
- Includes: Round-trip transport to and from Bologna, food tastings, lunch with paired wines, breakfast, driver/guide, coffee and/or tea, alcoholic beverages, air-conditioned vehicle
If the other tours have caught your attention but you’re looking for something a bit more extensive, look no further than this next tour!
The Bologna Food Experience: Factory Tours & Family-Style Lunch is an all-day adventure that will take you to the gorgeous Emilia-Romagna countryside to experience some of the best cheeses, cakes, and other traditional foods from this area!
It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get out into the fresh air to enjoy hundreds of years of flavors that have been meticulously perfected over time.
In order to make the most of the day, our tour started early in the morning with a convenient pickup right from our hotel lobby.
We had a private minivan take us and the rest of our party out to the countryside, with our guide driving expertly and regaling us with all kinds of fun facts and historical knowledge as we drove along.
I learned that Parmigiano Reggiano is also only made early in the morning, and by arriving early we were actually able to see the cheesemakers take us through every step of making it in real-time!
Expand To See More
Oh, and they weren’t so cruel as to just let us watch and learn – we actually got to touch and sample the delicious cheese as well as an array of aged samples!
Next up was Monteveglio where we went to a prosciutto factory to try the buttery, savory treats. I actually admit that I wasn’t previously a fan of prosciutto before this trip, but trying the best of the best along with a wonderful glass of Lambrusco completely changed things for me!
One of the highlights of this tour was arriving in the beautiful Modena to try their traditional balsamic vinegar, along with salami, mortadella, homemade bread, cake, wine, and coffee!
The hosts were super friendly and evidently very passionate about what they do, sharing their valuable knowledge with us and answering all of our questions. If you’re looking to really dive in deep into the nuances and history behind this incredible cuisine, this trip is well worth it.
