Bologna Food Tour and Enogastronomia Experience with Local Chef
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 40 minutes
Mobile ticket
Ciao! I’m a local chef, pasta maker, and licensed Guida Enogastronomica, featured in Forbes Magazine as one of Bologna’s top culinary experts. I hold a Certificato di Specializzazione IFTS in Gastronomia in IGP and DOP products and study Gastronomy at the Università di Bologna. I’ve cooked in some of Emilia-Romagna’s finest kitchens, including a Michelin-starred restaurant.
We’ll begin beneath the arches of Palazzo della Mercanzia with a macchiato and historic torta at a family-run pasticceria, then explore the Quadrilatero as I reveal the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Mortadella IGP, and Aceto Balsamico DOP.
Taste the region’s best salumi, cheeses, breads, and Pignoletto wine — plus a 25-year Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP — inside Italy’s oldest tavern (1465). We’ll proceed with tagliatelle al ragù paired with a glass of Sangiovese di Romagna at a beloved trattoria, and say arrivederci! over one of the city’s best artisanal gelato.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Disabilities walking without assistance
What To Expect
Palazzo della Mercanzia
Meet up and start the tour, heading to the first stop a nearby pasticceria for a macchiato and historial torta of Bologna
Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell
After a sweet start, hear the history of these iconic towers of Bologna, then onward to the Quadilatero
Options
Bologna Food Tour and Enogastronomia Experience with Local Chef
What‘s Included
Professional Guide
Tour includes: Bolognesi Torta or brioche, IGP and DOP salumi, pane e crackers, artisanal cheeses, condimenti, handmade pasta, gelato, two glasses of wine, tasting of 25 year old balsamic, water
Gratuity
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
64 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best Food Tour!
G3269ZMjorgel,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful Bologna food tour across the board! Darren provided so much information, not just about all the wonderful food and sites we visited, but also on Bologna and the surrounding region. He also provide wonderful recommendations for our stay in Bologna, as well as our visit to other cities in Emilia-Romagna. This was definitely the highlight of our visit!
Best Food Tour!
Jorge L,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A wonderful Bologna food tour across the board! Darren provided so much information, not just about all the wonderful food and sites we visited, but also on Bologna and the surrounding region. He also provide wonderful recommendations for our stay in Bologna, as well as our visit to other cities in Emilia-Romagna. This was definitely the highlight of our visit!
A perfect foodie afternoon in Bologna
FamiligiaF,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you love food this is the tour for you! Darren shared his wealth of knowledge of both the incredible food Bologna has to offer in addition to the wonderful history of the city. He made the whole experience fun and light hearted. He took us on a journey from delicious local cakes though to ham, cheese and pasta and finishing with a cool refreshing gelato all washed down with a perfect pairing of wine (plenty of water too). As we meandered through the streets of Bologna, making stops to try the delicacies, he told us interesting historical facts - in fact we learned more from him than from our walking tour guide the previous day. We are very happy to recommend this tour - you wont be disappointed. Just one more thing - don't book dinner afterwards as there is plenty to eat on the tour. Thank you Darren for a perfect afternoon.
Great food tour
lisavG1139AG,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren is a gem. So knowledgeable and personable. We learned a lot, ate a lot and had a great time. Many of the tours are 5 hours but Darren’s 3 hour tour was perfect for us.
Best Bologna Experience!!
Voyage34375616539,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chef Emilia was an excellent guide. His expert knowledge of Bolognese gastronomy, history and culture made this a unique and enjoyable experience. His personal connections with the owners of the osteria, trattoria and shops was evident, and we experienced the best offerings of what the city and region proudly produces. Choose this tour for the best Bologna has to offer.
Fantastic tour - don't miss it!
amandacQ2364YF,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took Darren's food tour during our visit to Bologna and it was honestly one of the highlights of our trip. Darren is incredibly knowledgeable — not just about the food itself, but about the history, traditions, and culture of Bologna and the wider Emilia-Romagna region. He has a real gift for weaving it all together in a way that's genuinely engaging rather than just a list of facts. The tour was so much fun and we learned a ton. Beyond the stops on the tour itself, Darren gave us fantastic recommendations for other meals during our stay, which made the rest of our trip even better. It's clear he loves what he does and knows the local food scene inside and out. Booking this tour gave us a whole new perspective on Bolognese cuisine and the food traditions of Emilia-Romagna. If you're visiting Bologna, do yourself a favor and sign up — you won't regret it. Grazie mille, Darren!
Fabulous food tour
katiehs12345790,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our food tour with Darren. He’s knowledgable, personable and generous. The places and food and wine were all delicious. Darren also went above and beyond to help us out with some other tour options we were trying to organise.
Excellent food tour!
brandieh472,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely incredible day experiencing the food scene in Bologna with Darren! Not only was the tour excellent with multiple stops, tastes, sips, and stories, Darren went above and beyond to help us confirm a dinner reservation we’d had trouble making. With his suggestions and assistance we had the best food day of our trip. Thank you for a lovely introduction to Bologna!
6 stars -- Best food experience we've ever had (and we've had A LOT!)
amber l,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely *EXCEPTIONAL* experience -- Darren's food knowledge is incredible. We learned (and tasted) so much of the local history. He knows all of the best spots in Bologna, and made everything accessible and easy to understand. Wish we could rate this higher than 5 stars -- 11 out of 10 -- we will *definitely* book with him again. :-) :-) :-)
Great guide and food
kimpO8471QW,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren was our tour guide who was absolutely brilliant, he had such a wealth of knowledge on food but also the local history too. We tried some amazing food and wine but the Gelato was sooo good!! We cant thank him enough for all the restaurant recommendations in Bologna but also in Florence too. I have never easten so well
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