Private Tour
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 finish with tagliatelle al ragù paired with a glass of Sangiovese di Romagna at a beloved trattoria, and say arrivederci over 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
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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
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
Options
Bologna Food Tour and Enogastronomia Experience with Local Chef
Reviews
42 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Generous guide and great food tour experience
sakurap2026,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time touring Bologna with Darren this winter! We were especially impressed with his flexibility during the holiday season when many restaurants and shops were closed, and with his ability to adapt to our needs as a primarily vegetarian group. He was extremely generous with his additional restaurant recommendations—many of which were standout highlights of our trip. He even made some reservations on our behalf after our food tour. He had fantastic restaurant recommendations and he helped us coordinate a last minute Balsamic tasting at an acetaia. We highly recommend spending some time with Darren when you travel to Bologna, he was so helpful and pointed us in all of the right culinary directions for the rest of our trip.
Highlight of our time in Bologna
zachwU3751BZ,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren’s food tour of Bologna was the highlight of our trip. Not only is he an expert chef, he is deeply knowledgeable about Bologna itself, seamlessly weaving the city’s history and culture into the experience. Over more than three hours, he guided us through tastings of wines, cheeses, pastas, and gelato—thoughtfully tailored for our vegetarian group—while orienting us to the city and its traditions. Perhaps most importantly, Darren set us up for success well beyond the tour. He offered excellent recommendations throughout Bologna and the surrounding region and even helped us secure reservations for additional local experiences. Every restaurant he recommended was outstanding. We left the tour better informed, well fed, and confident in how to make the most of our time in Bologna and Emilia-Romagna.
Great family dining experience
hanseno2026,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren gave us an amazing tour of food and food history in Bologna. Our family joined him eating our way among a variety of small cafes and restaurants. We enjoyed a great culinary experience together.
Bologna food tour with chef
lerickson99,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family of 5 (all adults) had a great tour with Darron on our first day in Bologna. As a professional chef he knew all the best places, and sprinkled in Bologna history throughout. We tasted regional specialties of pastry, a digestiv, salumi board (meat & cheese), balsamic, wines, pasta and gelato. We learned about how each is made and the food guilds who determine quality and authenticity. It was a great way to start our trip.
Informative/tasty!
Lee of Leigh,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren was a great tour guide. We got brilliant history, food, drink, venues and humour as part of the mix. My brother and I really enjoyed it.
Bologna with a chef- buonissima!
haasie406,,Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren was such a wealth of knowledge, and we had such a great time. It felt like we had a friend in Bologna, and he shared so many wonderful tips about how to cook with all of the wonderful foods we were eating. Buonissina!
perfect afternoon activity to explore Bologna
karenfL4648FR,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our group of four (ages 21-69) had a lovely afternoon with Darren. We were only in Bologna for one day. Darren was an engaging and interesting tour guide. We had spent a little time wandering the streets ourselves before the tour and it was an interesting contrast to have his guidance and insights. We made multiple stops at local venues and learned about the history and industry of the city. Darren catered to our schedule when we had to end a little early to make it to our flight. Would highly recommend this tour - arrive hungry!
Fantastic culinary experience with Darren
C4501TWyvonned,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00"What a fantastic experience we had with Darren! The walking tour through Bologna was a perfect mix of fascinating history and delicious culinary highlights. Darren had a wonderful way of telling the stories of the city's past, full of engaging details and interesting facts. In addition to the history, he led us past hidden gems: the small, local shops and eateries that tourists easily overlook. We tasted the best antipasti and delicious pasta in small, local restaurants, enjoyed Parmigiano Reggiano from a specialist, and finished with the most delicious gelato we have ever had. The extra explanations about Italian culinary traditions made the experience even more complete. Darren is an absolute must. An expert, enthusiastic guide who lets you taste the true soul of Bologna. Thank you for an unforgettable afternoon!"
A true treasure in Bologna for history and food/drink
mikewJ2809AN,,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour with Darren was an absolute pleasure. My wife and I spent almost 3 hours with him as he walked us through the streets of Bologna stopping in 5 or 6 places to try various food and drinks. He is very well versed in the history of the city as well and generously shared his knowledge throughout. Highly recommended.
Wonderful tour!
S2905EHlisab,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren made the tour so much fun and took us to small, cute places. He was full of information and truly made it a fun day! Thank you Darren :)
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