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
71 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bologna food tour
cindymL4257JL,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was great! He was very knowledgeable about the city too. He made sure I had gluten free crackers and cookie!
Great Tour
stuartw489,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great day with Darren. He’s a fun guy to walk around with, super knowledgable, good natured, and helpful. He led a group of strangers who all turned into friends by the end of the tour. We liked him enough that our family invited him to join us for dinner! We highly recommend him for this tour.
Bologna Food Experience
conirj,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our Darren was knowledgable, attentive, and especially personable. We were the only couple on this particular tour and had a wonderful experience visiting several establishments and sampling the fine foods of the Emilia-Romagna region. We were given historical and cultural perspectives for the places and the foods. We would highly recommend taking this tour.
Great tour
Guigosal,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Darren's knowledge and care were excellent. We really enjoyed the group interaction and the food. Of particular importance was that Darren made sure that all activities were tailored to suit my wife in a wheelchair and he was always mindful of her comfort.
Bologna food tour
Tourist07477519967,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a truly fantastic time with Darren. He is friendly, knowledgeable and very easy to get along with. I didn’t really know what to expect, but he made us feel very welcome and took us through the streets of Bologna to some wonderful places to sample some delicious food. I would highly recommend Darren and his tour.
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.
Related Experiences
Operated by Via Emilia Chef