• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

The way to a city's heart it's through its food! And on this private food tour, you'll get to know Bologna through its cuisine and the tastings favorite of the locals. A local food expert is ready to give you a taste of the real Bologna satisfying your cravings for local food and city highlights.

Destination

Bologna, Italy

Category

Food Tours

Duration

2 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Italiano, Română

Included

• Private Guide
• 6 Local Food & Drink Tastings
• Vegetarian Options Available
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to attractions

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 4 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at In front of 'Pollo e Patate Pollomino' - Bologna to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Food Introduction

   This culinary kickstart tour is short and sweet! A perfect way to get acquainted with the local cuisine, its best tastings, and where to find them - all with the help of a local food expert

4. Locals’ Favorites

   Kickstart your time in Bologna by discovering the local cuisine. Try some of the ultimate locals’ favorite food treats like local cheeses and piadina picked by your local host and hear why the locals love them so much!

5. City Highlights

   This tour is more than just food; it’s a cultural experience! In between food stops, discover city highlights for a well-rounded experience that will satisfy your appetite for Bologna. Check out Basilica di San Domenico, Due Torri and more city highlights along the way

6. Food Recommendations

   With this private food tour, you’ll be set to keep enjoying the most authentic food and drinks in Bologna. Your food expert host knows where to go and what to order and will give you recommendations based on your likings and dietary preferences

7. Special Diet or Allergies?

   If you follow a special diet or have an allergy to a specific food, let your host know! They’ll make sure to consider that so you can have an enjoyable and safe experience

8. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Robert🇺🇸 United States

(About local Marco)

2 July 2025

Really enjoyed our two hour tour with Marco. He was super knowledgeable and helpful, yet very easy-going. Nice change from the usual hyper tour guide energy that I think is more typical. He was also very helpful when I had questions regarding other things like transportation to the airport etc. Highly recommend. Great tour.

Logan

(About local Riccardo)

26 June 2025

Riccardo did a wonderful Bologna food tour with us. Even with our 4 and 6 year old in tow he did a great job!Riccardo was wonderful!

Dougal

(About local Jason)

22 June 2025

I generally don't write poor reviews as mistakes happen etc etc. However, this excursion was so poor value for money and not at all authentic I have to make others aware. We have been on food tours all over Italy and always come away feeling we have had a great authentic experience and usually full stomachs! Here we felt like we had fallen into a tourist trap set up to extract money from people who do not understand food and the culture of a region. We are big foodies having travelled the world eating some of the most amazing food and worked in the hospitality industry for 25 years in the UK so understand and have a good knowledge of food! With Jason we had 5 stops; Balsamic vinegar tasting - free, anyone can walk into the shop and receive this experience. Sandwich – Nice local cheese and meat. Deep fried meat balls - street food and not authentic, Jason actually admitted this food has been made up for tourists! No where else in Bologna did we see this on a menu and we ate a lot! Pasta - Very average, I would have expected to be taken to a Trattoria, instead we were taken to a modern (McDonalds style) fast food place. This was not authentic, the taste was somewhat lacking in flavour! Fruit spread tasting - free, anyone can walk into the shop and receive this experience. And that was it, the poorest value for money I have ever received seeing we paid around £130 for the 2 of us. As balance, this is the experience we got in Rome for roughly the same money; Meat and cheese board – 4 types Glass of wine 3 types of pizza Bottle of beer 1 x suppli Bowl of pasta in a local trattoria (we could choose from 4 types of classic roman dishes) More wine Gelato - 2 x flavours Please save your money and find a different tour guide than Jason in Bologna, we were so disappointed. Bologna has such a rich history of Ragu and other food’s…. Go and discover it with someone else. We did not even get to taste Bolognese/Ragu - unbelievable! I will be contacting the tour operator for a full refund. Poor value for money and not authentic.

Tim🇺🇸 United States

(About local Marco)

4 June 2025

We have a nice two hour tour with Marco - very knowledgeable and colorful fellow who helped us find some excellent local spots, including date some great foods and answered our questions and did a great job showing us around. We even got to try rolling tortellini which is a bit tricky ! We recommend Marco. Marco was great

Thea

(About local Jason)

14 May 2025

Disappointing Start to Bologna's Culinary Scene – Feeling it was definitely not worth the money We recently joined a Foodies Tour in Bologna with high expectations. As accomplished home chefs with a deep appreciation for international cuisine and fine wines, we had shared our background with the tour guide in advance, hoping for an elevated, curated experience. We imagined being led by a knowledgeable, well-presented guide who would introduce us to the true culinary heart of Bologna. Unfortunately, the reality fell short. Our guide arrived casually dressed, lacking the professionalism or enthusiasm we had anticipated. While first impressions aren't everything, they do set the tone—and this one was disappointing. Our initial stop offered promise: a tasting of local balsamic vinegars of various ages and complexity. This was genuinely interesting and informative. However, the tour quickly lost momentum. We were shown shuttered storefronts—apparently historic, multi-generational family businesses—that were closed due to the time and day of our tour. It was baffling that the tour would be scheduled at a time when key locations weren’t even accessible. After a brief history of the Piazza Maggiore and the twin towers, we were led into a side alley and given a meager snack: a small ham and cheese toastie, halved for sharing. Next came a street food vendor serving lasagne—presented on a single paper plate with four forks for the group. This trend continued with a fast-food-style pasta place offering dry, claggy tortellini—again served communally. The final stop was perhaps the most disappointing: a food court, where we were left to choose from a selection of subpar local wines. The samples were of poor quality, and the guide made no effort to assist or educate us. By this point, the experience felt more like a poorly organized food crawl than a gourmet tour. The tour left us disillusioned—not just with the experience, but with Bologna itself. Fortunately, we decided to explore the city independently. Away from the tourist trail, we discovered charming eateries and hidden gems that truly showcased the region’s rich culinary heritage. With a little effort and curiosity, Bologna revealed itself to be a city full of delectable food, wonderful wines, and warm hospitality. In the end, while the Foodies Tour was a letdown, our own exploration brought us lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for this beautiful city. Our advice: skip the organized tour, and instead, let your palate—and your curiosity—lead the way. Definitely not worth the money

Esther🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Marco)

9 May 2025

Tolle geführte Tour. Tall Guy Marco hat uns ein paar schöne Ecken gezeigt :) War alles sehr schmackhaft, wenn auch der Preis etwas hoch. Vielen Dank Lecker

Sarah-jane🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Jason)

3 March 2025

We had an incredible experience with Jason in Bologna! The food tour was a true highlight of our trip—Jason was knowledgeable, passionate and friendly. We got to taste a variety of authentic local dishes, from rich pastas to delicious cured meats, all while learning about the city’s rich culinary history. The pacing was perfect, allowing us to savor each stop without feeling rushed. It felt like a personal journey through Bologna’s food scene, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the local culture and flavors. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bologna!Great intro to beautiful Bologna

Vicki🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Marco)

3 December 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed Marcos tour. Took us to places that we would have never found. From the markets where we met him to our final coffee stop each place was so interesting. Our highlight was Osteria del sole…..we have never experienced anything like it. So much history and we loved the concept of taking your own food. The balsamic tastings was a new level for us. Marco was the best. Highly recommend him.Foodies delight

Laura🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jason)

19 November 2024

Jason was very passionate about his city and teaching us everything we needed to know. We did the food tour and it was fantastic. If you are going to understand Italian food, you must go to Bologna and do this tour. The tortellini will never be the same in the states again. I would come back to Bologna just to eat for a few days. Don't sleep on this town and don't sleep on Jason. Also - some reviewers said they didn't feel there was a lot of food - I have to disagree - go on this tour HUNGRY. I expected just a few bites but could easily make a meal out of this tour, unless you actually think that the food they serve at Olive Garden is "italian" and that their serving sides are normal... Jason was the Best

Sinead 🇮🇪 Ireland

(About local Marco)

4 October 2024

Marco was a great tour guide and brought us to some amazing places! He also gave us some brilliant tips for our time in Bologna. Thanks Marco! Great tour!

Isak 🇩🇰 Denmark

(About local Marco)

13 September 2024

We had a really nice time with Marco! We got a lot of local insights and fun stories and Marco took us to some really great places for delicious food. We can definitely recommend it!Fun and informative tour with Marco!

Robert 🇮🇪 Ireland

(About local Luca)

21 July 2024

Very pleasant private food tour with Luca! We learned things we would never have known about Bologna and its wonderful food and ate some really nice things along the way. I'd recommend that if you try something nice, like the Formaggio di fossa cheese, buy it there and then! very informative

Unknown

(About local Luca)

9 July 2024

We scheduled our tour with Luca for soon after we arrived in Bologna. That proved to be a great decision. Luca introduced us to the local markets and specialty foods as well as gave an excellent overview of things and recommendations for restaurants and sites of interest. After the tour when we were looking for a place to watch F1 racing, he responded to our message and sent to the right place. Top level. I highly recommend Luca. Luca is great

Roy🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Luca)

30 April 2024

Luca is a great storyteller, he knows as much from food and his city Bologna. We loved the combination of history and food on our first day (with a real local guide). It makes us feel home. Thank you Luca for the amazing kickoff.(Food)Storyteller

Denise🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Luca)

14 March 2024

Luca is an exceptional guide who was able to pass on an insider’s knowledge of the city. We like Bologna before the tour - but we loved it afterwards! You will be able to find the best places to eat and visit with a personalised map with suggestions provided by Luca afterwards. Do yourself a favour and book a tour with locals. We highly recommend Luca.Wonderful insight into food and culture

gillian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Luca)

14 September 2023

We though Luca was a great guide and had a we really appreciated the information about the City and the food .Great experience!

Hallie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Riccardo)

25 July 2025

Riccardo knows so much about Bolognese art and history. We left our tour wanting to spend more time in Bologna. This tour gave us a great starting point to the city and gave us ideas of museums and areas to explore Incredibly knowledgeable

Darren & Nicola🇳🇿 New Zealand

(About local Riccardo)

13 July 2025

We had the pleasure of touring Bologna with Riccardo. He was absolutely superb, both in terms of his manner, what we saw and really explaining the detail and history behind what you are seeing, all capped of with a sensational restaurant recommendation to finish the tour with. We would happily book his services again. A superb tour with highly attentive guide

James🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Paolo)

10 July 2025

Our food tour with Paolo was fabulous. His passion for food and Bologna itself is clearly evident and infectious. The tour itself was well thought out and perfectly paced, providing an experience that is only possibly with the help of a guide. Thanks Paolo!Bologna Bites are Better

jay🇺🇸 United States

(About local Marco)

4 July 2025

Marco was great. Took my family to local places that were very fun. We were tired of standard Italy (pasta) and he took us on a fun food tour of other things. Amazing foodie tour

john

(About local Riccardo)

4 July 2025

I had 5 guests with me on a very hot day in Bologna, a city we had all visited many times. Riccardo read our group very well and provided us with a tour of great interest and variation, backed up with detailed knowledge on the history, architecture and food of Bologna. All delivered with a sense of humour, and we enjoyed his company during our time with himGreat Tour with Riccardo

Janis

(About local Marco)

25 June 2025

Marco went above and beyond when giving our tour. The weather wasn’t ideal and we were a small party of three but he followed through with the commitment and we had a fantastic time. I highly recommend this tour and ask for Marco if you get the chance!Above and beyond!

Daniel 🇺🇸 United States

(About local Marco)

19 June 2025

Marco provided us with local flavors, bites and sights. He knew the local vendors and was very informative. We especially enjoyed the parmesan cheese tasting, cannelli making, and balsamic vinegar tasting. Marco was a wealth of info and stories, and very at ease. But, I have to say Marco looked rather unkempt. He gave the appearance that he slept in the clothes he had on and just rolled out of bed. Overall, I would recommend the private tour.Local knowledge and flair

Unknown

(About local Marco)

14 June 2025

Delightful guide who listened to what we expected out of the day and adjusted accordingly. He was very knowledgeable and hospitable and we would definitely use him again. Cheese amd vinegar tour with Marco

Emily🇺🇸 United States

(About local Frederik)

14 June 2025

We spent a lovely two hours with Frederik. He knows so much about the history of Bologna and how the culture weaves into the cuisine. We tasted classic Bolognese bites and toured the Medieval markets while learning about hidden historic gems along the way. We would highly recommend spending time with Frederik to get your bearings in Bologna. He helped us plan our time in the city and gave great recommendations. Great mix of food & history

Steve & Sarah🇺🇸 United States

(About local Frederik)

13 June 2025

Frederik is a terrific guide! He is friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable about his home city. Pride of place came through clearly as he took us on a most wonderful wander through the center of Bologna. When Frederik found out that we were interested in music, art and architecture, he made sure to point out beautiful details about the people and places important to the cultural life of the city. We walked miles with him, seeing the medieval towers and the markets full of meats and cheeses; fruits and vegetables; pastas and trattorias. He highlighted for us the intersection and interplay of history and architecture. By the end of the tour, we knew that one visit to Bologna would not be enough and already want to come back. And, at the end of the tour, he found a table for us in one of his favorite trattorias and helped us order lunch and gave us some great tips of other neighborhoods through which to wander before heading back to our hotel to rest our weary feet.Companionable Guide to the Best of Bologna

TC🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Marco)

13 June 2025

We had a wonderful time with Marco discovering the delights of Emilia Romania. Marco was extremely knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. We were never rushed. I would certainly recommend Marko to others and would definitely ask Marko to guide us when next back in Bologna. A most enjoyable and rewarding experience. Exploring with Marco

Mark🇺🇸 United States

(About local Marco)

9 June 2025

We had a great time touring around Bologna, sampling many different types of local cuisine will discussing everything under the sun. Thanks Marco, you got our trip off to a great start! Great time with Marco!

kdkiehn

(About local Riccardo)

8 June 2025

Riccardo is a very enthusiastic and energetic guide who loves Bologna and was a favorite on our trip. He took us to little known spots, including one of the most impactful art pieces we saw on our 2.5 week travels through Italy. Wealth of Information

Greg🇺🇸 United States

(About local Riccardo)

4 June 2025

My wife and I had a fantastic experience with Riccardo. He met us at the train station and for the next 3 hours we discovered the history and beauty of Bologna. It truly is a 'sleeper' city in Italy. As a former history professor at the local university, Riccardo possesses an incredible level of historical knowledge and passion for the city of Bologna. His tour is one of the best we have ever done. Bologna Day Trip

Ernie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Frederik)

30 May 2025

Fredrik was prompt, friendly, and well informed. We were there on a Sunday which was challenging, but he exceeded expectations. The history, food, and traditions were well explained. We were a last minute booking and he was accompanied and gracious. We are now hooked on Parmesan and balsamic vinegar. Life changing. When asked for a dinner recommendation, he not only offered a suggestion, he made the reservation. It was a delightful, memorable dinner that made our time in Bologna. Highly recommend, Fredrik. Delicious, Informative and Friendly

Laura🇺🇸 United States

(About local Riccardo)

29 May 2025

Riccardo is a fantastic tour guide. He knows so much about medieval history and the mosaics at Ravenna. I have a PhD in history and I walked away with so much new knowledge! He also structured the tour perfectly, showing me the most impressive mosaics last so they are still in my mind. We had a lovely lunch with lively conversation. Wonderful person, great guide, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!Very friendly and knowledgeable

njlondon

(About local Paolo)

26 May 2025

Excellent mixture of food experiences with history and humour from Paolo in his beautiful city. We will never make the mistake of mixing spaghetti with meat again!! One of several food “monstrosities” Highly recommended Fantastic food tour with Paolo

Brenda🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jason)

23 May 2025

Jason was very knowledgeable and provided context for interesting sites and food stops. Loved learning about and sampling local dishes from family run local businesses and was very understanding and flexible when I got delayed in meeting up with him. It was very worthwhile to spend my only free time touring with Jason!Fun walking food tasting tour!

James

(About local Paolo)

18 May 2025

we had a disastrous time with our 2 bookings with this organisation and were mucked around so much we finished up cancelling one of the planned tours. But finally and after much correspondence we got Paolo and all the problems were forgotten. He was great and showed us a side of the Bolognaise food we had never seen before. His knowledge and clarity of explanation were both very good.Finally someone good

Alex🇺🇸 United States

(About local Paolo)

16 May 2025

Truly our favorite part of our Bologna trip. Paolo was incredible from his knowledge of history and cuisine to his friendliness with all those we met at each shop as well as his general, fun demeanor. We learned, we ate, we laughed. I couldn’t have asked for a better food tour or guide. Grazie, Paolo! You’ve got to book your tour with Paolo

Jann🇪🇸 Spain

(About local Paolo)

14 May 2025

We spent a lovely morning with Paolo. He was both knowledgeable and entertaining. He was also very patient with our questions and at the times we took a little longer than necessary - balsamic vinegar tasting for example, this was great fun! I think though rather than a food tour I would recommend a historical walking tour of Bologna as you can get the food everywhere, at your own pace. Charismatic and informative

Greg🇺🇸 United States

(About local Riccardo)

13 May 2025

This is my favorite Riccardo moment—entering a nondescript residential building and showing us a 16th century circular staircase designed in the mannerist style—then walking us to the top of the steps to take in a breathtaking view of the city. We were the only people there. Riccardo’s story to tell is that Bologna is one of the most well-preserved cities in Europe, and that one didn’t need to go to a museum to see these wonders—they were everywhere, on the streets, in the buildings where people live and work. Medieval houses with original wood frames? Medieval towers? Look around you. Want to see a painting by Fillipino Lippi, not on a museum wall, but hanging in the exact location where it was painted for? Here you go. He knows his history, art history, and had boundless energy. Bologna really came alive with his tour—a living city with a rich history. Highly recmmend. Bringing Bologna to Life

Alison🇺🇸 United States

(About local Riccardo)

11 May 2025

Riccardo was one of the most passionate and knowledgeable guides we've had. Having been a professor, his level of expertise was unmatched, and he was very diligent about taking good care of his customers. We had a lovely day learning about the beautiful art, architecture, and history of Bologna.Highly recommend!

Mikaela🇫🇮 Finland

(About local Riccardo)

7 May 2025

We had a fantastic 3,5 hour tour, with focus on art and history according to our wish. And saw many hidden gems/art treasures. I could not imagine a better guide. Wish the tour would have lasted 2 more hours. Bologna tour with Riccardo

Kerry🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Jason)

6 May 2025

We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 hrs with Jason. He packed a lot into the short time we had with him. Starting in the Piazza Maggiore, which is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, he gave us a fantastic overview of the history and culture of Bologna over the following 3 hrs. We visited the Basilica of St Petronius, the “unfinished church” and the collection of historic, and ancient churches that make up St Stephen’s, which were fascinating. Additionally we walked through the market/foodie area, which had all manner of specialist providers, bars and restaurants. Jason’s tour gave us a real taste of Bologna, which we could expand upon over the remainder of our stay. He also followed up the tour with a lovely message containing additional information, including restaurant recommendations in Bologna, which was appreciated . Jason’s enthusiasm for his city, and its history and culture was palpable, and we would highly recommend doing this tour with Jason. Fabulous introduction to Bologna

Claire

(About local Jason)

30 April 2025

Jason is passionate about Bologna and knows a lot about the city. It was a great introduction to Bologna, with facts about the culture, history, food. My 15 years old was also interested the whole time, but my 11 years old found it too long and not enough adapted to his age and interest.A great overview of Bologna!

Andreas

(About local Frederik)

27 April 2025

The Tour was valuable and informative. The food was varied and delicious. Interesting tour with great insights

Madalene 🇿🇦 South Africa

(About local Marco)

22 April 2025

We enjoyed the food tour with Marco, it was very interesting to learn about different foods in Bologna. Food was really good and more than enough, topped with the best gelato. Marco spend time with us and very willing to answer questions Excellent foodtour with Marco

Mary

(About local Paolo)

17 April 2025

Paolo knew all the best spots to hit. He introduced us to local cuisine we did not know existed. He was attentive to my limitations and we walked at my pace. There was never any pressure to buy. I loved the old indoor market and could have strolled there longer! I highly recommend him as a guide with excellent English.A great day in Bologna

JO ANN🇺🇸 United States

(About local Jason)

16 April 2025

Jason was great. very knowledgable on time kept in touch with us prior and gave a great recommendation list for after the tour Highly recommend Great experience

Jean

(About local Paolo)

12 April 2025

We had a great time with Paolo on a food tour with just the two of us. We learned alot and enjoyed all the samplings along the route. Thanks Paolo for being such a fabulous guide!Fun and friendly foodie tour

Marjon

(About local Luca)

7 April 2025

Luca told us a lot about the city and took us to nice places where we tasted typical bolognese dishes and delicious wine. I eat gluten-free and he has done his best to arrange alternatives for me while my family enjoyed the pasta and cake. Thanks Luca!Great experience

Jamie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Paolo)

5 April 2025

Paolo was wonderful to tour with, showcasing not only a vast knowledge of the city, but also history of the food and restaurants he showed us! Arrive hungry because these are not tiny tastings and you will end the day very happy and full! Special thanks to Paolo for working around my mobility issues and our dietary restraints. He was very accommodating and understanding! Grazie Mille, Paolo! Sono felice incontrarti!Knowledge to share and very flexible!

Shane🇺🇸 United States

(About local Riccardo)

17 March 2025

What a great tour we had with Riccardo! He is very passionate and knowledgeable about Bologna and on any historical topic we were interested in. He took us all over the city. If you are an art and history lover, Riccardo is your man! We highly recommend him! Do yourself a favor and book a tour with him. The tour was One of the highlights of our trip and a new understanding of this beautiful city of Bologna.Fantastic tour of Bologna with Riccardo!