Bologna Food Tour By Taste Bologna: Intimate Group (Max 10)

The food and wine was a good representation of Bologna. We enjoyed the format, the food and the locations we visited. We left full and our taste buds were satisfied. What didn't work well the guide. After the first hour and a half he became distracted by his phone. He dedicated more time to his problems than interacting with the group. The last stops were rushed with not much information disseminated or time to answer questions. He left the group at the end with, " I have to go, can you find your way back to the start" and left. The trip ended at least 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Although the food was good, the experience left a "bad taste in my mouth".

We had a great tour. Darren was absolutely the best, knowledgeable, answered a lot of questions, but took us to a profession of food and stops. Plenty to both eat and drink. Got helpful recommendations, too.

It was very informative and Roberta made us all feel welcome. We tried things and went to bars etc that we probably wouldn’t have found on our own. The other clients were friendly .

Mattia was a great host. Loved the history of the city and food. As well as have it is prepared. Great food and wine highlighted by the spinach noodle lasagna. Excellent gelato to finish the tour.

Our tour guide Matthew grew up in Bologna, very knowledgeable with the history of Bologna. Explained the city’s heritage highlighting Bologna’s notable food history, past and present, with his extensive knowledge and passion. Highly recommend this tour to know where and how to experience the authentic Italian food in Bologna..

Our guide Darren was extraordinary. His knowledge of the local foods and how they are prepared was impressive. He provided a very good service.

Awesome guide and excellent food with lovely new friends!! Would definitely do again! I love the small group!!

Darren was an excellent and knowledgeable guide. He shared his passion for good food and wine and introduced us to many wonderful foods in Bologna.

Very knowledgeable guide. The food was great. Maybe a little time to buy some of the things sampled would have been nice

Darren was an amazing host and provided us with great information about the history of the food in Bologna. During the tour, we enjoyed coffee and the most delicious biscuit filled with apple, pear, and fig followed by a sampling of amazing meats and cheeses paired with a crisp white wine. If that was not enough, we headed to another location to taste the king of all lasagna's, the lasagna bolognese paired with a Sangiovese. To top it all off, we enjoyed the sweet treat of some gelato to end our tour.

The tour was excellent! The food was amazing and our tour guide, Darren, is a chef and very knowledgeable. He was able to answer all our questions and was very personable. We started with coffee, then meat and cheese with a wine pairing, pasta with a wine pairing and ended with gelato. Deliziosa!!

We booked the Sunset Food Tour as an anniversary treat and unfortunately came away disappointed. Our guide was knowledgeable and pleasant, and we enjoyed learning about Bologna, but the food and drink experience felt surprisingly limited for the price and didn’t really match the expectations created by the tour description. The description refers to “organic local wines like Pignoletto, Sangiovese or Lambrusco” and an evening of sharing stories and raising a glass, so we expected to taste more than one wine. In reality, we received just one very small glass of wine during the entire tour. Likewise, the advertised “craft beer” accompanying the pizza was a bottle of Moretti, which is a widely available mass-produced lager rather than what we would consider a craft beer. The portions generally felt rather stingy for a food tour at this price point. We certainly weren’t expecting a huge meal or unlimited alcohol, but we did expect a more generous tasting experience, particularly of Bologna’s local wines. There were some smaller details that also made a difference. It was a very hot summer evening and water wasn’t routinely provided; we had to ask for it. On a walking food tour in those temperatures, I think water should simply be available at every stop. One person in our group wasn’t drinking alcohol and, rather than being offered a soft drink or another equivalent alternative, they essentially just received water. Given that drinks form part of the tour price, that doesn’t feel particularly good value for non-drinkers. We also never received the advertised “exclusive foodie map” of 20+ recommended local places, which we had actually been looking forward to using during the rest of our stay. Finally, while our guide clearly knew Bologna and was perfectly pleasant, the tour felt a little low-energy and at times rather like he was ready to finish for the evening. For something marketed as experiencing the lively atmosphere of Bologna after dark, we had expected a little more enthusiasm and sense of occasion. There were enjoyable elements and the food we did taste was good, but overall the experience felt under-generous and didn’t deliver several aspects of what was advertised. At this price, we expected something considerably more special.

Excellent pasta making experience - followed by eating the pasta we made! Great fun.

Thoroughly enjoyable tour. Darren, the guide, is an incredibly knowledgeable chef and Bologna resident who provides a perfect blend of Bologna history, food insights and personal experiences. Lots of interesting shops and food makers visited and some great food tasted. 100% recommended

We've taken food tours all over the world, and this one ranks among the very best. If you're visiting Bologna, don't hesitate—book it. And if you're lucky enough to get Darren as your guide, you've hit the jackpot. Darren is an Australian who now calls Italy home, but what truly sets him apart is that he's a professionally trained chef with more than 20 years of culinary experience. This wasn't simply a walking food tour—it felt like spending a few hours exploring Bologna with a chef who knows the city inside and out. He explained why Bologna's cuisine is so revered, how traditional dishes are made, what distinguishes authentic ingredients from lesser versions, and the history behind the foods that define the region. His knowledge, storytelling, and enthusiasm elevated every stop along the way. Exploring Mercato delle Erbe gave us a wonderful glimpse into everyday life in Bologna. One of my favorite moments was peering into a traditional pastificio, where the sfogline—the legendary women of Bologna who have mastered the art of hand-made pasta—worked with incredible speed and precision. It felt like watching living history. Watching generations-old techniques being used to create perfect tortellini and tagliatelle by hand was mesmerizing and gave us an even greater appreciation for Bologna's culinary heritage. Darren then wove us through the bustling Quadrilatero, Bologna's historic market district, navigating its maze of narrow streets lined with artisan food shops and family-run businesses. We stopped at the legendary Salumeria Simoni, where he hand-selected an incredible assortment of regional cured meats for our tasting. The display cases alone were enough to make any food lover's jaw drop—an absolute feast for the eyes, with rows upon rows of beautiful mortadella, prosciutto, salame, coppa, and other local specialties. Watching Darren thoughtfully choose each item while explaining what made it special made us appreciate that this wasn't just lunch—it was a carefully curated culinary experience. We also stopped at a charming family-run trattoria, where we enjoyed a glass of local wine and a generous slice of traditional lasagne verdi alla Bolognese. Darren explained that authentic Bolognese lasagna is made with delicate green pasta, colored naturally with spinach, layered with rich ragù, silky béchamel, and Parmigiano Reggiano. It was a perfect example of how the city's most famous dishes are rooted in simple ingredients, time-honored techniques, and generations of family tradition. Our favorite stop was without question Osteria del Sole, one of Bologna's legendary wine bars. Darren transformed what could have been a simple charcuterie tasting into a fascinating masterclass on Italy's incredible world of salumi and affettati. As he unpacked an abundant spread of locally sourced specialties—including the exceptional meats he'd selected at Simoni, fresh rustic bread, handmade crackers, regional cheeses, sweet fig spread, and the iconic Bolognese friggione (a slow-cooked onion and pepper relish that's a beloved local specialty)—he explained what made each item unique, how it was traditionally produced, and the best ways to enjoy it. Every bite came with a story, and Darren's depth of culinary knowledge made us feel less like tourists and more like guests at a private tasting hosted by a chef. We walked away with a much deeper appreciation for Bologna's food culture—and a shopping list of local delicacies we couldn't wait to seek out before leaving the city. We finished the tour at Maritozzi e Gelato, a charming artisan gelateria known for its exceptional small-batch gelato made with carefully sourced ingredients. Darren insisted we try the pistachio, promising we'd remember it forever—and he wasn't exaggerating. It was one of the creamiest, most intensely flavored pistachio gelatos we've ever tasted, with the unmistakable flavor of real pistachios rather than artificial flavoring. It was the perfect finale to an afternoon celebrating Bologna's extraordinary food culture. What we appreciated most was how authentic every stop felt. These weren't places catering to tourists—they were neighborhood favorites and hidden gems that we almost certainly would have missed on our own. Darren's generosity didn't end when the tour was over. He happily recommended restaurants and wine bars based on our interests, and when one place proved difficult to reach, he even helped us secure a dinner reservation for that very evening. That level of hospitality was completely unexpected and speaks volumes about how much he genuinely cares that his guests have an outstanding experience in Bologna. One piece of advice: book this tour on your first day in Bologna. Not only is it a fantastic introduction to the city's food culture, but you'll leave with a list of outstanding restaurants, wine bars, and specialty food shops to enjoy throughout the rest of your stay. If you love authentic food, passionate local experts, and experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist itinerary, this tour is worth every euro. Darren made an already excellent tour truly unforgettable. Highly recommended.

We had a lovely time with Federica doing this food tour round Bologna. She explained the foods of the region in detail including how they are quality controlled and we enjoyed eating a range of local foods including mortadella, prosciutto, coppa, cheese, figs, pizza and gelato. She was incredibly knowledgeable and showed us places we would never have found by ourselves. We also appreciate the additional info she sent us after the tour re places to eat and drink during our stay. Thank you!

The four hours go by fast and you will meet very nice people. We took a selfie! The toddler in the group said we were family.

Our guide Mattea is Bologna born and bred, a foodie archaeologist who did a fantastic job describing the coffee and food and giving us an amazing experience. Everything was flawlessly planned and executed. Included several recipes and recommendations! Definitely worth doing!

Amazing food tour. One of the highlights of our trip. Darren was a phenomenal guide. Very knowledgeable about the city and the restaurants we visited. He even helped us secure a reservations for dinner ! The food tour itself was awesome. Stopped ar multiple locations in Bologna. He shared information about the apart, the owners, and the history around it. Without a doubt, a must-do in Bologna!

We had a great time. Our tour guide, Mathew, was very good! He took us to truly authentic food and wine establishments. His knowledge and love of Bologna is what struck me the most! We enjoyed every minute of this tour!

This is our very first food walking tour ever, and we are so glad to have experienced it with this company. Even more so with Darren as our guide. He is very knowledgeable and friendly. The group was small enough that we were able to have friendly conversations. Highly recommend this company.

Wow! Highly recommend this tour. A great introduction to Bologna’s food scene and city. Our tour guide Mattia was so knowledgeable about all aspects of Bologna. All questions were answered with confidence and we thoroughly enjoyed every part of it. Thank you!

Great food tour. The food and drink was fantastic, and we learned a lot about Bologna. Matteo was a fantastic host!

Experience was fun all around I loved that we ate a local place that let us bring in our own food. Guide was very knowledgable

The Taste Bologna tour was a great addition to my families trip. Amazing food and Federica was an excellent guide!

We had a very enjoyable and informative evening with Mattia from Taste Bologna on the Bologna at Sunset Food Tour . We went to individual shops to purchase various local food products. Mattia gave us background information as we went along. Then Mattia brought us to a genuine osteria and ordered some local wines to go with the foods we had brought in with us. Mattia explained the processes and specific locations of the various foods of the region and the history and certification etc. We then went to a pizzeria where we sampled small portions of various types of pizza which were quite different from each other. Then it was time for gelato so we went to a gelateria where Mattia explained that the ice cream is made on the premises and the difference this makes.

Darren was a wonderful host and tour guide who showed us many wonderful places around Bologna. He was extremely knowledgable, took us to many great places to try different foods and we really enjoyed our time with him. We would definitely take another tour with him or participate in one of his pasta making classes.

We recommend this tour with Matthew as it hits all the boxes - we learned the enriched history of Bologna along with a nice fellowship of great local food and drinks.

Knowledgeable and pleasant guide (Darren), great tastes and tips for shopping. Food and wine served could have been better (when compared to restaurants we frequented not related to the tour).

Loved this walking and eating and drinking tour. Great options of drinks, savory and deserts. Plus it was great learning about the process of how these foods are prepared and made. And, having a great tour guide made all the difference! I would highly recommend.

This tour provided a perfect introduction to the special cuisine of Bologna. We learned a lot and had fun along the way. And the food / wine we tasted was delicious. Our guide Darren was fabulous; he was friendly and knowledgeable and very interesting. I would definitely take another tour with him in the future.

Each stop was over the top on this run, engaging and fulfilling/filling 😀 food tour! Small group that was really fun (I’m not usually a “group tour” kind of guy), led by an interesting, authentic guide. Darren our guide was amazing! I’ll do this tour again when back in Bologna - and highly recommend this activity!

I learned a lot about the food of Bologna and about Bologna. Our guide Darren was terrific and created a special experience

Informative, fun and social in a small group setting, perfect for solo travellers as well as families

A great tour that I would highly recommend. Our guide, Federica, was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about Bologna’s food and culture. It was a great way to experience the city.

The Taste Bologna tour was excellent. Great pace, amazing range of food and Federica was an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and friendly.

I would give Mattia six stars if I could. He was knowledgeable, informative, and engaging throughout the 4 hour tour. One of the best food tours I have done

We loved our food tour of Bologna with Fede. She did a great job mixing history and food education to keep everyone engaged, and she’s a lovely human! I especially appreciated how kind she (and the rest of our group!) were to my 5 year old son. Of course we loved all the food! Especially the gelato and lasagna. Fede even followed up with some travel tips especially for us after our tour. Thank you, Fede and Taste Bologna! This is a must-do Bologna experience!

An excellent introduction to Bologna. Darren is an experienced chef who shared his knowledge of local cuisine. Including historical details which add context. Darren even took me back to the parmigiano reggiano shop to help me pick selections to take home. I recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bologna.

My mom and I had a wonderful tour with Darren. The small group was fantastic and it gave the feeling of a group of friends exploring a new city. Darren was wonderful and provided excellent recommendations for other places to try in the city and was very knowledgeable. The food was fantastic and everything was well worth the tour price. It was about four hours and a perfect way to get to know the city!

Great walking food tour. Darren was fantastic with his knowledge, not only of the food, but of some of the local history too. Great food, great tour, enjoyable and very informative.

This tour was a great way to see some of the main sights of the city but with the food quite rightly taking centre stage. We met Chef Darren in Piazza Maggiore and, after a brief intro, headed off for coffee & cake at a very popular pasticceria - Forno Brisa, fortunately a light start given what was to follow… We then headed to Le Sfogline to understand all things tortellini. We were able to see the fresh pasta being prepared and, all by hand, turned into tortellini even attempting to shape one ourselves - safe to say none of the amazing staff’s jobs are at risk! 😄 From there, we were taken through the mercato della erbe (herb market) to understand some of the different food classification that exists for the produce of the region. This led us to the main food stop of the tour, the historic Tamburini deli & restaurant where we sampled different meats & cheeses along with a local wine. Darren produced a small bottle of balsamic vinegar to try with the Parmigiano Reggiano - only a few drops were needed for a memorable taste. If we thought that was lunch over, we then were able to try tortellini and left with nearly full tummies for our last taste, some fabulous gelato. It was a good, but welcome, walk via Piazza Santo Stefano to Cremeria Santo Stefano but so worth it with the array of natural hand made gelato on offer. Darren provided interesting and useful information throughout and we parted with a Ciao, slightly stuffed and glad that dinner was still a few hours away!

This was a fantastic tour. Darren was our tourguide, and the big bonus was that he is also a chef who’s worked in the US and Italy so there was so much knowledge he shared with us not only about Bologna but also food and cooking in general. It was so fun!!

This was my second time doing the Taste Bologna food tour. My dad and loved this tour so much and our tour guide Federica was amazing! She was so knowledgeable and gave us amazing recommendations.

This was a wonderful experience. We got to walk through Bologna and learn about not only the city, but different foods. And we had lovely stops along the way with wonderful coffee, lunch, and gelato! We had a great time.

Federica was wonderful! She taught us so much about different food and drinks. We started off with a lovely coffee, then an to an incredible lunch, and finished with delicious gelato. Along the way we stopped at different types of places to see and learn about different foods. We even had the chance to make tortellini. This was a great experience!

Darren was terrific. Extremely knowledgeable and user friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was well worth it.

We had a great time on our Classic Bologna Food Tour. We especially enjoyed our guide Darren’s story of how he ended up as a food tour guide and chef in Bologna from our shared hometown in North Carolina. Our stop for coffee was great. He explained the variety of options very well, and even though I’ve pretty much quit drinking coffee in the U.S, I would drink whatever I had there everyday if I could. The gelato stop was delicious and our stop for lunch was fantastic I’m glad we went!

Federica led a great tour with lots of local insights and special shops and restaurants where we made a stop. Bologna is for foodies and she is the sherpa! Our nine year old had a good time, too.