Parma Food Tour: Artisan Kitchens & Full Lunch (Max 8 Guests)

Excellent tour and food experience. Our guide Elena was very friendly, helpful and informative. We enjoyed a selection of pastry, pasta, cheese and ham dishes, including the chance to go behind the scenes and talk with the teams as they were preparing the foods. We also got to see and learn about some interesting sights of the city. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable experience and would thoroughly recommend. Thanks to Elena.

We had a wonderful experience on this tour! We got to try so many wonderful foods and hear all about the history of the area. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and did a great job!

If you're looking for great food combined with the very interesting history of both the food and Parma, this tour is for you. Our guide obviously enjoys showing off her city and her lively personality made the city come to life. We went to the best places to get the foods that are known as Parma specialties. The portions were very generous and I, along with my fellow tour participants were pleasantly full. We all agreed that it was a great experience and a good value..

An amazing experience full of delicious food. We were treated to meeting several artisan food producers including behind the scenes visits to kitchen to see baking and pasta making and then delicious tastings. We were treated also to a variety of hams and different aged parmegiano cheese with Lambrusco. All in all a truly delightful and tasty experience with our wonderful host and guide Barbara who answered all our questions and was able to give us so much information not just of the local foods but also the history of Parma. Thank you so much for a lovely day and would highly recommend this tour.

Fabulous tour with Lisa, who shared her love of Parma and its history as well as its wonderful food. We were able to visit the kitchens of a pastry shop which originated in the 1850s as well as a pasta maker and were provided samples by both in addition to seeing these wonderful products being made. Our last stop was a wonderful lunch in the cellar of a local shop which sells cheese and prosciutto. We tasted five kinds of ham, learned about the different types of ham and also tasted Parmesan reggiano aged from 12 to 70 months. This tasting was accompanied by sparkling wine. We have been on a lot of food tours and this one really stands out for the personal experiences with these artisans as well as the clear love and pride Lisa has for Parma.

Lisa was an entertaining and knowledgeable guide. She gave us interesting information about Parma history and current life and led us through a delicious tasting experience. We particularly enjoyed stepping into two kitchens to see food prepared.

Excellent program. Cannot hope for a better guide. We lucky that the 5 of us were the only pattrndees and effectively had a private tour.

Lisa did our food tour in Parma. She was wonderful, very friendly and super knowledgeable. She gave us a real behind the scenes tour. I highly recommend this tour and especially Lisa.

What a wonderful tour! Lisa was terrific—full of enthusiasm and clearly passionate about what she does. It really shows. The food was excellent, and the chefs we met along the way were absolutely amazing.

Wonderful tour with a great guide. We really enjoyed it, 2 adults and 2 children (children ages 5 & 7).

1. Our guide, Lisa, was knowledgeable, prompt and energetic. 2. Diverse introduction to the foods of the city. Cheese, pastry, pasta and ham of various ages. 3. Learned so much! Absolutely recommend to anyone visiting!

What is not to like, as it turned out we had a private tour, the other group (4) cancelled last minute. From the beginning Lisa told us a lot about the history of Parma and offcourse of the food culture in Parma. The tastings were excellent and also the behind the scenes moments were great. All the stops were really reflecting Parma as a food capital. I give our guide Lisa a 10!

Our guide LIza was both knowledgeable and personable. The choices of establishments were amazing, blending the rich history of Parma and its cuisine. We were also able to visit the kitchens and get a first hand look at where the magic is done! This was a fabulous tour and we highly recommend it!

We went on 3 different food tours in the Emilia-Romagnole region and this tour with Lisa in Parma was by far the best. She deftly intertwined food tasting with history, and the behind the scenes visits to experience food preparation was fascinating. All of her chosen stops were a delight. Her tour was one of the reasons why Parma was one of our favorite towns in our two week tour.

We have done quite a few food tours in Europe over the years but this one was by far the best! Lisa is an excellent guide and the food we experienced in Parma was delicious. So interesting to see 'behind the scenes' which reinforced how passionate the Italians are about the quality of their food.

Absolutely amazing food tour, with a fantastic guide! She was so knowledgable and had historical tidbits about every corner we turned on our way. The food almost became secondary, but fear not, that too was fantastic!

Lisa was a fantastic guide with loads of local and historical knowledge. Food was amazing! Seeing inside the kitchens was a real experience.

We visited Parma for the first time last week and, as we usually do, we had a food tour as we like to experience all that the city has to offer in the way of food. This tour was outstanding! The places that we visited,breakfast, pastas, cured meats and of course, parmigiana were superb. What made this tour so so special was our guide, Lisa. Lisa is Parma born and raised but has traveled all over the world as well. Her love and knowledge of Parma food, culture and history is amazing. We learned so much about all of the foods on the tour,but just as much about Parma the city. On this tour Lisa took us to wonderful restaurants and we actually went into the kitchen of one of the places and observed them making Easter pastries and candy.By the way, the pastries were divine. Thank you Lisa for sharing your city with us. We had a wonderful time with you and can't wait to return to this beautiful city.

We had a fantastic tour with Barbara. The food stops were well chosen and absolutely delicious! We really felt like we were visiting the local gems of Parma. She was great with our very excitable kids, answering their 1000 questions! Pasta making with Enrico was a real highlight! We loved the tour and would definitely recommend it.

Outstanding tour. Our guide was amazing and the food was too. Loved the city of Parma. The guide was local and knew so much about the area and the food.

Be prepared to sample amazing foods and learn about the local culinary history and culture. Going behind the scenes at the shops was the best part. The multigenerational culinary artisans were so warm and friendly. My mom has heritage in this area and learning up close about preparation of local dishes and meeting those who dedicate their lives to mastering them even made her tear up a bit. Our guide was wonderful and has deep knowledge of the foods of the region.

Parma is a gem! Let me start out by saying that if you are considering visiting Parma then you must. The history and food is better than none. Per instructions, the meetup point was easy to find. What was supposed to be a small group tour turned into a private tour for us (2 people) as a result of low season. Lisa, our tour guide, was amazing! She was born in Parma but has traveled the world. Her English is excellent. She is personable, intelligent, curious and kind. She gave us an intimate history of the city and the people. She explained the different food and drinks from Parma, as well as from other regions. She detailed how certain foods should, and shouldn't, be eaten. The locations she brought us to were fantastic--interesting, insightful and sometimes, off the beaten track. The food was incredible--not only the "cheese and ham" but the breads, desserts, entrees and drinks. This is a must-do! Definite recommendation from us.

We just had the best food tour we've ever taken in Parma, and we can't recommend it enough! Our guide, Lisa, was incredible, her passion for food and life in Parma shined through every moment of the tour. What made this tour truly special was how Lisa tied the city's rich history into its food culture. Every bite had a story, from the centuries-old traditions of Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto to the bustling pasticceria where we indulged in incredible pastries and got to meet the owner/baker in his busy kitchen. We left completely full (and happy!) but realized there was still so much more to see, do, and, of course, eat. So, we decided to extend our stay in Parma! If you love food, history, and authentic experiences, this is a must-do!

I spent a few days with my friend in Bologna - Both of us loves to eat good Stuff especially in Italy - We booked a Food Tour with Darren an Eugenio - they showed us Secret places 5 Stars …. The Food the Talk the Route was historical and Taste the best …. The guiedes were friendly funny and verry sympaticly - no question was to difficult or Strange for them - the two Boys are perfect guides and also good in teaching new things - i would like to go with them second and third time - Book this tour and you will remember them and it the hole life - Trust me!

Great guide, interesting tour, fantastic tastings and great to see the back of house too. Lovely welcome everywhere. Would highly recommend

Samantha Fantini was a fantastic tour guide. She was passionate about Parma and really made our tour great!

My husband and I were staying in Bologna but thought it would be worthwhile to take a food tour of another, local village so we selected Parma. The short train ride from Bologna to Parma only added to the sense of adventure and fun. Upon arrival at the designated meeting place w began an epic foodie affair. We have done lots of food tours all over the world. This was a slower, more immersive tour than we had experienced before. Our guide, Lisa, took us into kitchens where we got to make tortellini and pastry shops and restaurants each with a unique specialty, hence story to tell. We didn't think about this when making our reservation, but Parma is a really fantastic place for a food tour because their history and iconic foods are so intertwined. Parma is also incredibly charming and very walkable. We reluctantly boarded the train back to Bologna, sad to say "arrivederci" to Parma but telling ourselves that we will someday return. Thank you, Lisa, and Taste Bologna for a fantastic experience.

It was an incredible tour! Samantha was amazing, we got to experience great foods and desserts and see the process of certain types of pasta and pastries. 100% recommended!

Samantha was amazing! And helps us with our parking also…….she was very knowledgeable and we loved each and every place she took us!

Our outstanding guide, Samantha, took us to various and delicious food venues. She shared history and customs of Parma along the way. The tour exceeded our expectations.

Amazing, delicious experience. Samantha our guide was very pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful. We were treated to food locations we would never have known on our own. Small group of 5 meant we had a more personalized experience. I would definitely recommend this tour.

The absolute best way to see Parma and learn about the city and local specialties. Barbara took us around the beautiful narrow streets of Parma and into the kitchens of several family-owned shops. The chefs were fabulous, sharing their spaces and specialties with us. Barbara answered all of our questions and explained everything beautifully. We would never have learned all we did without this tour. Highly recommend.

Lisa was an outstanding guide. The places she took us were superb. The only thing that we were disappointed with, was not seeing the actual production which the pictures that accompanied the tour description implied. Getting the back room tours were fantastic. Loved learning about Anolini. The tour wasn’t just about the cheese, it covered all sorts of different food from savory to sweet.

Learning about Parma ham, Parmaigiano reggiano (learning the different ages and tastes of the cheese), Agnolotti e Brodo, and gelato. Learning history of the Parma area was also very nice.

Lisa, our guide for this tour, was very energetic and passionate about food. Not only could we sample a variety of dishes, but we also had the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes, into the kitchens of two of the establishments we visited.

It was a great tour by Lucia--really excellent food with the context of how the various things (anolini, prosciutto, parmigiano reggiano, etc.) were made. Would highly recommend!

The food wine and guide Lisa. She was so helpful and kind. We went to different pastry stores inside the kitchen.

This was a fantastic tour! A knowledgeable, local and passionate guide (Lisa!) with delicious food. I learned SO many things i didn’t know. Highly recommended! I was staying in Bologna and just caught the train (very easy to do). If I had my time again I would suggest staying a night in Parma. It’s beautiful, the people are friendly and the blend of architecture is fascinating. 10/10.

This was the best tour I have ever been on! Lesa was a knowledgeable and gracious and enthusiastic guide and made me love Parma almost as much as she does! Being a native Parmigiania, she weaves the story of history and food to give a magical story of the region. Clearly she is beloved in the city as the shopkeepers hold her in high regard. DO NOT MISS THIS TOUR!

Barbara was a wonderful guide. She told interesting details and clearly knows this city as she was greeted warmly by passersby as well as shop owners. Loved meeting the owner of the pasta shop. So much more than just a tasting.

Nothing but glowing reviews for our full day tour of the Parma food area with Lisa. If you love a fantastic, friendly and knowledgeable guide who has amazing English skills then this tour is for you. From real experiences on Parmesan Reggiano, Parma Prosciutto and Balasmic, along with a fab local style lunch in a hillside Osteria to remember, everything was great. Thanks to Andrea and Lisa for giving us a day to remember.

More than just a food! The tour took us into the kitchens to see where the magic happens and learn about this history before we feasted on various delicious local delights. Lisa was full of passion and energy as she enthralled us with fascinating information about the food and the city. 100% not to be missed.

Another enthusiastic vote for our charming and knowledgeable guide Lisa and this 3-½ hr food tour. With only 3 of us it was intimate and fun…each tasting and especially the kitchen visits were wonderful, the highlight being the spinach and ricotta pasta made by a master’s hand. Highly recommend. We took the train in from Modena (35 m) for this and def worth it.

On June 1st we spent a wonderful day in Parma thanks to our guide Lisa of Taste Bologna's Parma Food Tour. As a born and raised local, Lisa was able to provide great insights into Parma's food culture and history. Having only 4 in our group, all of our food stops were very intimate and special. We met the 5th generation pastry chef at Antica Pasticceria Pagani 1856 and his 85 year old grandfather - who is still making deliveries on his scooter! Their "dolce" were fantastic. We laughed with Enrico at Panetteria Rosetta as he made his amazing pasta for us to eat. Then we compared many different ages of Parmigiano Reggiano and types of hams, as well as local wines, at Silvano Romani's. Lots of terrific food and great conversations! Parma is a beautiful, historic and very walkable place, with an extraordinary food culture. With Lisa sharing the history of the city and its food, and her personal stories about all our food stops, she made visiting Parma a very special day trip for us. We highly recommend this tour!

The tour was very interesting and informative explaining the origins of the foods and Lisa is the best!

My wife and I have been traveling all our lives, and we rarely leverage tours. I’m so glad we made an exception. I was drawn in by Andrea’s excellent and quality content blog. Excellent observations about Bologna, other towns in Emilia-Romagna, and other places as well (we found a post on Venice that was super helpful). As we hoped, the tour matched up with the approach and tone of the blog, and it was fantastic to get in-depth, “behind the scenes” info. Lisa, the tour guide in Parma, was excellent, friendly, had an excellent command of English, French, and Portuguese, and was extremely knowledgeable about the food and the are. HIGHLY recommended.

Barbara was amazing! She made sure we could hear her and answered all the questions! Our stops were with very generous hostesses and traditions passed down from as many as 5 generations!!! Highly recommend and be sure to save room for the gelato!

This tour offered the opportunity to go into the kitchens of the establishments at which we visited and tasted food. It was interesting to observe the preparation process and then taste the food. There was a good variety of food and an explanation of the preparation of each.

What a wonderful way to see (and eat) in Parma! Lisa, our guide, was passionate about her community and its food culture. She had a marvellous way of sharing a ton of information about Parma and its history amongst all the great food facts. We felt like we learned about a lot more than prosciutto and Parmesan! But speaking of which, the food was outstanding. Each stop just kept getting better than the last, culminating in a cured meat feast. Even better than the chance to sample the goods, was the opportunity to learn from the food artisans themselves. We got a chance to step behind the scenes, and their enthusiasm for their craft was contagious! Truly a must see for anyone who wants a taste of Parma! Thanks Lisa for your warm and hospitality!