10 Best Food Tours of Bologna

Italian cuisine is world famous. And Bologna has a name of its own. The delicacies on its table go far beyond that sauce or that mortadella with the city's name as its surname. There are flavours and aromas that you can only enjoy in Bologna, and what better way to get to know part of its essence than with a gastronomic tour.

What's more, renowned restaurants and small taverns await you in Bologna where you can sample the most authentic gastronomy. If you want to enjoy one of the best things to do in Bologna, take note of these gastronomic tours that I suggest.

Bologna is a wonderful monumental city. Its porticoes are a World Heritage Site, and it has no less than 40 kilometres of arcades! Among them, and also in the narrow streets of the historic centre, there are hidden places where you can taste some of the best typical products and dishes of the Bolognese gastronomy.

These guided tours usually include a very varied tasting: typical breakfast, aperitif in the Quadrilatero (one of the most lively areas of Bologna), lunch in a typical tavern and, for dessert, a traditional Italian ice cream.

There is also time to make stops in the shops and markets in the centre. There you can buy some of the delicacies of Bologna and the surrounding area: mortadella Bolognese, artisan pasta, local cheeses, Modena vinegar, Parma ham and much more.

A guided tour will not only leave you with a great taste in your mouth, but you'll also learn about the history of these dishes and products, as well as anecdotes and anecdotes. You'll even be able to take away a recipe to make when you return home. This is one of the best tours in Bologna.

In Bologna, having an aperitif in the evening is almost an institution. This tour is the perfect way to enjoy this small culinary pleasure.

An expert guide will help you discover why the Quadrilatero neighbourhood is one of the locals' favourite places to have a drink and also which tapas are the most popular.

I can tell you that if there is one star product when it comes to aperitifs, it is the tigelle or crescentine, small pastries filled with local sausages or cheeses. This is the snack eaten on the terraces or at the tables that the establishments in the centre of the city bring out onto the street. It is usually accompanied by a spritz, a cocktail made with white wine and sparkling water or tonic.

On this route you can also visit the Quadrilatero market, one of the most traditional in Bologna. Here, of course, you can find and taste some other flavours of Bologna, not only sausages, but also fruits, wines or balsamic vinegars from the area.

Can you imagine being the guest of honour in a Bolognese house? No, you don't need to know the host. There are gastronomic tours that offer you the chance to sit at the table as a guest and be part of an Italian meal that is as delicious as it is traditional.

If, as well as eating like a king, you like to be in the kitchen, this is an experience you can't miss out on. Italian cuisine is a true art: the measurements, the mixing of ingredients, the kneading of the pasta and the exact cooking point require enormous precision. If you feel like it, you can work as a chef and help prepare the food that will later be served at the table.

By helping to prepare the menu, you will not only have a good time. You' ll also learn the secrets of the typical dishes of Bolognese cuisine and take away the recipe, for example, for the famous sauce that accompanies pasta or tiramisu.

Bologna is not only synonymous with good food. It is also synonymous with good wines.

To give you a small idea of the importance of its wine cellars, suffice it to say that it was the Etruscans who introduced the cultivation of vines in these lands. This region produces wines with designation of origin, especially Lambrusco.

If you like oenology, a guided tour of one of the wineries in the area will be one of the most enriching experiences you will enjoy in Bologna. You'll have the chance to learn how the wines are made and, of course, take part in a wine tasting.

But as wine and food go hand in hand, you'll also learn a lot about food and wine pairing if the visit also includes a tasting of some typical products. The mixture of aromas and flavours, in some cases, is truly surprising. All this makes it one of the best things to do in Bologna at Christmas.

Bolognese gastronomy is savoured in a special way in the osterias. What are they? They are small taverns where simple dishes are served. In Bologna you will find many of them, especially in the old part of the city. Stopping off at some of them to savour those typical appetizers, have lunch or dinner, will make you feel like a local.

They are establishments where you not only eat well, but also at an affordable price. And all this despite the fact that some of these osterias are famous in the city. The most renowned is the Osteria dell'Orsa. Here you can try authentic Bolognese cuisine.

But with the explanations of a guide you will discover many others, such as Sfoglia Rina or the Osteria del Sole. This one is special for several reasons, including the fact that it was founded in 1465 and is therefore the oldest in Bologna, or because they only serve drinks, the food is your choice.

Osteria del Sole does not offer meals, but in those that do, what can you order? From tortellini to lasagne, cold meat platters to grilled meats. Not forgetting typical Bolognese homemade desserts such as pinza bolognese, which is a kind of gypsy's arm, or rice cake.

Think making a pasta dish is the easiest thing in the world? You're wrong. One of the best ways to realise this, and learn more about Bolognese cooking, is to take part in a hands-on class with a renowned chef. You'll learn how to stuff tortelloni with a parmesan cheese paste, braised pork and mortadella from Bologna. All seasoned with a touch of nutmeg.

You will also learn how to prepare tagliatelle al ragù, that is, accompanied by a sauce made with veal, vegetables, tomato, wine and spices. And, while you're at it, you'll discover a few little secrets for making pasta al dente or accompanying it in a thousand different ways.

If, as well as eating well, you like to explore the local markets to discover their typical products, you can take a tour of Bologna and learn about its history through its markets. The most famous is the one in the Quadrilatero district. It is the oldest in the city, as its origins date back to the Middle Ages.

Today it is a renovated market where you can find high quality products. And not only there, in the narrow streets that surround it there are countless specialised shops where the inhabitants of Bologna continue to do their daily shopping.

The other renowned market in Bologna is the Mercato di Mezzo. It was the first covered market in the city and is worth a stop not only because of its historical value or the variety of products on offer. The market also organises interesting activities such as talks and wine tastings.

The Mercato Delle Erbe is also home to a number of shops where you can buy fresh produce. But the Mercato Delle Erbe also has a good number of establishments where you can have an aperitif or even a bite to eat. And, like other markets, the restaurant area does not close until midnight.

Bologna has many treasures to see: the porticoes, the University, the Archiginnasio or the towers of Garisenda and Asinelli. And it also has countless establishments where you can taste the culinary delights of the region. If you don't have much time to visit the city, this experience is one of the most complete.

A guided bike tour allows you to discover all the city's monumental gems in just two hours and stop off for a typical snack. At the same time, you can get your strength back to continue enjoying the monuments and the best museums in Bologna.

It's also a good plan to do with children because they won't get so tired during the tour of the city. But don't forget to wear suitable clothing and footwear. It is also one of the best things to do in Bologna in spring and autumn, as the pleasant temperatures invite you to stroll around the city in bicycles.

Bologna is one of the towns that form part of this region in northern Italy. A region that stands out for some of its typical products. This is a tour that allows you to find out where they are produced, how they are made and also how they are used in the traditional cuisine of Emilia Romagna.

What does the guided tour include? On the one hand, a visit to a factory producing the famous Parmesan cheese, including a tasting. On the other hand, a visit to a factory producing balsamic vinegar from Modena. And the tour is rounded off with a stop at one of the wineries that produce the region's delicious wines.

This tasty route can have some variants, for example, to visit a Parma ham factory, another of the region's best-known products. In any case, it is important to bear in mind that these routes take several hours. A good option if you have time and feel like enjoying one of the best day trips from Bologna.

What better way to end any tour of Bologna than with a typical dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, don't hesitate to take a sweet tour of the city. I recommend starting at Majani. This chocolate shop is an institution in the city. You won't be able to resist its chocolate tortellini, its chocolates, its pralines...

Trying an ice cream is one of the best things to do in Bologna in summer, but also at any other time of the year. The reason? Because this city is home to some of the most renowned artisan ice cream parlours in Italy. And you know that in this country ice cream is one of the stars of its gastronomy.

But Bologna's ice cream tradition is special. Here you can taste creamy ice cream of every imaginable taste. A real temptation and a delight for the palate. And they are so important that they even have their own museum, the Gelato Museum Carpigiani. Here you can learn about the history of this sweet, see original machines and even learn how to make gelato.

And not just ice cream. If you're into confectionery, there are also gastronomic tours that include cooking classes to learn how to make another Italian classic: tiramisu.

When going on a gastronomic tour of Bologna, it is important to keep in mind some important questions about food and customs in the city. They will help you enjoy every bite:

• Bolognese gastronomy is nicknamed "la grassa". It's no coincidence: it's as delicious as it is calorific. If you don't want to put on too much weight, it's best to eat in moderation.
• Although the most typical dish is tagliatelle al ragù, don't resist trying other popular dishes such as tortellini in broth or cotoletta, which is a breaded veal cutlet fried and garnished with ham and Parmesan cheese.
• In Bologna, lunch is eaten around one o'clock and dinner around eight o'clock. However, you will find places where the kitchens have much longer opening hours, perfect if you plan to enjoy Bologna at night.
• Bologna's ice creams are special for their creaminess and delicate flavours. You will immediately notice that they are not as cold as others you have tasted. That's the secret to get that special texture.
• Don't be reluctant to have an aperitif. As I mentioned, in Bologna it is more than a tradition. It takes place around seven in the evening. You only pay for the drink and you can choose from a wide range of more or less elaborate tapas. With a couple of drinks you can have dinner without much trouble. Typical places are the Café Zamboni. Tamburini.
• In Bologna you can eat very well and at very affordable prices, even in the centre. Bologna is a university city, so there are plenty of osterias and trattorias with good-priced dishes.
• If you're looking for something quick, many establishments also offer take-away food. In the Mercato di Mezzo, for example, there are a number of places to pick up some tasty treats.
• To accompany your meal with a typical drink, order a spritz, but if you don't like bitter flavours, opt for a local wine or craft beer.

One last tip: if you want to get the most complete overview of Bologna's gastronomy, FICO is the perfect place to do it. It is a theme park dedicated exclusively to Italian food. Here you can find out how Bolognese sauce, dried pasta and local craft beer are made, among many other interesting things.