Bologna: La Grassa (the fat) and proud
Highlights
Wander Bologna — Italy’s gastronomic capital, La Grassa (the fat) and proud — exclusively with your group and a private guide who knows every salumiere and pasta maker by name.
Taste 24- and 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano paired with 15- and 24-year aged balsamic vinegar — generations of Emilian craft in two bites.
Roll, fill, and fold your own tortellino under the hands of a Bolognese pasta maker — a rite of passage in this city.
Stroll the Quadrilatero, Bologna’s medieval food market, and the Mercato di Mezzo — the city’s culinary heart for centuries.
Bite into crispy tigella with prosciutto, a proper mortadella sandwich, and the city’s traditional torta di riso.
Sit down for tagliatelle al ragù — the real Bolognese, not the export version — at a family-run trattoria.
Pass the Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore, and Santo Stefano Basilica, and end with a chocolate tortellino from one of Italy’s oldest chocolate factories.
Built for families, couples and celebrations, corporate teams, and groups of friends — it’s just your group, your guide, and Bologna at its most generous.
Tour Description
Looking for a private Bologna food tour through Italy’s gastronomic capital? Our Private Bologna Food & Wine Tour walks the medieval streets of the Quadrilatero, the Mercato di Mezzo, and the lively University District across 5 stops and 10 generous tastings, designed exclusively for your group.
Welcome to Bologna, where every meal tells a story. Taste fresh pasta with rich Bolognese sauce at family-run trattorias, handmade tortellini you’ll roll yourself, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, artisanal cured meats, and exquisite balsamic vinegar — each bite packed with tradition. Pair it all with local sparkling wines like Pignoletto and Lambrusco, and you’ll see exactly why Bologna is called La Grassa. Your private guide weaves in stories of the Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore, Europe’s oldest university, and the salumieri and cheesemongers who make this city the food capital of Italy.
Who this private food tour is for
- Families with kids 4 and up — making your own tortellino is a hit at any age
- Couples and celebrations — anniversaries, milestone birthdays, romantic Italy weekends
- Corporate groups and team building — executive offsites, conference programs, client entertainment, milestone team dinners
- Groups of friends — private celebrations, hen and stag weekends, foodie reunions
- Pasta and Italian food devotees — Bologna is the source: tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, Parmigiano, balsamic, mortadella
- Day-trippers from Florence and Venice — a 30-minute train and you’re at Italy’s gastronomic peak
Dietary Information
Vegetarian-friendly tour. Vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options may be limited — the menu features mortadella, prosciutto, and egg-pasta dishes. Please share dietary restrictions when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Tastings outside those catered for your needs are at your own risk; the company assumes no responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies cannot participate in this activity for their safety.
Why Eat with Us?
- Expert Local Guides — Fun, knowledgeable, English-fluent Bologna locals who know every salumeria, pasta maker, and balsamic producer by name
- Bologna’s Hidden Gems — Exclusive access to family-run trattorias, the medieval Mercato di Mezzo, and one of Italy’s oldest chocolate factories
- Culinary Diversity — Tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, Parmigiano, balsamic, mortadella, tigella, friggione, and torta di riso — La Grassa in 10 tastings
- Cultural Immersion — The Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore, Santo Stefano Basilica, and Europe’s oldest university, told as you walk
- Established Expertise — More than a decade of Italian food tour experience; 500,000 clients; 25,000 five-star reviews
-
(ages 4+) From €148 per guest
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Free cancellation 7 days in advance for a full refund
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EATING EUROPE INC. CANCELLATION POLICY
Small Group Tours
A tour can be cancelled with a full refund up to 24 hours before tour departure.
Private Tours
A private tour can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure
Gift Cards, Travel Vouchers & Flexi-Pass™
Gift cards, travel vouchers and Flexi-Pass™ are non-refundable.
LATE ARRIVALS AND NO SHOWS
Due to extremely strict time slots for entry into attractions and for food preparation, both in-person & virtual/online, we recommend you show up 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the tour or experience. Our group tours begin & depart precisely at the scheduled tour or experience start time. If you show up late or cannot find the meeting point, for any reason, refund requests are not honored per policy. If you are having a hard time arriving on time we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can do everything in our power to assist you with arriving at the meeting point at the scheduled time or reschedule to the next available tour.
CANCELLATION DUE TO PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES OR ILLNESS
Inside of 24 hours, your spot on the tour has been reserved exclusively for you. Since we are unable to fill your spot if you’re unable to attend for any reason (including transportation or illness), we do not offer refunds after that time. Please plan ahead so that you are able to join us and don’t miss out!
DISCOUNT CODES
Discount codes are valid for new bookings only. They are not eligible for pre-existing bookings and can not be applied retrospectively.
AMENDMENT POLICY
We would be happy to assist you with rescheduling your tour, free of charge, with any requests made more than 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of the tour. We reserve the right to charge an amendment fee should you request to reschedule within 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of your tour . Once again, this is subject to availability and price changes. In general, we only charge you for any additional costs that we incur such as tickets. We have no intention of profiting from disruptions to your vacation and will work with providers and suppliers to get this cost reduced to a minimum.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
From time to time, the terms of this policy may change at the Company’s discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, you can contact us using the information below:
E-mail: [email protected]
The Flavors You'll Taste
- 24- and 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano with 15- and 24-year aged balsamic vinegar
- Your own handmade tortellino
- Handmade tortelloni
- Tagliatelle with authentic Bolognese ragù
- Tigella with prosciutto
- Friggione (slow-cooked Bolognese onion-and-tomato dish)
- Mortadella sandwich
- Torta di riso (almond-flavoured rice cake dessert)
- Chocolate tortellino
- Pignoletto sparkling white wine
- Lambrusco sparkling red wine
- Traditional Italian espresso
- Water
Offerings may vary by day or season, but you’re sure to enjoy a delightful array of authentic Emilian flavours.
Meeting Point
1 Piazza Re Enzo
40125, Bologna
Your guide will be wearing a purple bag and waiting for you in front of the Desigual store.
What’s included in your private booking
- Private Bologna food and wine tour led exclusively for your group
- All food and drink across 5 stops and 10 tastings
- Hands-on tortellino-making with a Bolognese pasta master
-
Pignoletto, Lambrusco, and traditional espresso
- A dedicated English-speaking local guide (other languages on request)
- Flexible date with Monday–Saturday 10:00 am or 10:30 am start times
- 7-day cancellation policy for private tours
-
Company invoicing, advance payment, and dedicated event coordination for corporate bookings
- A donated meal via World Central Kitchen with every booking
What Makes the Quadrilatero, Santo Stefano, and the University District Special
The Quadrilatero is Bologna’s ancient food heart — a maze of medieval lanes where salumerie hang curtains of mortadella and prosciutto, pasta shops roll fresh tortellini behind glass windows, and cheese vendors stack wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano like golden towers. Every step is an education in Emilian cooking. This is where Bologna earned its nickname — La Grassa — and it wears it with absolute pride.
Santo Stefano unfolds in elegant porticoed streets around one of Bologna’s most beautiful piazzas. Its medieval basilica sets a contemplative tone, but the neighbourhood is quietly one of the city’s best for eating — refined trattorias, intimate wine bars pouring Lambrusco, and small delis where a tagliere of local cured meats and squacquerone cheese becomes a perfect meal.
The University District pulses with young, restless energy around Europe’s oldest university. Its streets are loud, political, and gloriously cheap to eat in — packed osterias serve enormous plates of ragù for a few euros, aperitivo bars overflow onto the pavements, and late-night piadas are grabbed on the way home. Generous, unfussy, and made for sharing — just like the neighbourhood itself.
What people are saying
Private tours
A private Bologna food tour means just you, your group, and your guide — no strangers, no fixed pace, no compromises. Available for 2 to 12 guests (larger groups accommodated on request) with a flexible Monday–Saturday morning start time you choose.
How our private tours work
Pick your date and start time. We’ll confirm your private guide, route the tour around your group’s interests, and handle every reservation, pour, and pairing in advance. Pricing is all-inclusive — no hidden fees, no upsells. Your schedule, your pace, your people.
Corporate Bologna food tours and team experiences
A private Bologna food tour is one of Italy’s most distinctive corporate hospitality experiences — packed with hands-on tortellino-making, generous tastings, and the city’s unmatched warmth. Perfect for executive offsites, conference programs, automotive industry events, finance and consulting client entertainment, and milestone team dinners. Bologna is also the gateway to Italy’s Motor Valley (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, Maserati) for incentive trips. We offer company invoicing, advance payment, purchase orders, and dedicated event coordination.
Popular corporate use cases:
- Executive retreats and leadership offsites
- Automotive industry events and Motor Valley incentive trips
- Conference programs and end-of-day team experiences
- Sales incentive trips and reward experiences
- Premium client entertainment and partner hosting
- Day trips from Florence, Milan, or Venice (Bologna is 30 minutes by train)
- Team building, team welcomes, and milestone celebrations
Languages available
English by default; Italian native. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German on request. Other languages may be available — please ask when booking.
Get in touch
For private bookings, custom corporate proposals, or specific requests, contact [email protected] or call +1 917-909-6432. Private tours can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure.
Why Eat with Us?
Dining with Purpose
We proudly support World Central Kitchen. Every tour you book helps provide meals to communities in crisis.
Looking for a Unique Corporate Experience?
Treat your team or clients to a private food tour tailored to your needs. Flexible group sizes, seamless organization, and unforgettable moments in Europe’s top cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Tour Information
Is a private food tour in Bologna worth it?
Absolutely. Bologna is Italy’s gastronomic capital — home to tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, Parmigiano, balsamic, and mortadella. A private tour gives your group exclusive access to family-run trattorias, hands-on tortellino-making, and the medieval Mercato di Mezzo, all at a flexible pace with a guide focused entirely on you.
What’s included in the price of the private Bologna tour?
All food and drink across 5 stops and 10 generous tastings, your tortellino-making session, Pignoletto and Lambrusco wine pairings, espresso, your dedicated private guide, and a donated meal via World Central Kitchen. No hidden charges, no upsells.
How long is the tour?
This private food tour runs 3 hours, with Monday–Saturday morning departures at 10:00 am or 10:30 am. Custom timings available for corporate groups on request.
What neighborhoods does the tour cover?
The Quadrilatero (Bologna’s medieval food market), Santo Stefano (porticoed elegance around one of the city’s most beautiful piazzas), and the University District (Europe’s oldest university, packed with osterias).
What is the private group size?
Private bookings are available for 2 to 12 guests. For larger groups, we can arrange a custom experience — get in touch.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend at least 2 weeks ahead. Corporate groups should book 4+ weeks in advance — and around major automotive industry events and conferences, much earlier.
Can I customize the private tour?
Yes. Stops, pacing, dietary focus, wine selection, and start time can be adjusted. We can also build day-trip programs from Florence, Milan, or Venice, plus extended Emilia-Romagna itineraries with our private tour team.
What’s the minimum age?
This tour is suitable from age 4 and up. Wine is for ages 18+; non-alcoholic alternatives provided for younger guests.
Food and Drink
What kind of food will we taste?
A full meal’s worth of Emilian classics — 24/36-month Parmigiano with 15/24-year balsamic, your own tortellino, handmade tortelloni, tagliatelle al ragù, tigella with prosciutto, friggione, mortadella sandwich, torta di riso, and a chocolate tortellino dessert.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Pignoletto sparkling white, Lambrusco sparkling red, traditional Italian espresso, and water — all included in the price.
Do the tours accommodate vegetarian or gluten-free diets?
Vegetarian-friendly. Vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options may be limited given the egg-pasta and cured-meat menu. Share dietary restrictions when booking; on a private booking we have more flexibility to plan around dietary needs.
Are portions enough for a meal?
Yes — you’ll eat at least the equivalent of a full meal across the 10 tastings. Most guests need a long walk afterwards, not lunch.
Booking and Payment
How do I book a private Bologna tour?
Book directly via the Book Private Tour button above, or contact [email protected] / +1 917-909-6432 to discuss custom requirements.
Book directly via the Book Private Tour button above, or contact [email protected] / +1 917-909-6432 to discuss custom requirements.
Major debit and credit cards, iDEAL, and Bancontact. Corporate invoicing, advance payment, and purchase orders available on request.
What is the cancellation policy for private tours?
Private tours can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure.
Do you offer corporate invoicing?
Yes. We handle company invoicing, advance payment, purchase orders, and dedicated event coordination for corporate bookings — including automotive industry programs, conference experiences, and Motor Valley incentive trips.
Tour Experience & Expectations
Will the guide speak my language?
All guides are fluent in English; native Italian. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German are available on request — let us know when booking.
Will we visit the same places as other tours?
No. The majority of Bologna stops are family-run venues that work exclusively with us, and on a private booking the route is built entirely around your group.
Is the tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
Bologna’s historic centre is mostly flat, with the famous porticoes providing covered walkways. Some venues have step access. Please contact us before booking and we’ll plan a route that works.
Do you offer other private food tours in Italy?
Yes. We also run private food tours in Rome, Florence, Naples, Milan, Palermo, and Venice. Get in touch and we’ll help plan your full Italy itinerary.
City Tips
Discovering Aperitivo in Bologna
An Essential Guide to Gelato in Bologna
A Local’s Guide to Bars in Bologna
A Guide to Lasagna alla Bolognese in Bologna
A Local’s Guide to Street Food in Bologna
EATING EUROPE INC. CANCELLATION POLICY
Small Group Tours
A tour can be cancelled with a full refund up to 24 hours before tour departure.
Private Tours
A private tour can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure
Gift Cards, Travel Vouchers & Flexi-Pass™
Gift cards, travel vouchers and Flexi-Pass™ are non-refundable.
LATE ARRIVALS AND NO SHOWS
Due to extremely strict time slots for entry into attractions and for food preparation, both in-person & virtual/online, we recommend you show up 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the tour or experience. Our group tours begin & depart precisely at the scheduled tour or experience start time. If you show up late or cannot find the meeting point, for any reason, refund requests are not honored per policy. If you are having a hard time arriving on time we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can do everything in our power to assist you with arriving at the meeting point at the scheduled time or reschedule to the next available tour.
CANCELLATION DUE TO PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES OR ILLNESS
Inside of 24 hours, your spot on the tour has been reserved exclusively for you. Since we are unable to fill your spot if you’re unable to attend for any reason (including transportation or illness), we do not offer refunds after that time. Please plan ahead so that you are able to join us and don’t miss out!
DISCOUNT CODES
Discount codes are valid for new bookings only. They are not eligible for pre-existing bookings and can not be applied retrospectively.
AMENDMENT POLICY
We would be happy to assist you with rescheduling your tour, free of charge, with any requests made more than 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of the tour. We reserve the right to charge an amendment fee should you request to reschedule within 24 hours of 8am CET on the date of your tour . Once again, this is subject to availability and price changes. In general, we only charge you for any additional costs that we incur such as tickets. We have no intention of profiting from disruptions to your vacation and will work with providers and suppliers to get this cost reduced to a minimum.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
From time to time, the terms of this policy may change at the Company’s discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this privacy policy, you can contact us using the information below:
E-mail: [email protected]










