Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’

What you'll do

Duck into a small salumeria - specialist food stores which sell cured meats, cheeses and regional ingredients - your host knows exactly which ones make the best mortadella, a smooth textured pork sausage, salami and pecorino cheese. Osteria del Sole doesn’t serve food, but spread your mouthwatering, salumeria feast on one of their communal wooden tables and grab a zesty spritz from the bar. Visit a generations-old, specialty pasta store and sample a few varieties - it’s important to know your tortellini from your tortelloni! At the Mercato delle Erbe, visit one of the small market restaurants for a true taste of Bolognese tradition made with ‘zero-kilometer ingredients’, from silky tagliatelle alla ragù to freshly-baked focaccia.

Where you’ll go

Weave your way under porticoes and through the earthy-red streets of Centro Storico, the historic center and heart of Bologna. Peruse the Quadrilatero, a pocket of lanes between Piazza Maggiore and the Due Torri that’s been home to a gastronomic market since the Middle Ages, and stop by Osteria del Sole, the locals’ favorite, no-frills eatery that’s hidden nearby. Amble further west and sneak into a foodie’s paradise, the Mercato delle Erbe - far enough away from the main tourist trail to be free of selfie-stick wielding tourists but still within the historic walls of the center. Bliss out at gelateria Galleria 49 - still known locally by its old name, “Stefino” - a humble-looking kiosk that serves some of the creamiest gelato in town. 

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 3 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking Tour

  • Hosted in English (On request: Bengali, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Explore the Centro Storico, the historic center, and visit its best local markets, eateries and food shops
  • Visit Mercato delle Erbe to sample regional and seasonal produce and freshly made pasta
  • Stop for a drink and a dish in one of the market restaurants or wine bars
  • Taste specialty regional produce in a salumeria - like cheeses and cured meats - in the Quadrilatero
  • Visit a local osteria which the locals love, but most tourists would never find
  • Indulge in creamy gelato at a generations-old gelateria

Things to know

What’s included

  • Private and personalized experience
  • 3 hours with a host
  • 7-8 tastings of various Bolognese specialties
  • A coffee, craft beer, glass of regional wine or a soft drink
  • Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks (additional to the ones included in the experience)
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • COVID-19 Flexible Policy: you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    We took a food tour of Bologna early December with CityUnscripted guide Manuel. It was such a fun experience! Manuel was so knowledgeable and fun. We spent the whole day eating delicious food and learning more about Bologna's food and culture. Could not recommend this tour more.

    December 2019

    Rebecca R

    Took the ultimate food experience with Manuel early December. This was such a great experience! Could not have asked for a better guide. Manuel was so fun and knowledgeable. He took us to eat amazing food and we spent the day just soaking up all of the great drinks, food, and sights the city has to offer. He was super open to whatever we were interested in seeing/eating. If you want someone to show you some hidden gems this is the tour for you. Highly recommend this tour and guide!

    December 2019

    Rebecca R

    We spent 3 hours walking around Bologna tasting all the incredible foods, and ended with great ideas of what food and wine to buy for ourselves the following few days, and where! Claudia was a perfect host, she mixed insights about the city's history and monuments with insider's tips on where to go for fresh pasta before the crowds get there, a secret take-away that serves super tasty tortellini... she was attentive to us so that our time together was perfectly tailored to what we wanted to try, and to show us new parts of the city. We felt like we got a lot out of our experience.

    October 2019

    Adam U

    Gabriele met us outside our accommodation and we started our food and wine tour around central Bologna. Gabriele asked us what we liked for food and wine, then tailored our tour to suit. Gabriele took us to small boutique places that are not on the tourist trail. The food and wine that he showed us was outstanding. We went back to the places we visited after our tour to enjoy more of the wonderful food and wine Bologna has to offer. We also took advantage of Gabriele's restaurant knowledge and booked a lovely restaurant for dinner one night while here in Bologna. Thank you Gabriele for making our tour so personal and friendly. Gabriele is a lovely young man. Tamra and Mark.

    September 2019

    Tamra C

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Bologna. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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