Depetrini Tours · Quadrilatero, central Bologna
A local host takes you from Palazzo della Mercanzia through the Quadrilatero for wine, cured meats, cheese, a seated plate of fresh pasta and gelato. Pick it if you want dinner and a food tour in one evening, with a proper sit-down for the pasta.
The listing is blunt about it: this is a food and wine experience, not a history walk. You meet your host outside Palazzo della Mercanzia, the merchants' court on Piazza della Mercanzia that is still the seat of Bologna's Chamber of Commerce, and walk into the Quadrilatero, the old market lanes behind Piazza Maggiore. The first glass comes at what the listing calls one of the oldest wine bars in Bologna. Then a board of regional cold cuts and cheeses, a seated pasta tasting with local wine, and gelato at one of the city's oldest gelaterias to finish.
The seated pasta stop is the reason to choose this over a stand-and-taste walk. You sit down, you get a plate, and the wine is poured with it. Portions are generous, and the listing tells you to come hungry. One guest counted a group of 8, but the listing does not state a maximum. Book it as your dinner and skip the restaurant afterwards.
Two honest notes. The board is a regional board: Prosciutto di Parma comes from Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano from five provinces, Bologna only west of the Reno river. Bologna's own stars here are the mortadella and the fresh pasta. And the tour is not suitable for vegans, children under 6, wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. The walking is moderate, all in the flat centre.
Be at the palazzo on Piazza della Mercanzia five minutes early. If the host can't find you, they call the phone number on your booking.
A glass of local wine in one of the oldest wine bars in town, and a first look at the Quadrilatero lanes.
Regional cold cuts and cheeses on a shared board. One guest called it the best food of the night.
The seated part: a fresh pasta tasting with traditional wines, and time to talk about how Bologna eats.
A sweet finish at one of Bologna's oldest gelaterias, a short walk from where you started.
★★★★★This food tour was the perfect way to finish our short visit to Bologna.
★★★★★A very well organized tour in a small group of 8 people.
★★★★★Super relaxed and fun food tour in Italy's food capital.
★★★★★had some excellent food [...] the charcuterie board at the second stop
Read next:
That is how it is designed. You get a salumi and cheese board, a seated fresh pasta tasting with wine and gelato, and the listing says portions are generous. Most people skip a separate dinner afterwards.
At Palazzo della Mercanzia, the old merchants' palace on Piazza della Mercanzia, close to the Two Towers. Arrive five minutes early; the host calls you if they can't spot you.
The listing says it is not suitable for children under 6. Older children can join, but the stops are built around wine, so it suits adults best.
It is not suitable for vegans. For vegetarians, ask the operator before you book, because the board and the pasta are meat-heavy.
Ready to book
Wine in an old wine bar, a salumi board and a seated plate of fresh pasta: three hours that replace dinner. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Walking Food Tour with a Local ExpertThe classic walk: tigella, the market, Osteria del Sole, aged balsamic, tortellini, tagliatelle and gelato in 3 hours.★ 4.8 · 3 hours
Street Food Tour in the Historic CentreFour street food stops in two hours: tigelle, crescentine, fried tortellini, mortadella and a ragu sandwich.★ 4.8 · 2 hours
Local Food Tour with Tastings and WineA 2-hour express or a 3-hour feast: two fresh pastas, mortadella, Parmigiano, balsamic, wine and a surprise dish.★ 4.9 · 2 to 3.5 hours