Secret Food Tours · University quarter and Quadrilatero
Secret Food Tours runs this Bologna walk in two versions: a 2-hour express and a 3-hour tour with two homemade pastas, wine, a digestif and a surprise dish. Pick it if you want to choose your own length, and go long if you can.
The meeting point is in the university quarter: Via Zamboni 8c, where the guide waits with an orange umbrella in front of the Flying Tiger Copenhagen shop. Both versions go through the Quadrilatero market area. After that, what you eat depends on which one you book.
The 3-hour tour is the one we'd pick. The listing names two homemade pastas, Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, aged Parmigiano, balsamic aged 8 to 25 years, raviola with mostarda alla bolognese, a traditional dessert, local red and white wine, a digestif, espresso and a secret dish revealed on the day. The raviola is a Bologna sweet; the ham, the cheese and the balsamic come from elsewhere in Emilia. The 2-hour express is lighter: an artisan mortadella sandwich, a classic tigella, lasagne verdi, a dessert and one glass of local wine.
Diet notes are where the listing gets muddled. It says there are no gluten-free or vegan options, and it is unclear on vegetarians, so confirm with the operator before you book. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments or pushchairs. The menu may change.
Find the orange umbrella in front of the Flying Tiger Copenhagen shop in the university quarter.
The market lanes behind Piazza Maggiore, with cured meats, cheese and balsamic.
Homemade pasta with ragu and local wine on the 3-hour tour; lasagne verdi on the express.
On the 3-hour version, the surprise course the operator names the tour after.
A traditional dessert, then espresso and a digestif on the long version.
★★★★★This was a highlight of our trip- going to the local market, learning the history, tasting incredible food.
★★★★★Our guide was very knowledgeable and we loved the authenticity of the food and the explanations of the history behind it.
★★★★★An excellent food tasting experience. Our guide, Caterina was super and highly knowledgeable.
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The 2-hour express has a mortadella sandwich, a tigella, lasagne verdi, a dessert and one glass of wine. The 3-hour version adds two homemade pastas, Prosciutto di Parma, aged Parmigiano, balsamic, raviola, red and white wine, a digestif, espresso and a secret dish.
At Via Zamboni 8c in the university quarter. The guide stands in front of the Flying Tiger Copenhagen shop holding an orange umbrella.
The operator keeps it quiet until the day, and it is part of the 3-hour version only. We won't spoil it.
The listing is unclear: one part offers vegetarian on request, another says no. It is clear that gluten-free and vegan are not offered. Confirm with the operator before you book.
Ready to book
Pick a 2-hour express or a 3-hour feast with two fresh pastas, mortadella, Parmigiano and local wine.
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