Italy is a country in Europe that receives hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout the year thanks to the wonderful landscapes, cities, activities and emblematic sites that it offers. Its Mediterranean coast is known for directly influencing Western culture and gastronomy and Rome, which is its capital, is home to the Vatican, ancient ruins and impressive works of art that marked certain eras in history.
This country has it all: art, history, rich culture, canals, fashion and interesting gastronomy. Italy has many unmissable destinations for all tastes and, if you plan to visit one or more of them, it is important that you consider taking, for example, a food tour Bologna.
This city is located in the north of the country and is known for its Piazza Maggiore. This is a huge square with columns and arcades and, around it, there are cafes and buildings typical of the Renaissance. But, although the city has a lot of attractions, it is recognized worldwide as a paradise for those people who enjoy good food.
If you choose one of the unmissable food tour Bologna, you will notice that this city is the birthplace of some of the most popular foods in Italy such as meat, cheeses, wines and pastas. You can choose a renowned restaurant, a street stall or you can visit the Mercado Delle Erbe (herb market). In this place you can find fresh products or enjoy a delicious meal while contemplating the beautiful views.
The must sees of Bologna
Bologna is one of the places in the north of the country and is known for its gastronomic heritage. There are not many cities that offer an unparalleled experience to tourists and locals who choose to visit them, but Bologna is one of them because it is considered a true hidden treasure.
Bologna’s gastronomy is one of the richest and most awarded in the world. The dishes offered in this city are unique in their flavor and anyone who appreciates good food will be able to delight in unique aromas and textures.
Today, culinary tradition is the combination of traditional dishes with modern ones. You can find a delicious plate of egg pasta and also a wide variety of food at street stalls that are innovative.
Fresh pasta
If you walk around the city, you will see different signs for “osteria” or “trattoria”. This means that the establishments are classic and familiar and informal where classic recipes are the order of the day. In these places you can try the unmissable tagliatelle al ragu. The ragout recipe is a ground meat sauce that combines pork and beef and the pasta is made with egg, combining very well with the sauce. The touch is given by the parmigiano cheese.
Another pasta option is gramigna alla saslsiccia. This is a short and curly pasta typical of the region and it is accompanied with a sausage sauce. On your Bologna food tour, you can also try the classic green lasagna which is made with spinach, flour and egg or the tortellini which is a fresh pasta stuffed with pork loin, mortadella, raw ham, egg, nutmeg and cheese parmesan.
Street food
If you don’t have much time to sit in a restaurant and if you prefer to eat something on the go while you visit different places, street food is a good option. You can try piadina, which is a type of bread made with wheat flour typical of the region and you can fill it with whatever you like the most. You can fill it, for example, with meat or vegetarian options.
Another option is panino with mortadella. This is a sandwich filled with the classic Bologna mortadella and, if you are one of the most daring when it comes to trying new things, you can try the version that incorporates pistachio.
Pizza is also one of the typical dishes from all over Italy that you should try on your trip. No matter where you choose to eat it and the flavor you choose, the secret is always in the dough.
Appetizers
If you enjoy appetizers, you can’t miss the local cold cuts and cheese board. You can accompany this with a delicious fried dough called crescentine or with the classic bread circles from other cities in the region called tigelle.
Sweet recipes
One of the typical sweet recipes from Bologna is lemon cake. This is one of everyone’s favorites because it is made with lemon and cream, which makes it a true delicacy that balances softness and acidity in a unique way.
Ice cream is also an unmissable part of a food tour Bologna. Artisanal ice creams are truly delicious and there is a wide variety of flavors so that everyone can find their favorite.
Typical drinks
Italy is a land of good wine and, for this reason, you cannot miss trying this drink brought directly from its popular vineyards. If you choose an aperitif, the ideal is to accompany it with white wine. On the contrary, at lunch or dinner time, it is recommended that the meal be accompanied with red or rosé wine.
Limoncello is another option when trying the typical drinks of the region and this one is made from lemon. It is common to consume it after meals.
In Bologna, beer is one of the drinks most chosen by young people and is booming. Beer, like white wine, is usually chosen to accompany appetizers.
Finally, the Spritz is the favorite drink of most people who live in Bologna when it comes to accompanying an aperitif. This is prepared with the famous Campari, soda and white wine. Some people choose to add slices of any fruit they like.
Bologna is a city full of history and architectural wonders, but one of the attractions is gastronomy. Thanks to it, you will be able to understand in depth its stories, culture, traditions and how the gastronomy of Italy influenced the gastronomy of other countries and the secrets about it.
