Last updated on November 19th, 2024.
There’s one rule I follow whenever I write a post about food in Italy: don’t write on an empty stomach.
Undeniably one of the top, and most cited, food cuisines in the world, you can’t go wrong with Italian.
And if you love Italian food as much as I do, the topic of this post will have you hooked.
I’ll be sharing 30+ of the best Italy food tours along with some top Italian cooking classes.
Divided by cities, it’s a useful guide to help you decide which Italy food tour best fits your itinerary.
If you’ve any dietary requirements, let the organizers know in advance so they can prepare accordingly.
Perfect Italy bucket list material, you can also use this post to help plan your trip to Italy.
30+ best Italy food tours
Rome best food tours
Our food tour across Italy begins in the capital of Rome.
The Eternal City has some of the best Italy food tours and cooking classes in the country. The hardest part is deciding which one you want to book.
Rome Street Food Tour with Local Guide
Experience the flavors of Rome on a Street Food Tour with a Local Guide. Choose between the Jewish Quarter or Trastevere and enjoy local delicacies like suppli and seasonal dishes along the way.
The Rome food tour also includes a visit to several local and significant historical sites.
Rome Trastevere Sunset Food Tour
Watch the sun go down over the historic area of Trastevere on this Rome Trastevere Sunset Food Tour. Led by a local expert guide, the tour will take you to 4 local venues in Trastevere. Expect plenty of delicious Roman dishes, good wine and a fun evening with like-mind company.
Rome Food Tour by Night
Prepare for an epic foodie experience in Rome on this 4-hour Rome Food Tour by Night. Including 20 food tastings in foodie neighborhoods across Rome, it’s one of the best Italy food tours to book.
Highlights include a visit to Rome’s no.1 rated pizzeria plus a stop at a specialty salumeria.
Rome Food and Wine Tasting in a Traditional Trattoria
Starting at Campo di Fiori, this 4-hour guided Rome Food and Wine Tasting in a Traditional Trattoria ends in Trastevere. Indulge in Roman delicacies and wines at local eateries and shops, before ending the experience with dinner in Trastevere.
Rome best cooking classes
Cooking Class with a Local Roman Family
Just outside Rome in Frascati is this experience offering a Cooking Class with a Local Roman Family.
Spend a few hours learning how to make fresh pasta and Roman-style sauces like carbonara, cacio e pepe and amatriciana.
From a local
The visit also includes a tour of the family’s 15th century wine cave where wine production began eons ago. Frascati is a 40-minute train ride from Roma Termini. A family member will greet you at the station and will show you around Frascati’s top sights before the class.
Rome Drunken Cooking Class
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you with the title of this unique Rome food tour.
Learn how to make homemade pasta with a top chef and mixologist at this Rome Drunken Cooking Class. It includes 3 perfectly shaken and stirred Italian cocktails while you make your own fresh pasta.
Arguably one of the most unique cooking classes in Italy, it’s a Rome experience you won’t find elsewhere.
Naples best Italy food tours
You know you’re going to eat well the second you set foot in Naples. The Campania region is home to some of the best food in Italy.
The home of Neapolitan-style pizza and everything sinful yet delicious, you’ll take home good memories and plenty of extra calories.
Naples Street Food Tour with Local Guide
Get familiar with some of the best eats in Naples on this Naples Street Food Tour with Local Guide.
Try the different types of pizza, visit a local salumeria and sip on some locally made limoncello. One of the best Italy food tours, a full tummy and satisfied smile is guaranteed.
Naples Food Tour with Davide
Avoid the tourist areas of the city on this Naples Food Tour with Davide. A local and knowledgeable host, Davide will guide you through the slow food scene in Naples. One of the best Italy food tours given its personally curated tasting menu, this one stands out from the rest.
Naples by Night Food and Wine Walking Tour
Walk off the calories, then pile them on again on this fun Naples by Night Food and Wine Walking Tour.
This 4-hour walking experience includes 7 tasting stops and the chance to sample some of the tastiest traditional Neapolitan food.
More than a food tour, the guide will also bring you to Naples’ historic sites, many of which have UNESCO status. These include the Basilica di San Paolo Maggiore and Piazza San Gaetano.
Campania best cooking classes
Naples Pizza Making Workshop and Diploma
Become a Neapolitan pizza chef at this authentic Pizza-making Workshop in Naples. You’ll learn how to make traditional Neapolitan pizza dough and how to cut it using a 600-year-old technique.
The experience also includes delicious starters made with locally grown ingredients and a drink. A unique takeaway for all guests is a personalized pizza diploma that you can hang up proudly at home.
Amalfi cooking class and garden visit
How does a Italian Cooking Class on the Colorful Amalfi Coast sound? As part of the gastronomic experience, guests get to visit and pick their own fresh ingredients from its terraced gardens.
It’s an ancient cultivation method and one that represents a resource of sustainability and environmental conservation on the Amalfi Coast. Seeing this in action makes this one of the best cooking classes in Italy.
Once the meals have been prepared, everyone sits down to enjoy the fruits of their labor. An added local touch to the experience, guests are treated to local wine, limoncello and real Neapolitan espresso.
Florence best food tours
The beating heart of Tuscany, Florence has plenty to satisfy hungry visitors. If a visit to Florence is on the cards, here are some of the best Italy food tours to book.
Florence Street Food Tour
Join a small group of like-minded foodies on a Florence Street Food Tour led by a local guide. You’ll learn more about Florence’s history and culture while trying some of the city’s most traditional foods.
Florence sunset food and wine tour
Unlock the city’s hidden gems on this Florence sunset food and wine tour. Sip on local wines ranging from Chianti Classico to Super Tuscans and learn to make a famous Negroni cocktail.
Other highlights include trying a traditional Tuscan zero-waste soup and sampling artisan cheeses and cured meats.
Florence Food Walking Tour
Have fun on this culinary guided Florence Food Walking Tour, sampling local coffee, cheeses, meats and wines. The tour includes a stop at a historic delicatessen, a popular enoteca and a top gelato shop in Florence.
Florence Food Tour with All’Antico Vinaio
This Florence Food Tour with All’Antico Vinaio combines delicious Tuscan street food and a skip-the-line ticket to the famous paninoteca.
An ideal way to get to know Florence, the tour provides an up-close look at local life. Discover traditional bakeries and the independent fruit and vegetable shops where the locals frequent.
Chianti Wineries Tour with Food and Wine Tasting
If you’re interested in trying a gastronomic experience outside Florence, you may like this one. This Chianti Wineries Tour with Food and Wine Tasting includes a visit to 2 wineries in the renowned wine region.
From a local
During the tour, you’ll learn about each vineyard’s history, the wine-making process and tips on savoring the wine.
A perfect day trip, this tour also lets you set eyes upon the iconic Tuscan countryside.
Map of Italy
Bologna food tours
The second I hear ‘Bologna’, my thoughts immediately return to our visit to the foodie goliath.
The birthplace of tagliatelle al ragù, lasagne alla Bolognese, passatelli and tortellini, Bologna is a food paradise. It’s also home to some of the best Italy food tours in the country.
Bologna Traditional Food Tour
Avoid the tourist traps and leave feeling full and satisfied on this Bologna Traditional Food Tour. Under the guidance of a local expert, you’ll experience a variety of traditional foods from Bologna at 5 different places.
Alongside the food tasting, the tour will also provide historical anecdotes about several of the city’s main attractions.
Bologna Secret Food Tour
After experiencing an excellent secret food tour in NYC, I couldn’t recommend it enough. Without giving too much away, this Bologna Secret Food Tour will take you to some of the city’s best places.
Some highlights that aren’t ‘secret’ include visiting Bologna’s oldest tavern and cheese and wine sampling at a local bottega.
Parma best food tours
Parma Traditional Food Tour
Heading to another Italy food capital, Parma has created some of the country’s top food exports. They include Parmigiano-Reggiano, tortellini and more.
Learn more about the rich food culture of the city on this Parma Traditional Food Tour. A local guide will take you on a gastronomic tour, where you’ll get to try some of Parma’s traditional dishes.
Parmigiano and Parma Ham Guided Food Tour
Combining two of my favorite foods, sample the real deal on this delectable Parmigiano and Parma Ham Guided Food Tour.
The tour includes a factory visit where they make Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham. One of the best Italy food tours, expect plenty of cheese and ham paired with glasses of delicious wine.
Sicily top food tours
An island where we’ve a summer home, I always eat well whenever we’re back in Sicily.
Sicilian food is one of the richest, most flavorsome food cultures in Italy. Many of the dishes may come from humble roots, but they’re bursting with deliciousness and robust flavors.
While I can’t invite you all to eat at our house, one of these best Italy food tours will give you a solid introduction to Sicilian food.
Palermo Street Food and Local Market Tasting Tour
Begin your Sicilian food class in the capital by booking this Palermo Street Food and Local Market Tasting Tour.
Try at least 7 traditional Sicilian street foods on this 3-hour tour while exploring its loud and vibrant food markets. Accompanied by a local expert guide, the tour also includes a drink in Palermo’s oldest working-class bar.
Palermo Night Street Food Tour
If you prefer an Italian food tour after dark, this Palermo Night Street Food Tour ticks all the right boxes.
A tour just for small groups, your expert guide will show you the real Palermo and the tastiest street food. One of the best Italy food tours in Palermo, you’ll also learn about the city’s history, art and culture.
Palermo Street Food and History Walking Tour
Combine Sicilian street food and history and you have the Palermo Street Food and History Walking Tour.
Let your local guide introduce you to 5 typical Sicilian street foods while telling you about Palermo’s most important sites. It’s a fun way to learn about Palermo’s history as well as its unique food scene.
Taormina Food and Wine Tour
Stroll through the pretty Sicilian hilltop town before trying some local dishes on this Taormina Food and Wine Tour.
Alongside a walking tour with a local guide, you’ll also enjoy food and wine tasting from 3 different places.
Mount Etna Food and Wine Tasting Tour
There’s no better way to enjoy a traditional Sicilian meal than in the backdrop of the island’s largest resident.
On this Mount Etna Food and Wine Tasting Tour, you’ll learn, and taste products made on Etna’s lava terrain. Some tour highlights include a visit to a local winery followed by lunch on the open-air terrace overlooking the vineyards.
Please note that the pickup for this tour is from Taormina.
Godfather Tour with Sicilian Lunch
An island synonymous with the famous movie franchise, discover The Godfather filming locations on this Godfather Tour with Sicilian Lunch.
Explore the charming borghi of Savoca and Forza d’Agro before sitting down to a traditional Sicilian lunch with wine. A unique look at the movie and mafia’s history, it’s one of the best Italy food tours to book.
Please note that the pickup for this tour is from Taormina.
Catania Street Food Tour
From one big Sicilian city to another, joining this Catania Street Food Tour provides a good introduction for first-time visitors.
Lasting 3 hours, you’ll get to experience and eat your way through Catania like a local. Also including some of Catania’s best attractions, this 3-hour tour will leave you feeling full and more knowledgeable about Catania.
Milan food tours
Head to the north to chow down on some Lombardy classics in Milan. With plenty of aperitivo on hand, you can be sure to see a few glasses included on these food tours.
Milan Street Food Walking Tour
Let a local expert introduce you to the tastiest eats on this Milan Street Food Walking Tour with Food Tasting.
The tour also includes a visit to some of Milan’s top attractions like its magnificent Duomo and Piazza Mercanti. Lasting around 2.5 hours, it’s a fantastic way to get to know Milan like a local.
Milan Gourmet Food Tour
For a more refined Italian food experience, this Milan Gourmet Food Tour may be what you’re looking for.
Including at least 5 food stops, you’ll get to sample traditional Milanese dishes along with gourmet plates. A personal tour with a local, it’s one of the best Italy food tours to book in Milan.
Venice best food tours
The capital city of the region where I live in Italy, I never miss a chance to visit Venice.
The island city’s home to Piazza San Marco, the incredible basilica plus tons of chances to eat and drink well. Here are some of the best Italy food tours in Venice to book with the people that know it best.
Venice Street Food with a Local Guide
Fill your tummy with the best eats around the city on this Venice Street Food with a Local Guide tour. Experience the Venetian culture of cicchetti, visit the Rialto Market and sample some of Venice’s tastiest traditional foods.
Venice Private Food Tour with 10 Tastings
Enjoy a more personal food tasting experience on this Venice Private Food Tour with 10 Tastings. An ideal tour for a couple or a small group, you’ll visit 10 of the best tastings in Venice. Each tasting reflects the local cuisine and is handpicked by a local guide that’s passionate about food.
Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio Food Tour
Explore another side to Venice and learn about its history and food on this Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio Food Tour. Your expert guide will take you to 6 of the top places while also introducing you to Jewish-Venetian dishes.
Where movies are made
Most interestingly, the area was used as a filming location in the movie, the Merchant of Venice. A tour that takes you off the beaten track, it’s one of the best Italy food tours to book.
Turin food tours
An Italian food culture that seamlessly combines refined dining with its rustic roots, prepare to eat very well in Turin.
Turin Gourmet Food Tour
Save plenty of room if you plan to book this Turin Gourmet Food Tour. This 3-hour culinary tour takes you to 5 different restaurants in Turin where you’ll sample some of the finest dishes.
One of the best Italy food tours to book in Turin, a full and satisfied belly is guaranteed.
Turin Street Food Walking Tour with Aperitivo
Get an introduction to traditional Piedmontese cuisine on this 3-hour Turin Street Food Walking Tour with Aperitivo. Including at least 4 stops, your local guide will take you to some of Turin’s best eating and drinking spots.
As the title suggests, the tour also includes a delicious aperitivo. Your cocktail of choice will be accompanied by a cutting board of typical products from Piedmont.
Turin Sweet and Chocolate Tour
The capital of chocolate in Italy, anyone with a sweet tooth needs to join this Turin Sweet and Chocolate Tour.
Indulge in freshly made desserts made by experienced pastry chefs as well as specialty chocolates from Turin. An Italy food tour made for dessert lovers, this tour will have you eating like a local in Turin.
Bari best food tours
The beating heart of the Puglia region, Bari has plenty of history, scenery and food to attract foodie travelers. Here are some of the best Italy food tours to book in Bari and Puglia.
Bari Street Food Tour by Bike
Why walk when you can bike? A great way to explore Bari while trying its mouthwatering food is on this Bari Street Food Tour by Bike. The 3-hour food tour by bike includes several tasting stops plus a visit to several of Bari’s main attractions.
Touring by bike is also an ideal way to stay cool in Bari’s usually high temperatures. If the sound of biking sounds like too much work, consider touring — and eating — through Bari by rickshaw.
Lecce Walking Street Food Tour
One of the most beautiful towns in Puglia, discover the sights and bites on this Lecce Walking Street Food Tour.
A local guide will introduce you to Lecce’s most delicious foods and take you to see its top attractions. This includes walking through Lecce’s whitewashed streets and visiting the Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica of Santa Croce.
What do you think about this list of the best Italy food tours? Are there any food tours in Italy that you’d like to try? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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ABOUT me
Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
Which Italian city is best for a food tour?
1. Rome
2. Naples
3. Bologna
4. Florence
5. Parma
It is true that Italian food is always a good choice! Italian cuisine is undoubtedly a favorite among both children and adults. I would like to try making pizza in Naples. My interest was further piqued by the Parma Food Tour. Given my love of sweets, I’ll most definitely think about going on a chocolate and confections tour in Turin. I’m excited to do one of these fantastic culinary trips when I visit Italy.
You will really enjoy any of these tours. And you will definitely eat well too!
I am planning a short trip to Italy this summer so this was perfect! One of the things I have loved about the Italy the most is the food. It is just amazing! I love the idea of drunken cook class. It is always a good idea to marinate the chef first and then the food… ha ha.
Yes, it definitely is a good class to do. Enjoy your trip this summer.
This post has got my taste buds doing a happy dance! Italy, the land of pasta, pizza, and gelato—need I say more? From savoring authentic Neapolitan pizza in Naples to indulging in heavenly gelato in Florence, these food tours are a culinary adventure like no other. I can already imagine eating all the delicious food, sampling cheeses, and sipping on a glass of fine Italian wine. Thanks for sharing these mouthwatering experiences. Reminds me it’s been a while since we traveled to Italy and we’re literally just next door! 🍕🍝🍦
Hehe I’m happy to make your tastebuds dance! Really a food tour is a fun way to learn and taste all the delicious foods according to region. I hope you return soon!