Bergamo Alta: Food Walking Tour & Local Dishes Tasting

Summary

Wander Bergamo Alta’s cobbled lanes tasting casoncelli and polenta with a local

You’ll taste your way through Bergamo Alta’s cobbled streets alongside a local foodie guide: sipping Valcalepio wine, sampling handmade casoncelli pasta and rich polenta with lard and cheese, then finishing off with stracciatella gelato and proper Italian espresso. Expect laughter, real stories, and flavors you’ll remember long after you leave those stone alleys behind.

What’s the experience like?

You know that hollow thump your shoes make on old stone? That’s the first thing I noticed as we started our Bergamo food tour — it echoed up the narrow street, mixing with the clink of glasses from somewhere above. Our guide, Marta, waved us over to this tiny bar where she handed me a glass of Valcalepio red (I tried to pronounce it, failed, she laughed) and some crusty bread piled with toppings I couldn’t name but happily ate anyway. The air smelled like yeast and something herbal — maybe rosemary? I’m not sure. It felt like someone’s living room more than a restaurant.

We wandered past Piazza Vecchia — Marta pointed out how locals always pause there, even if they’re in a hurry. She knew everyone; people kept greeting her with these quick nods or little jokes in Italian. At the next stop, we sat elbow-to-elbow at a wooden table for casoncelli — pasta stuffed with meat and something sweet (amaretti?). I didn’t expect that mix but wow, it worked. The sauce was buttery and just salty enough. Someone at our table asked about the Sunday tradition behind foiade — Marta explained it’s what families make when everyone comes home for lunch. There was this easy warmth between her and the restaurant owner that made us linger longer than planned.

The polenta stop was next. I’d had polenta before but never with lard melting into cheese like this — soft and almost smoky, not heavy at all. A church bell rang somewhere nearby while we ate; nobody rushed us. Last was stracciatella gelato (apparently invented right here), creamy with those little shards of chocolate snapping cold against my teeth. We ended with espresso standing at the counter — bitter, sharp, perfect after all that richness.

I still think about how ordinary everything felt in the best way — no big showy moments, just good food and people who genuinely love their city. If you want to see Bergamo Alta through someone who lives it every day (and eat embarrassingly well), this is probably your thing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bergamo Alta food tasting tour

• Meet local Foodie guide
• Walk through Bergamo Alta
• Enjoy aperitivo with toasted bread and Valcalepio wine
• Taste traditional casoncelli or Foiade
• Pass by Piazza Vecchia
• Taste polenta with lard and cheese
• Enjoy stracciatella ice cream and espresso

Top questions

How long does the Bergamo food tour last?

The walking food tour covers several stops around Bergamo Alta; exact duration isn’t specified but expect a leisurely pace over lunch hours.

Is lunch included on this Bergamo food tour?

Yes, a rich lunch is included across at least four different stops featuring local dishes.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

You’ll get one alcoholic beverage (like Valcalepio wine) if you’re over 18, plus coffee or tea at the end.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Does the tour include Piazza Vecchia?

Yes, you’ll pass by Piazza Vecchia as part of the walking route in Bergamo Alta.

Will my guide speak English?

The tour is always run in English and Italian; other languages may be available upon request.

How many people are in each group?

The groups are kept small to allow for genuine interaction and attention from your guide.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

No specific info is given about dietary accommodations; contact the provider directly for details before booking.

What’s included

Your day includes a generous lunch spread across four stops in Bergamo Alta: starting with an aperitivo of local wine and garnished bread slices, moving on to handmade pasta or foiade in one of the town’s most charming restaurants, then polenta with lard and cheese near Piazza Vecchia, finishing up with stracciatella gelato and Italian espresso—all guided by a friendly local foodie who shares stories along every step.