Bologna cooking class with market tour: Learn Bolognese recipes

Cook traditional Bolognese dishes in a local home, then eat what you made

A private cooking class in Bologna where you learn to make traditional Bolognese dishes (crostini, risotto, and chocolate cake, or tagliatelle al ragù and tiramisu) in a local's apartment in the historical center. You shop at Mercato di Mezzo if you choose the market option, prepare the meal hands-on over three hours, and finish by eating it together with local wine. Giovanna, a retired teacher, teaches in English or Italian and accommodates dietary restrictions on request.

The experience

Giovanna's apartment sits in Bologna's historical center, a short walk from Mercato di Mezzo. If you book the market option, you'll spend about ten minutes getting there with her, moving through stalls selling vegetables, fruits, pasta, meat, bread and cheese. She takes you to her favorite vendors to pick out a few ingredients for the class. The produce is seasonal, and what you choose shapes what you cook that day. Without the market, you arrive directly at her place and begin cooking.

The cooking itself is hands-on: you learn to make two or three dishes depending on which menu you pick. Menu A covers crostini with vegetables and local cheese, risotto with seasonal vegetables like pumpkin or asparagus, and tenerina, a chocolate cake. Menu B starts with mortadella di Bologna, moves through grilled mixed vegetables and either tagliatelle al ragù or gramigna with sausage, then finishes with tiramisu. Giovanna teaches using family recipes and high-quality, fresh ingredients. The whole class runs three hours, and she speaks English or Italian.

When the cooking is done, you sit down to eat the meal you helped prepare. In spring and summer, this happens on her beautiful green terrace. In other seasons, you eat indoors. Wine is included. Giovanna is a retired high school teacher who taught Italian, Philosophy and History, and she's excited to share the stories and traditions behind Bologna's food. Lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available. Let her know when you book if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.

What’s included

• Private hands-on cooking class in Giovanna's apartment.
• home-cooked Italian meal with local wine.
• traditional Bolognese recipes taught by a local.
• guided tour of Mercato di Mezzo (if you choose the market option).
• lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available on request.

Options for this experience

4 options

Cooking class and lunch with Giovanna SGuide in English or Italian · 11:00

Cooking class and dinner with Giovanna SGuide in English or Italian · 17:00

Market visit, cooking class and lunch with Giovanna SGuide in English or Italian · 09:00

Market visit, cooking class and dinner with Giovana SGuide in English or Italian · 16:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 09:00, 11:00, 16:00 and 17:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Traveling Spoon

Is this one for you?Choose the market option if you want to shop for ingredients with Giovanna and understand where Bologna's food comes from. Book the cooking-only version if you prefer to arrive and start cooking right away. Either way, you're learning and cooking hands-on in a local's home, not watching a demonstration.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

Can I do the cooking class without visiting the market?

Yes. You can book the cooking class with lunch or dinner and skip the market tour entirely. The market option is a choice you make at checkout. Both versions include the same hands-on cooking and the meal afterward.

What exactly is Mercato di Mezzo?

Mercato di Mezzo is Bologna's first covered market, filled with stalls selling fresh vegetables, fruits, pasta, meat, bread and cheese. It's about a ten-minute walk from Giovanna's apartment, and she takes you there to shop for ingredients if you choose the market option.

Do I need cooking experience to join this class?

No. Giovanna teaches hands-on using family recipes and simple techniques. The class is designed for anyone who wants to learn to cook traditional Bolognese dishes, regardless of skill level.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions?

Giovanna accommodates lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets on request. Tell her about any allergies or restrictions when you book, and she'll adjust the menu to suit your needs.

Is the meal included, or do I pay extra for wine?

The home-cooked Italian meal and local wine are included in the price. You eat together after cooking, either on the terrace in warm months or indoors in winter.

How long does the whole experience take?

Three hours total. If you add the market tour, that ten-minute walk to Mercato di Mezzo happens at the start, before you head to Giovanna's apartment to cook.