Parma Food Tour: Artisan Kitchens & Full Lunch

See how Parma's iconic foods are made, not just how they taste

A small-group food activity in Parma where you step inside three artisan workshops closed to the public: a pastry lab for breakfast, Enrico's fresh pasta kitchen to watch sfoglia rolled by hand, and the historic market square for a vertical tasting of aged cheeses and cured meats with local wine. Maximum 8 guests, live English guide, and a full morning of eating what the artisans make.

Step-by-step itinerary

Parma artisan food tour and tastings

• Meet guide by Cathedral
• Breakfast in pastry kitchen
• Watch fresh pasta making
• Taste anolini or tortelli
• Parmigiano and cured meats tasting

The Experience

The tour starts at the Cathedral with your guide, then moves straight into a pastry kitchen where you'll have cappuccino and a freshly made croissant or traditional cake: breakfast happens behind the scenes, in a space usually closed to visitors. From there you walk to Enrico's fresh pasta lab, the centerpiece for most people: you watch sfoglia rolled out by hand using techniques passed down for generations, then sit down to a bowl of anolini in rich meat broth or tortelli, made that morning. The whole morning is built around watching the people who make Parma's food actually make it.

After pasta, you move to the historic market square for a vertical tasting: Parmigiano Reggiano aged 24 and 36 months side by side so you taste how time changes the cheese, then a board of Culatello di Zibello and Prosciutto di Parma, paired with a glass of Lambrusco or Malvasia. By the end you've had breakfast and a full lunch without leaving the artisans' world. The group stays under 8 people, which means you get time and access that larger tours don't. You can ask questions, watch closely, taste slowly.

The walk covers about 2 kilometers across Parma's center, so comfortable shoes matter. Tours run in English only and need at least 2 people to go. Dietary requirements (gluten-free, specific allergies) can be arranged if you mention them when booking.

What’s included

• Breakfast in a pastry lab with cappuccino and a croissant or traditional cake.
• a bowl of handmade pasta (anolini in meat broth or tortelli).
• a vertical tasting of Parmigiano Reggiano aged 24 and 36 months.
• a board of Culatello di Zibello, Prosciutto di Parma and other local cured meats.
• one glass of local wine (Lambrusco or Malvasia).
• water.
• live English-speaking guide.
• access to artisan workshops not open to the public.

Days and timesMon–Sat · 10:30

AgesAges 11+ · 4 to 10 years · Under 4 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Just in front of the entrance of the Basilica”

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taste Bologna

Is this one for you?Small-group size, maximum 8 people, means you get real time with the artisans and can ask questions as you watch. If you want to move through Parma's food scene quickly with a larger crowd, a standard food tour will do. If you want to stand in the workshops and understand how the food is actually made, this one fits.

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Top questions

Can children come?

4 to 10 years. Under 4: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What exactly do I watch and taste at Enrico's pasta lab?

Enrico's fresh pasta lab is where you see sfoglia rolled by hand using traditional techniques, then you sit down to eat a bowl of anolini in meat broth or tortelli made that same morning. It's the highlight for most guests because you move directly from watching the technique to tasting the result.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour covers about 2 kilometers on foot across Parma's center, moving between the Cathedral, the pastry lab, Enrico's workshop, and the market square. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and all surfaces and areas are wheelchair accessible.

What does the Parmigiano Reggiano tasting involve?

The vertical tasting lets you compare Parmigiano Reggiano aged 24 months and 36 months side by side, so you taste how the cheese changes over time. It's paired with Culatello di Zibello, Prosciutto di Parma, and a glass of local wine.

Can I do this tour if I have dietary restrictions?

Gluten-free options are available with prior notice, and you can request specific dietary accommodations when you book. The tour is not suitable for vegans because every stop involves tasting meat, cheese, or both.

Is this tour accessible for people using wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the tour.