Modena Food Tours & Balsamic Tastings
Modena is balsamic vinegar, the Albinelli market, Lambrusco and the restaurant that was twice named the best in the world, half an hour from Bologna by train. Compare the top-rated food tours and balsamic tastings below, then read our notes on the city.
Modena food tours and balsamic tastings
Formats: walking food tours through the Albinelli market and the centre with balsamic, Parmigiano and gnocco fritto; balsamic attic visits with tasting; combined Parmigiano-and-balsamic mornings; Motor Valley days that add Ferrari to the food.
What you will taste: traditional balsamic at 12 and 25 years, Parmigiano, gnocco fritto and tigelle with salumi, tortellini, zampone or cotechino in winter, and Lambrusco, which is nothing like the sweet export version.
Price and time: 15 euros for an acetaia tasting, 60 to 100 for a food tour, 140 and up for a full producer day.
The Albinelli market
The Mercato Albinelli, an Art Nouveau covered market from 1931, opens at seven from Monday to Saturday and is the heart of Modena’s food. Stalls sell Parmigiano, balsamic, fresh pasta, salumi and the season’s produce, and there are counters for a quick lunch. Food tours start here and move into the centre for gnocco fritto, a plate of pasta and a glass of Lambrusco.
Balsamic
Modena’s acetaie, the vinegar houses, are in attics and outbuildings across the city and the countryside. A visit shows the batteria of barrels and ends with a tasting of the traditional DOP at different ages, often against the IGP for comparison, with Parmigiano and sometimes gelato or strawberries. Tastings take an hour or two and are the best-value experience in the city. Our producer tours page covers the combined days.
Osteria Francescana and the Motor Valley
Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana has held three Michelin stars since 2012 and topped the World’s 50 Best in 2016 and 2018; reservations open months ahead and go in minutes. The Motor Valley is the other draw: the Enzo Ferrari museum in Modena and the Ferrari museum in Maranello, Lamborghini and Ducati nearby, and food-and-cars tours that combine a dairy, an acetaia and a museum in one day.
How we choose
We list only experiences with a strong rating over a meaningful number of reviews and free cancellation where available, and we favour small-group and family-run hosts. FindEatLocal earns a commission when you book through GetYourGuide or Viator links on this page; it doesn’t change the price you pay. More about how we choose.
FAQ about Modena Food Tours & Balsamic Tastings
Frequently asked questions
Is Modena worth a day trip from Bologna?
Yes: 20 to 30 minutes by train, a compact centre, the market and a balsamic tasting fill a morning; lunch fills the rest.
What is real Lambrusco like?
Dry, frothy and red, drunk cold with fried dough and salumi. The sweet versions sold abroad are a different product.
Can I visit an acetaia without a tour?
Yes, by appointment; many family acetaie welcome visitors and sell direct. Tours add transport and pair it with a dairy.