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City: Venice
Duration:2hrs 45min
Start Time: 10:30am
Join us on a gastronomic adventure spanning two sides of the Grand Canal. You’ll visit four of the best eateries in Venice, learning how to find great food in the Floating City.
The best way to understand the history of Venice is through its food. With your guide you’ll visit the famous Rialto Fish Market & more, learning about the culture of the city.
All-inclusive pricing means we’ve covered the price of your cicchetti, wine, fritti, pasta and even the gondola we use to cross the Grand Canal. So you can leave your wallet at home.
Venice has a food culture quite unlike anywhere else in Italy – or the world, for that matter. There is no farmable land here; so no meat, dairy or grains. Originally constructed of wood, the whole city was a fire hazard; so no wood-burning ovens for pizza. As a trading city though, Venice did have access to spices from around the world, not to mention endless access to fish.
On this small group Venice Food Tour, you’ll get to the heart of the city through its stomach, dispelling those vicious rumors that there’s no good food in Venice. Of course there is, you just need to know where to look!
Who better to lead your Venice food tour than a local Venetian food...
Show more Show lessVenice has a food culture quite unlike anywhere else in Italy – or the world, for that matter. There is no farmable land here; so no meat, dairy or grains. Originally constructed of wood, the whole city was a fire hazard; so no wood-burning ovens for pizza. As a trading city though, Venice did have access to spices from around the world, not to mention endless access to fish.
On this small group Venice Food Tour, you’ll get to the heart of the city through its stomach, dispelling those vicious rumors that there’s no good food in Venice. Of course there is, you just need to know where to look!
Who better to lead your Venice food tour than a local Venetian foodie? You’ll meet near the Rialto Bridge and start your culinary adventure as Venetians have for centuries – at the Rialto Fish Market. This is where the seafood restaurants in Venice buy their fish daily, deciding their menus based on the day’s catch. It’s also where you’ll first come to grips with the strange quirks of island living.
Your first food stop is one of our favorites. This bacaro is a popular gathering spot for locals thanks to its unbeatable cicchetti and a mean spritz. You’ll try two items of your choice here along the local wine, prosecco, and spritz. We would highly recommend the baccalà, a salted cod dish served here whipped, slathered on bread and so fresh it will knock your socks off.
Next up is another great cicchetti bar. Like the Spanish tapas, cicchetti is a food form synonymous with Venice. Although menus change daily, they are usually dominated by crostini; slices of bread with various creative toppings; panini, which we know as sandwiches; and fritti, or fried food – mostly fish and vegetables. Cicchetti are a big part of Venetian food culture, as the perfect snack for fisherman, who arrive home from sea around 9am and settle down in their favorite dark bars for a bite to eat and a glass of wine.
You won’t just eat as the locals do, you’ll travel like them too! Hop aboard a gondola to cross the Grand Canal with your guide, disembarking by Ca d’Oro (or the ‘Gold Palace’) in the historic neighborhood of Cannaregio. While tourists clog the streets between Rialto & St. Mark’s Basilica, Cannaregio is where locals congregate. Historically the Jewish Ghetto, it’s the most historic and storied part of the city, as you’ll learn from your guide.
Settle down in this lovely neighborhood for yet another glass of wine and a plate of the city’s best fresh fish pasta.
Before you part ways with your local expert, they’ll give you recommendations for restaurants and bars to suit your palate, so that you can continue eating and enjoying Venice like a local. They’ll give you tips on how to avoid the more touristy restaurants and where to seek out the best food at the best prices – and what to try when you get there.
Traveling in small groups of only 12 people throughout your tour, you’ll find it easy to engage with your local guide, and to ask all the questions you can think of. With their help you’ll learn about Venice through its incredible food, and manage to avoid those pricey, mediocre meals your friends warned you about.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and highly recommend it when in Venice. Francesca, our guide was very informative with much of the history of Venice. The food and drink was amazing!
Barbara was an excellent guide with very good english language skills. The extra and most appreciated benefit was that she was a local Venetian and a real foodie. her suggestions for restaurants were excellent although some were closed at this time of year. We really loved her tour and would highly recommend this tour and Barbara to all others.
Barbara was professional, knowledgeable and personable. We would highly recommend this tour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and highly recommend it when in Venice. Francesca, our guide was very informative with much of the history of Venice. The food and drink was amazing!
Barbara was an excellent guide with very good english language skills. The extra and most appreciated benefit was that she was a local Venetian and a real foodie. her suggestions for restaurants were excellent although some were closed at this time of year. We really loved her tour and would highly recommend this tour and Barbara to all others.
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Because so much of the food on this tour is chosen by you, it is perfectly suitable for most preferences (such as vegetarians). Please be aware though that there is a lot of bread, batter and fish used in Venetian food so coeliacs in particular may not find much to eat. As in all Venetian cuisine, there is also a considerable emphasis on fish.
For those with food allergies or other special requirements, please notify us prior to reserving your visit and then again, as soon as you meet your tour guide. We will do our very best to accommodate you and find suitable alternatives.