Food Tours in Venice

Venice, the floating city, is much more than just romantic canals and captivating architecture. The city celebrates centuries of culture and one of the most prominent ways is through food. Venetian cuisine is among the most revered in Italy and distinct insofar as it combines Mediterranean and traditional Italian cooking.

A food tour in Venice is a fabulous way to learn about the city’s history through gastronomic exploration. This is your chance to take a tantalizing journey to the city’s hidden gems and get expert recommendations for the rest of your stay in Venice. Satisfy all your senses with this enticing exploration of the city of water.

Here's everything you should know about food tours, one of the most delicious gastronomic experiences in Venice. Buon appetito!

What are the best food tours in Venice?

There is a food tour flavor in Venice for each pallet, exploring the diverse aspects of this revered cuisine.

Street food tour in Venice

This tour begins with a visit to Rialto Market where you will experience traditional Venetian shopping at its best. Surrounded by the freshest produce and products, you will feast on delectable bites.

Visit Campo San Polo and enter the Basilica dei Frari for a step back in history. You will stop at several bars and shops to sample cicchetti, ending the tour with a taste of Tiramisu in the city where it was invented.

Tapas and wine tour in Venice

This food tour in Venice places the focus on the fine flavors of Venetian cuisine. Start at an atmospheric tapas bar where you will enjoy a glass of the region’s finest vino and a selection of Cicchetti.

Let your guide take you through the winding alleys of Venice, indulging you in more delectable bites and stories of the city’s past. Every wine bar will provide a glass of wine or bubbly to pair beautifully with the selection of tapas.

This can also be done as a private tour or during the early evening in a small group or even with a sommelier for a unique experience.

Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio area food tour

The Jewish ghetto on the north side of Venice is one of the most culturally significant areas in the city. Tour through the historic streets of the Cannaregio neighborhood learning about the Jewish community that was once exiled to this corner of the island.

Your tastings add up to a diverse and delectable meal featuring everything from traditional kosher dishes and wine to creamy risotto and baked goods.

Four-course food and wine pairing

Instead of walking to find your food, let the food come to you. Visit one of the top restaurants in Venice to experience a sumptuous 4-course meal and wine pairing fit for a doge. You can choose your courses from the elegant menu selection and a highly qualified sommelier will treat you to the finest wines that complement your food.

In the summer you will be seated in the charming courtyard while cooler winter evenings are enjoyed in the maritime-inspired dining room.

Food market and workshop in Venice

If shopping for and tasting food simply isn’t enough, why not get your hands dirty too? This shopping and cooking workshop is the perfect combination for a well-rounded food tour in Venice.

You will shop for fresh ingredients at Rialto Market and return to the home of your tour guide where they will teach you how to make fabulous Venetian recipes. Taste your handiwork paired with some delectable local wine to finish off this inspiring 4-hour experience.

Where will I go and what will I see?

Food tours in Venice all have a different focus and you can expect to visit a variety of locations based on your tour’s orientation. These are some of the places food tours frequent in Venice:

Rialto Market

This authentic market at the foot of the 16th-century Rialto Bridge has been a central trade hub in Venice for almost a millennium. Here you can peruse fresh fruit and vegetables, see fishmongers at work and taste oysters and cheese fresh from the carts.

The Rialto Market will introduce you to the culinary culture of the city and various tours stop by the market to taste the finest produce, dairy and meat.

Jewish Quarter

The Venetian Ghetto spans the north side of the city and is a diverse and culturally prolific neighborhood. Jewish people were confined to the Cannaregio district from the early 1500s, making this the oldest ghetto in the world.

This vibrant neighborhood serves a fusion of traditional kosher dishes and some of the most famous Venetian specialties. Your food tour in Venice will strike a balance between historic exploration and culinary indulgence in the Jewish Quarter.

Various Bacari

One of the many highlights of a food tour in Venice is a stop at a traditional bacaro. These typical wine bars are intimate and chic with a warm atmosphere. They will welcome you in with open arms, serving a selection of Cicchetti, or tapas.

You will also get the chance to enjoy a wine tasting, prosecco and a Venetian spritz made with prosecco, soda water and bitters. Your tour will pre-select fabulously underrated spots where you will get a true taste of Venice and see where locals like to wet their whistles.

What are the prices of food tours in Venice?

A basic food tour in Venice includes a visit to the Rialto Market and samples of street food. These tours start from around €45 per person. A tapas and wine tasting tour costs around €70 per person while a private tapas and wine tour with 10 food samples costs €180 per participant. A tapas and wine tour with a sommelier costs €600 for two people.

A comprehensive 4-hour tour of the Jewish ghetto with food tastings along the way costs €110 per person. The 4-course food and wine experience at an elegant restaurant in Venice costs €180 per person. A private market tour and cooking class costs €150 per person.

Is anything included?

Food tours in Venice all include a selection of the finest foods in the city. Depending on your tour, you can expect anywhere from four to ten tapas and a selection of drinks or wine. You will have a guide taking you to the best hidden corners of the city and offering valuable insight and recommendations for further exploration of Venice.

Your 4-course Venetian dinner will include an apéritif on arrival, antipasto, 1st course, main course and dessert. You will also have four wines paired with the courses.

The market tour with the cooking class includes a private tour and shopping experience and a cooking class in an intimate kitchen setting. You will also enjoy wine or other beverages and taste the food after the workshop.

Where in Venice do food tours start?

Venetian food tours start at different spots across the city. Some tours start at Rialto Market where you will spot your guide holding a sign or wearing a bright item of clothing. Other tours start at a wine bar or at a central piazza where you will gather before venturing to various historic points of interest.

How long do they last?

Food tours in Venice last between 2 and 2.5 hours. Some market tours and tours of the Jewish Quarter with a food tour last 4 hours.

When is the best time to go a food tour in Venice?

It is recommended to take a food tour in Venice at the beginning of your visit. You will walk through the city and get an idea of its layout, a handy bonus when you want to do more exploring on your own. Sampling a variety of food will also help you know what to expect for the rest of your trip, making the most of what is on offer.

Travel tips

• Food is prepared ahead of time so it is essential to tell your tour operator if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.
• Bring your ID to confirm your age for tours that include alcohol.
• There is a substantial amount of food offered on the tour so come hungry.
• Wear sensible shoes as you will be walking through the city.
• Booking in advance is essential as food samples need to be prepared.