Venice Food & Wine Tours
Taste authentic Venetian cicchetti, fresh seafood, and Italian wine at local bacari!
Discover Venice's delicious food scene beyond tourist restaurants - authentic bacari (wine bars), traditional osterias, Rialto Market, and neighborhoods where Venetians actually eat! Venetian cuisine emphasizes fresh Adriatic seafood, risotto, polenta, and cicchetti (Venetian tapas) - small plates paired with wine creating a social dining tradition. Food tours explore Cannaregio (local neighborhood), Rialto Market (morning produce and fish market), Dorsoduro (university district), and hidden bacari serving moeche (soft-shell crab), sarde in saor (sweet-sour sardines), baccalà mantecato (creamed cod), and spritz! Expert local guides share Venetian culinary traditions, introduce passionate producers, and explain why certain dishes taste better in Venice than anywhere else!
Featured Food & Wine Tours Tours
Discover our top picks for food & wine tours in Venice
Experience Venice Like a Local Sip regional wines, savor authentic cicchetti, and cross the Grand Canal on a traditional traghetto gondola. Explore Rialto’s vibrant heart and uncover the secrets of Italy’s aperitivo culture — vino in hand. Small group, big flavor.
Italian lifestyle, good food, rich history and delicious wines this all is included in our 4-hour walking tour through the Jewish Ghetto and the Cannareggio District of Venice, with many stops to taste some of the best traditional Venetian food and local wines.The Jewish Ghetto is the oldest ghetto in the world, yes, the word ghetto itself was coined in Venice so it's a must to visit during your stay there. Our experienced local guide will show you the most important places,illuminate the history of the district and bring you to taste some culinary delights before going over to the most populated sestriere of Venice,the Cannareggio district,where you'll enjoy more food stops and end the tour with the most important of all Italian desserts: an authenitic gelato.If you want to get the most out of your stay, don't miss this tour where you can visit and learn about the city and its history while you get to taste a full traditional menu in different key points Venice.
Wine and dine on a 4-course meal in the heart of Venice, and learn about regional wine from a professional sommelier! Take your seat at a prestigious restaurant near St Mark’s Square for an aperitif and four courses of classic Veneto dishes, each paired with a different local wine of your choice. Savor specialties such as ‘bigoli’ (thick, spaghetti-like pasta) and 'sarde in saor' (sweet-and-sour sardines), and sip on sparkling Prosecco, soft reds, and aromatic whites.
Why Choose Food & Wine Tours in Venice?
Authentic Cicchetti Culture
Experience Venetian tapas tradition at local bacari where residents gather!
Italian Wine Pairings
Sample Veneto wines - Prosecco, Soave, Valpolicella paired with cicchetti.
Local Expert Guides
Venetians share food culture, hidden bacari, and insider knowledge.
Fresh Adriatic Seafood
Taste just-caught fish, shellfish, and Venetian lagoon specialties!
Types of Food & Wine Tours in Venice
Cicchetti & Wine Tour
Progressive tasting at 4-6 bacari sampling Venetian tapas with wine.
Rialto Market Tour
Morning market visit meeting vendors, then cooking class or lunch.
Wine & Food Pairing
Focus on Veneto wines paired with Venetian specialties and cheeses.
Cooking Classes
Learn to prepare Venetian dishes like risotto and tiramisu with local chef.
What to Expect on Your Venice Food & Wine Tours
Duration
Food tours last 3-4 hours with 8-12 tastings; market tours run 3-4 hours.
Venetian Cicchetti
Taste baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor, moeche, polpette, and more small plates.
Local Bacari
Visit authentic wine bars in Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, and off-tourist-path areas.
Venetian Wines
Sample Prosecco, Soave, Valpolicella, and Spritz (Venice's favorite aperitif).
Food Culture
Learn Venetian culinary traditions and lagoon-to-table dining philosophy.
Small Groups
Intimate groups (8-12) allow interaction with guides and bacari owners.
Expert Tips for the Best Experience
Evening tours (6-8 PM) capture authentic Venetian aperitivo culture when locals gather.
Rialto Market tours MUST start early (8-9 AM) - market finishes by noon!
Cicchetti typically cost €2-5 each at bacari - tours show you the best spots.
Spritz (Aperol/Campari with Prosecco) is Venice's signature drink - try one!
Avoid restaurants with photo menus or aggressive touts - tourist traps!
Cannaregio and Dorsoduro neighborhoods have authentic bacari away from San Marco crowds.
Ask guides for bacaro recommendations - they know where Venetians eat.
Come moderately hungry - tours include substantial tastings replacing dinner!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What are cicchetti?
A: Cicchetti are Venetian tapas - small plates served at bacari (wine bars). Traditional cicchetti: baccalà mantecato (creamed cod on bread), sarde in saor (sweet-sour sardines), polpette (meatballs), and crostini with toppings. They cost €1.50-5 each. It's social eating!
Q:How much do food tours cost?
A: Cicchetti tours (3-4 hours, 8-12 tastings): €60-90. Market + cooking class: €80-120. Wine-focused tours: €70-100. Includes food, wine, and guide - good value as it replaces dinner!
Q:What is a bacaro?
A: A bacaro (plural: bacari) is a traditional Venetian wine bar serving cicchetti and local wines. Often small, standing-room only, authentic atmosphere. Where locals go for aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks and snacks). Essential Venice experience!
Q:Are food tours good for vegetarians?
A: Challenging - Venetian cuisine is seafood-heavy. However, tours can accommodate vegetarians with notice. You'll enjoy vegetable cicchetti, cheeses, and some dishes. Just communicate dietary needs when booking. Vegan is very difficult.
Q:What should I eat in Venice?
A: Must-try: Cicchetti at bacari, risotto al nero (squid ink), seafood pasta, sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato, fegato alla veneziana (liver), and tiramisu (invented near Venice!). Fresh fish from lagoon is exceptional!
Q:When is the best time for food tours?
A: Evening tours (6-8 PM) best for aperitivo culture when locals fill bacari. Market tours: Early morning (8-9 AM) when Rialto Market is busiest. Food tours run year-round.
Q:Where is Rialto Market?
A: Near the Rialto Bridge on the San Polo side. It's Venice's main fresh market with fish, produce, and local products. Open mornings only (8 AM-12 PM). Essential for foodies! Vendors are animated - great atmosphere.
Q:What is Spritz?
A: Spritz is Venice's signature aperitif - Aperol or Campari mixed with Prosecco and soda water. It's refreshing, slightly bitter, and perfect with cicchetti! Every bacaro serves it. When in Venice, drink Spritz!
Why Visit Venice?
Iconic gondola rides through historic canals
Magnificent St. Mark's Basilica and Square
World-famous Murano glass craftsmanship
Authentic Venetian cuisine and culture
Unique floating city architecture
Perfect romantic and cultural destination
Best Time to Visit
Weather
Venice enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool winters. Summers are warm (70-85°F/21-29°C), winters are cool (35-50°F/2-10°C), and spring/fall offer pleasant temperatures.
Best Months
April to June and September to October offer the best weather with mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and perfect conditions for exploring.
Peak Season
June to August brings peak tourist season with hot weather, larger crowds, and higher prices.
Off Season
November to March offers lower prices and fewer crowds, though with cooler weather and occasional flooding (acqua alta).
Related Travel Guides for Venice
Explore comprehensive guides to plan your perfect trip, including food tours, cultural experiences, and more.
Venice Art & History Tours
Explore Venetian masterpieces, Doge's Palace, and 1,000 years of Republic history!
Venice Canal Tours
Cruise the Grand Canal and hidden waterways discovering Venice from the water!
Venice Gondola Tours
Glide through romantic canals in iconic Venetian gondolas with singing gondoliers!
Venice Murano Glass Tours
Visit the famous glassmaking island watching master artisans create stunning Venetian glass!
Venice St. Mark's Basilica Tours
Explore Venice's golden Byzantine cathedral with stunning mosaics and Doge's Palace views!
St. Mark's Basilica Tours Venice: Skip-the-Line & Guided
Discover the opulent mosaics and sacred history of St. Mark's Basilica on expertly guided tours, often combined with other Venetian wonders.
Plan Your Venice Trip
Transportation Tips
Vaporetto (water buses) and water taxis for canal transportation. Walking is perfect for exploring the historic center, and gondolas for romantic experiences.
Car Rental Deals in Venice
Rent a car for maximum flexibility and explore at your own pace on Expedia USA.
Where to Stay
Find the perfect accommodation for your Venice adventure. From luxury resorts to cozy hotels, we've got you covered.
Best Hotel Deals in Venice
Discover top-rated hotels with exclusive rates and special offers on Trivago USA.