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!
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).
Other Popular Tours in Venice
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
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