Best Food Tours of Venice

Italian gastronomy is known all over the world. One of the best cities in terms of cuisine is Venice. The Serenissima is a city famous for its osterias and its bacari, two types of informal establishments where you will get to know the real Venetian culture.

In this article I will tell you about the best food tours in Venice. You'll find everything from private tours of the city's best establishments to group tours, as well as others that you can take independently. If you are a food lover and you have several days to travel, I recommend that you take most of the tours I suggest.

I start this list of the best food tours in Venice with one of the most requested. This activity has excellent ratings from users, which is not surprising considering its characteristics. On this culinary tour of Venice, you will be able to taste the best delicacies of the city' s gastronomy. Moreover, this experience is completely personalised, taking into account your tastes and possible needs.

The tour will be led by a specialised local guide. Throughout the whole activity, you will taste 10 typical Venetian meals, including both desserts and drinks. As if that wasn't enough, there is also the option of a vegan menu for those who follow a vegan diet. The first thing you'll do is fill in a form in which, through a series of questions, you'll let the guide know what your preferences are. Afterwards, the expert will make a selection of dishes. As I mentioned before, the menu includes both drinks, such as espresso coffee or Venetian cocktail, and recipes, such as the delicious fish lasagne, gelato or fried sandwich.

Another great benefit of this private gastronomic tour of Venice is that, in addition to pleasing your palate, you'll be able to see some of the main sights of the city. The tour starts at Campo Manin and ends at Via del Scaleter. As for cancellation policies, if you cancel your booking 24 hours in advance, you will receive a full refund.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of this private gastronomic tour of Venice is 185 euros, including drinks.
• Duration: this tour of the region's gastronomy lasts about three hours.
• Means of transport: the tour is on foot, allowing you to see some of the most important sights of the city.
• Advantages of this option: the main advantage of this activity is that it is completely personalised, making it ideal for those who require special menus.
• Disadvantages of this option: the main disadvantage is that it is not wheelchair accessible, although it is pushchair friendly.

The second option I propose is a group gastronomic tour. You will usually share this experience with 11 other people. This way, it is a small group, which is always more convenient. During the tour, you will taste the local products of Venice, such as its famous wines. You will do all this under the personalised attention of a local guide specialised in the subject.

Among the delicacies you will taste are the typical wines of the region, local desserts and renowned savoury tapas. In addition, the guide will tell you about the main curiosities of the different recipes you taste. Likewise, he will also give you valuable advice on the most recommended restaurants in the city, as well as other typical dishes you should try. This experience will help you on the remaining days of your trip in Venice, saving you from disappointment.

The experience also includes a ride in a traditional gondola traghetto, so you can fully experience the essence of Venice (if you want to know all about gondola rides, read this article). Along the way, your local guide will tell you the curious history of this important Italian city. The tour starts at Campo della Maddalena and ends at Campo San Bortolomio. As additional information of interest, assistance animals, such as guide dogs, are allowed. Also, if you are unlucky enough to have the activity on a rainy day, you will have the opportunity to reschedule or receive a full refund.

Interesting details

• Price: This gastronomic group tour has a total price of around 99 euros. Cancellation is free of charge.
• Duration: the gastronomic tour I propose lasts two and a half hours, including the gondola ride.
• Means of transport: the experience is on foot, except for the walk along the Venice canal.
• Advantages of this option: the main advantage of this tour is that it includes a gondola ride, which makes it a very complete experience. In addition, you will also receive interesting information about the city of Venice.
• Disadvantages of this option: if I have to highlight a disadvantage, the least advantageous thing about this tour is that it is done in a group. Even if it is not a large group, it offers a less personalised experience than private tours.

In the previous options, I suggested a tour of the whole city. This time, I recommend a tour that consists of a visit to the famous Hard Rock Café in Venice, one of the best establishments in the city. This activity is great if you are going to be in the city for several days and you have already tasted the most typical dishes of Italian gastronomy.

It consists of an American dinner based on hamburgers, chicken delicacies, sandwiches and other typical recipes. You can choose between different menus: the Gold, the Diamond and the Ultimate. The Gold menu consists of two courses and the Ultimate menu consists of three courses. What differentiates the Diamond from the Ultimate is the collectible T-shirt included in the Ultimate. In addition, during the delicious dinner you can enjoy a live rock concert, something very typical in this restaurant chain. Among the soundtracks, you'll find classics such as Jimi Hendrix or The Beatles.

I can't leave behind the beautiful views that will serve as a showcase during your dinner, as the Hard Rock Café de Venecia is located in front of the Grand Canal. If you have young children, they have a children's menu, perfect for children under 10 years old. On the other hand, the menu includes a drink, either soft drink, tea or coffee. Finally, the restaurant has relics autographed by great musicians.

Interesting details

• Price: this visit to the Hard Rock Café in Venice starts at 28 euros.
• Duration: the duration of the activity will depend on the number of diners, as there is no set time.
• Means of transport: transport to the Hard Rock Café restaurant is not included in the activity, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
• Advantages of this option: you can dine on an abundance of typical American dishes while enjoying a rock concert, all with the best views of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: the only disadvantage of this activity is that it only includes one drink, which may not be enough considering the number of dishes available.

This time, I propose a gastronomic tour ideal for one of your days in Venice. It's a great plan if you want something informal to feel like a real Venetian and get to know the best restaurants in Venice for a cheap meal. Osterias are a common type of bar in Italy. An informal establishment serving both wine and regional specialities. Diners usually sit at shared tables to enjoy pasta, meat or fish dishes. As for the bacari, they are taverns where wine and cicchetti, which is the Venetian equivalent of a Spanish tapa, are served.

This tour is free, and you can manage your own time and routes. I recommend you head to San Polo for the best seafood cicchetti. In this area, you'll find Cantina Mori, famous for its cod and octopus dishes. Click here to see the menu of the Cantina Mori. In San Polo you will also find Pronto Pesce, whose speciality is swordfish croissant with scallops. If you are more into meat than fish, I recommend All'Arco or Osteria Bancogiro. In the first establishment, meatballs with aioli are common. At the latter, I recommend giving the polenta crostini a try.

Interesting details

• Price: this gastronomic tour has a variable price, depending on the number of establishments you decide to go to and what you eat in them.
• Duration: as with the price, the duration of the tour is also entirely up to you.
• Means of transport: as this is a self-guided tour, you can choose the means of transport that suits you best.
• Advantages of this option: the biggest advantage I see of this tour is being able to discover the purest essence of Venice, away from the more touristy side of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: as it is a self-driven gastronomic tour, it has the disadvantage that there is a possibility that you may choose unsuitable establishments.

Very close to the Rialto is one of the oldest osterias in Venice: the Cantina do Spade. With almost 600 years of history, this establishment is a must on your visit to Venice. The most famous thing about the Cantina do Spade is the wine tastings it offers to its guests. Therefore, if you like wine, it is highly recommended that you go to a wine tasting.

In addition to the above, you should also try the tapas or cicchetti at Cantina do Spade. Amongst the menu, the mussel soup stands out. Other fish and seafood dishes include black squid with polenta, bigoli in squid ink and small octopus. Beyond the seafood menu, I also recommend the mozzarella in carozza. Finally, opt for the tiramisu, which will be one of the best you've ever tasted. If you still have room, give the bussolai a try, which are lemon and vanilla-flavoured biscuits in the shape of doughnuts.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of a visit to the Cantina do Spade is between 15 and 40 euros, depending on the number of dishes you order.
• Duration: the duration will depend on the speed at which you are served, but it is usually around 40 minutes on average.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the oldest osterias in Venice and taste delicious dishes.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to book your table well in advance, so as not to run out of space.

A few metres from the previous establishment, you will find an ideal place for wine lovers. Ai Storti is in Rialto and has a wide and varied wine list of very good quality wines. Here you can get to know Italian culture and its gastronomic richness from the inside. To accompany your glass of wine, try Ai Storti's cicchetti.

The fish and seafood dishes stand out. Of course, you will also find pasta, pizzas and meat on the menu. However, I recommend that you leave this for another occasion, as there are other establishments in Venice that are better known for these types of dishes.

Interesting details

• Price: the tapas and drinks at Ai Storti are average, neither too cheap nor too expensive for Venice.
• Duration: the place tends to be very busy, so it is normal for it to take a while to serve you. As an approximation, it will take you between 40 minutes and an hour to eat.
• Advantages of this option: you will try one of the most authentic places in Venice and taste good wine.
• Disadvantages of this option: among the experiences of users, the treatment received by the staff of the osteria stands out, who do not stand out for being very pleasant.

The Rialto Market has been the nerve centre of Venice for over 700 years. It is located next to the Rialto Bridge. Here you will find fishmongers, greengrocers, seasonal vegetables and quality meat. All the shops sell fresh and local produce. I recommend that you browse the stalls and buy from some of them. Afterwards, continue this gastronomic free tour by taking a gondola across the Grand Canal, where there are plenty of things to do. On the other side awaits Cannaregio, a district known for its wide range of typical Venetian bars and restaurants.

Among the best establishments in Cannaregio is Birreria Zanon. This is a bacari known for its beer and cicchetis. The next stop on the tour is the osteria Barababao, a small restaurant famous for its fish dishes, such as pasta with clams and squid ink or pasta with prawns. At Barababao you can also try one of the best tiramisu in the city. For after dinner, head to Calle Terra San Leonardo. Here you will find Torrefazione Cannaregio, a great local café.

Interesting details

• Price: the places I recommend are not too expensive, as they are informal. Perhaps the least cheap is the osteria Barababao, where the average price is around 14/20 euros per dish.
• Duration: this tour is not only gastronomic but also cultural. It is advisable to stop in the little streets you pass through and to savour every corner of Venice. For this reason, it can last about 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: as it is a gastronomic free tour, you have total freedom to move around, letting yourself be guided only by what your stomach dictates.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will probably have to wait to be served in some of the establishments that I recommend.