What to Eat in Venice: 4 Food Tours That Get It Right (my personal favorites)
Looking for the best food tour in Venice? Whether you want to sip local wines, eat your way through the Rialto Market, or find the best cicchetti spots with a local guide, this list has you covered.
After living near Venice and visiting year-round — during Carnevale, quiet winters, and shoulder seasons — I’ve personally tested these tours and picked out the ones truly worth your time and money. Maybe I am weird, but I do like to go on these tours to gather intel because I want to make sure I convey the spirit of Venice through its food. I think it’s so important because people really don’t understand it!
This post will help you:
- Avoid tourist traps and bad meals
- Choose a food tour that matches your style (budget, evening, private, vegetarian, etc.)
- Book quickly with trusted platforms (Viator, GetYourGuide)
Let’s dive into the 4 best food tours in Venice for 2025 — including the exact one I took that still stands out as my top pick.
This Post Pairs Well With:
- The Truth About Gondola Rides in Venice, Italy
- Venice Carnevale in 3 Days: A Practical, Magical First-Timer’s Guide
- The Prosecco Hills by E-Bike: The Day Trip I Recommend to Everyone
- The Perfect Daytrip From Venice: A Day in Burano, Italy
- How to Take a Day Trip from Venice to Verona
- A Guide to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace: Can You Do Them Both in One Day?
Quick Guide to Venetian Food
Cicchetti:
Small bar snacks (like tapas). Think: baccalà, anchovies, polpette, tiny sandwiches.
Spritz:
Venetian order: Select, Cynar, Campari. Aperitivi is BIG here!
Seafood:
Fritto misto, scampi, crab, squid ink risotto.
Polenta:
Venetian staple served with everything.
Cheese:
Formaggio Ubriaco (wine-aged), Asiago, Montasio.
Coffee:
Cappuccino only before 10–11 AM.
Espresso the rest of the day.
Why Trust This List?
I’ve been living just 45 minutes from Venice for the past three years and have visited the city more times than I can count. I’ve personally tested these food tours — some as a solo traveler, others with my husband — and only included the ones I’d confidently recommend to a friend. No paid placements, no fluff. Just honest reviews rooted in lived experience.
For Context: What to Expect on a Venice Food Tour
Most Venice food tours don’t feel like guided tours; they feel like being invited into a part of the city locals know best. You’ll wander through tiny alleys, drink Spritz in tucked-away bàcari, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Venetians eating fresh seafood with polenta at a market stall. You’ll learn why cappuccino after 10 AM is frowned upon and why wine and snacks are more of a ritual than a meal.
The tours below are the best way to experience real Venetian food culture — and finally understand what cicchetti actually is, and why it matters.
WHAT A VENICE FOOD TOUR ACTUALLY FEELS LIKE
When I joined the Devour Tastes & Traditions tour, I found myself sipping a Cynar Spritz in a tiny bacaro tucked so far off the main path that I would’ve walked right past it on my own. I held a warm piece of fried seafood over creamy polenta in one hand, a cup of crisp Prosecco in the other, and watched the Rialto Market wake up for the day.
We moved through a cheese shop where Formaggio Ubriaco — drunken cheese aged in Prosecco grape pomace — nearly came home with me in brick form. We wandered into a bar (the Italian kind, not the American kind) lined with rows of tramezzini sandwiches that thrive in Venice’s humidity.
And then there’s cicchetti — the reason Venice’s food culture makes no sense until you’re standing in front of it.
What Is Cicchetti?
Think of cicchetti as Venice’s answer to tapas:
small bites, eaten standing up, often paired with wine or a Spritz, and served in loud, crowded, warm little bacari where nobody cares what time it is.
Cicchetti is not a “sit-down meal.”
It’s a ritual.
It’s a community.
It’s the heartbeat of Venetian food culture — and you can’t understand Venice without experiencing it.
A curated food tour is the easiest way to do that.
1. Evening Cicchetti & Wine Tour with Generous Tastings
Best Overall Food Tour in Venice (My Personal Pick)
This is the food tour I took myself, and I still recommend it to every traveler heading to Venice. It’s immersive, local, and packed with storytelling that ties everything together. You have to reserve this one ahead of time. It sells out most of the time, and honestly, I was shocked I got it.
From sipping multiple styles of Spritz in a tucked-away bàcaro, to trying Formaggio Ubriaco (cheese aged in Prosecco barrels), to standing in the heart of the Rialto Market with a guide who knows every vendor by name. This tour delivers cultural depth you won’t get from restaurant hopping alone.
We sampled:
- Tramezzini sandwiches
- Fried seafood over creamy polenta
- Seasonal produce and herbs
- A variety of Spritz: Aperol, Select, Campari, Cynar
Why It Stands Out:
- In-depth cultural context
- Stops you’d never find on your own
- Perfect for solo travelers and first-time visitors
- Small group sizes for a more personal feel
Duration: 3 hours
Includes: Multiple stops, Rialto Market, Spritz, cheese, cicchetti
Book It: [Reserve your spot with on GetYourGuide here]
2. A Venetian Evening – Wine Tasting & Cicchetti with a Local Guide
Best Evening Food Tour in Venice
A perfect tour if you’re looking for an atmospheric Venetian evening out. This walking tour weaves through the backstreets to visit local bàcari, where you’ll try wine and cicchetti pairings. I considered this one before booking Devour and have recommended it to friends visiting in the off-season. It’s a solid pick if you’re short on time or prefer an evening experience with fewer crowds.
I often recommend this one to friends visiting in the off-season who want to experience Venice after dark. You’ll explore cozy bacari where locals go to unwind, sampling regional wines and small bites (this is, of course, if the first one isn’t bookable)
What You’ll Taste:
- Fresh seafood crostini
- Creamy baccalà mantecato
- Regional wines like Soave and Valpolicella
Why It Stands Out:
- Evening option with fewer crowds
- Excellent wine pairings
- Relaxed vibe without sacrificing quality
Duration: ~2.5 hours
Book It: Book an Evening in Venice with Wine Tasting
3. Venice: Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings
Best Budget-Friendly Food Tour in Venice
Short on time or on a budget? This Venice Street Food Tour With A Local Guide tour packs a punch for a lower price point. It’s shorter and more casual than others on this list, but still includes key highlights like the Rialto Market and Venetian street food.
I’ve taken this tour twice, once when I first moved to Italy, and I wanted to explore more of the food scene in Venice during Carnivale. It was PERFECT. We stopped by a bakery and sampled the popular pastries served during Carnivale in Venice
The second time was when my friend Maggie came to visit me. It was a last-minute booking because we had just flown in from Paris and wanted to explore a bit of Venice together. It’s funny because we took this and it started pouring down rain, and the guide was a CHAMP!
What’s great about this is that I made friends with the Guide! We follow each other on Instagram and regularly talk to one another!
What You’ll Try:
- Fried seafood
- Cicchetti
- Sweet pastries or local snacks
Why I Like It:
- Affordable, well-reviewed
- Easy to fit into a day trip or cruise stop
- Rialto Market stop adds cultural value
Duration: ~1.5–2 hours
Book It: Venice Street Food Tour with a Local Guide (affiliate link)
4. Venice Delights: Coffee & Food Experience Walking Tour
Best Morning Food Experience in Venice
This tour is perfect for travelers who want a lighter, breakfast-style introduction to Venice’s food culture. It’s not a cicchetti crawl — it’s a cultural deep dive through Venice’s café traditions. Everyone who travels to Venice is always curious about which cafes are the best and what cafe culture is like. This helps you understand what’s up!
What You’ll Taste
- Espresso, macchiato, cappuccino
- Venetian pastries
- Light snacks at historic coffee bars
Why It’s Unique
- Fantastic alternative for travelers who don’t want seafood
- Great for mornings when markets are busy
- Gives you real insight into Venice’s coffee etiquette
- Pairs food with major landmarks
Duration: ~2 hours
Book: Check the Availability of this tour
Final Thoughts: Why These 4 Venice Food Tours Are Enough
You don’t need a long list. You just need the right options.
These four tours cover every type of traveler — morning, evening, budget, culture-focused, and the deeply immersive food tour I personally took and still recommend.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Venice Food Tours
Are food tours in Venice worth it?
Absolutely! Food tours in Venice give you insider access to local spots, authentic flavors, and cultural insights you won’t get just wandering on your own. Plus, with a guide, you’ll learn about the history behind each dish and tradition.
What’s the best food tour in Venice?
The Tastes and Traditions of Venice Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit by Devour Tours is one of the top-rated options. It covers everything from traditional cicchetti to local Spritz varieties, cheese tastings, and a deep dive into the iconic Rialto Market.
How long do Venice food tours last?
Most food tours in Venice last between 2.5 to 4 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore, eat, and enjoy without feeling rushed.
Do I need to book a Venice food tour in advance?
Yes! These tours often sell out, especially during peak season. Booking ahead ensures you get your preferred date and time. 👉 Book now to secure your spot! (Affiliate Link)
Are food tours in Venice good for solo travelers?
Totally! Food tours are a great way for solo travelers to meet people, enjoy local cuisine, and explore Venice with a guide who knows all the hidden gems.
What should I wear or bring on a Venice food tour?
Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking between stops. Bring a water bottle, and don’t forget your appetite! Some tours might include a stop in a market, so a small tote for local goodies isn’t a bad idea.
What kind of food will I try on a Venice food tour?
Expect to try cicchetti (small Venetian bites), fresh seafood, Spritz (Aperol, Campari, or Cynar), local cheeses like Asiago and Ubriaco, Tramezzini sandwiches, and Prosecco.
Is the Rialto Market included in Venice food tours?
Many top food tours include a visit to the Rialto Market, especially in the mornings. It’s one of the best places to see Venice’s food culture in action!
On TikTok? Check out my adventures as a solo female traveler in Venice in real time!
