Venice is one of my favorite places in the world, with architecture and cultural riches that make it feel like I’m in some sort of fairytale from hundreds of years back.
However, part of the incredible allure of the city is its incomparable gastronomy! If you ask me, the best way to really wrap your head around the local cuisine is to partake in a food tour.
After taking so many, I thought I’d help out by carefully curating a list of the 5 top Venice food tours for 2024! Let’s jump right in!
Be sure to see our reviews of Gondola Rides, Dolomites Day Trips From Venice and St. Mark’s Basilica Tours.
Best Food Tours in Venice
| Venice Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience | PRIVATE The 10 Tastings Food Tour of Venice: Spritz Included | Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour | |
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| Location: | Campo S.S. Giovanni e Paolo, 6363, 30122 Venezia VE | Campo Manin, 30124 Venezia VE | Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 30125 Venezia VE |
| Start: | 11:30 AM or 5:30 PM | Between 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM | 10:45 AM |
| Duration: | 2 hours | 3 hours | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
| Includes: | Dinner, Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water, limited to 10 people | Private tour and local foodie guide, 10 food & drink tasting | Local guide, Wine tasting, Local taxes, Food tasting |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Venice Food Tours For 2024
- Venice Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience
- PRIVATE The 10 Tastings Food Tour of Venice: Spritz Included
- Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
- Venice Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
- Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour of Venice
Venice Food Tour Reviews
1. Venice Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departure: Campo S.S. Giovanni e Paolo, 6363, 30122 Venezia VE
- Departure Time: 11:30 AM or 5:30 PM
- Includes: Dinner, Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water
The first time I was in Venice, I just followed what my friends recommended and frankly, would’ve liked more of a local’s perspective.
Luckily for me, I went ahead and bought tickets for the Venice Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience, which gave me all that, and more! Lasting around 3 hours, it’s easy to fit into even the busiest of schedules and is a great alternative to going out to dinner at a nice restaurant.
I loved being able to learn about Venician culture – specifically traditions involving food and drink – while getting to actually try local favorites!
We met up with our guide and the rest of our group in central Venice, which was super close to all of our hotels, anyway. Not to mention, the group was quite small and intimate, and they only allowed a max of 10 participants to keep it this way.
After passing by the stunning Ponte del Cavallo, first stop for the evening was to taste and learn all about the famous aperitif, Spritz (wine, sparkling water, and Aperol).
Our guide made sure we had a ton of fun, placing a humorous yet passionate focus on everything we covered. After trying the refreshing cocktail, we then continued on to our next stop, strolling around and learning about the city from our expert guide!
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Trying the famous Crostini was quite the treat, and I even went out on a limb and tried the surprisingly tasty sardine option.
The inviting, fun personality of our guide made it the perfect environment for trying new things without feeling judged, and that’s something you can’t put a price on.
After that, we went on to try more well-known Venetian dishes like risotto, along with a deep-fried mozzarella sandwich, codfish with cornmeal, aubergines with tomato sauce, and so much more.
I don’t think I’d ever had to much mozzarella in my life, but everything was absolutely delicious – make sure you come hungry, though! Of course, there’s no better way to finish up exquisite dishes like that than with either a shot or some of the best ice cream in Venice!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
2. PRIVATE The 10 Tastings Food Tour of Venice: Spritz Included
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: Campo Manin, 30124 Venezia VE
- Departure Time: Between 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
- Includes: Private tour and local foodie guide, 10 food & drink tastings, sustainable experience
There are many ways to explore Venice, but if you want my advice, I’d say you really need to see it from the eyes of a local. With the PRIVATE The 10 Tastings Food Tour of Venice: Spritz Included was an incredible experience that took me to places I’d probably never see otherwise!
Sure, we saw some more popular sites, but the vast majority of eateries were these hidden gems that I’m already looking forward to coming back to!
I absolutely loved the previous tour with its small group setting, but in that regard, this tour actually takes things a step further.
It was literally only me and my tour guide, so it really felt like I had a local buddy in Venice who was there to show me the absolute tastiest places around! We met up in central Venice by the Manin statue, which is pretty easy to find for the vast majority of travelers.
Campo Manin is a really charming place that I believe exudes that “quintessential Venetian” vibe complete with traditional architecture and a bustling atmosphere that always puts me in a good mood.
We hung out a bit here, just taking in the environment and providing me with some insight into what daily life is like for so many Venetians here!
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We then moved on to the hidden gem that is Scala Contarini del Bovolo, with some of the best views in the city, and amazing food and drinks.
Next up was Rialto Market, where locals grab groceries and restaurateurs get their ingredients, and is full of interesting stalls with fresh food and other interesting offerings.
I had a great time exploring the Basilica di Santa Maria GLoriosa dei Frari, with plenty of opportunity to learn about traditional dishes and drinks, art, and general history from our guide.
We got to see many more sites, and I truly felt like I had a fantastic grasp of Venetian history, current situations in the city, cuisine, and much more because of it!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
- Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
- Departure: Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 30125 Venezia VE
- Departure Time: 10:45 AM
- Includes: Local guide, Wine tasting, Local taxes, Food tasting
I feel like you never really know a culture’s food until you know the history behind it. This next tour allowed me to really explore Venice’s hidden culinary gems and enjoy authentic flavors that exhibit the true soul of Venetian culture.
The Eat Like a Local: 3-Hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour provides all this and more, creating a tour that brings the senses to life.
It’s no secret that Venice can be super crowded, even when it isn’t during peak tourist seasons – which can be a bit of a downer if you don’t know how to plan accordingly.
However, this tour kind of takes you away from the crowds and into another world where you can fully immerse yourself in the heritage of Venice, the way a local would see it.
I will say, however, that I recommend putting on some good walking shoes to navigate the narrow streets and uneven terrain.
With our guide (and our small tour), we kind of went off the beaten path to explore neighborhoods known by Venetians but aren’t often seen by tourists, starting off with some yummy pastries and coffee.
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Through the little alleyways and picturesque squares, we arrived at bustling markets filled with artisanal cheeses, fresh produce, and plenty of regional specialties. This comprehensive introduction includes dishes that are all in-season so everything is fresh and at its best.
We made around 8 stops in total, where we visited some elegant wine bars to taste wines and learn how to expertly pair them with traditional side dishes.
We also tried plenty of fish and cured meats, as our guide led us around while regaling us with personal anecdotes and knowledge about the area, food, and wine.
This was an amazing way to spend a couple of hours while learning about the local specialties while meeting others from around the world!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Venice Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departure: Cannaregio, Campiello de l’Anconeta, 1939-1952, 30121 Venezia VE
- Departure Time: Between 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM
- Includes: Venetian Cookies, Cicchetti (Local Tapas: one must is with Baccalà Mantecato), Venetian Meatball, Polenta tasting in a Traditional Bacaro, Venetian Main Pasta dish, Tiramisù, Our Secret Dish
Venice is a gorgeous city with labyrinthine streets, ancient palazzos, and of course, many culinary gems waiting to be uncovered. I wanted to discover it all, so I knew I needed a guide who could help us navigate the literal maze of flavors, and I knew this next tour would be perfect for it.
The Venice Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours offers intimate knowledge of the local food scene, taking you on a journey from hundreds of years ago up to the present day.
Our guide was one of the best that I’ve had, which really is saying a lot considering I’ve had so many fantastic ones. I’d already tried plenty of Venetian dishes at this point, and our guide asked us about our experience so she could show us something new.
The fact that she didn’t just go through the motions and check off boxes meant a lot, and the quality of the tour attests to that.
Our first stop was trying the Cicchetti along with the Spritz that was invented here, which I’d already tried but I enjoyed so much, I didn’t mind having it again.
Given the location, there were plenty of seafood options to select from, though those who don’t like fish also have many alternatives to try.
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I had a great time trying the oldest cafe in Venice, along with some welcome cookies (I’m a huge cookie fiend and these were amazing).
I also liked how our guide mixed indoor locations with open-air spots like a bright and bustling market where we got to try local meatballs and Tramezzini, along with Veneto’s Polenta, and much more!
Everyone also gets to try their tasty “Secret Dish”, which I obviously can’t reveal here, but can say that it’s definitely worth trying! If you’re on the hunt for a tour that the entire family can have fun with, look no further than this one!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour of Venice
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 30125 Venezia VE
- Departure Time: 10:45 AM
- Includes: Lunch, local guide
Venice is much more than its canals and gondolas – it’s about centuries-old traditions, including those surrounding the local culinary scene. This next tour is a sensory experience that focuses on the history of Venice, along with the Rialto Market.
The Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour of Venice is bursting at the seams with vibrant colors, delicious aromas wafting through the air, and the freshest produce you’ve ever seen.
Our small group setting was perfect for really learning about the city, while being able to weave in and out of the alleyways and market without issue.
Our tour guide was able to answer every question we had, teaching us in a way that wasn’t intimidating for new visitors. She even introduced us to various vendors and artisans – many of which use traditions that have been in practice for hundreds of years in Venice.
I’d say this is one of the best tours to take if it’s your first time in Venice and want to get a lay of the land and valuable insight into the local culture.
Our guide made sure we had a ton of fun, placing a humorous yet passionate focus on everything we covered.
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Our first stop was at the famous Mercati di Rialto to see where locals and chefs get their produce and seafood, crossing Ponte di Rialto to see Campo San Bartolomeo and Marco Polo’s house!
I thought this tour was mostly focused on food, but we also tried plenty of fine regional wines and prosecco at Venice’s Bacari bars, which are kind of like Italy’s version of tapas. It’s an easy way to try a lot of the traditional food without becoming too full.
This one was right between breakfast and lunch, making it perfect if you have a morning free – just make sure to skip breakfast as there’s a lot of eating involved!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Foods Tasted
Tour Guides
Value
The Venice Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience is our Editors Choice for the best Venice food tour.
