While Venice is best known for its canals, its culinary culture is just as unforgettable. But with so many options (and tourist traps) packed into its winding streets, navigating the local food scene can be overwhelming. That’s why we created the Tastes and Traditions of Venice Tour: an introduction to food in Venice, Italy that lets you skip the stress and dive straight into the good stuff—from authentic food experiences and Venetian cuisine to discovering hidden local restaurants and the vibrant Rialto Market, all on a thoughtfully curated food tour.
The Veneto region produces some of Italy’s finest wines. Its rich agricultural landscape supports everything from cured meats to fresh seafood. As a result, food lovers find endless inspiration here. You can try cicchetti, artisanal cheeses, and regional wines. Spend a morning eating like a true Venetian.
Join us to experience the true tastes of “La Serenissima.” Read on to discover what you need to know about food in Venice, Italy!
What are Cicchetti?
While cicchetti might resemble tapas, they offer a unique Venetian experience. These small snacks, served on bread or skewered, form the heart of Venice’s casual dining scene. You can find them in bàcari, traditional bars where locals meet for a bite and a drink. In fact, many Venetians hop from one spot to the next.
On our Tastes and Traditions Tour, we begin with cicchetti in Erbaria square in the San Polo neighborhood. Merchants once filled this area, trading goods from the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Asia. Today, lively bars line the square. You can relax into Venice’s cicchetti culture and sample regional wines.
Wander the surrounding streets, which still bear the names of their historic trades. Sample classic cicchetti like creamy baccalà mantecato or sopressa nostrana, a garlicky sausage from Verona. You can pair these with prosecco, regional wine, or an Aperol spritz.
For a true Venetian ritual, try:
- Baccalà mantecato (creamy whipped cod)
- Sopressa nostrana (soft, garlicky salami)
- Sarde in saor (sweet-and-sour sardines)
- A glass of prosecco or a classic Aperol spritz
Insider Tip: For a historic experience, visit Cantina Do Mori (Calle Dei Do Mori, 429). This spot dates back to 1462. Try their sarde in saor, a classic sweet-and-sour sardine cicchetto.
Explore Mercatos, Fresh Produce, and Market Cuisine
To understand Venetian cuisine, start at the market. The Rialto Market sits beside the Grand Canal. For centuries, it has remained the heart of the city’s food scene. You will see seasonal vegetables, local seafood, and produce from the lagoon’s fertile ecosystem. For example, you might find Sant’Erasmo artichokes in spring, bitter radicchio in winter, and briny clams year-round.
The Rialto neighborhood offers many traditional market bites. You can try fried seafood, cheeses like Asiago or Ubriaco, and hearty sandwiches. These often include robiola, truffle, and prosciutto.
When you visit the market, make sure to:
- Taste seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Sample local cheeses (like Asiago and Ubriaco)
- Try fried seafood specialties
- Grab a sandwich with robiola, truffle, and prosciutto
On our Tastes & Traditions tour, our expert guides lead a stroll through the market. They bring the area’s history and ingredients to life. You will sample the preparations that define the neighborhood.
What are Some Seasonal Venetian Dishes?
When you sit down for a proper meal in Venice, look beyond pasta and pizza. Local cuisine follows the seasons. Every visitor should take full advantage of this. On tour, expert guides explain Venice’s seasonal culinary landscape. They share details about its unique agricultural heritage and traditional preparations.
One of our favorite stops is a neighborhood osteria near the Rialto Market. The rice dish of the day always features the freshest ingredients. These might include spring greens, lagoon seafood, or late-summer vegetables.
Book your spot today and experience Venice through its changing flavors.
Some additional traditional dishes to look out for include:
- Moeche – Delicate soft-shell crabs, a springtime delicacy available only for a short window each year.
- Risi e bisi – A simple, soupy rice with fresh spring peas, traditionally served on April 25th to mark the feast of San Marco, Venice’s patron saint.
- Bigoli in salsa – Thick, whole-wheat pasta served in a bold anchovy and onion sauce. Once reserved for meatless days like Christmas Eve and Good Friday, it’s now enjoyed year-round by locals and visitors alike.
Venetian Dessert
No meal is complete without dessert. Venice certainly holds its own in the sweets department. Treviso, just 30 minutes from Venice, claims the title as the birthplace of tiramisù. You will find excellent versions all over town.
At the end of our Tastes & Traditions tour, we finish with a classic tiramisù at a traditional Venetian chocolate shop. Many guests consider this the highlight of the morning.
Try this iconic dessert at:
- Bakarò Venezia
- Tre Mercanti, where you can choose from 25 tiramisù varieties
The Best Way to Eat in Venice Like a Local
With so much to taste, Venice’s food scene can feel tricky to navigate. Our Tastes and Traditions of Venice Tour helps you eat like a local. You will enjoy authentic flavors, seasonal ingredients, and stories you will not find in guidebooks.
Sip and snack your way through iconic neighborhoods. Visit lively bàcari, historic market stalls, and neighborhood osterie. As we walk, you will discover the origins of cicchetti culture and the seasonality behind local dishes. Moreover, our expert guide will share tips and recommendations so you can keep eating well long after the tour ends.
FAQ: Food in Venice, Italy
What is the best way to experience authentic food in Venice?
The best way to experience authentic food in Venice is to join a guided food tour. Choose one that focuses on Venetian cuisine, visits local restaurants, and explores traditional markets like the Rialto Market. As a result, you will skip tourist traps and savor local flavors.
What makes the Rialto Market a must-visit for food lovers?
The Rialto Market represents the heart of Venice’s culinary tradition. You will see fresh seafood, local produce, and artisanal specialties. Visit to experience market cuisine, sample authentic food, and discover the ingredients behind beloved Venetian dishes.
What should I expect from a Venetian food tour?
On a Venetian food tour, you will taste a variety of local dishes. Expect to sample cicchetti, regional cheeses, market-fresh seafood, and classic desserts. You will visit local restaurants, sip regional wines, and learn about food traditions from an expert guide.
How can I avoid tourist traps and eat like a local in Venice?
To avoid tourist traps, eat at small family-run restaurants and explore neighborhood markets. Seek out authentic food stalls. Above all, a guided food tour helps you discover where locals dine and lets you experience the real flavors of Venice.
To live it all without the stress, join our Tastes and Traditions of Venice Tour. Let us guide you through the Floating City’s most delicious traditions.