Cecelia was fantastic! Personable, knowledgeable, and entertaining! Our party of 4 “wine snobs” were blown away by her expertise. Magnifico!
Venice Food Tour: Bacari, Cicchetti & Wine
Uncover Venice’s lesser-known bacari through wine and cicchetti
The Finer Details
This 3-hour tour is an immersive journey into the heart of Venetian food heritage, crafted for true connoisseurs and seasoned food lovers seeking depth and discovery. Join your expert guide as you glide from bacaro to bacaro, the city’s beloved family-run wine bars where Venetians have gathered for centuries. Step into places where you're greeted like family in these hand-picked spots, and live like a local for a few unforgettable hours.
Over the course of the tour, you'll savor ombre–small glasses of local wine–and cicchetti–bite-sized seasonal delicacies, as you explore the rich histories behind each dish. Each stop is a deep dive into tradition: taste velvety baccalà mantecato, tangy sarde in saor, and delicate pastella-fried vegetables, perfectly paired with wines like crisp Soave or robust Valpolicella. This tour goes beyond tasting: it’s about understanding. Your expert guide - who knows the city's food scene and history like the back of their hand will reveal the fascinating origins of these recipes, from the spice routes of the Serenissima to today’s vibrant wine bars.
Choose this tour if…
- You’re a food lover who seeks more than an average bite, and you'd rather learn with your taste buds. You’re here to taste the history, culture, and stories baked into every dish.
- You’ve been to Venice before, but this time, you want to belong. You’re ready to trade the tourist trail for true tradition and feel like part of the city.
- You want the real local spots without the stress of bookings or guesswork. Just a seat waiting where your guide is already known by name, and you are treated as a friend.
- You want to make every moment count and dine with a twist. Savor local dishes, sip great wine, and soak up stories all in the time it takes to sit through an ordinary lunch or dinner.
- You want more than photos: new flavors, new pairing ideas, and unforgettable memories you’ll keep chasing back home.
What You’ll Taste
- Creamed baccalà on polenta - creamy salted codfish
- Sarde in saor and gamberi in saor - tasty sardines and shrimps in a sweet and sour version
- Seasonal vegetables in delicate pastella or other delicacies
- All paired with an ombra of refreshing Prosecco or a crisp Soave, or a ruby Valpolicella
- These tastings replace a meal. Most clients should find this tour pretty fulfilling, and wouldn't want to follow it with a full dinner or lunch.
- We are taking you to local establishments that are often family-run; hours and availability may vary.
- Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to possibly adapt the tour.
Route Details
Your authentic Venetian experience begins in the atmospheric sestiere of Dorsoduro, far from the tourist crowds, in the narrow canals with fluttering laundry. Here, your culinary history expert guide welcomes you into family-run bacari, intimate wine bars where Venetians have gathered for generations to enjoy ombre—small glasses of local wine—and cicchetti, the seasonal bite-sized dishes that are Venice’s answer to tapas.
You will deep dive into the rhythms and rituals of Venetian food culture, savoring traditional specialties like sarde in saor, creamy baccalà mantecato on polenta, and delicate pastella-fried seasonal vegetables., Sample each perfectly paired with wines with each stop, such as crisp Soave, mineral-rich Friulano, or robust Valpolicella. Every flavor opens a door into centuries of history, from the spice trade routes of the Serenissima Republic to the bustling stalls of today’s Rialto market.
Along the way, your guide will share fascinating tales about Venetian food culture. Learn how a glass of wine earned the nickname ombra (“shade”), and why cicchetti are meant to be so small to be eaten standing, with one hand always free for the glass of wine. You’ll leave with a satisfied appetite, a wealth of insider knowledge, and a list of authentic local spots to continue your Venetian culinary adventure.
Sites Visited
- Dorsoduro Neighborhood - A charming, authentic district with art, canals, and some of Venice’s coziest bacari
- San Polo Neighborhood - Venice’s historic heart of markets and culinary traditions
- Local family-run bacari - Generations-old wine bars serving heartfelt cicchetti
Accessibility
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour?
We will do our best to accommodate you if you are on a group tour by ordering appropriate items. Please note that if you have severe allergies, we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination. This tour centers on alcoholic tastings, but they can be replaced with other kinds of drinks (juices, soft drinks). If you prefer another tour option to avoid alcohol or are traveling with children, we suggest our Rialto Market Food Tour, which is better suited to those needs.
What does my tasting fee cover?
Your tasting fee covers drinks and snacks at three venues. This usually consists of local wine, with tastings of varieties of cicchetti. There will also be mineral water to cleanse your palate.
This walk takes place around lunch or dinner time. Will the tastings be enough for dinner?
Yes, this tour is designed to replace a regular meal. The food and wine pairings are carefully selected to be both satisfying and balanced, with generous tastings that most guests find more than enough. Depending on your appetite, you may not need anything more than a small bite or gelato afterward.
Will I be expected to try things even if I don’t like them?
Not at all. Tastings are not pre-selected or pre-ordered, and your guide will make choices based on what's available and suited to your preferences. You're welcome to share any dislikes or hesitations with your guide at the time of booking; they’re there to make the experience enjoyable and comfortable for everyone.
Can we bring our kids on the tour?
This tour is not specifically recommended for families with children, as it focuses on drinks and cocktail tastings, which can be challenging to replace with suitable alternatives for kids. If you’re traveling with little ones or prefer a non-alcoholic experience, we suggest our Rialto Market Food Tour, which is more family-friendly.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
Venice can present challenges for wheelchair users due to its many bridges and narrow cobblestone streets, and this tour includes a light to moderate amount of walking with several bridge crossings. Some of our stops may not have accessible entrances or facilities. However, progress has been made across the city, including ramps and modified bridges, and we are happy to adapt where possible.
If you or someone in your group has mobility concerns, please let us know in advance so we can tailor the experience to be as accessible and comfortable as possible.
Cancellation Policy
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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San Polo Neighborhood
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Dorsoduro Neighborhood
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Local Wine Bars
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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Food and drinkUnless booking a Food & Drink tour or tasting experience, refreshments are not included.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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GratuitiesTips aren’t included, but we encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Don’t just take our word for it
Excellent. My son had a wonderful time with Leo. We learned about food, drinks and Venice secrets that would've been left undiscovered without our outstanding guide.
We had a great time, food and information was terrific!
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