Venice Local Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio

Venice Food Tour Description

Your 2.5-hour tour includes:

• Small plates called cicchetti

• Prosecco, wine, and cocktails

• Sit-down pasta dinner and gelato

• Short walking tour of Cannaregio

• English-speaking, local guide

• Maximum of 10 people per group

Cannaregio and the Jewish Quarter

Your evening in Venice is set in the beautiful neighborhood of Cannaregio. Originally a working-class neighborhood, it has become the center of local Venetian cuisine and culture. Along with your local guide, you’ll explore the most populous of Venice's six sestieri or districts.

Within Cannaregio, you’ll also visit the Jewish neighborhood from which the word "ghetto" originates. As you explore the small canals and streets, you’ll see a more authentic, less touristy side of Venice that will make you fall in love with the city all over again.

Cicchetti and Bacari 

There are two words that are vital to know when visiting Venice—cicchetti and bacari. The word cicchetti comes from Venetian dialect, meaning "a small savory snack.” They’re served at various bacari (wine bars) and come in many delicious varieties. Traditional bacari date back to at least the 1300s and have become an integral part of life in Venice.

Your local Venetian guide will explain the history of bacari and why people visited them during the day (and even in the morning!). When Italians drink wine, they always have something to eat with it to make sure that they don't get too tipsy. So over time, the bacari started offering cicchetti and a new tradition was born: drinking wine with cicchetti.

The Spritz

Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer something bitter, there’s a spritz for everyone. The Campari spritz has a higher alcohol content than an Aperol Spritz, and it also tastes more bitter than sweet.

If you’ve ever seen pictures of people in Italy drinking a bright orange cocktail in a stemmed glass, that’s an Aperol spritz. Both drinks are made with prosecco. You’ll learn how to make the classic Italian aperitivo drink from an expert, local bartender.

Traditional Sit-Down Dinner

An ombra in Venice is a small glass of wine, but ombra means “shade” in Italian. Legend has it that wine was once sold near the bell tower of St. Mark's Square, where people could relax in the shade. So, the locals would say, "Let's go drink in the shade by the bell tower.” Today, it has been shortened to just one word: ombra. At the third stop, you’ll taste some of the local ombra as you sit down for a delicious dinner that includes some of the best pasta in Venice.

Gelato in Venice

No Italian foodie experience is complete without some refreshing gelato. On this Venice food tour, you’ll learn how to spot the difference between authentic and artificial gelato by visiting one of Venice's best gelateria or gelato shops. Your guide can tell you which flavors are in season, and what makes gelato different from the ice cream you have at home.

You may feel like staying out and exploring Venice after the tour ends, or you might need a rest after all the eating and drinking! If you're ready to head home, your guide will happily show you where to catch the nearest vaporetto (water taxi) so you can cruise back to your accommodation for the night.