Venice: Cannaregio Food Tour & Jewish Ghetto Tasting Walk

Summary

Venice flavors with cicchetti, spritz, tiramisù in Cannaregio

You’ll wander Venice’s Cannaregio district with a local guide, tasting tramezzini at a historic bakery, cicchetti with prosecco col fondo in cozy bacari, and learning to make a proper Venetian spritz. Savor a main dish at a family trattoria before choosing your dessert — tiramisù, gelato or frittella — as you soak up centuries-old canalside life.

What’s the experience like?

I met our group just off the canal in Cannaregio — honestly, I was still a bit jetlagged and nearly walked right past the guide waving at us. We started out with this pillowy tramezzino at a bakery that’s been around forever (since 1905, apparently). The bread was so soft it almost felt wrong to eat it. There was a faint smell of coffee drifting from inside and locals chatting in that sing-song Venetian way — I tried not to stare but couldn’t help it.

Our guide Marco led us down these narrow alleys where laundry hung overhead and you could hear water lapping against stone. He took us into a bacaro for cicchetti — those little snacks that are basically Venetian tapas. I picked one topped with baccalà mantecato (creamy cod), which I’d never tried before. Wasn’t sure what to expect but it was weirdly comforting? We washed it down with prosecco col fondo — cloudy stuff, kind of funky but really fresh. Marco explained how it’s made differently from regular prosecco; I nodded like I understood wine but honestly just enjoyed the fizz.

There was a spritz-making demo next (I still can’t pronounce Aperol right — Li laughed when I tried). The bar owner showed us how much ice is “correct” for Venetians, which is apparently less than anywhere else. We got two more cicchetti — one sweet-and-sour saor that tasted like pickled sunshine somehow. After wandering through the old Jewish Ghetto (the stones felt cool under my hand), we ended up at a trattoria for a main dish and white wine from Veneto. Can’t remember the name of what I ate but it had artichokes and something briny; still thinking about that flavor combo.

Dessert was up to us: tiramisù or gelato or this fried thing called frittella (I went tiramisù — no regrets). Walking back along Fondamenta degli Ormesini as dusk settled in, the buildings glowed pinkish-orange over the water. It wasn’t flashy or dramatic; just felt quietly special being part of all that everyday life for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Venice food and cultural tasting tour

• Meet at historic city spot
• Taste tramezzino at bakery
• Try cicchetto with prosecco
• Watch spritz-making demo
• Sample baccalà mantecato and saor
• Enjoy Venetian main dish with wine
• Choose tiramisù for dessert
• Pass by Mori sculptures square
• Walk along Fondamenta degli Ormesini
• See unique railing-free bridge
• Visit Venice's historic Jewish Ghetto
• Pass by elegant theater building

Top questions

How long does the Venice food tour last?

The experience is structured as either a progressive lunch or dinner and lasts several hours as you walk between stops in Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto.

Is food included on the Venice Cannaregio tour?

Yes, all tastings are included: tramezzino sandwich, cicchetti snacks, main dish with wine, spritz cocktail demo with more cicchetti, plus dessert.

Are drinks like prosecco or spritz included?

Yes, you’ll enjoy prosecco col fondo at one stop and learn to make (and drink) a classic Venetian spritz at another bacaro.

Does the tour visit Venice’s Jewish Ghetto?

Yes, part of the walk takes you through the historic Jewish Ghetto area with context from your local guide.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes, your group will be led by an English-speaking local who shares stories about Venetian food culture and history.

Can vegetarians join this Venice food tour?

The operator asks guests to email dietary requirements such as vegetarian or gluten-free in advance so they can try to accommodate.

What desserts are offered on this tour?

You’ll get to choose between tiramisù, artisanal gelato or seasonal frittella depending on what’s available that day.

Is pickup included?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet your group at an easy-to-find spot in Cannaregio near cafés and historic buildings.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes tastings of classic tramezzino sandwiches from a century-old bakery, cicchetti snacks paired with prosecco col fondo in traditional bacari taverns, a hands-on spritz-making demo with two more Venetian bites like baccalà mantecato and saor, an authentic main course with local white wine at a family trattoria, plus your choice of tiramisù dessert or gelato before strolling back along scenic canalsides together.