Venice: Cannaregio Food Tour with Cicchetti & Bacari Bars

Summary

Venetian flavors in Cannaregio’s bacari and quiet alleys

You’ll taste your way through Venice’s Cannaregio district with a local guide, sampling cicchetti in cozy bacari bars, creamy polenta and homemade meatballs, plus classic tiramisù and an exclusive secret dish. Expect laughter over spritzes, stories from centuries-old streets, and moments that linger long after you leave the table.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to start a food tour in front of a supermarket, but that’s Venice for you—layers everywhere. Our guide, Marco, waved us over right by the old Teatro Italia sign. He told us it used to be this grand cinema with painted ceilings (you can still see them if you look up while people shop for pasta). I liked that he seemed genuinely excited about the odd mix of old and new—kept pointing out little details I’d have missed on my own.

The first bite was this crunchy cookie from a bakery near the Jewish Ghetto. It tasted faintly of almonds and lemon zest—simple but somehow richer than what I’m used to back home. The ghetto itself felt quieter than the rest of Venice; we wandered narrow lanes where laundry hung above our heads and an old man nodded at Marco like they’d known each other forever. We tried baccalà mantecato on bread (I probably smeared too much) and some kind of creamy polenta in a tiny bacaro where everyone spoke in low voices except one woman who laughed so loud it echoed off the stone walls.

I lost track of how many cicchetti we tried—sardines, artichokes, something with anchovy that I thought I’d hate but actually liked. Each stop came with a little glass of wine or spritz. At one point Marco taught us how to say “cheers” in Venetian dialect (I butchered it, he laughed). There was this meatball too—juicy and warm—and some pasta that tasted like Sunday lunch at someone’s house. The whole time it drizzled outside so our group huddled close under awnings, plates balanced on the edge of old wooden barrels.

We finished with tiramisù somewhere near a canal I couldn’t pronounce. It was lighter than any version I’ve had before—almost airy—and I remember thinking how the cocoa powder stuck to my fingers for ages after. There was also a “secret dish” but Marco swore us to secrecy (he winked when he said it wasn’t always the same). Walking back through Cannaregio as dusk fell, I realized how full—not just from food—I felt. Still thinking about that last spoonful now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Venice Cannaregio Food and Culture Tour

• Meet guide at Ex Cinema Teatro Italia
• Explore Venice Jewish Ghetto area
• Walk through Cannaregio district

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this Venice food tour?

The tour includes 6+ tastings featuring cicchetti, polenta, Venetian cookies, pasta, meatballs, tiramisù, and a secret dish.

Where does the food tour in Venice start?

The tour starts in front of Ex Cinema Teatro Italia in Cannaregio.

Is lunch included during the Venice cicchetti tour?

The tour includes multiple tastings across several stops which together make up a full meal.

Are drinks included on this Cannaregio food tour?

Yes, drinks such as wine or spritz are served alongside certain tastings during the tour.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

You should contact the provider in advance to discuss dietary needs so they can try to accommodate you.

How much walking is involved on this Venice food tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking through Cannaregio’s streets; comfortable shoes are recommended.

Is public transportation nearby for this Venice food experience?

Yes, there are public transportation options available near the starting point in Cannaregio.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Cannaregio’s historic streets with stops for more than six authentic tastings: crunchy Venetian cookies from a traditional bakery, various cicchetti small plates like baccalà mantecato and artichoke spreads in classic bacari wine bars (with wine or spritz), creamy polenta, homemade Venetian meatball and pasta specialties, classic tiramisù dessert—and an exclusive Secret Dish only revealed on tour.