Venice: Cicchetti & Wine Tasting Evening Food Tour

Summary

Venetian food walk through bacari with wine spritz pasta & gelato

You’ll hop between Venice’s bacari with a local guide, tasting cicchetti and sipping spritz or prosecco as you go. Share plates of cheese and cold cuts in a restored osteria, try fried bites by the canal, then settle in for traditional pasta before finishing with creamy gelato under city lights. It’s easy-going, full of little surprises — more about feeling part of Venice than ticking off sights.

What’s the experience like?

“It’s not just bread,” our guide Marco said, waving a little crostino in the air before popping it into his mouth. I tried to copy him but dropped a bit of anchovy on my shirt — nobody cared, everyone was laughing already. The San Polo neighborhood felt quieter than I expected for Venice; you could actually hear the clink of glasses from inside the bacaro and someone’s dog barking down an alley. We started with two types of cicchetti and a spritz (my first real Venetian one), standing elbow-to-elbow with locals who looked like they’d been doing this forever. The air smelled like yeast and orange peel — that bittersweet Aperol thing.

After weaving past Campo dei Frari (Marco pointed out some old graffiti I’d never have noticed), we ducked into this osteria in what used to be a merchant’s house — exposed beams, candlelight, a bit drafty but cozy. Shared a board of cheese and cold cuts with prosecco that tasted lighter than anything back home. There was a moment when the whole table went quiet, just eating and listening to Marco talk about how sharing food is kind of sacred here. I kept thinking about how every glass seemed to taste different depending on where we were sitting.

The next wine bar was right on the canal — you could smell fried seafood before you even saw the place. Tried fried cicchetti (I still can’t pronounce “moełega” right; Marco tried not to laugh) with local vino. Some guy at the counter nodded at us like we were regulars. By the time we reached Dorsoduro for pasta and another glass of wine, my notes got messy and my Italian worse. Ended up outside with gelato dripping down my hand, watching the lights flicker on the water and thinking maybe this is what people mean by “slow travel,” though nobody says that out loud here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Venice cicchetti and wine tasting tour

• Meet local guide in San Polo
• Introduction to Venetian foods
• Enjoy cicchetti and spritz aperitivo
• Walk past Campo dei Frari and Scuola Grande
• Share cold cuts and cheese with prosecco
• Taste fried cicchetti with local wine
• Eat traditional pasta with wine
• Visit iconic gelato shop for dessert

Top questions

How long does the Venice cicchetti & wine tour last?

The evening food tour covers several hours as you walk between four venues plus a gelato stop.

Is this Venice food tour suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested in advance, though not at every stop.

Does the tour include drinks like spritz or prosecco?

Yes, drinks such as Spritz, Prosecco, and local wines are included at each venue.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available during the tour?

Non-alcoholic alternatives can be provided upon request at each stop.

Is hotel pickup included for this Venice evening food tour?

No hotel pickup; guests meet in San Polo to start the walking tour.

Can guests with mobility issues join this walking tour?

This tour isn’t suitable for those with mobility impairments or wheelchairs due to walking and standing requirements.

How many people are in each group?

The small group size is limited to 10 participants per tour.

Will there be enough food for dinner on this Venice cicchetti tour?

The tastings across multiple stops add up to a full meal including dessert.

What’s included

Your evening includes all tastings: Venetian cicchetti paired with Spritz or local wine at several stops; shared boards of cheese and cold cuts; traditional pasta with wine; homemade gelato for dessert; plus your English-speaking guide leading your small group through Venice’s neighborhoods from aperitivo until nightfall.