Street Food With A Local Guide

Venice: Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings

★ 4.8 3,071 reviews

2.5 hours, free cancellation.

from $51 per person

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Duration: 2.5 hours
Meeting point: Campo San Bortolomio
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Food Raphael Tours and Events

Overview

This 2.5 hour walk with Food Raphael Tours and Events starts in the San Marco district and works its way across to Dorsoduro, with food stops the whole way. You cross the Rialto Bridge, wander the Rialto Market where locals shop for fresh fish and produce, then continue to Campo San Polo and the Basilica dei Frari before finishing at Campo Santa Margherita. Along the route there are tastings of regional specialties, buranelli biscuits, street food, artisanal gelato, and cicchetti, the small tapas-style snacks served in Venetian bàcari.

The tour is as much a history walk as a food walk. Reviews repeatedly say the guides explain Venice's past and its food culture while leading the group through corners of the city travellers would not have found alone. Several mention that allergies and dietary needs were accommodated.

It suits people who want a guided introduction to Venetian eating rather than a sit-down meal. Drinks are not included, though one reviewer noted a recommended drink pairing could be bought at some stops. Wear comfortable shoes, since the tour is on foot for its full length.

Family walking a narrow Venetian alley past a bakery window

What's Included

Included

Several local food tastings
Guided walking tour
Local expert tour guide

Not Included

Drinks

Itinerary

Meet at Campo San BartolomeoThe group meets at Campo S. Bortolomio in the San Marco district. Hotel pickup is not included.
Cross the Rialto BridgeThe walk crosses the Rialto Bridge toward the market area alongside the Grand Canal.
Rialto MarketBrowse the fruit, vegetable and fish stalls, watching locals shop for fresh ingredients. Note that the fish market is closed on Sundays, Mondays, Italian holidays, and in the afternoons.
Campo San Polo and the FrariContinue to Campo San Polo and enter the Basilica dei Frari.
Tastings along the wayFood stops include regional specialties, buranelli biscuits, traditional street food, artisanal gelato, and cicchetti in a bàcaro. Drinks can be bought separately.
End at Campo Santa MargheritaThe tour finishes at Campo Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro, near the university, surrounded by restaurants and market stalls.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk.

Where this tour sits among 6 tours in Market And Street Food listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Street Food With a Local Guide (this tour)$51
Cicchetti Plus Sightseeing Walk$51
Pastries, Chocolate and Gelato$91.24
4-Hour Rialto Market Lunch$110
Small-Group Food and Drinks Walk$124.31
Jewish Ghetto, Cannaregio Route$135.71

Footwear and pace. The listing asks for comfortable shoes, and the tour is a continuous walk across several districts. Reviews describe it as a walking route rather than a seated tasting, with the meal built up stop by stop.
Food choices. One reviewer noted that much of the food is chosen at each venue, which made things easier for people with dietary requirements. Several reviewers said allergies were taken into account.
Drinks cost extra. Drinks are not included. Reviewers describe being able to buy drinks, including a recommended pairing, at some stops, and one found the prices on offer reasonable. Nothing forces you to buy.
Morning versus afternoon. The listing offers a morning and an afternoon departure, and the fish market is closed in the afternoon. If seeing the market stalls matters to you, book the morning slot, noting the fish market also closes on Sundays, Mondays and Italian holidays.
Group feel. One reviewer had a group of only four and enjoyed it, though group size is not fixed. Reviews generally describe an engaging, informative guide.
History plus food. Come expecting commentary on Venice's history as well as its food. Reviewers often mention learning about the city and its food culture while eating their way across it.

$51from, per person

2.5 hoursduration

4.8across 3,071 guest reviews

Common issues. Drinks are not included and hotel pickup is not provided, so plan to make your own way to the meeting point. The listing warns that options are limited for dairy-free and gluten-free participants and that cross contamination is a concern. One reviewer was disappointed to taste pumpkin risotto at a seafood stall. If you take the afternoon departure, or visit on a Sunday, Monday or Italian holiday, the fish market will be closed. Some travellers would also like clearer information on drink costs and optional extras before the tour.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The tour includes several local food tastings, a guided walking tour, and a local expert guide. Drinks and hotel pickup are not included.

Where Does The Tour Start?

The meeting point is Campo S. Bortolomio in Venice, in the San Marco district. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrive at the square on your own. The tour ends at Campo Santa Margherita in Dorsoduro.

How Long Is The Tour?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours. It runs in English and covers the Rialto Market, Campo San Polo, the Basilica dei Frari and Campo Santa Margherita, with food stops along the way.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking page carries the full cancellation terms.

Is It Suitable For Gluten Or Dairy Allergies?

Only partially. The listing states there are limited options for dairy-free and gluten-free participants and that cross contamination must be considered. Reviews do say guides accommodated allergies, but anyone with a serious intolerance should weigh the risk and contact the operator before booking.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable shoes are the one item the listing recommends. Bring money or a card if you want drinks, since these are not included, and some stops offer a recommended drink pairing for purchase.