Discover the gastronomic soul of Venice and experience the city as a true Venetian, away from tourist circuits! In this 2.5–3 hour experience, an expert local foodie guide will accompany you through the least-traveled calli to taste the finest cicchetti at 3 historic bacari, sampling authentic Venetian wines. An authentic journey through taste, conviviality, and the Venice that only Venetians truly know.
Taste Venice one cicchetto at a time!
Cicchetti are small Venetian appetizers, the Venetian equivalent of Spanish tapas. Served in bacari, they can be hot or cold, made with fresh fish, meat, vegetables, or local cheeses. Traditionally eaten standing at the counter, paired with a glass of wine or authentic Spritz. The "giro de ombra" – a tour through wine glasses at various bacari – is the true Venetian ritual of sociability and gathering. Each bacaro has its own distinctive specialties, telling stories of traditions passed down through generations.
The perfect time for the traditional Venetian "giro de ombra." Meet your local expert foodie guide at a central point in Venice and begin your gastronomic journey through the authentic calli, away from the crowds and tourist circuits.
First historic bacaro where you will taste classic cicchetti: creamed cod on a crispy crostino, spiced meatballs, crostini with marinated anchovies. All accompanied by a glass of Prosecco from Valdobbiadene or an authentic Venetian Spritz (not the tourist version!).
The guide will tell you the fascinating history of the bacari, born in the 1400s as meeting places for merchants and gondoliers, and the meaning of the word "ombra" (glass of wine), which comes from the custom of drinking in the shade of St. Mark's Campanile.
Continue to a second bacaro specializing in fresh fish from the lagoon. Here you will taste sarde in saor (sardines marinated with onions, raisins, and pine nuts), fried cod, boiled octopus, and crostini with schie (typical lagoon shrimp).
You will accompany these tastings with a glass of Soave or Verduzzo, Venetian white wines perfect for fish. The guide will explain traditional Venetian recipes and how lagoon cuisine is deeply influenced by the history of the Serenissima Republic and ancient trade routes with the East.
In the third bacaro, you will immerse yourself in the authentic Venetian atmosphere: ancient wooden counter, locals chatting, informal and warm conviviality. Here you will try other typical cicchetti such as crostini with Venetian soppressa (local salami), Monte Veronese (excellent local cheese), fritole (fried meatballs), and perhaps a portion of nervetti (for the more adventurous!).
You will drink a glass of Valpolicella or Raboso, full-bodied red wines from the Veneto. You will learn why the bacaro is much more than a simple bar: it is the beating heart of Venetian social life, the place where tradition, conviviality, and taste come together.
If time allows, you will conclude the tour with a fourth bacaro where you will taste a traditional Venetian dessert such as baicoli (thin, crispy biscuit) or zaleti (corn and raisin biscuits), accompanied by a glass of sweet wine or an authentic Venetian coffee.
Throughout the tour, you will walk through authentic sestieri, away from the crowds of San Marco, discovering intimate little squares, romantic bridges, and secret corners that only Venetians know. Return to the Rialto or San Marco area with your guide, with your heart and stomach full of authentic Venice.
Loading reviews...
Click to load interactive map
Need a completely personalized itinerary? Use our AI-powered tour generator to create a custom experience tailored to your preferences, budget, and travel dates.
Generate New TourLoading original budget...
Calculating your personalized budget...
Calculating new budget...
Loading pricing options...
We have received your quote request and will contact you within 24 hours with a personalized proposal.
A confirmation email has been sent to your address.