VENETIAN
CUISINE:
THE ABSOLUTE
CLASSICS!
Ready to discover the true taste of Venice Food? Beyond the hidden bacari lie the absolute classics of our timeless cuisine, waiting to be savored through an authentic Bacaro Tour experience!
Venetian Cuisine: the Absolute Classics!
Ready to discover the true taste of Venice Food?
Beyond the hidden bacari lie the absolute classics of our timeless cuisine,
waiting to be savored through an authentic Bacaro Tour experience!
Venetian Cuisine is quite particular, given its historical influences from the diverse cultures to which the Serenissima was exposed throughout its long history.
Inspired by the rich culinary heritage of Venice, shaped by centuries of trade and cultural exchange, and the lively tradition of bacari, we invite you on an unforgettable Venetian cuisine experience.
Just like the historical merchants who brought exotic herbs and spices to the Serenissima, we will embark on a journey through the hidden gems of Venice – the traditional bacari. These popular taverns, instantly recognizable by their vibrant atmosphere, are the perfect setting to discover the true taste of the city.
Are you still thinking about what to eat in Venice? Look no further! An evening of discovering the best bacari of the city while tasting good local food and white wine, is the perfect choice for you. Come and taste the authentic Venetian cuisine, through a traditional and characteristic bacaro tour!
CHOOSE THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE YOU PREFER
To introduce you to the world the Venetian cuisine, we suggest beginning with a tasty and interesting experience, where you will be accompanied by one of our expert local guides.
Wine Tasting and Dinner
A perfect dinner to discover the best dishes of the venetian cuisine.
Bacaro Tour
Private: Perfect for groups of up to 10 people.
Ghost: The more mysterious version of the previous private tour!
Shared: Perfect for individuals, couples, or small groups.Prosecco tasting on rooftops
A delicious tasting of Prosecco in a new, original setting.
Your Venetian Cuisine tour starts from here!
Private Bacaro Tour
To discover the true essence of the city, we recommend immersing yourself in the venetian food and wine tradition, especially in its characteristic local taverns (osterie), with one of our private bacaro tour venice accompanied by an expert local guide who will reveal the best hidden spots and many anecdotes of the local cuisine.
When: every day, customizable by date and time
Included:
- Local guide;
- Visit to 3 different bacari;
- 1 aperitif (glass of wine/Spritz/soft drink) and 2 cicchetti in each bacaro
Duration: 2 hours
Starting from € 60 per person (varies depending on the number of participants)
Ghost Bacaro Tour
Let yourself be seduced by the intriguing charm of a nocturnal Venice, animated by ghostly presences and forgotten stories, while you savor the delicacies that make its culinary tradition unique. In this mysterious bacaro experience, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a good aperitif, typical cicchetti, and learn about dark Venetian legends.
When: every day, customizable by date and time
- Local guide;
- Visit to 3 different bacari;
- 1 aperitif (glass of wine/Spritz/soft drink) and 2 cicchetti in each bacaro
Duration: 3 hours
Starting from € 65 per person (varies depending on the number of participants)
Shared Bacaro Tour
Don't let the myriad of narrow streets (calli) of the city discourage you in your search for the best bacari! Opt for a shared bacaro experience in Venice and let yourself bea accompanied by an expert local guide who will give you the best tips to immerse yourself in an atmosphere full of life, authentic aromas, and flavors.
When: check calendar availability
Included:
- Local guide;
- Visit to 3 different bacari;
- 1 aperitif (glass of wine/Prosecco/Spritz) and 1 cicchetto in each bacaro
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Starting from € 65 per person
Do you want to discover more wine experiences?
Wine Tasting and Dinner in Elegant Surroundings
Dive into the heart of Venetian gastronomy with an exquisite wine tasting dinner. Enjoy a curated experience of regional wines paired with authentic venetian dishes. Let a sommelier guide you through a journey of flavors, uncovering the secrets of Venetian culinary traditions. This is more than a meal; it is an immersion into the rich tastes and stories of Venice, all within a charming, intimate setting.
When: check calendar availability
- Dinner in an elegant restaurant
- Four-course dinner accompanied by four wines
- Apéritif on arrival, antipasto, 1st course, main course & dessert, coffee
- Highly qualified waiters and sommelier
Duration: 2 hours
Starting from € 195 per person
Venice Rooftops with Prosecco tasting
Elevate your Venetian experience with a rooftop Prosecco tour, where breathtaking views meet sparkling delights. Escape the bustling calli and ascend to exclusive terraces, savoring fine Prosecco against a backdrop of iconic landmarks. Let a local guide unveil the city's hidden heights, sharing stories and sips as you are kissed by the rays of the sun.
When: check calendar availability
Included:
- Local guide;
- Access to the terraces;
- 1 tasting of Prosecco;
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Starting from € 79 per person
What to eat in Venice: what is the typical meal?
As you probably know, in Italy food plays a key role, and meals are important moments for everyone. Traditionally, every day all members of each family would have at least one sit-down meal together. We have a number of courses during each meal, and the more special the occasion, the more courses we have!
A full meal usually consists of an appetizer, first course, and a second course with a side dish. When going to a restaurant in Venice, it is not necessary to order from every course, but people usually order at least two courses. Traditional meals may last one or two hours, or even longer.
As you would expect from a coastal area, what is typical of Venetian Cuisine is based mainly on fish and seafood. However, meat-based, vegeterian, vegan and gluten free options are commonly available. Whatever you decide to choose, Venetian cuisine will not leave you disappointed, as it truly offers a wide range of dishes.
Venetian Cuisine specialities: First Courses
According to Venetian tradition, the quintessential typical first course is risotto, a dish made with Vialone Nano rice cooked to a creamy consistency.
The most famous recipe is certainly risi e bisi (rice and peas), traditionally prepared with ingredients readily available in spring and cooked with lightly fried onion. At the end, a sprinkle of salt and pepper is added, and the dish is garnished with chopped parsley.
Another popular risotto is risotto agli asparagi (with small green asparagus).
You can also find fish-based risotti, among which is the delicious risotto de gò, made with goby fish (locally called gò), a small fish typical of the Venetian lagoon.
A traditional humble but succulent dish, popular throughout Italy but firmly part of Venetian cuisine, is pasta e fasoi (pasta with beans). Its exact origins are unclear.
The last first course we will mention is bigoli in salsa, made with Venetian hand-pressed soft wheat pasta and a sauce based on onions and anchovies.
Venetian Cuisine second courses: Meat or Fish?
The most well-known meat course is definitely fegato alla veneziana, that is, Venetian-style liver. The recipe uses veal or pork liver, cooked with white onions, olive oil, butter, various herbs and is usually served with white polenta. Interestingly, Venetian people have adapted this recipe, as the original version used figs instead of onions.
Another typical dish is pastissada de manzo, a beef stew made with pieces of beef marinated for a day in wine with spices, vegetables, and lard, then simmered for 2 to 3 hours. Crushed tomatoes are added towards the end, resulting in an incredibly tasty stew – Venetian cuisine at its very best! Some of the most famous Venetian second courses certainly are:
Baccalà mantecato : Creamed salt cod served with polenta, a soft cornmeal mush. You cannot leave the city without tasting it… at least on a piece of bread, in a bàcaro with a glass of Prosecco sparkling wine.
Sarde in saor : Sardines first fried with onions, raisins, pine nuts, and spices, then marinated in vinegar.
Polenta e schie : A wonderful and delicious combination of tiny grey shrimps from the lagoon, which are peeled, fried, and served with polenta.
Have you heard of moeche? These are small lagoon crabs that moult twice a year (spring and fall). They are caught while shedding their shells and served deep-fried. Is it any wonder why they are called the “pearls of the Adriatic Sea”?
Typical Venetian Cuisine: For the Sweet Tooth
The traditional Venetian specialty in terms of sweet dishes is cookies (or biscuits, depending on your preferred English term). There are various types, made with different flours. Look for the following:
Baicoli : dry cookies that are perfect with coffee and zabaglione.
Zaeti : (literally “the yellow ones”) are cookies made from corn flour, with raisins and lemon zest. These classic cookies were traditionally baked by grandmothers using simple, natural ingredients.
Other very popular cookies come from the island of Burano and are called bussolai. Eggs, flour, sugar, and butter transform into lovely “O” or “S” shaped cookies. Fishermen's wives used to bake them, sometimes adding a little flavor with vanilla, lemon, or rum. They would even use them to perfume the linens.
Start with stale bread, to which you add cocoa, raisins, pine nuts, candied fruit, and other ingredients according to family tradition and personal creativity, and you will get the famous pinsa veneziana. This homemade cake contains simple but filling ingredients. It's often hard to find in Venetian bakeries as it is truly a home recipe!
Now that you have learned more about these various Venetian delicacies and we have made your mouth water, you must try them! So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Venice and discover the culinary tradition and typical dishes of this fascinating city! Of course, Of course, while visiting Venice, you'll also have a great opportunity to try some of the best red and white wines of the Veneto Region!
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