Venice attracts millions of visitors each year for its canals, architecture and cuisine, but finding authentic food experiences can be challenging in a city filled with tourist-oriented restaurants.
A small company called Savor Italy Tours has emerged as one option for travelers seeking deeper connections to Venetian culinary traditions. Founded by a long-term resident of the city, the tours focus on introducing visitors to family-owned establishments that have served locals for generations.
According to the founder, the inspiration behind Savor Italy Tours was to help travelers experience Italy the way locals do—through food, wine, and culture.
The company’s food tours include multiple tastings across different neighborhoods, with guides providing historical context about the city’s distinctive food culture.
Breaking into Venice’s close-knit restaurant scene wasn’t easy. Many local businesses have grown skeptical of tourism ventures after seeing how mass tourism has affected their city.
“It took time to convince some family restaurants that we wanted to highlight their traditions, not exploit them,” explained one of the Venetian guides who was born and raised in the city.
The tours emphasize smaller establishments rather than well-known restaurants from guidebooks. Participants visit traditional bacari (wine bars) where Venetians gather for cicchetti (small plates) and ombra (small glasses of wine).
The company plans to eventually offer more immersive experiences, including cooking workshops with local chefs and multi-day food explorations.
For Venice, struggling with overtourism and the exodus of residents, businesses that connect visitors with authentic local culture may represent a more sustainable approach to tourism in the fragile island city. Visit the company’s website today to book experiences that leave a lasting impact and foster a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of Venetian culture.
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