Small Group Dining Experience at a Local Home in Venice
Savor a 3-course meal paired with wine in an Italian host’s home
Eager to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine and crave a more intimate experience than a restaurant can offer? That's why we've enlisted the help of hosts located in Venice, who are looking forward to welcoming you into their home and sharing the secrets of their time-tested recipes. After an aperitivo and cooking demonstration, you'll delight in a 3-course meal paired with local wines and enrich the experience with insights into Italian culture.
- Meeting point in a local home in Venice
- Meet your local host
- Cooking demonstration
- Family meal
- Appetizers
- 3-Course Meal
- Dessert
- End at your local host's house
Your culinary adventure begins with a warm welcome at your local host's home in Venice, where you'll be greeted with open arms, a brief introduction, and a refreshing Italian aperitivo. Once you're settled, enjoy a cooking demonstration, and discover how your host uses fresh, local ingredients to whip up time-honored dishes that have been cherished by their family for generations.
Then, dig into your perfectly prepared 3-course meal, which includes an appetizer, homemade pasta, and dessert. By the way, how incredible is it to be able to savor hand-picked wines and absorb local knowledge in an authentic Italian home?
Small Group Italian Dining Experience with Cooking Demo
Your 3-hour tour includes:
Aperitivo including prosecco and nibbles
3-course menu including starter, pasta and desserts
Drinks including water, wine and coffee
Cooking demonstration
Small Group experience with a certified host
Enjoy warm Italian hospitality
A Warm Welcome to an Italian Home
Upon arriving at your host's home, you'll be welcomed with a hearty Italian greeting and delightful aromas filling the air. There's no doubt generations of family recipes have been cooked and enjoyed here, and as you settle in with an aperitivo consisting of local prosecco and light nibbles, your host will fill you in on the many other authentic Italian dishes you'll be enjoying together.
The Art of Italian Cooking
Next, take a deep dive into Italian cuisine during a small group cooking demonstration for you and your fellow foodies. Watch as your host, equipped with years of experience, crafts one of the dishes featured in your 3-course meal. You'll witness firsthand the perfected combination of stirring, seasoning, and simmering that goes into authentic Italian cooking. Throughout the interactive demo, your host will also unveil their well-guarded culinary secrets and unique tips and tricks that have been passed down by real Italian nonnas.
Taste of True Italian Cuisine
Introduced to the art of Italian cuisine, you'll be ready to dig into the awaiting feast. Begin your meal with an enticing starter, then move on to a carefully crafted pasta dish according to the seasonal products your host will have obtained for you. Throughout the meal, you'll also be offered local wine, one of Veneto’s regional excellences.
End on a Sweet Note
Of course, no Italian dining experience would be complete without coffee and dessert. So, after letting your main course digest, your host will serve up a sweet treat. Let your meal linger on as you enjoy the company of your host and listen closely as they share intimate knowledge of Venice. There’s no doubt you’ll leave happily full and armed with recommendations for future explorations!
What you get with this tour
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See what people are saying
3 total reviews
Leave a reviewAmazingly delicious lunch with Mauro
Virginia Ross
I booked the lunch at a private residence (Cesarine Experience, but booked via The Tour Guy). The whole experience was fabulous. Mauro was charming, interesting and a consummate host - even waiting outside his apartment building (an old palazzo) for me to arrive. He is an incredible cook and he had sourced beautiful fresh produce - vegetables, herbs and seafood, for the meal. He produced six courses, each one superb, from cichetti to dessert, and provided lots of useful instruction about cooking techniques and particular Venetian eating traditions. The accompanying drinks were perfect. I was so glad I booked this experience and would do it again in a heartbeat. Well worth the cost and a very special experience. Thank you so much Mauro!!
Delightful evening shared with good local host
Judy Cross
Mauro was an exceptional host that explained and then made us a delicious aperitif to excite our taste buds. We started with a plate of cicchetti and then Mauro showed us how to cook fresh seafood with delicate flavours. His homemade pasta was cooked with baby squid and tiny little artichokes and basil pesto. Food was nicely matched with a local Prosecco. Mauro is welcome to send me the recipes as I want to try and cook this it was exceptional. We finished the night with a lovely light tiramasu. Very special food experience. Judy & Phillip from Australia
An Unforgettable Culinary Experience with Mauro
Monica Cesarato
If you are looking for an authentic and warm culinary experience, you cannot miss a visit to Mauro's home. The afternoon spent in his splendid home was a complete immersion in Venetian traditions and flavours, where each dish tells a story. Mauro welcomed me with a warmth that only true cooking enthusiasts can convey. The atmosphere was relaxed and genuinely welcoming, making me feel immediately at ease. The interior of the house, well-kept and welcoming, reflected Mauro's passion for timeless elegance. The real protagonist of the lunch, however, was the food. The recipes, typically Venetian, were simple in their execution but surprisingly rich in flavor, thanks to the use of high quality ingredients. Among the dishes served, every bite was a revelation, starting from the appetizers with scampi to the creamy and perfectly creamed risotto. A special moment was learning how to prepare authentic Venetian Spritz. Mauro guided me through the steps, revealing tricks and secrets to obtain the perfect mix of bitter, prosecco and seltzer, all accompanied by a selection of Venetian cicchetti that enhanced the taste. Not only did I enjoy an exceptional lunch, but I also gained culinary knowledge that I will take with me, easy to replicate in my own kitchen to recreate a piece of Venice at home. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to discover the true essence of Venetian cuisine, in an environment that makes you feel more like a guest than a customer. Thank you, Mauro, for a truly memorable afternoon!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
A good appetite and your camera!
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, this tour is operated by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Venice.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, please let us know beforehand, and we will do our best to pair you up with a host who has an accessible entrance and dining area.
What happens if it rains?
We run our Italy culinary experiences rain or shine. If the weather is extremely bad and your host has to cancel or delay, we will let you know as soon as possible.
Is there any chance my tour might be canceled?
On the rare occasions the tour is canceled, we'll inform you as soon as possible. We will work with you to reschedule your tour when possible or provide a full refund.
Does the food on this tour ever change?
Yes. This culinary experience is all about creating authentic Italian cuisine, and depending on the season and what ingredients are available, what you’ll be eating may change. Rest assured, your host will make sure that everything you try is utterly delicious!
Is lunch or dinner included in the price of the tour?
Yes. Throughout the Italy culinary experience, you’ll enjoy a 3-course meal.
What if I have food allergies, intolerances, or other dietary requirements?
Please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs. We will work with our hosts to provide you with a fitting menu.
Are drinks included in the price of the tour?
Yes, you will enjoy a glass of prosecco to start, then be treated to water, wines, and coffee throughout the experience.
Can I bring my kids, and do I have to pay for them?
Yes, everyone is welcome on our Italy culinary experience. Infants (0 to 3 years old) are free, and we offer a reduced price for children under 9 years old. Please choose accordingly during the booking.
Does this tour include hotel pickup?
No, hotel pickup is not included on this tour. You'll meet your host at the designated meeting point.
Where to meet?
You will meet your host at their house in Venice. After the booking, we will communicate the exact address.
What to bring?
A good appetite and your camera!