$62 - $75 Book Now

Rialto Market Tour & Cooking Class in the Heart of Venice

All amenities

Family Friendly
Vegetarian friendly
Italian, English, Spanish
Apartment
Cooking demonstration
home cook
Market Tour
5+ hours
Min 2, max 12 guests
Start times: 10:00am
Enjoy a guided tour of the bustling Rialto Market as you walk with Massimo through one of Venice’s most iconic and lively local markets. Filled with Venetians shopping for the freshest ingredients, the market offers a vibrant glimpse into daily life. As you explore colorful produce stalls and local fish vendors, Massimo will share fascinating stories and culinary insights. Pick up fresh fish for your cooking class before heading back to his home to begin your hands-on Venetian culinary experience.
Cooking Experience
3 - 4 hours
Min 2, max 25 guests
Start times: 11:00am, 6:00pm
Join Massimo for a Venice cooking class in his historic home kitchen, located in the heart of the city, where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Venetian dishes. During this 1.5 - 2 hour hands-on cooking class in Venice, you’ll use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a traditional meal from the Veneto region - such as handmade pasta with your choice of meat, fish, seafood, or vegetables in a flavorful sauce, a seasonal salad, and freshly baked focaccia. As you cook, Massimo will share expert tips, techniques, and stories about Venetian cuisine. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared, finishing with a classic Italian dessert. Massimo has a wide repertoire of recipes and is happy to personalize your experience - just let him know if there’s something specific you’d like to learn to cook! If you choose the optional alcohol add-on, Massimo will serve a local Italian wine or a classic Aperol Spritz, the iconic Venetian aperitivo, paired with a traditional cicchetto (a small Venetian bite).
Meal
3 - 4 hours
Min 2, max 25 guests
Start times: 11:00am, 6:00pm
Massimo lives in a charming 600-year-old building in the heart of Venice, complete with a beautiful outdoor terrace. He specializes in dishes from the Veneto region, known for its rich culinary traditions that blend fresh seafood from the coast with hearty meats from the hills. During your meal at Massimo’s welcoming table, you might enjoy baked scallops or anchovies marinated in orange sauce, a seasonal salad, fish- or meat-based pasta, and freshly baked rosemary focaccia. Your experience will end on a sweet note with a warm chocolate cake or other classic Italian dessert.
Notes

1. Massimo is happy to personalize your menu and can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets upon request. Please include any dietary preferences when making your booking.
2. For groups of 8 or more guests, Massimo hires assistants, so the price is higher. For groups of 13 to 25 guests, the experience is hosted at a different venue. For detailed pricing and location information for the above, please contact reservations@travelingspoon.com
3. The Rialto market is closed on Sundays.

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.

  • Homemade rosemary and caramelized onion foccacia
  • Fresh salad with an Italian vinaigrette
  • Local prosciutto and Alpine cheeses with marmalade from Massimo's family farm or baked scallops
  • Strozzapretti, hand-rolled pasta in a homemade sauce
  • Italian dessert

More about Massimo

Massimo is an engaging storyteller and passionate foodie with a great sense of humor. He hails from a long line of restaurateurs and learned to cook from his mother and nonna, who passed down their love for traditional Italian cuisine. A world traveler and Merchant Navy officer with culinary experience in Germany and France, Massimo finds his greatest joy in welcoming guests into his home to share his passion for food, culture, and the city he holds dear.

What others are saying

"PERFECT Family Experience in the Ancient Venice---This was one of the best experiences of our whole trip! Massimo was an incredible host, and even better teacher. He made the class educational and fun. The lunch was delicious( incredible lasagna handmade!) and so much fun! There was plenty of wine and an amazing tiramisu! I couldn’t recommend this more, book immediately! His lovely house is close to the market and was simple to get there! Thankssssss"
David M
"Best meal in Italy so far! Massimo has a lot of personality and he's a ton of fun. His cooking class was hands on. We ate and chat, then cooked and ate, then chat and ate again. It was three courses over 3 hours. We had so much fun and think he'd be a great addition to the Traveling Spoon community. Also, I'm not a fish lover and Massimo helped me love fish. We had a blast with Massimo!"
Alex & Mike
Dec 09, 2025
"This private cooking class with Massimo was the most exclusive and authentic experience we had in Venice. His charming antique Venetian home instantly made us feel relaxed, and his humor kept us laughing the whole time. Massimo cooked a creamy Lemon & Pistachios Risotto that was absolutely unforgettable.And the selections of cheese was ...super! All ingredients was selected in the fresh market, so funny and interesting! The entire experience felt intimate, genuine, and created for just a lucky few. Massimo is truly the best host I’ve ever met. If you want one perfect memory from Venice, book this experience immediately."
Mark
Dec 01, 2025
"This was the single most memorable and transformative experience of my entire trip to Venice. If you are looking for an authentic, exclusive, and genuinely heartwarming immersion into Venetian life, this private group class with our incredible host, Massimo, is an absolute must-do.Our journey began by delving into the lifeblood of Venice: the Rialto Market.He was the perfect guide,​The class itself took place in his beautiful, ancient Venetian home,We immediately got to work learning one of the most treasured secrets of Italian cuisine: homemade pasta. Massimo patiently taught us the techniques passed down through his family, making the daunting task easy and fun.I had never cooked shellfish before, but Massimo's guidance was so clear and encouraging that it felt simple and incredibly enjoyable.The meal concluded with a stunning dessert: rich, creamy goat ricotta topped with a fragrant ginger-infused honey. It was the perfect, exquisite finish.This experience genuinely changed my trip. It elevated it from a sightseeing holiday to a rich, deeply personal cultural adventure. If you want to connect, laugh, learn, and taste the real soul of Venice, book this class. It’s an investment in a memory you will cherish forever."
Paulo
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Cancellation

  • No worries booking: free cancellation within 24 hours of booking.
  • Cancel anytime up to 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus service fees.
  • If your experience is cancelled within 48 hours of your experience, no refund is provided.

Location

Frequently asked questions

travel off the eaten path

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