5 Best Food Markets in Venice

Eager to try some fresh produce and regional specialties during your trip to the City of Canals? Make sure you set aside time to explore the Venice food markets, where you’ll find myriad vendors selling tasty fruit and vegetables, locally sourced fish, and delectable street food snacks.

Those of you who have joined one of my Venice food tours might remember passing some incredible farmer’s markets along the way. Throughout this guide, I’ll get into the ins and outs of these foodie hotspots, opening you up to another side of the Venetian culinary scene!

Rialto Market

The Rialto Market is easily the most recognizable Venice food market. Just steps from the Rialto Bridge and the banks of the Grand Canal, it’s also super central.

Although it’s the city’s most popular market, it’s kept its local vibe, and I even noticed some restaurant staff picking up some of their cicchetti ingredients here. There’s a section of pescheria or fishmonger stalls, a dedicated fruit and vegetable market, and an area for herbs and spices.

I came with the intention of sourcing some artichokes, the finest of which come from Sant’Erasmo, an island east of Murano. As I was visiting at the beginning of summer, I was lucky enough to find some at one of the vegetable stalls.

When cooked up, this uniquely purple artichoke has a gorgeous fleshy texture and a distinctive flavor with a hint of bitterness.

Rialto Market (€€) – Calle Prima de la Donzella, 306, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm, closed every Sunday.

Mercato Sacca Fisola

 

Sacca Fisola is a tiny island connected to the larger Giudecca, and visiting its market is among the top off-the-beaten-path things to do in Venice.

Every Friday, rows of pop-up stalls line the streets beside the park, with vendors selling a mixture of cured meats, cheese, wine, and assorted household items.

For a relatively small market, there’s a surprising volume of goods up for grabs. When I arrived, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but I left with a bag full of fresh bread, Bastardo del Grappa cheese, and white wine.

The quality of each product was superb, particularly considering the reasonable prices. I was mostly taken with the soft, tangy ciabatta bread I got from the food truck, which I ate far too much of with the intense, creamy cheese and smooth peach soave wine I picked up.

Mercato Sacca Fisola (€€) – Calle del Vaporetto, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy – Closed Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday, open every Friday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Mercato Municipale

Mercato Municipale is an expansive Venice food market in Mestre and has a fantastic selection of local produce like fresh fish and seasonal fruits and veggies.

While it’s mostly known as a Venice farmer’s market, I spotted kitchenware, clothes, and flowers available close to the fish markets and cheesemongers. Before coming to this contemporary, covered spot, I suggest giving yourself plenty of time to explore the endless, colorful stalls.

I decided to check out some of the stands selling cured meats that were located in the center and ended up leaving with some Belluno salami and prosciutto Berico-Euganeo.

They were both full of flavor, and I loved switching between the spicy blend of pork and beef from the salami and the sweet, aromatic prosciutto. My only regret is that I didn’t purchase some cheeses to pair them with!

Mercato Municipale (€€) – Via Francesco Scipione Fapanni, 48, 30174 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm.

San Leonardo Market

The San Leonardo Market in Cannaregio isn’t quite as large as it once was, but it remains a great place to pick up local foods like fresh fruit and affordable vegetables. It’s quite close to Santa Lucia Train Station, so you might swing past it unknowingly when you first arrive in the city.

With the few stalls that are left at the San Leonardo Market, I managed to pick up some fresh fruits for my lunch as I was on a stroll around Cannaregio. They had all kinds of bits on offer, from hands of bananas to baskets of bright orange-colored mangos.

There was a vendor out front selling some fresh cherries, which I had been craving for that day, so I jumped on the opportunity to get them.

The woman gave me a plastic bag full of them, and as soon as I walked away, I poked a hole in it and dug in. They had a zesty kick to them with a nice sweetness that wasn’t too overpowering. I could tell they were very fresh; the skin was smooth, and the texture was firm.

San Leonardo Market (€€) – Rio Terà S. Leonardo, 30100 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday (opening hours vary between stalls), closed every Sunday.

Santa Marta Market

If you’re up for venturing a little further afield to Dorsoduro, you’ll get to have a true Venetian experience at the Santa Marta Market.

While this local Italian market may not seem like anything is going on here for most of the week, on Mondays, it comes alive. Vendors pop up out of nowhere in their droves to sell all kinds of fresh bites, including delightful cheeses, yummy veggies, and artisanal wines.

I managed to pick myself up some amazing cappensante here caught right in Venice. I picked up a handful of them for a dinner party I was hosting that night, and my guests and I were beyond impressed.

The first thing I noticed was how sweet the scallops were; they had a mild briny tinge with an almost buttery element. I also added some parsley, which gave the dish a lightly bitter side.

Santa Marta Market (€€) – Santa Marta, Calle Longhi, Venice – Open every Monday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Conclusion

The city of Venice truly is a food lover’s dream, not just for the wealth of exquisite eateries but for its line-up of delightful local markets. After all, it’s here where many of the finest restaurants in town pick up their ingredients, so it’s safe to say you’ll be in good company!