Brunetti's Venice: A Culinary Journey Through Leon's Mysteries

Our journey begins at the Sant'Angelo vaporetto stop, where we’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the famous Brunetti family terrace. This is the very spot where the family often enjoys large dinners and aperitifs, all with a spectacular view of the Grand Canal.

Next, we’ll stop at a historic Venetian rosticceria that has been serving the workers of San Marco since the 1930s. Here, we’ll taste some delicious fried Mozzarella in Carrozza or a tramezzino, paired with a glass of red wine. Brunetti himself would often stop here for a quick bite, enjoying the authentic flavors of Venice.

We’ll cross the famous Rialto Bridge and explore the vibrant Rialto Market, where the fishmongers’ stalls overflow with fresh seafood. Here, we’ll try some fried fish paired with a glass of Prosecco, just as the locals—like Sergeant Vianello and Officer Alvise—would do during their breaks from work.

Time for some cichetti, the quintessential Venetian snacks, served in traditional bàcari (cicchetti bars). We’ll enjoy small plates of seafood, meat, and vegetables atop slices of bread or polenta, accompanied by a glass of wine. Just like Brunetti, who would often grab a quick meal of cichetti when Paola wasn’t cooking for him, we’ll enjoy a taste of everyday Venetian life.

To continue in sweetness, we’ll visit a historic pasticceria, where we’ll enjoy a coffee and taste freshly made pastries, just as the sweet-toothed Sergeant Vianello would. The air is filled with the scent of fresh dough, and we’ll indulge in Venetian treats like bussolai and fritole—a perfect way to treat ourselves in true Venetian style.

To conclude our culinary journey, we’ll enjoy a local amaro in a historic trattoria in the Dorsoduro district, a place frequented by Commissario Brunetti himself. As we sip the bitter-sweet herbal liqueur, we’ll take in the view of the famous terrace of the Questura, where Brunetti, Elettra, and Vice-Questore Patta have often paused to reflect on their cases. This is a perfect way to wrap up our tour, savoring the essence of Venice, its flavors, and its mysteries, just as the characters of Donna Leon’s stories might do after a long day of investigation.

The shared small group tour is based on the German TV adaptation of Donna Leon’s novels, while the private German tour may include different stops depending on your preferences. The private English tour, on the other hand, is based on the novels and therefore includes different locations.