Como tastes better when someone points the way. This Como food and wine tour is a guided, small-group walk through the center with a historic wine shop stop and polenta uncia with sciatt. The main catch: you get only one included alcoholic drink, so plan ahead if you want more wine time.

You start at Piazza del Duomo and end near Piazza Pietro Perretta, sampling your way from cathedral steps to the old-town streets. It runs about 3 hours 30 minutes with an English-speaking local guide, and while the pace is relaxed, you are still walking—bring comfortable shoes.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Small group (max 12) keeps the vibe friendly and the guide’s attention focused
• Full-meal tasting across 4+ stops, not just a few token bites
• Polenta uncia + sciatt give you the Alps-flavored comfort food Como does best
• Pizza by the slice is the local habit, not a sit-down set menu
• A sweet ending with espresso brings the tour back to classic Italian pacing
• One included drink means value comes from food volume and variety first

Como Food Tour Value: What $89.53 Buys in Real Eating

At $89.53 per person for about 3.5 hours, you are paying for two things: food variety and local routing. This isn’t a long lecture or a “tiny sample parade.” The tour is described as an itinerant full meal, with enough tastings across multiple stops to feel like at least a full dinner’s worth of eating.

You also get structure. The route takes you to places you might walk past on your own, but it’s the guidance that makes it work: each stop is tied to regional dishes, plus a bit of city context as you move between spots. And because the group stays small (up to 12 people), you get more room to ask questions—especially helpful if you are trying to figure out what to order later.

One more value detail: water is included, and you get one alcoholic beverage (only for ages 18+). If you love wine, you may end up buying more on the side. That’s normal here. The tour’s “deal” is that you start tasting right away, then you eat a proper lineup of Como-area specialties.

Piazza del Duomo Start: Getting Your Bearings Before You Eat

The tour begins in the heart of Como at Piazza del Duomo, 22100 Como. Starting at the cathedral area matters because it gives you a simple way to orient yourself fast—streets radiate out from here, and you can map your day around what you see on the walk.

Stop 1 is at the cathedral zone (Cattedrale Di Como). Even if you are not paying for an entry ticket (the tour lists admission as free here), this first moment sets the tone. It’s where you meet your guide and get the “how to read the city” feeling that makes the rest of the tastings land better. You’ll understand what you are looking at, not just where you are walking.

This is also a good setup for timing. You are not starting with a long meal that could stall your afternoon. Instead, you start with a quick orientation, then you move into food immediately after—so you are never waiting hungry in the cold or rain.

Palazzo Rusca Wine Shop Stop: Cured Meats and a Proper Local Pour

Right after the cathedral area, you head toward Palazzo Rusca and a historic wine shop. This is one of the tour moments that people tend to remember, because it kicks off the tasting with both flavor and ritual.

You’ll sample high-quality cured meats paired with a glass of local wine. It’s an important first “serious” taste because cured meats are a quick lesson in regional ingredients—salt, fat, aging, and balance. The wine pairing helps you learn what the local style tastes like when it’s not just a glass on its own.

A practical tip from guide style: guides often point out what to look for if you return later. One common recommendation is to try filletto at the wine shop. If you like cured meats, this stop is your clue that Como isn’t just lake views—there’s real food craft here.

If you are the type who wants “tell me what I’m eating and why,” this is also the best place to lean in. Ask questions early, while the guide is warming up and the group is still gathered.

Via Pietro Boldoni Pizza by the Slice: Real Speed, Real Comfort

Next you move to Via Pietro Boldoni, where the tour focuses on a very Como habit: pizza by the slice right in the city center. This is one of those experiences that feels minor until you do it—then you realize it’s the most local part of the day.

The pizza is described as Roma-style, and people note a light, crispy crust. That matters because slice pizza can go one of two ways: either it tastes stale and tired, or it stays crisp and fresh. In this tour, it’s positioned as a daily choice locals make.

The value of this stop isn’t just the pizza. It’s pacing. You get a quick, satisfying bite that keeps the tour moving, and it breaks up the heavier dishes that come later. If you arrive already hungry, this stop is a relief. If you’re not a huge eater, it still hits because it’s fast and flavorful, not a big sit-down plate.

One watch-out: pizza by the slice means toppings can be simple and straightforward. If you’re only into fancy gourmet pizza, keep expectations realistic. This is about authenticity and ease.

Piazza Amendola Giovanni: Polenta Uncia and Sciatt, the Alps-Comfort Duo

This is the main dish energy of the tour. At Piazza Amendola Giovanni, the focus turns to Como-area Alpine comfort food: polenta uncia (or polenta with braised meat) plus sciatt.

Polenta uncia is a regional queen of the table in the Alps. It’s made from a mix of corn and buckwheat flour, then served either:

• with tender braised meat, or
• with melted butter and local cheeses (the classic style)

Then you get sciatt—crispy, golden pancakes with a gooey, stringy cheese center. The goal is contrast: crisp outside, melty inside. Together with polenta, it’s hearty food that feels built for cool lake evenings.

A couple of helpful notes for your palate:

• If you love rich, filling food, this stop will likely be the highlight.
• If you find heavy starches intimidating, plan to take your time. The tastings are paced, but polenta and cheese are not “light lunch” items.

Some guides and menus may bring slightly different expressions of the region. In the feedback I’ve seen, people mention versions like rabbit polenta and other pasta pairings. Either way, you should expect a focus on buckwheat and alpine-style cooking.

Also, this is where the tour earns its “food tour” label. Later dessert might be sweet and fun, but this stop is the reason your appetite gets a real workout.

Centro Storico Finish: Zabaione with Chestnuts or Gelato plus Espresso

You wrap up in the Centro Storico area with a seasonal sweet. The tour description lists two options:

• zabaione with chestnuts served with coffee, or
• artisanal ice cream served with coffee

Either way, you get an Italian finale: a coffee pairing. In Italy, that last drink isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of finishing the meal properly. People often talk about the espresso moment as the “done right” end to a tour, especially when the walk has built up appetite.

Dessert can vary, and some feedback points to a finish with nuvola/nuvoloso cake alongside espresso. So don’t expect one single universal dessert. Expect a thoughtful finish that matches the moment and the menu.

One balanced expectation to keep: gelato stops can feel either special or predictable depending on where the shop is and how you like your ice cream. If you are picky about gelato texture and batch style, treat this as a bonus taste, not the only gelato you’ll ever have in Como.

Guide Style and Group Size: When the Walk Feels Personal

This tour runs as a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 travelers, and you’ll have an English-speaking local guide. Reviews repeatedly highlight that the guides are friendly, energetic, and good at setting a relaxed pace. Names that come up often include Janis, Giada, Mario, and Chiara—and several people mention that the guides offer useful recommendations after the tour, not just during it.

That matters because Como is compact, but choosing where to eat can still be tricky. A guide’s local suggestions can save you time your trip doesn’t have to waste.

At the same time, the tour is a tasting route, not a slow museum tour. If you want constant story time at every single stop, you may need to ask for it. The best strategy is simple: ask your guide what dish to order next if you want to keep the same flavor thread after the tour.

Also, because guides may speak both English and Italian, you’ll still get the core explanations. If you prefer more English-only commentary, it can help to arrive a bit early, get settled, and let the guide know you want extra detail.

Practical Tips Before You Go: Eat Hungry, Walk Smart

Here’s how to make this tour work smoothly for you:

Wear comfortable shoes. You are moving between central streets for about 3 hours 30 minutes, and the tour notes a moderate physical fitness level. That’s not mountain hiking, but it is still real walking.

Bring your appetite. The tour is designed as an itinerant full meal, and the tastings across multiple stops can add up fast. Even with that, one recurring theme in feedback is that people leave quite full—so don’t schedule a heavy dinner right after unless you like long lunches becoming long nights.

Plan your wine budget. You get one included alcoholic beverage. If you want more wine with dinner afterward, you’ll likely be able to buy it at stops or plan a second tasting on your own.

Food allergy note: the tour states that guests with severe or life-threatening food allergies cannot participate. If you have a less severe allergy, you’ll want to clarify what’s possible, but the hard rule is for severe cases.

Weather matters too. Como weather can be unpredictable. The tour keeps you eating at multiple indoor/outdoor venues, which helps. Still, bring a layer.

Should You Book This Lake Como Food Tour?

I’d book it if you want a focused, high-value way to eat your way through Como without guessing where to go. The combination of historic wine shop tasting, pizza by the slice, and the Alpine-heavy hitters of polenta uncia and sciatt makes this feel like more than a generic walking snack tour. Plus, with max 12 people and a local guide, you get enough attention to make the route feel intentional.

I’d skip it (or choose a different style of tour) if you expect a super long sit-down meal or if you only want lots of included wine. This tour includes one drink, and the desserts and gelato moments are seasonal—sometimes they’ll thrill you, sometimes they’ll feel like an easy finish.

If you are coming to Como early in your trip, this tour is also a great setup day: you’ll learn the logic of what’s local, then you can order confidently for the rest of your stay.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Lake Como Food Tour – Eat like a real Local?

The tour lasts about 3 hours 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $89.53 per person.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.

Is wine included, and is there an age limit?

One alcoholic beverage is included for guests age 18 and above.

What about food allergies?

For safety reasons, guests with severe or life-threatening food allergies are unable to participate.

Where do we meet and end the tour?

You meet at Piazza del Duomo, 22100 Como CO, Italy and end at Piazza Pietro Perretta, 22100 Como CO, Italy.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.