Marche (Le Marche) is central Italy's 'one region in many' on the Adriatic coast, blending sandy beaches and the dramatic Conero Riviera with Renaissance art cities, medieval hilltop villages, and the snow-capped Sibillini Mountains. From Urbino's Ducal Palace to the underground wonder of the Frasassi Caves, it offers Italy's variety with a fraction of the crowds.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Marche through its food.
Book a food tour in Marche
Compare availability and prices for guided food experiences.
See food tours in MarcheWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Marche's food scene.
Street food tours
Olive ascolane crawls in Ascoli Piceno from €20 (~$22); fried-fish and street susci tastings in Senigallia from €15 (~$16); self-guided pizza al taglio and gelato from free
Market tours
Guided morning tours of Mercato delle Erbe (Ancona, €35 / ~$38) and the Ascoli Piceno covered market (€30 / ~$32)
Restaurant tours
Multi-course traditional meals at historic Marche osterie and trattorias from €25-90 (~$27-97) per person
Specialty tours
Truffle hunts near Acqualagna (€95 / ~$103), Verdicchio winery tours in the Castelli di Jesi (€50 / ~$54), olive ascolane workshops in Ascoli (€55 / ~$59), and Cartoceto DOP olive-oil mill visits (€30 / ~$32)
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Marche home with you.
Urbino Crescia & Pasta Class
Learn to make Urbino's flaky crescia sfogliata and fresh egg pasta in a traditional kitchen in the Renaissance city, then eat your creations with local wine.
Ascoli Piceno Olive Ascolane Workshop
Master the art of olive all'ascolana in a hands-on workshop in Ascoli Piceno, learning to pit, stuff, bread, and fry the city's famous olives, then eat them with local wine.
Ancona Market-to-Table Seafood Class
Shop Ancona's Mercato delle Erbe with a chef, then cook a multi-course Adriatic seafood lunch including brodetto in a local kitchen, paired with Verdicchio.
Macerata Vincisgrassi & Marche Classics Class
Learn to make vincisgrassi, the Marche's rich baked pasta, along with handmade pasta and a regional dish, in a Macerata kitchen, paired with Rosso Piceno.
DIY self-guided food tour
Create your own Marche food day in Ascoli Piceno following this self-guided route, ideal for independent travellers who want authentic experiences at their own pace
-
1
Stop 1 (9:00 AM): Mercato Coperto near Piazza del Popolo for morning coffee and a browse of Piceno produce, salumi, and cheeses
-
2
Stop 2 (10:30 AM): A traditional friggitoria in the old town for hot olive all'ascolana straight from the fryer
-
3
Stop 3 (12:30 PM): A historic-centre osteria for lunch with maccheroncini di Campofilone or a fritto misto all'ascolana
-
4
Stop 4 (3:00 PM): A salumeria for a ciauscolo tasting, the spreadable Marche salami, to buy and take away
-
5
Stop 5 (6:00 PM): Caffè Meletti (Piazza del Popolo 20) for an Anisetta Meletti aperitivo on the travertine square
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book truffle hunts near Acqualagna and Verdicchio winery visits at least 1-2 weeks ahead, as many require small-group bookings
Olive all'ascolana are best eaten hot from the fryer in Ascoli Piceno, not pre-packaged from a shop
Brodetto changes from port to port, so try the local version in Ancona, San Benedetto del Tronto, and Fano
Moscioli di Portonovo are wild, seasonal mussels and a Slow Food Presidium, so confirm availability before ordering
Verdicchio comes in two distinct appellations, Castelli di Jesi and Matelica, the latter often more structured and mineral
Lacrima di Morro d'Alba is a fragrant, floral local red worth seeking out at osterie around Morro d'Alba
Anisetta Meletti from Ascoli Piceno is served neat, with a coffee bean, or added to coffee as a digestivo