Take a three-hour, four-course culinary journey through the vibrant food scene of Venice Beach, Calif., with Avital Tours. Led by founder and local guide Avital Ungar, the tour highlights the neighborhood’s best flavors, trends and longtime favorites. Ungar draws on deep local knowledge to introduce guests to the people, kitchens and stories that shape Venice Beach’s evolving food culture.
© Casey Rodgers
The seven-part experience opens with an overview of Venice Beach’s culinary history at the Venice Ale House on the Boardwalk. From there, participants move through a curated sequence of tastings: an appetizer to start, visits to notable local landmarks, a second appetizer, neighborhood stories that provide context, a hearty entrée and a concluding dessert. The pacing balances sampling and exploration, giving guests time to appreciate both the food and the neighborhood’s character.
Tastings vary by season and chef collaborations, but examples of dishes you might encounter include seafood paella prepared by Chef Jason Neroni, a zucchini lasagna from Matthew Kenny’s vegan kitchen, and a wild mushroom flatbread by Chef Travis Lett. For dessert, options have included blueberry bourbon basil donuts or matcha ice cream from Shuhari Matcha Café, offering a mix of inventive sweets and classic flavors.
The tour is designed to be inclusive: dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Tickets are sold in advance to keep group sizes intimate and ensure a quality experience for every guest. Along the way, visitors meet restaurant owners and chefs, step into working kitchens when possible, and learn how culinary traditions and local ingredients influence the neighborhood’s dining landscape.
Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, the Avital Tours Venice Beach food walk pairs great food with neighborhood insight, making it a satisfying way to taste the spirit of the community beside the sea.