When you look up how to eat out cheap in Venice, most blogs will suggest the same things. Either go cicchetti-hopping (the Venetian version of tapas, where you order small plates) or hunt down those hidden no-reservation restaurants tucked away in the alleys of Venice. Both are fun options, but in this post I want to share an alternative that’s even cheaper and more sustainable: using Too Good To Go.
What is Too Good To Go?
Too Good To Go (often shortened as TGTG) is a takeaway food app designed to fight food waste. The company was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2015 and has since expanded steadily to Europe, Australia, the USA, and even Japan. And yes—Too Good To Go also operates in Venice, Italy.
If you’d like to know more about their mission and impact, you can check out their Impact Report here.
How does Too Good To Go work?
First, you need to install the mobile app on your phone (you can download it here). Once it’s installed, you’ll have to register, and then you can set your location manually to Venice. After that, the app will show you a list of food establishments offering pick-up times.
You can browse categories like “pick up your dinner,” “pick up your lunch,” “vegetarian,” or “pick up now” if you want something spontaneous.
When you tap on one of the cards, you’ll see the details set by the restaurant. In the about section, some places will tell you to bring your own reusable food box, while others will specify what kind of food you might get. You’ll also see the original price and the discounted price you’ll actually pay.
One thing to keep in mind: you can’t choose exactly what food you’ll get. It’s completely up to the restaurant. If you’re lucky, they might let you pick, but it’s better to go in with an open mind and enjoy the surprise.
My tips as a seasoned TGTG hunter in Venice
If you really want to explore a variety of options on the app, book your pick-up in advance—ideally the day before or at least the night before. Otherwise, by the time you look, most of the good dinner bags will already be sold out and you’ll probably only find pastry or baked goods at cafés. Not that that’s a bad thing, especially if it’s from a traditional Venetian pasticceria or even a cicchetti bar.
Let the surprise add to your food experience at an affordable price.
Always read the notes from the food spot carefully. If they ask you to bring your own bag or box, do it. Some might even charge a small fee if you show up without one.
The beauty of TGTG is that it’s a win-win: food places avoid waste and you get to save money while eating well in Venice.
Last but not least
If you try Too Good To Go in Venice, let me know how your experience went in the comments! I’d love to hear what kind of surprise meals you ended up with.
Leave a Reply