A Cicchetti Crawl Through Venice: The Ultimate Guide to the City's Best Bacari

Venice, a city of meandering canals and romantic gondolas, is a culinary wonderland to explore. As you wander through its winding streets, you'll discover the hidden gems of Venetian cuisine, the bacari. These traditional wine bars offer the perfect opportunity to savour the mouth-watering cicchetti, the Venetian answer to Spanish tapas. So, join us as we take you on a cicchetti crawl through the enchanting city of Venice and introduce you to the best bacari worth visiting.

Cantina Do Mori (San Polo, 429)

Established in 1462, Cantina Do Mori is the oldest bacaro in Venice. Steeped in history, this cozy wine bar is famed for its delectable cicchetti, including classics like sarde in saor and baccalà mantecato. Pair your snacks with a glass of ombra, a local wine, and soak in the authentic Venetian atmosphere.

All'Arco (San Polo, 436)

Just a stone's throw from the Rialto Market, All'Arco is a bustling bacaro popular among both locals and tourists. Known for its exquisite selection of cicchetti, All'Arco serves up a variety of creative dishes, from crostini with Baccala Mantecato (whipped salt cod) to bite-sized sandwiches filled with marinated artichokes and prosciutto. Don't forget to sample their house-made wines, served straight from the barrel.

Osteria Al Squero (Dorsoduro, 943-944)

Overlooking the picturesque Squero di San Trovaso, one of Venice's last remaining gondola workshops, Osteria Al Squero offers a scenic spot to enjoy your cicchetti. Choose from an array of delectable bites, such as mozzarella in carrozza, polpette, and their signature cicchetto, the Venetian tramezzino. Pair these delights with a refreshing spritz or a glass of Prosecco.

Vino Vero (Cannaregio, 2497)

Located along the picturesque Fondamenta Misericordia, Vino Vero is a contemporary bacaro that prides itself on offering an extensive selection of natural wines. Their cicchetti menu is equally impressive, featuring traditional options like baccalà mantecato and more adventurous choices, such as blue cheese and pear crostini. With its relaxed ambiance and canal-side seating, Vino Vero is the perfect spot for a leisurely evening with friends.

Al Timon (Cannaregio, 2754)

A popular hangout spot for locals, Al Timon is a lively bacaro with an inviting atmosphere. This bustling wine bar is famous for its cicchetti, particularly the succulent beef skewers and marinated seafood. Enjoy your cicchetti on board their bragozzo, a traditional wooden boat moored along the canal, while sipping on a glass of wine from their extensive list.

La Ciurma (San Polo, 406)

La Ciurma is a charming little bacaro offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the heart of the San Polo district. This family-run spot is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Venice while savouring an array of delicious cicchetti. La Ciurma's highlights include the smoked tuna with orange zest and their selection of crostini topped with various kinds of cheese, cured meats, and fresh vegetables. Enjoy these tasty bites with a glass of local wine, handpicked by knowledgeable staff.

Cantina Aziende Agricole (Cannaregio, 429)

Tucked away in the vibrant Cannaregio district, Cantina Aziende Agricole is a gem for those seeking a more intimate and authentic bacaro experience. This tiny wine bar is renowned for its carefully curated selection of organic wines and its emphasis on farm-to-table ingredients. Among the must-try cicchetti are the gorgonzola and walnut crostini, the marinated anchovies, and the daily specials, which showcase the freshest seasonal produce. Immerse yourself in the warm and convivial atmosphere of Cantina Aziende Agricole, and enjoy a truly memorable Venetian culinary experience.

Conclusion:

Each bacaro on this list offers a unique and unforgettable experience, inviting you to immerse yourself in the rich flavours and vibrant culture of Venice. So, put on your walking shoes, and let your taste buds lead the way on this incredible culinary adventure.

To know more about Cichetti and Bacari

Andar Per Bacari by Monica Cesarato, the Ultimate guide to eating Cicchetti in Venice! Recipes, itineraries and also the history of the most delicious food in the city!

Check Here. Coming Soon in English!

Bacari, Ombre e Cicchetti - Venice Osterie

If there is a tradition I got accustomed very quickly since relocating in Venice is the custom of the  "ombra" (a glass of wine)....and you cannot possibly have an ombra without some cicchetti...that are small snacks or side dishes. Please do not call them "tapas"! I usually end my Venice Photo Walks with my clients in one...or two of them ;-)

Few photos form Bacari around Venice are here

The bacari, open just for lunch and dinner, are the local down to earth version of wine bars which serve 'ciccheti, a kind of snack  traditionally washed down with a glass of wine, and Venetians stop to snack and socialize before and after meals.

May be would be a nice idea to write in the comments a list of YOUR  favourite Bacaro!

I am working on a list of Restaurants in Venice and in the Lagoon....and is here

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cantina Azienda Agricola or Da Roberto in Rio Tera San Leonardo in Cannaregio. Very good wines and Excellent cicheti all using top products

My review Wine 9/10 Food 9/10 Prices ££ Friendliness 9/10 Value for Money Excellent

Al Volto Calle Cavalli 4081 San Marco Venezia Having  moved not even “a ponte e una calle” from them, decided to test this Bacaro Choice is really good as is the quality. The Risotto was out of this world!

My review Wine 9/10 Food 9/10 Prices ££+ Friendliness 8/10 Value for Money Excellent

Do Spade Just behind Rialto Market Sestiere San Polo 860, 30125 Venice, Italy Another bàcaro dating back to the 15th century, Do Spade offers a great selection of traditional Venetian cicchetti in a cozy if not somewhat dark atmosphere. It is a busy little place and it is full of locals. It’s on a little calle between the Rialto Bridge and Calle dei Bottieri

My review Wine 9/10 Food 9/10 Prices £ Friendliness 7/10 Value for Money  Very Good

Ca’ d’Oro/Alla Vedova. Calle del Pistor, Cannaregio 3912. One of the most famous bàcari in Venice, this one’s both away from the city’s crowds and on the cheap (€1) end of things, ideal if you’re on a budget. Don’t miss the polpette, meatballs made of pork.

My review Wine 8/10 Food 9/10 Prices £ Friendliness 6/10 Value for Money Brilliant

Osteria Al Portego. Calle della Malvasia, Venice, Italy The place is tuck away in a quiet area near S Lio and the Ponte delle Paste. It is owned by a group of young guys. Cicchetti are nice and really fresh, wine is good and staff is very courteous. My only remark is that the prices are on the expensive side if you seat at a table, May just be me...I am used to  drink on the other side of Rialto!

My review Wine 8/10 Food 810 Prices ££ Friendliness 8/10 Value for Money Ok (I suppose)

Do Mori. Sestiere San Polo 429, Calle dei Do Mori. Myth has it that Casanova frequented this bàcaro, also near the Rialto Bridge. Even if he didn’t, it’s still thought to be the oldest in Venice, dating back to 1462. Ask for the “francobollo” (postage stamp)—a tiny sandwich with various fillings, it’s the house specialty.

My review Wine 7/10 Food 7/10 Prices £+ (Polpette are quite expensive) Friendliness 7/10 Value for Money  Good

Cantinone–già Schiavi. Ponte San Trovaso, Dorsoduro 992. This family-run bàcaro, located across from a gondola workshop, boasts raw fish, meats, more than 30 wines available by the glass, and much more. Crowded with Venetians in the evening!

Al Ponte. Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina. One of the cheapest bàcari—and, therefore, places to eat—in all of Venice, Al Ponte has pasta and fish plates and a welcoming atmosphere.

Banco Giro. Campo San Giacometto, San Polo 122. A Grand Canal view, a variety of cheeses, fish, and wine, and a lively atmosphere. What’s not to like?

All’Arco. Calle Arco, San Polo 436. Another one of Venice’s most-loved spots, All’Arco, near the Ponte Rialto, is packed at lunchtime with shoppers from the local fish market. Everything from calamari to liver to shrimp is on offer, and if it’s available, don’t miss the hot sandwich of boiled beef sausage and mustard.

My review Wine 9/10 Food 9/10 Prices £ Friendliness 9/10 Value for Money Excellent

Osteria La Ciurma Calle Galeazza, Venice,  this is a nice little wine bar on a quiet alleyway a short distance from the Rialto Mercato vaporetto stop. Wines are very drinkable and mostly 2 Euros per glass; some less, some a little more. Food offerings are tasty morsals from 1.30 Euros. A great place for a drink among neighborhood people.

My review Wine 9/10 Food 9/10 Prices £+ Friendliness 9/10 Value for Money Very Good

Osteria Ai Osti Sestiere Cannaregio, 3849 Strada Nuova, Venice, A really welcoming ( I think family run) tiny restaurant with no frills but full of real Venetian character. Great traditional food and a good chance to meet the locals

My review Wine 7/10 Food 7/10 Prices £+ Friendliness 7/10 Value for Money Very Good

Diavolo e Acquasanta San Polo 561b, Venice, Italy, Located a few steps away from the more famous restaurant "alla Madonna", this tiny Osteria is geared toward locals rather than tourists. Do not expect upscale atmosphere, or welcoming nice english-speaking waiters. But if you go beyond the unpretentious appearance and the rough manners, you'll find some genuine home-style food, priced below the Venetian average.

My review Wine 8/10 Food 8/10 Prices £+ Friendliness 8/10 Value for Money Very Good

Al Vecio Penasa (not even worth my proper review!)

If they think you are a tourist...they will try to hit you nicely. Been twice and will never get there again. I am Italian but from a different area so the accent is different... both times they charged me the wrong amount. First time was 2 Euros out of 5 E!!!  Today they asked me if I wanted a Tramezzino and Wine at the table and I said NO  still they tried to charge me the price of table service. NOT nice at all  Tramezzini can be nice but do not want to be taken for a ride!