Venice may be famous for its romantic canals and historic architecture, but if you know where to look, it’s also a paradise for food lovers. While Italy is best known for pasta and pizza, Venice has its own spin on Spanish tapas-style dining, offering a mouthwatering selection of cicchetti bars.
These small, cozy establishments serve bite-sized Venetian delicacies, perfect for pairing with a glass of local Prosecco or a refreshing Aperol Spritz.
I’ve explored the city’s hidden bacari—traditional Venetian wine bars—where locals gather to enjoy fresh seafood, creamy burrata, and crispy polpette (fried meatballs). The best tapas bars in Venice aren’t just about the food; they offer an authentic, laid-back atmosphere that transports you away from tourist crowds and into the heart of Venetian culture. From canal-side gems to hole-in-the-wall spots tucked into the labyrinthine streets, I’ve found the ultimate places to indulge in cicchetti and wine without breaking the bank.
In this guide, I’ll reveal my top picks for where to eat tapas in Venice, whether you’re craving bruschetta with baccalà mantecato, grilled octopus, or a simple but perfect truffle crostini. Expect insider tips, must-try dishes, and the best places to soak up the city’s charm—one delicious bite at a time.
What is a bacaro?
A bacaro is a typical Venetian tavern, where you can enjoy a glass of wine at a good price accompanied by ' cicchetti ', a kind of Venetian version of Spanish tapas. As we mentioned, these tapas or pinchos usually use local produce and are cooked in a simple way, although sometimes they are authentic works of art. What is certain is that they are delicious!
How does it work?
It's basically like a normal bar: it's not complicated at all! All you have to do is order an ombra (a glass of house wine), or choose one of the many types of wine or appetizers on offer (although the ombra will always be cheaper, between €1-1.50). And accompany it with something to nibble on: the famous cicchetti .
⭐ Curiosity: ombra in Italian means shadow and in this case it refers to the fact that in ancient times in the countryside, when taking out the wine to drink, they used to stand in the shade so that the glass would not heat up.
How many types of cicchetti are there?
There is actually a lot of variety, among the cicchetti you can find mini toasts and crostini, skewers of calamari, shrimp, octopus or mini sandwiches, vegetable tempura, sandwiches, meatballs or more complex preparations such as fried polenta crostini with sarde in saor. Sometimes the bacari have a speciality, in which case it is essential to try it!
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Which cicchetti are recommended?
As we have said, there is a huge variety of cicchetti, but on a gastronomic tour of Venice you cannot miss trying at least these:
- Crostino with codfish mantecato : a small toast with cod cream, oil and garlic.
- Sarde in saor : sardines marinated in vinegar, raisins, pine nuts and caramelized onions.
- Meat and fish meatballs .
- Fried squid skewer .
Although let the waiters at the bacaro advise you since each place has certain specialties.
How much do cicchetti cost?
It depends on how elaborate they are: prices range from €1 to €3 approximately . We spent an average of €4-5 between the two of us on each drink, having a glass of wine each and trying 2 cicchetti.
Best Bacari Route in Venice
This food tour of Venice is aimed at those who want to discover the city from another point of view: that of its bars and its kitchens. We have focused on the district (or sestiere ) of San Polo, close to the Rialto Bridge, which is, along with Canareggio, one of the best places to find bacari.
This is our bacaro-tour:
1. To the market
A small bacaro near the Rialto market. Here we had a few Aperol spritzes and a few house spritzes (2.50€ each). To accompany them we had a sandwich with San Daniele ham (1.5€ each).
- Pro: good quality of products, nice waiters, good atmosphere.
- Cons: there is no place to sit, drinks are enjoyed in the small square where the establishment is (although thinking about it, it is not a negative thing!).
- Where: Campo Bella Vienna, 213.
2. The Sbarlefo
This was perhaps the one that disappointed us the most: we had read that it was the typical bacaro frequented by Venetian grandparents and local people and when we arrived we were the only ones there, along with an English couple. We tried tuna meatballs, which were not very good (2€), red meatballs (1.50€ each) and meatballs (1€) which were tasty although a bit spicy. To drink, we had white wine from the house (1.50€ a glass).
- Pro: We sat at a small table on the street, good atmosphere.
- Cons: The staff is a bit cold, correct but not very nice…
- Where: Salizada del Pistor.
3. Vecia Carbonera Canteen
A very good discovery 🙂 We had some Aperol spritz (3€) and a house white wine (1.5€) and tried a toast with codfish, another with sarde in saor, another with leeks and gorgonzola and another with radicchio and prawns. Although the best was the polpetta di carne (meatball). Prices of the cicchetti between 1.5-2.5€
- Pro: good variety of cicchetti
- Cons: I can't really think of anything bad :-p
- Where: Canneregio 2329
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4. Mori's Canteen
A true Venetian legend: it is apparently the oldest bacaro in the city. Prices are slightly higher than other bacari, but you know, fame comes at a price! The house wine costs about €2 and you have to try the house specialty: the francobollo (seal), a small square sandwich with ham and cheese. Prices of the cicchetti: €2-3
- Where: Sestiere San Polo, 429.
5. Baccarat in Corte dell'Orso
We had read mixed reviews about this place: many said it was one of the best bacari because it had a wide variety of cicchetti and a nice place to sit quietly; others said the boss wasn't a very nice guy... We were lucky, to be honest, because we were served by two very friendly girls.
We had a few wines (2.5€), a mozzarella in carrozza (breaded mozzarella), tuna meatballs, a codfish crostino and another one with meatballs and spicy tomato sauce. It was probably the one we liked the most of all.
- Pro: great variety of cicchetti and good price (from €1.5 to €5).
- Con: It's a bit hidden, so make sure you write down the address!
- Where: S. Marco, 5495.
6. Spade Canteen
One of the oldest bacari in Venice. Spritz at €3, house wine €1-2 and cicchetti from €1-3. It is also a restaurant so if you fancy something more substantial… you can.
- Where: Sestiere San Polo, 859.
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7. Osteria dai Zemei
A curious establishment run by two twins (zemei in Veneto means twins), decorated with hundreds of photos of twins from all over the world. Cicchetti between €1-5, house wine €1.50 and aperol spritz €3.50
- Where: San Polo, 1045/B.
8. Osteria alla Ciurma
Cicchetti between €1.2-3.5 (there is a lot of variety), aperol spritz €3 and a good atmosphere.
- Where: Galeazza Street, 406.
9. Alla Vedova
If you are a meatball lover like us, you cannot miss a stop at the Vedova (the widow): they say that the best meatballs in Venice are served here. Why didn't we go? Because we couldn't find it, so write down the address better than us :-S
- Where: Cannareggio, 3912.
10. Osteria ai Promessi Sposi
Another place that had been recommended to us but that we couldn't enjoy: when we arrived it was closed, so you know... don't go from 3 to 6 pm! The house specialty is meatballs and if you want to eat something more filling, try the sarde in saor dish.
- Where: Calle dell Oca, 4367.
11. Da Fred e Luca (Cicchetteria Venexiana)
If you are near the station and want to make a last bacaro-stop before leaving Venice, we recommend you stop by this place: cicchetti and glasses of wine from €1.50. We recommend the “discos voladores”, fried stuffed aubergines. Beers and spritz €3.
- Where: Rio Terà San Leonardo, 1518.
12. Vecio Biavorol Inn
One of the cheapest options (although a bit far from the centre). House wine at €1 and toast for €1.50-€2. Spritz €3.
- Where: Fondamenta dei Tolentini, 225.
13. Bacareto by Lele
Near the Hosteria Vecio Biavorol and very close to Piazzale Roma, there is another legend of Venice: the bacaretoda Lele. Here, the typical thing to do is to try one of their mini-sandwiches (try the speck one) and accompany it with an ombra (house wine) €1-1.50.
- Where: Campo dei Tolentini.
14. Già Schiavi Cantinone
Just a stone's throw from the Accademia Gallery is this historic cicchetteria. There are many types of cicchetti (1-3€) and ombre for 1€.
- Where: Fondamenta Nani, 992.
15. To Portego
One of the students' favourite bacari for its quality-price ratio. The house specialties are based on fish, the codfish a la vicentina is a must!
- Where: Castello San Lio, 6014.
Map of the Bacari route
We leave you an interactive map with all the places we have recommended (in purple those we tried directly and in orange those that have been recommended to us and that we will try, this is for sure, in the future!)
Here are our recommendations for the best bacari in Venice . Although there are many more! Make a note of them to plan your tapas route through Venice and, if you see one that looks good and is not on the list, try it and tell us about it.
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