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Osterie, Bacari and Cicchetti in Venice: Your Complete Guide to Venetian Food & Wine Traditions

Venetian Osterie and Bacari - The go-to place for Ciccheti (local nibbles), Wine and Drinks.

Index: Osterie Bacari and Cicchetti in Venice

Venetian cuisine is a tapestry of flavors shaped by the sea, the lagoon, and centuries of maritime trade. Many dishes trace their roots to distant lands: Marco Polo returned from the East bringing spices and ingredients that Venetians quickly made their own. Today, these influences live on in traditional recipes served in the city’s osterie and bacari, the informal taverns where locals still gather for a quick bite and a glass of wine.

You don’t need to sit in a restaurant to taste authentic Venetian dishes. In fact, some of the best flavors are found standing at the counter of a bacaro, sipping wine and enjoying small plates known as cicchetti. If you prefer not to explore on your own, you can also join a wine and cicchetti tasting tour led by a local expert.

CICCHETTI - PHOTO GALLERY

What Are Bacari and Osterie?

A bacaro is a traditional Venetian tavern, usually small and atmospheric, where trays of cicchetti fill the counter and wine is poured all day long. It’s casual, lively, and social: you enter, choose your cicchetti, order a drink, and enjoy the experience either inside or by the water.

Osterie are slightly more structured, sometimes offering full meals, but still keep the warm, simple, down-to-earth spirit of Venetian home cooking. Blackboard menus, seasonal ingredients, and generous portions are the rule.

If you prefer a guided experience, consider joining a cicchetti and wine walking tour to discover hidden spots, historical anecdotes, and local tips on how to order like a real Venetian.

What Are Cicchetti?

Cicchetti are small bites traditionally served alongside a glass of wine or an aperitivo. They can be served on toasted bread, polenta squares, in small bowls, or on tiny plates. Each bacaro prepares its own selection, and choosing is easy: just point at whatever looks delicious.

The tradition dates back to the times when merchants and workers would stop for a quick sip and a snack before returning to their activities. Today, cicchetti tasting is one of the most authentic culinary experiences you can enjoy in Venice.

Typical Cicchetti You Should Try

Baccalà mantecato: silky whipped cod, served on bread or polenta.
Sarde in saor: fried sardines marinated with onions, pine nuts and raisins—sweet, sour, and aromatic.
Moeche fritte (in season): soft-shell lagoon crabs, fried to perfection.
Calamari and seppie: fried, stewed or served in their black ink.
Bigoli in salsa: thick spaghetti with anchovy and onion sauce.
Mussels and clams in various preparations.
Granseola alla veneta: Venetian-style spider crab, delicate and flavorful.

Vegetables from the Lagoon & Traditional Venetian Dishes

The islands around Venice are known for their fertile soil and vegetable gardens. Sant’Erasmo, often called “the vegetable garden of Venice,” supplies many of the city’s kitchens with seasonal produce.

Castraure: tiny baby artichokes, tender and full of flavor.
Asparagus, often served with eggs or in risotto.
Risi e bisi: risotto with fresh peas, traditionally served on feast days.
Pasta e fasioi: creamy pasta and beans.
Radicchio from the Treviso area, widely used in local recipes.

For meat lovers, Venetian cuisine also offers:

Fegato alla veneziana: liver cooked with onions and served with polenta.
Duck and game prepared in various Venetian styles.
Musetto with polenta: traditional boiled sausage.
Various offal-based dishes still prepared in historic osterie.

CICCHETTI - PHOTO GALLERY

Ombra and Spritz: The Venetian Aperitivo

In Venice, a glass of wine is called an ombra. The name comes from a charming tradition: wine sellers once set up their stalls in St. Mark’s Square and would move following the shade (“ombra”) of the bell tower to keep the wine cool.

Alongside wine, the undisputed star of the Venetian aperitivo is the Spritz, served in two main versions:

Aperol Spritz: sweeter, more citrusy.
Campari Spritz (often simply called “Spritz al Bitter”): stronger, more bitter, deeper in flavor.

In recent years, the aperitivo tradition has become a lively ritual among Venetians—moving from one bacaro to another, tasting different cicchetti and enjoying the sunset over the canals.

How to Enjoy Bacari Like a Local

Don’t be afraid of the crowded counter: point at what you want, order your drink, and enjoy.
Follow the locals: if you see Venetians inside, it’s a good sign.
Move away from St. Mark’s: for authentic experiences, explore Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro and Santa Croce.
Make several stops: the beauty of the bacaro culture is tasting a little bit everywhere.
Be respectful: avoid blocking bridges or entrances, and dispose of waste properly.

The Best Bacari and Osterie in Venice by District (Sestiere)

Here is a curated selection of bacari and osterie divided by sestiere, with suggestions on what to visit nearby. Hours and management can change over time, so consider this list as an excellent starting point.

Cannaregio

Cannaregio is a lively, residential district full of canals, local shops and authentic taverns—perfect for exploring the real Venice.

Cantina Vecia Carbonera – Cannaregio 2329
Nearby: Palazzo Santa Sofia (Ca’ d’Oro).

Antica Osteria alla Vedova – Trattoria Cà d’Oro – Strada Nuova
Famous for its meatballs. Nearby: Ca’ d’Oro.
Osteria alla Frasca – Cannaregio 5176
Nearby: Fondamente Nove, Chiesa dei Miracoli, San Giovanni e Paolo.
Al Timon – Fondamenta degli Ormesini 2754
Nearby: Scuola Grande della Misericordia, Madonna dell’Orto.
Enoteca Do Colonne – Rio Terà del Cristo 1814/C
Nearby: Cannaregio, the Ghetto and its historic lanes.

San Polo – Rialto

The Rialto area is Venice’s historic commercial heart, home to the famous fish market and many traditional osterie.

Cantina Do’ Mori – Rialto Market area
One of the oldest osterie in Venice, known for its tiny sandwiches called “francobolli.”
Osteria al Ponte “La Patatina” – Campo San Polo 2741
Nearby: Basilica dei Frari.
Naranzaria – San Polo 130
Nearby: Rialto Bridge, fish market.
Cantina Do Spade – San Polo 859
Nearby: Mercato di Rialto, Campo San Giacometto.
Al Mercà – Campo Bella Vienna 213
Nearby: Rialto, Ca’ Pesaro.
Osteria Bancogiro – Campo San Giacometto 122
Nearby: Rialto Bridge and Campo San Bartolomeo.

Dorsoduro

Dorsoduro is known for its artistic soul and vibrant student life. Here you’ll find many beloved bacari and wine bars.

Cantinone già Schiavi – Fondamenta della Toletta
Amazing selection of traditional cicchetti. Nearby: Gallerie dell’Accademia.
Alla Bifora – Campo Santa Margherita 2930
Nearby: Scuola Grande dei Carmini.

Santa Croce

Close to Piazzale Roma but rich in quiet corners and canals, Santa Croce offers some hidden gems.

Bacareto da Lele – Campo dei Tolentini 183
Famous for its tiny sandwiches and quick service. Nearby: Santa Croce, San Rocco, Campo Santa Margherita.
La Zucca – Santa Croce 1762
A small restaurant known for vegetable-based dishes. Nearby: Fondaco dei Turchi, Natural History Museum.

Castello

Castello is a vast district, stretching from St. Mark’s to the Arsenale, full of charm and authentic Venetian life.

Castello Sestiere

Al Mascaron – Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa 5225
Nearby: Santa Maria Formosa, San Giovanni e Paolo, the Arsenale.

Practical Tips for Your Bacaro Experience

Best time: late afternoon and aperitivo time (around 6–8 pm).
Payment: many places accept cards, but having some cash helps.
Portions: cicchetti are small—perfect for trying many different things.
Dress code: casual and comfortable.
Respect the city: avoid blocking bridges and doorways; throw waste in bins.

Map – Osterie, Bacari and Cicchetti in Venice

Use the map below to explore Venice through its traditional taverns. Follow your taste, curiosity, and instinct: the beauty of this experience is discovering hidden corners and flavors along the way.