Trattoria alla Madonna near Rialto in San Polo is the 1954 lunchroom with two-course Venetian set meals at EUR 18, the canonical mid-budget classic fish trattoria.
Tip: Walk-in only. Arrive 12:00 for lunch or 19:30 for dinner. Closed Wednesdays.
Address: Calle della Madonna 594, San Polo, 30125 Venezia VE, Venice
Cantina Do Mori in Venice's San Polo near Rialto is the 1462-founded bacaro, with francobolli sandwiches at EUR 1.50 to EUR 3, the cheapest historic-bar meal in town.
Try: Francobolli sandwiches and ombre
Tip: Cash only. Walk-in. Closed Sundays. The francobolli (postage-stamp-sized sandwiches) are the move; pair with ombre at EUR 1.50.
Bacareto Da Lele on Campo dei Tolentini in Venice's Santa Croce is the canonical budget bacaro, with EUR 1 panini and EUR 0.80 ombre served from a window to the campo.
Try: Panini and ombra
Tip: Cash only. Walk-up window; sit on the Tolentini church steps with your panino and ombra. Closed Sundays.
Dal Moro's Fresh Pasta To Go in Venice's Castello near San Marco is the takeaway pasta counter for fresh pasta in a box at EUR 7 to 10, the city's go-to cheap meal.
Try: Fresh pasta in a box
Tip: Lines run round the corner from 12:00; arrive 11:00 or after 14:30. Cash and card. Spaghetti carbonara is the move.
Osteria All'Arco near Rialto in San Polo serves cicchetti at EUR 1.50 to EUR 4 each, the canonical bacari budget meal with francobolli sandwiches and lagoon-fish bites.
Try: Cicchetti at the bar
Tip: Six cicchetti plus two ombre runs roughly EUR 20 to 25 for a full meal. Closes after lunch.
Al Merca on Campo Bella Vienna near Rialto is the tiny walk-up bar where the mini panini cost EUR 1.50 and the spritz EUR 3.50, the canonical campo aperitivo for under EUR 5.
Try: Spritz and mini panino
Tip: Closes 20:00. No interior space; the crowd stands on the campo. Cash and card accepted.
Trattoria Bar Pontini in Venice's Cannaregio is the neighbourhood lunchroom locals fill at noon, with a EUR 14 weekday set lunch (primo, secondo, acqua) the canonical budget pick.
Try: Set lunch (primo, secondo, acqua)
Tip: Walk-in only. Set lunch weekdays only. Arrive 12:30 for the best seating.
