Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Venice's signature bacari bar snacks: tiny bites on toothpicks or small crostini, from baccala mantecato on grilled polenta to fried sardines and crispy fritters. Eaten standing with an ombra of wine.
Cicchetti and the bacaro tradition emerged in Venice in the late Middle Ages, when the city's working-class taverns served small plates to dock workers who could not afford a full sit-down meal. The format codified through the 19th and early 20th centuries: a small glass of cheap wine (an ombra, from the medieval Venetian dialect for shadow) plus a few cicchetti. Cantina Do Mori (operating since 1462, the oldest continuously running bacaro in Venice), Osteria All'Arco and Bacareto Da Lele all serve the canonical format.
3 editor picks for Cicchetti in Venice, ranked by editorial score. All Venice signature dishes · Cicchetti across every city.
Osteria All'Arco near Rialto Pescheria in Venice's San Polo is the Francesco and Matteo Pinto father-and-son bacaro, the local benchmark for cicchetti.
OrderCicchetti, polpette and sarde in saor
TipWalk-in only. Closes after lunch; arrive 11:30-13:00 for the fish-market cicchetti at their best. Sarde in saor and baccala mantecato are obligatory.
Cantina Do Mori in Venice's San Polo is the city's oldest bacaro, open since 1462 near Rialto, with a counter of francobolli sandwiches and ombre poured.
OrderCicchetti and ombre at the counter
TipWalk-in only. Order ombre (small glass of wine) plus a francobolli sandwich. Counter pours stop hard at 19:30; arrive by 18:30 for the best cicchetti choice.
Bacareto Da Lele in Venice's Santa Croce near Piazzale Roma is the canal-side bacaro the students fill on the Tolentini church steps, ombre and panini.
OrderMini panini and ombre
TipWalk-up window only; sit on the church steps with your panino and ombra. Most ombre are €0.80 to €1.50, panini €1 to €2. Cash only.
Cicchetti makes more sense with someone from Venice explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover Venice’s authentic wine bars with cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and regional wines, enough food and drink to make a full meal.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Eat like the Venetian do on a guided tour with wine and 'Cicchetti' tastings. Experience the local lifestyle with a culinary experience while strolling through 3 iconi...
Guided tour · 3 hours
This local Venice food tour will take you through the heart of the city, the Rialto Fish Market. You'll also learn about the history and traditions that have influence...
