Forget the formal sit-down dinners — the most authentic way to eat in Venice is standing at a wooden counter with a glass of wine and a small plate of something delicious.
Welcome to the world of cicchetti (pronounced chee-KEH-tee) — the Venetian version of tapas, where flavor meets fun, and locals gather to share food, laughter, and wine. It’s affordable, social, and endlessly tasty — a tradition that reveals the real rhythm of Venetian life.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through what cicchetti are, how to order them, the best places to try them, and a few Tour Leader Venice insider tips you won’t find in any guidebook.
🥖 What Are Cicchetti?
Cicchetti are small plates or bite-sized snacks served in bacari — Venice’s cozy neighborhood wine bars. They’re meant to be enjoyed quickly, often while standing, and always with an ombra di vino (a small glass of wine) or a refreshing Spritz.
Locals enjoy them as a pre-lunch or pre-dinner ritual, but it’s not unusual to make a full meal out of them — hopping from bar to bar, one crostino and one pour at a time.
🕰️ When and How to Eat Cicchetti
- Typical Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- How It Works: Step up to the counter, point to what looks good, order an ombra or a Spritz, and enjoy. No menu, no reservations, no stress.
- Pricing: Usually €1.50 – €3.00 per piece — a deliciously budget-friendly way to eat like a local.
🍴 The Classics: What to Order
Venetian cicchetti come in all shapes and flavors — from seafood to veggie, sweet to savory. Here are the must-try bites that define the tradition:
- 🐟 Baccalà Mantecato: Whipped salt cod on toasted bread. Smooth, garlicky, and iconic.
- 🧆 Polpette: Fried meatballs — sometimes beef, tuna, or veggie versions.
- 🧀 Mozzarella in Carrozza: Golden-fried mozzarella sandwiches (often with anchovies inside).
- 🧅 Sarde in Saor: Sweet-and-sour sardines marinated with onions, raisins, and pine nuts.
- 🍳 Egg & Anchovy: Simple, salty, and timeless.
- 🌱 Grilled Vegetables: Artichokes, zucchini, or eggplant crostini for veggie lovers.
- 🍄 Funghi e Taleggio: Mushrooms with melted cheese — rich, earthy, perfect with red wine.
🍷 The Perfect Pairing: Ombra di Vino
Every cicchetto deserves its sip. Venetians pair these small bites with an ombra di vino — literally, “a shade of wine.” The name dates back centuries, when wine sellers in Piazza San Marco moved their barrels to stay in the shadow (ombra) of the bell tower to keep wine cool.
Popular Pairings
- 🍾 White: Soave, Pinot Grigio, or Prosecco
- 🍷 Red: Raboso or Merlot from the Veneto hills
- 🍊 Spritz: Aperol, Campari, or the local favorite — Select
💡 Want to learn how locals really do it? Join our Venice Cicchetti & Wine Tour and let a local lead your taste buds through hidden bacari and authentic flavors.
🗺️ Best Bacari in Venice for Cicchetti
After years of tasting, chatting, and toasting, here are the bacari that never disappoint — from the historic to the hip.
1. All’Arco (San Polo)
Small, family-run, and legendary. Located steps from the Rialto Market, it’s beloved by locals and chefs alike.
Try: Tuna & leek crostini, anchovy & cream cheese, baccalà mantecato.
⏰ Closes early — best before 2 PM.
2. Cantina Do Mori (San Polo)
Founded in 1462, this is the oldest bacaro in Venice. Copper pots hang from the ceiling and time seems to stop.
Try: Porchetta crostini, sarde in saor, and their red house wine (ombra rossa).
3. Bacareto da Lele (Santa Croce)
The city’s most cheerful student hangout — famous for €1 ombre and mini panini.
Try: Mortadella & truffle cheese, salame & artichoke, and a crisp local white wine.
4. Osteria al Squero (Dorsoduro)
Right across from a gondola repair yard (squero), this spot pairs canal views with unbeatable vibes.
Try: Egg & truffle crostini, vegan polpette, and an Aperol Spritz by the water.
5. La Bottiglia (Cannaregio)
Trendy yet local, known for natural wines, friendly service, and vegetarian options.
Try: Roasted red pepper & burrata, marinated mushrooms, and a Spritz Select.
6. Osteria al Portego (Castello)
A rustic favorite near Campo San Lio — the perfect stop for lunch or early dinner.
Try: Mozzarella in carrozza, tuna tartare crostini, and the house white.
🧭 TLV Insider Tip: How to Do a Cicchetti Crawl
One of our favorite private experiences is a custom cicchetti crawl. We start with the classics near Rialto, wander through Dorsoduro for student-style energy, then end the evening in Cannaregio or Castello — where locals linger and time slows down.
✨ Want it vegan, seafood-focused, or gluten-free? We’ll design it around your tastes.
🍷 Book Your Private Cicchetti Tour
🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan Cicchetti
Venice is surprisingly friendly to plant-based eaters — you just have to know where to look. Many bacari now include lighter, greener bites like:
- Chickpea and herb polpette
- Artichoke crostini
- Olive and sun-dried tomato spreads
- Eggplant & ricotta bites (vegetarian)
- Vegan baccalà made with tofu (in select spots)
🌿 Ask us about our Plant-Based Cicchetti Walk — a flavorful way to explore without compromise.
🍽️ Cicchetti Etiquette: Do’s & Don’ts
- ✅ Order at the bar and eat standing unless seating is offered.
- ✅ Visit multiple bacari — that’s the fun part!
- ✅ Say “Cin cin!” when you clink glasses.
- ❌ Don’t expect full meals — cicchetti are meant to be light and shared.
- ❌ Don’t rush. This is slow travel on a plate.
✨ Final Thoughts: Taste Venice, One Bite at a Time
Cicchetti aren’t just snacks — they’re a celebration of Venetian life. Every crostino, every sip of wine, every laugh at the bar connects you to a centuries-old rhythm that still beats strong in every neighborhood.
So skip the generic menus, follow the locals, and let Tour Leader Venice show you how to experience the city’s most delicious tradition the authentic way.
🥂 Explore Venice with Tour Leader Venice
Written by Tour Leader Venice — licensed local guides who eat, drink, and live like true Venetians. Join us for a private food tour and taste the city one cicchetto at a time.
