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The Bacaro Tour: a Venetian tradition

One of the best ways to explore Venice as a local, tasting the savory Venetian cicheti (appetisers, in italian "cicchetti") accompanied by the typical ombra di vino (glass of wine), is to have fun going from bacaro to bacaro (a typical Venetian tavern) with your friends, and it is not even expensive at all. The bacaro tour is an alternative and fun way to enjoy the city as a real Venetian. 

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The Bacaro Tour: discovering the bacari

First of all, what it is a bacaro ? To define it simply as a tavern would be somewhat reductive. A bacaro is a typical Venetian tavern , small in size, characterised by simple and rustic furniture, mainly made of wood, where you can enjoy glasses of wine , ombre in Venetian, or of spritz, accompanied by typical Venetian cicheti , that are small snacks of food ranging from fish balls to small stuffed sandwiches.

All cicheti are usually displayed in a glass case near the bar. But what certainly characterises a typical Venetian bacaro is the cosy and familiar atmosphere, the friendliness of the host and the presence of many Venetians that are taking a relaxing break.  

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The Bacaro Tour: what do you eat and drink in a bacaro?

Going from bacaro to bacaro certainly means drinking good wine and tasting real delicacies. As it is well known, Veneto is one of the best known Italian regions for the production of its fine wines, and for this reason in Venice you can certainly find excellent wines, even in the bacari , where they usually serve cheaper wines but still DOC (controlled designation of origin) wines. Among the red wines you can find Raboso, Cabernet, Merlot and Bardolino, whereas among the white wines Prosecco, Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla, Soave and Traminer. It is also possible to taste the authentic spritz , a typical Venetian aperitif, made with Prosecco, Aperol or Campari (or both in the case of the spritz misto, mixed), sparkling water or Seltz, a slice of orange and to put the finishing touches the olive. 

Concerning the cicheti , each bacaro offers its own options, so at each stage of your tour you can taste different specialities of the Venetian cuisine , but among the most common ones you can find the sarde in saor (fried fresh sardine fillets marinated in softly cooked white onions), baccalà mantecato (whipped salted cod served on slices of bread or polenta), meatballs, mozzarelle in carrozza (fried mozzarella cheese sandwiches), fried fish, tramezzini  (triangular Italian sandwich constructed from two slices of soft white bread, with the crusts removed) and sandwiches stuffed with cured meats.  

The Bacaro tour: what it is and where you can do it

The Bacaro Tour is the custom of going from bacaro to bacaro , around the sestieri  (districts) of Venice , to enjoy a few glasses of wine or spritz with your friends. Instead of sitting at the same bar for a long time, Venetians prefer performing this itinerant ritual. There is no exact time to go on a bacaro tour, but lunchtime and aperitif time are certainly the two most popular moments of the day. Tourists usually eat a real meal in the bacari , ordering trays of cicheti , but by doing so they miss the true essence of the bacaro tour. 

For those arriving by train at the Santa Lucia station, the first area from where they can begin their tour is the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio , in particular along the Fondamenta   (a street parallel to a canal) dei Ormesini, an area full of bacari . For those arriving instead by car or by bus, you cannot miss the Santa Croce district , an area with well-known bacari, frequented also by young people, especially university students. Another must-go area during your bacaro tour is the sestiere that includes the famous Campo  (square) Santa Margherita, that is Dorsoduro . A final district that deserves to be mentioned is the Castello district , the least tourist area in Venice and therefore full of bacari frequented by locals.

As previously mentioned, the bacaro tour is not expensive at all, the price of a glass of wine ranges from 0.60 cents to 2 euros maximum, while the price of a  cicheto  ranges from 1 to 3 euros . Those who have not yet had the chance to visit Venice will certainly not miss the opportunity to go on a bacaro tour on their first visit, and for those who have already visited it this will certainly be an opportunity to experience the city in a new way. 

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Discover the best bacari with the Venice Pass

The Venice Pass is the Venice new tourist card with which you can visit most of the sites and museums in Venice free of charge and travel freely by all means of transport. Among the included attractions we can find the Basilica of San Pietro di Castello and the Museum Le Macchine di Leonardo.

In addition, with the pass you can get further discounts on the main tours and at some of the city's most popular historical activities. These include authentic Venetian bacari and cicchetterie. 

Thanks to the useful app you can locate all the activities and attractions included in the Venice Pass on an interactive map, so you can reach them easily. This tourist card will be able to offer you unique experiences, such as taking part in a workshop to create your own handmade Venetian mask, discovering how the famous glass manufactures in Murano are made or taking a tour of the traditional bacari , to experience Venice like a Venetian. 

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What Is A Bacaro? + A Local’s Self Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary

Last updated on December 28th, 2023

Chances are that if you have looked into coming to Venice you have come across the term bacaro or even seen others talking about or offering a bacaro tour.

If you are wondering what a bacaro and a bacaro tour are, you are in the right place. And if you already are a pro and are ready to take the leap to a self-guided bacaro tour in Venice, stay with me. 

After traveling to Venice for years and eating a heck of a lot of cicchetti at the most famous bacari in Venice, I have come down to the absolute best self-guided bacaro tour itinerary to follow as a foreign traveler to Venice.

Seeing Venice through the lens of their unique culinary traditions is one of the most authentic and fun ways to learn about this magical city. 

In this article, I will explain:

• What a bacaro is, and how to pronounce it
• What bacaro tours consist of, and why you should go on one
• My self-guided bacaro tour itinerary
• Tips for having the best experience on a bacaro tour
• Alternatives to a self-guided bacaro tour

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What Is A Bacaro?

So what is a bacaro?

A bacaro, pronounced bah-cah-roh in Italian, is a Venetian bar serving alcoholic beverages and small snacks known as cicchetti . 

Listen to the pronunciation of bacaro here:

A bacaro is a place of gathering for Venetians throughout the day to catch up, take a break and dampen their hunger. 

Bacari usually open in the morning and close later in the evening or even late at night, breaking all rules of other Italian eateries , which hold specific hours in relation to eating times . 

What Are Cicchetti?: To learn more about cicchetti , read What are Cicchetti?

At a bacaro , Italians will take a break with a small glass of wine known as an ombra and a small nibble known as a cicchetto (or two!). This happens at any time of the day from early in the morning when fishermen are just finishing their daily catch to early into the evening when younger crowds come out for an aperitivo .

The atmosphere of a bacaro is casual while providing an intimate and authentic culinary experience.

Eating cicchetti and drinking wine at bacari is a fast affair, something quick, that perhaps lasts no more than 20 minutes (generally speaking). It can also be like downing an espresso at an Italian bar at the counter – quick and satisfying. 

Spending time at a bacaro as a local can be longer as you linger, bump into comers and goers and not purposefully end up with three glasses of wine instead of one! 

What Is A Bacaro Tour?

A bacaro tour is the idea of making a whole evening of eating cicchetti and drinking by hopping from one bacaro to the next, tasting small nibbles and trying different wines all the while meeting new people, chatting to locals and catching up with old friends. 

Venetians may do this with friends or just do it on their own, making time to chit chat with other locals doing the same. 

Many people compare a bacaro tour to a pub crawl (in fact, some people call it a bacaro crawl), spending the evening trying different venues, foods and wine. In fact, you might even hear a bacaro tour called a bacaro crawl. 

Usually, a bacaro tour will take place over the course of a couple of hours and may include 5-7 bacari . You may or may not travel to different sestieri or districts in Venice, depending on where you are and how comfortable you are with walking longer distances. 

Where Is A Bacaro Tour In Venice?

So where are you going in Venice on your bacaro tour, you ask? That depends on where you are. 

In my self-guided itinerary below, I have covered ground in San Polo and San Marco, where the best cicchetti bars are. Below are the top neighborhoods to visit with my bacari recommendation should you have time for further exploration of these neighborhoods:

• Cannaregio: Check out El Sbarlefo 
• Santa Croce: Check out Bacareto da Lele
• Dorsoduro: Check out Panini and Vini Da Babbo or Cantina del Vino già Schiavi
• Castello: Check out Osteria alla Scuela or Basegò

More Cicchetti: To learn about the best places to eat cicchetti in Venice read Best Cicchetti in Venice.

Why Go On A Bacaro Tour?

Taking yourself on a bacaro tour is one of the best ways to experience Venice from a local, authentic perspective. You will find yourself elbow to elbow with Venetian locals, students and international travelers hoping for the same experience.

After visiting the best bacari in Venice and eating the absolute best cicchetti on the Venice food scene, it has remained one of my favorite ways to see the city and share my love for it with my friends and family.

My top 10 reasons for going on a bacaro tour:

• Best way to try an array of traditional Venetian food without breaking the bank
• Best way to try an array of local Venetian wines
• Affordable ( cicchetto cost €2-5 each and ombra €2-7)
• Meet new people
• You can do it on you own without a guide
• You can do it at anytime of the day
• Alternative to a full course meal at a restaurant in Venice
• Break up the main sites and tourist attractions in Venice by working in a bacaro tour into your Venice itinerary. 
• Kid friendly dinner alternative 
• It’s fun! 

Travelers With Special Diets: If you have a special diet or allergy, fear not! There are plenty of cicchetti for gluten-free travelers , vegans and vegetarians .

Self-Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary

Keep in mind that you can really do this bacaro tour at any time of the day, however, you need to be sure you choose a day in which all the bacari are open. 

I suggest you follow my itinerary for a self-guided bacaro tour on either Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. If you go on one of these days, all the bacari I recommend will be open. 

A bacaro tour can be as short or as long as you like but I usually recommend first time travelers to really take their time and make it a whole event. You can either do the bacaro tour all at once or split your cicchetti and wine up with other top attractions and activities in Venice. It’s up to you!

Below, I will outline my two hour bacaro tour with the best places to eat cicchetti in Venice , including 6 bacari in two neighborhoods.

Since we are on a bacaro tour, I suggest you linger a bit at each location but not too long or you will be out all night! Try and enjoy each bacaro for 20-25 minutes or so, whether this means sitting down or eating your cicchetti standing is up to you. 

Map Of Self-Guided Bacaro Tour In Venice

Stop 1: Bacarando Corte dell’Orso

Sestiere di S. Marco, 5495, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Open: Daily

Bacarando Corte dell’Orso is one of the most famous bacari in Venice for a wide array of cicchetti with ample indoor seating. 

They have one of the largest selections of cicchetti in all of Venice including classics such as polenta squares with sarde in saor, larger tortini, savory quiches and a wide selection of seafood skewers.  

Order at the counter and bring your cicchetti to one of the large wooden tables in the next room over. If not, choose to eat and drink standing at the counter or outside on one of their benches. 

Tip: For a longer bacaro tour, think about adding SEPA or Osteria Al Portego (one of my favorite places in Venice for after-dinner drinks ) to your tour before heading over to Osteria Bancogiro. Both are right around the corner from Bacarando Corte dell’Orso, making it easy to swing into without going out of your way. 

Stop 2: Osteria Bancogiro

Campo San Giacometto, Ponte di Rialto

Closed: Monday

Osteria Bancogiro, located just off the Rialto Bridge, has one of the best locations in all of Venice with  tables spilling out on the backside onto Campo Erberia.

The cicchetti they serve are more chic and plated with a modern touch. They are well known for their curried shrimp salad and their raw fish selection. 

Eat your cicchetti standing indoors or outdoors or ask if they have a table on their terrace outside to sit down at for a short time. 

Stop 3: Al Mercà

Campo Bella Vienna, 213, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Closed: Sunday

Al Mercà is just next door to Osteria Bancogiro next to the Rialto Market , serving up some of the best spritz and cicchetti sandwiches in the area. 

Al Mercà is literally a window on the street with one small bench, catering primarily to locals and nearby fishermen and produce vendors who have just finished their morning at the market (although I have found it to become quite popular with tourists over the years as well). 

Stop 4: Bar All’Arco

S. Polo, 436, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Closed: Wednesday

Bar All’Arco is arguably the most famous bacaro in all of Venice with just a few tables lining the walls and standing r oom only indoors. 

The selection of cicchetti is traditional but they are always fresh and worth the wait. Their crostini cicchetti are my favorite in the city. 

If you can, sit down at one of the few tables outdoors. I have never been here when a table was free so here’s to trying! 

Stop 5: Cantina Do Spade

San Polo, 859, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Cantina Do Spade is the most famous bacaro in Venice for fried nibbles including their famed fried meatball.  

Cantina Do Spade is a bacaro but also a restaurant, so there isn’t much space to sit down for cicchetti, just three small tables indoors. If these are occupied (they probably will be), quickly eat your fried meatball and €1 bicchierino of wine at the bar standing or outside. 

Stop 6: Acqua E Mais

Campiello dei Meloni, 1411/1412, 30125 Venezia VE

Acqua E Mais is a favorite bacaro for all sorts of Venetians including students, serving up some of the best seafood cicchetti as well as some of the best takeout in Venice and street food .

Acqua E Mais is tiny with no seating. Plan on sipping your wine and eating your seafood skewers and smoked salmon cicchetti on the street with the crowds. 

Planning Tip: If you happen to be on the other side of town and  you want to start your bacaro tour, feel free to reverse the order. It makes no difference!

Tips For Having The Best Experience On A Bacaro Tour

• When ordering wine, ask for a bicchierino , meaning small glass for just a sip of wine. This is different from a full 6 oz glass of wine. Some bacari will serve this size, some will not. 
• Feel free to order a plate of several cicchetti to share, allowing you to sample several different kinds.
• Try the same kind of cicchetto at different bars. This is my favorite way to analyze the bacari and tell which ones I like the best. I usually do this with baccalà mantecato . Every bar does it slightly differently. Which one do you like best?
• Don’t be afraid to ask for cicchetti on a slice of polenta if you don’t want bread. They often can do this for you (great for gluten-free travelers in Venice .
• Don’t feel obliged to finish your wine. If you take yourself on a bacaro tour and visit up to seven different bacari , it may be too much alcohol for you. No one will shame you for not finishing.

Alternatives To A Self-Guided Bacaro Tour

While heading out on a self-guided bacaro tour is easy, I am completely sympathetic with travelers who don’t want to think about getting from place to place, especially if you have been touring all day and your brain has turned to jelly. 

Alternatively, you can opt to sign up for a guided bacaro tour offered by local guides in Venice. If you fall into this category and want a guided bacaro tour, consider the following tours.

Foodie Travel: Are you interested in planning an itinerary revolving around eating in Venice? Read 24 Hours in Venice and 48 Hours in Venice .

Venice bound? Get prepared with all of our Venice posts: 20+ Must-Try Foods And Drinks In Venice – And My Favorite Places To Eat Them What Are Cicchetti? + Where To Eat Them In Venice What Is A Bacaro? + A Local’s Self Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary My Favorite Cicchetti In Venice – The 10 Best Bacari To Try Best Restaurants in Venice + Nearest Cicchetti Stops Best Gelato In Venice – My Italian Family’s 10 Favorite Gelaterie 7 Food Markets In Venice Worth Your Time Where To Get Coffee In Venice Where To Eat Breakfast In Venice – A Local’s Favorite Breakfast Nooks 10 Amazing Bakeries In Venice – Where to Get Your Pastry On Best Spots In Venice For Aperitivo – My Top Bars & Squares for Pre-Dinner Drinks Dinner On The Water In Venice – My Top 7 Restaurants Best Pizza In Venice – My ‘Don’t Miss’ List My Favorite After Dinner Drink Spots In Venice Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice – Tips + Printable 5 Street Foods To Try In Venice & Where Eat Them Best Places To Get Takeout In Venice – My Top Picks Where To Eat Before Catching Your Train At The Venice Santa Lucia Train Station My Favorite Food Chains To Try In Venice Eating Gluten-Free In Venice – Restaurants, Cicchetti & Gelato Gluten-Free Cicchetti In Venice – What To Order (& Avoid) and How to Order Eating Vegetarian In Venice – My Top Five Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants + Tips Eating Vegan In Venice, Italy – My Top Five Vegan Friendly Restaurants Eating in Venice While Pregnant 8+ Kid Friendly Restaurants In Venice Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice 24 Hour Food Guide For Venice – A Self Guided Tour For Foodies in Venice Eating Around Venice in 48 hours – 2 Day Venice Itinerary For Foodies 10 Best Food Souvenirs From Venice, Italy + Where I Buy Them

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The best “bacari” in Venice

Enjoying a break in the typical Venice "bacari" is a unique experience, one of those exquisitely local institutions, such as karaoke in Tokyo or jazz clubs in NY, which cannot be found in any other city in the world.

A bacaro is a wine bar where, usually until aperitif time, people meet for a glass of wine, a good chat and a yummy cicchetto . From the Latin word ciccus , meaning small quantity, cicchetti can be considered the ancestors of finger food, perfect to be enjoyed with one hand engaged by a glass of wine.

The name bàcaro seems to derive primarily from Bacchus , God of Wine, and therefore from the Venetian saying “far bàcara” which is having fun with a group of friends. Paying homage to its etymology, here is a list of the most beautiful bacari in Venice, ranging from the traditional ones to real gourmet bistros.

La Barrique Wine Bar, Castello

La Barrique is a gastronomic bacaro that offers an excellent selection of wines starting from Supertuscan and important vintages to focus on the best small artisan wineries of Triveneto. The secret of its success? The  raw ham in Venice cut fresh starting from boneless and unpressed forms of San Daniele produced by small Friulian artisans, and treat each cicchetto not as a simple appetizer that accompanies a glass of wine, but as a real serving dish all-round protagonist. In summer it is simply splendid to sit in the sunny outdoor area on Via Garibaldi , one of the most pleasantly residential areas of Venice, and order the tasting plate of 10 cicchetti with a good glass of wine.

Cantina Do Mori, Rialto

Cantina Do Mori is one of the oldest bacari in Venice, whose opening dates back to 1462 , and it is famous for being one of Giacomo Casanova ‘s favorites. The only one in the lagoon city with a double entrance from two different calli (streets) near the Rialto Bridge, it has been managed for over 20 years by Gianni and Rudi who will recommend to you the best local wines to be paired with some traditional cicchetti , such as mini sandwiches with creamed cod and many varieties of meatballs. The interiors are truly characteristic , decorated with antique prints and photos, copper pots hanging from the ceiling, and large demijohns to serve draft wine. Despite being one of the most famous bacari for its historicity, a visit to Do Mori always manages to offer the rare and pleasant sensation of having discovered a timeless corner of the most authentic Venice.

Estro, Ai Frari

Estro is a gourmet bistro with wine shop characterized by strictly Made in Venice design furnishings such as the tables obtained from the recovery of old briccole (the typical wooden poles planted in the Lagoon) or the red lights made of Murano glass by the artist Marco Salvadore. The perfect address for a lunch or dinner based on fresh fish, without giving up an appetizer inspired by the classic Venetian cicchetti , Estro offers a selection of over 700 labels of natural wines , mainly organic and biodynamic, carefully selected by the owners, the brothers Alberto and Dario , highly talented hosts who have been able to create one of the few venues in Venice that perfectly combine history and modernity both in interior design and in the food and wine proposal.

I Rusteghi, Rialto

I Rusteghi is the kingdom of Giovanni d’Este , host of great personality, famous throughout Venice for his ability to entertain and pamper his customers, recommending excellent wines that he searches with passion around the world, focusing on the very high quality of his products. Suffice it to say that he is the only Venetian osteria chosen to become an ambassador for Krug champagne. In a hidden courtyard near Rialto, softened by the light of the lampshades and jazz music, the small gastronomic wine bar offers excellent platters of cold cuts and cheeses and second courses of meat and fish caught on the hook to accompany a selection of over 1000 international wine labels , refined liqueurs and spirits, and special beers.

Stappo, San Stae

Near Campo San Polo, Stappo is a small wine bar that, in the name of sustainability and authenticity of the raw materials, offers an excellent wine list, especially focused on natural and artisanal labels, and a menu of dishes based on ingredients derived from local and non-local producers who make respect for the territory their guiding principle. The internal courtyard is beautiful in summer, characterized by the presence of an ancient well where, by candlelight, you can experience the bohemian atmosphere of international wine bars amidst electric blue industrial chairs and exposed brick walls.

Vino Vero, Fondamenta della Misericordia

Vino Vero , opened in 2014 by 4 friends, including Matteo Bartoli wine producer in Tuscany, the region from which most of the products used in the kitchen comes from, offers excellent biodynamic and organic wines (spritz is not served). The selection of gourmet cicchetti is truly excellent and, in addition to the traditional ones, we find unusual ingredients such as wild boar salami, goat robiola, dried tomatoes, honey or avocado. One of the chicest bacari in Venice, a successful combination of design and tradition, in the summer it offers the opportunity to sit on the tables along the Rio della Misericordia from which, thanks to the fortunate position kissed by the sun, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset .

Suggested itineraries

If you feel like going on a bacaro  tour starting from one of those hereby suggested, we propose 3 areas of Venice where there are nice places within a short distance from each other, therefore perfect for a “bacarata” .

Frari area : you can visit Il Mercante , a must in the evening for the excellent cocktails, Cantina Arnald i, a small wine bar, and Adriatico Mar , rigorously in summer you can have an aperitif seated or “moored” on the small pier next to the bar; additionally 10 minutes away, along the Fondamenta Nani, right in front of the picturesque Squero di San Trovaso, there is the Osteria al Squero , a bacaro very suggestive at sunset.

Ponte di Rialto area : in addition to I Rusteghi and Cantina Do Mori , you can visit Cantina Do Spade , famous for its excellent fish cicchetti , All’Arco and Bancogiro .

Fondamenta della Misericordia area: in addition to Vino Vero , you can stop at La Sete , another bacaro with an excellent selection of wines.

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Bacari Guide to Venice

The city's best wine and cicchetti bars.

Venice’s reputation as a tourist hotspot often overshadows the truly memorable gastronomic experiences there are to be had in the historic centre. The city’s bacari (“wine bars”) are amongst the most Venetian of traditions and are a trademark of its intricate and unique history. Serving a variety of cichetti (also called cicchetti), the I talian equivalent to tapas , and local wines by the ombra, which is a small glass in Venetian dialect, bacari are integral to the fabric of the city beyond its tourist-tailored culture.

Locals who work in the historic centre will drop in for cichetti and an aperitivo pre-dinner  at the end of their working day, but these are also great spots for lunch on the go. They are favoured by students and young Venetians as social hubs once the sun has gone down. 

The cichetti selections often range from crostini or open sandwiches and polpette (“meatballs”) to fresh seafood which is served fried, tartare or on squares of polenta. They will dispel the myth that everything in Venice is expensive as well, with many dishes and glasses of wine costing around 1 euro per serving. 

If you are staying in one of our luxury villas near Venice or Verona , we have compiled a list of our favourite bacari in the city for authentic Venetian cuisine and a dining experience you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

Our favourite bacari in Venice 

The bacaro that doubles as a venetian steakhouse : al timon.

On the Fondamenta dei Ormesini in the quieter district of Cannaregio, Al Timon is a lively and casual wine bar that is favoured by students and young Venetians. 

In the warmer months they sit with an aperitivo on a wooden boat that doubles as a front terrace floating on the Ormesini Canal. Whilst Venice is known best for it’s seafood rich cuisine, meat dishes are the speciality here. 

What to order

Try the crostini (“toasted bread”) topped with goat cheese and a berry compote or the crostini with manchego and blackberry, but be aware that their menu changes frequently. 

For a more hearty meal pair an Amarone della Valpolicella with their signature Fiorentina steak served with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. 

The bacaro at the heart of Rialto : All’Arco

This is the perfect place to start if you are planning a giro di ombre (“round of small glasses”) which is the Venetian solution to a bar crawl, only far more delicious. Located near the Mercato di Rialto where the catch of the day can be found each morning, bacari like All’Arco are the place to go for the best fresh seafood. 

Perhaps it is the proximity to the market that explains why the menu here doesn’t just change with the season, but changes by the day or even the hour, perhaps it is the owners passion for inventing new dishes and flavours. 

What to order: 

The menu at All’Arco is constantly revolving so it’s impossible to say what exactly you’ll try on the day you visit, but you are likely to find takes on traditional Venetian dishes here. 

Sarde in Saor or fried sardines, which are served in a sweet vinegar and onion marinade are a classic from the region. You’ll also find inventive and tantalising dishes like crostini topped with Tracina (“Weever”) and truffle or tuna combined with pickle, peach, courgette and thyme. 

The oldest bacaro in Venice : Cantina Do Mori 

Founded in 1462, the interior of Cantina Do Mori exemplifies this historic tradition in Venice  with dark wooden countertops, engraved copper pots hanging from the ceiling and just enough room to squeeze a handful of people along the bar. 

Many of the traditional bacari in the city are so tiny there is no seating inside so people will line the canals or campi of a late afternoon or evening with their ombre of wine and Sea Bass carpaccio. 

Cantina Do Mori sits opposite All’Arco and is just a short distance from the Campo San Giacomo di Rialto. The bacari in this area all contribute to the buzzing ambience you’ll find near the famous bridge. It is here that you will also find Al Mercà, another excellent bacaro, as well as the trendy Ancòra, a wine and oyster piano bar. 

The bacari around Rialto are the places to go for fresh seafood like grilled octopus, but Cantina Da Mori also serves excellent Fondi di Carciofi or artichoke hearts. 

Try a Merlot produced in the neighbouring region of Friuli Venezia Giulia or a crisp Soave or Prosecco here; the wine list is extensive. 

The bacaro overlooking the last shipyard in Venice : Al Squero

Al Squero is another traditional bacaro with dark wooden beams, barrel tables and a sweeping bar. It overlooks the last ‘squeri’ or shipyard in Venice and is a great location to sip an Aperol Spritz whilst looking out across the canal and gondole mid-construction. 

What to order:

You’ll find classic Venetian dishes here like creamed salted cod served on polenta as well as a variety of meatballs, charcuterie platters and vegetarian alternatives like radish and walnut crostini. 

The wines on offer come from small wineries in the regions of Friuli and Veneto. Try a glass of Cà Maiol , a white wine with notes of lime and apple from the shores of Lake Garda. They also serve a variety of beer and ale from breweries local to Friuli Venezia. 

The bacaro with a contemporary twist : Basegò

You will find Basegò in San Polo’s intimate Campo San Tomà, overlooking the grand baroque church and just a short walk from the Frari. It is a quieter spot less frequented by tourists and offers a more modern take on the traditional bacari of Venice. It has a bright and pristine interior with clean lines, lots of plants and the day’s selection of wines handwritten on a blackboard above the bar.

You will find a playful and fresh combination of flavours at Basegò, whether you try the crostini with smoked salmon and strawberry or the gorgonzola with strawberries soaked in balsamic vinegar. 

If you are visiting in the spring, try the creamed asparagus and cheese which pairs nicely with an elegant glass of Lugana dry white wine. 

The  award-winning bacaro : Cantine del Vino già Schiavi

In the arty district of Dorsoduro, this award-winning bacaro is known to the locals as Al Bottegòn. As rustic on the outside as it is inside, the interior is lined with shelves full of wines and spirits available to buy and taste. 

From Umbria’s Montefalco Sagrantino and Tuscany’s Chianti Classico to Veneto’s Valpolicella Amarone, as well as an excellent Pinot Nero, Al Bottegòn offers a fine quality of red wines from across Italy you will want to try. There are no seats here so be prepared to stand outside along the canalside. 

The wine list changes by the day with up to 25 different bottles, mostly local to Veneto, served by the glass, but it is also a great spot to try some of the region's Grappa . 

The chef and owner is constantly inventing new recipes so there are quite literally hundreds of cichetti for you to try here, from hazelnut mousse with paprika to classics like Carpaccio di Seppie in Nero (cuttlefish in squid ink). 

Her signature dish is tuna tartare infused with caper and brandy, lightly dusted with unsweetened cocoa powder. It is a prize-winning combination of flavours that you will regret leaving Venice without tasting first. 

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• Venice tours
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Best Cicchetti in Venice: a self-guided bacaro tour!

Enjoy the best Cicchetti in Venice ! Discover the “bacari” Venetians love most, live like a local, taste lovely wines and some of the most delicious “cicchetti” in town!. Enjoy the tour at your own pace through the Venice maze!

• You will discover places you would not easily find otherwise!
• Some of the best Cicchetti in Venice and aperitifs are included!
• You can enjoy the tour at your own pace!

Self-guided tour included 3 Aperitifs and 3 Cicchetti

22 Euro per person

Other practical information

The bàcari are generally closed approx. between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. You will receive by email a map with the bacari stops and ideas for your itinerary!

Spoken Languages

Included / excluded.

1 Aperitif + 1 snack (cicchetto) in each wine bar. 3 in total.

Anything not specifically included

Sales Conditions

The experience is not refundable. The date of use can be changed with a minimum of 48 hours notice.

Availability

At leisure from 11 AM to 22 PM

The Bacaro tour is a very popular thing to do among Venetians: in Venetian dialect “ bacaro ” means ‘cicchetti bar’, so it literally means going from wine bar to wine bar to have an aperitif or a small glass of local wine. Another word you need to know for this experience is “ cicchetto ” which is a small portion of food, canapes, meatballs, croutons, tiny sandwich or fried food of various items. Rather like the bite sized snacks you would find in a Spanish tapas bars. Now that you know the basic vocabulary, you’re ready to get started!

Now that you know the basic vocabulary, you are ready to start!

Best cicchetti in Venice with the Venetians!

Enjoy a Venetian experience based on great taste and traditional foods. Take yourself on a tour of the most authentic Venice, the one the locals love. You will enter cool places that otherwise you wouldn’t find alone, and discover good food and good wine!

It must be said immediately, Venetians like to eat well and, above all, to combine good food with company. Venice is a city that invites to conviviality and meeting. A stop in the calli at the end of the day to have a drink and bite into a snack is an excellent excuse to have a chat and relax.

With this food tour you can visit three of the best bacari of Venice in a day, with tastings in each of them: an aperitif and a “cicchetto” at each stop . Let the the host guide you to choose the best wine for your taste!

How the Bacaro Tour in Venice works

When purchasing the tour, you will receive by email a name coupon and a map. By following the itinerary in the heart of Venice you can go to the various cicchetti bari and consume by presenting the coupon.

The tour covers the central areas of Venice: San Polo, Rialto Bridge and Castello. Map in hand you can follow the route starting from the point that best suits you and making all the detours that inspire you. It is worth crossing the Rialto fish Market, stopping to admire the Ca d’Oro on the Grand Canal or, why not, go up to the panoramic terrace of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. The ideas are infinite.

It is very convenient to start the tour coming from Piazzale Roma / Santa Lucia train station, or vice versa, coming from the area of ​​St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco).

For this bacaro tour, the most suitable time is that of the aperitif, from 6 PM to 8 PM. You can go on this tour as an alternative and fun dinner! Or you could also consider to go on this tour from 11 AM to 1 PM, for a brisk alternative to lunch! In any case, you have the whole day to eat cicchetti and request your drinks.

Present the coupon and get immediately an aperitif and the cicchetto of your choice!

Curiosity: why do we say “drinking a shadow of wine” in Venetian?

In Venice you will often hear the expression “Andémo béver un ombra” . For Venetians, the ombra (‘shadow’) indicates the glass of wine and the word refers to the ancient distribution of this in Venice. The wine vendor positioned himself in the shadow of the bell tower of San Marco so that it always remained cool, away from the sun’s rays.

A great amount of white wines is produced in the Veneto Region. This type of wine goes perfectly with fish based dishes like creamed salt cod served on toasted bread, marinated anchovies and the legendary sardines in saor . Even with raw fish it is perfect! There is no shortage of red wines either! These can be enjoyed together with the typical Venetian liver, accompanied by polenta. In short, you just have to try the many local varieties!

Do you want to know everything about Venice bacari? Keep navigating our site and you will find plenty of information and ideas!

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The Venetian Bar Crawl: A Definitive Guide to Bàcari and Cicchetti

I could honestly sit here typing for a week solid on everything I love about Venice, but I’d rather not have carpal tunnel syndrome in my mid-thirties. Instead, I’m going to settle for simply showcasing my FAVOURITE EVER Venetian pastime – setting off on a (self-guided and marginally tipsy) bar crawl.

A proper Venetian wine/snack crawl goes by many names. Rick Steves calls it “The Standup Progressive Venetian Pub-Crawl Dinner”, which is perhaps the only thing ever written by Rick Steves that I’ve enjoyed reading (soz Rick). Venetians call it giro d’ombra  (literally a wine stroll), and me? – I call it a “bacrawli”… but all of this will be explained in just a moment.

In Venice, far away from the crowds and tourist traps, there are dozens of little places called  bàcari. Bacari (singular: bacaro) are small establishments that serve up drinks and little nibbles called  cicchetti.  Cicchetti could be described as being a bit like Venetian tapas, although a Venetian would probably slap me for daring to say that. To shorten a long story, cicchetti are essentially just little bite-sized offerings of fresh, seasonal deliciousness that you snack to ‘open your appetite’ – and also so you don’t get super wasted. It’s usually less than €3 for a glass of prosecco in Venice, and I’m about to tell you about places where a glass of wine goes for less than €1 so trust me – eat.

I truly believe that the most authentic cuisine and positively charming atmospheres in all of Venice are to be found right inside these historic little bacari, and I’ve made it my mission in life to create the perfect crash course below so you can do them, and yourself, justice.

PS: If you want to enjoy your cicchetti alongside a professional guide and expert, I highly recommend my friend Monica Ceserato – who runs excellent food tours ( including this one focused on cicchetti ) in Venice.

Let’s start with food:

Cicchetti comes in hundreds of forms, whether it be meat, fish, or veggie-based. The following are just a few of the true Venetian classics you’re likely to find – * Little fried meatballs ( polpette ) of either beef ( carne ) tuna ( tonno ) or eggplant/aubergine ( melanzane ). * A little octopus ( polpo ) skewered by a toothpick. Morbid? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely. * Sarde in saor  – Venetian style sardines… usually with onions, vinegar, pine nuts, and raisins (I know it sounds weird as fuck, but trust me on this). * Baccalà  – incredible creamed salt cod, usually served on crostini or a slice of polenta. * Mozzarella in carozza – fried mozzarella… a.k.a the unbeatable hangover cure.

There will also probably be tiny sandwiches, various marinated vegetables, local cheeses, lashings of cured meats, and pretty much anything that’s able to fit on a piece of bread or crostini.

Whatever you end up choosing, a plate of 4 or 5 cicchetti should only set you back about €6-€8.

Thirsty? Me too. This is what you should be drinking:

Wine Oh, Italian wine. I could happily drown in you… many a time I almost have.  The Italian region of Veneto (of which Venice is the capital) produces stunning wines. For red, you really can’t beat a good Amarone. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. If you prefer a lighter red, Bardolino is always a safe bet. For white, Soave and Pinot Grigio are your friends. Servings of wine are sometimes listed at bàcari as  ombra , which actually means ‘shade’ in Venetian. The name comes from old-timey Venice where a wine merchant would sell vino from a little cart in Piazza San Marco. To keep the wine from spoiling, he’d move throughout the day in line with the shadow of St. Mark’s Campanile. An ombra is smaller (and cheaper) than a standard glass of wine, which means you can stop by a few bacari without getting sloshed or breaking the bank.

Prosecco This sparkling white wine is produced exclusively in two regions of Italy, and the Veneto region is one of them. Prosecco is sometimes spoken of as a cheaper alternative to champagne, but we all know the French are snobby bastards so give it a try and decide for yourself. Prosecco is made from an entirely different grape varietal and fermented differently than champagne, and I actually find prosecco to be much more approachable and refreshing. Because it’s local to the region, it’s also incredibly affordable across the city. Cin cin to that!

Spritz This vibrantly coloured classic cocktail consists of an Italian bitter liqueur paired with either prosecco, prosecco and soda water, or white wine and soda water. I have yet to crack which combination is the most authentic as everyone seems to disagree, but the more important question is which bitter to choose. Here are your main options: Campari: The strongest in flavour and pretty high on the alcohol content – not recommended for amateurs! Aperol: Lighter and less bitter than Campari, and has also become all of the rage across Europe in recent years due to an enormously successful marketing campaign. Select: The true Venetian bitter. It’s garnet red and sits somewhere between Campari and Aperol in terms of how strong/bitter it tastes. This is my absolute favourite! Cynar: A notably less common variety, which is actually made from artichokes.

* If you really want to, you can have a bellini … but they tend to only be found in places catering to tourists (and they usually cost a fortune). If you must have one, Harry’s Bar is where the drink originated.. and they still do the best bellini in the city.

Important notes:

* A fair few bacari are closed on Sundays, so Sunday is not a day that I’d recommend attempting a major bacrawli. * There are usually somewhere between zero to six seats in the bar area of these establishments, and the norm is to stand (either inside or out) and chat with everyone. Don’t be shy, I’ve met so many lovely locals this way. * The early bird catches the worm, and in this case the worm is ambiance. I’m not saying don’t go to a bacaro in the evening, but definitely try popping into a few earlier in the day for a more relaxed experience… especially if you’re visiting Venice in the summer months. * If you find yourself feeling ravenous, some of the places listed below also do proper meals. The cicchetti counter will be at the front, and you’ll notice lots of tables inside which are for proper diners (not just someone grabbing a snack). If you ask for a menu and a table you can sit down and have pasta etc.

Ready to set off on your own bar crawl?  Here are some of my favourite spots to drink like a Venetian, by sestiere –

(Note: sestieri are the different neighbourhoods of Venice – for a full breakdown of Venetian jargon and how their wacky address system works, see my ‘ Beginner’s Guide’ to Venice !)

Cannaregio:

Cantina Vecia Carbonera – Rio Terà de la Maddalena, 2329 Some places just scream VENETIAN AF to me, and this is one of them. Cantina Vecia Carbonera is a no-nonsense, zero-frills establishment that serves up a selection of classic cicchetti, perfect to accompany your €1.50 ombra. There are loads of communal tables at the back, where you can join the locals for a cicchetti session.

Alla Vedova – 3912 THE MEATBALLS. I need you to try the meatballs. Alla Vedova isn’t just a bacaro, it’s a proper trattoria serving up some incredible local cuisine. I do recommend it for dining, but I often just pop in for a couple of glasses of house wine (poured from a big pottery jug) and a few of their famous fried meatballs ( polpette ) which literally melt in your mouth. They churn out hundreds of them in the evening, but they go as quickly as they arrive so keep a close eye on the bar for fresh bowls of them coming out of the kitchen.

Decanter Vineria – Strada Nova 4383 I can’t tell you how excited I was to discover this new gem. Although the Strada Nova is one of Venice’s main drags, nestled between the tourist traps are some of the city’s most authentic spots. Decanter is newly opened (just before the pandemic!) and run by two young locals. Seeing Venetians, especially younger ones, reinvigorate the city with authentic shops and restaurants is literally the best thing I could ever wish for Venice, so I was so pleased to see Decanter absolutely buzzing with locals. If you’re into your wine, their selection is both well-curated and well-priced. The cicchetti is refined and plentiful – my favourites was a spicy pumpkin and cavolo nero number laced with just enough chili.

Osteria al Tappo – 1138 Tappo is located in the ghetto , an area in Cannaregio where Venice’s Jewish population were once forced to live, separate from other residents. The modern word ghetto actually derives from this Venetian term. Venice’s ghetto is still the hub of culture for the city’s Jewish residents, and you’ll find some incredible kosher restaurants and bakeries as well as a synagogue – all worthy of a separate post which I’ll link here when finished! Tappo is an excellent addition to this part of Cannaregio, which is normally peacefully devoid of tourists. The service here is absolutely exceptional, with wines and cicchetti to match. I had a glass of refosco (a delicious local red) and some polpette in their relaxing private courtyard – a real rarity in Venice!

Cantina Schiavi – Fondamenta Nani, 992 This is an excellent and very well-known  (read: busy) bacaro, normally packed to the brim with locals and tourists alike, but absolutely worth every second you may have to wait. On any given day there will be at least 15-20 options to choose from, including plenty of unique offerings you won’t find elsewhere in Venice. My personal favourites? The classic baccalà  is creamed salt cod on a small crostini, but try their version laced with garlic if they have it – so good! The crostini topped with brie cheese and nettle sauce is incredible too, as is the one with egg and edible flowers.

Aea Canevassa – Calle Foscari, 3255 I can’t believe I’m sharing this one as it’s off the tourist radar and one of my truest hidden gems in Venice. Aea Canevassa is run by the most amazing Venetian couple, Donato and Roberta. I first met them when they owned and ran another bacaro in Campo Santi Apostoli, which I used to frequent so often that Donato once gave me a staff t-shirt! They’ve since sold the old place and opened up this new venture right by the local University, still serving up the same great food and great vibes. I can’t make a trip to Venice without stopping in a few times to give them big hugs and eat some of Donato’s incredible cicchetti (just ask him for a plate of his favourites – you’ll never be let down!). I love their gamberi in saor (the prawn version of the classic sardine dish), and this is also the best place to find highly seasonal dishes such as moeche (tiny fried soft shell crabs) and castradina (a lamb stew served on and around the annual festa della salute). In terms of drinks, Roberta always makes excellent wine recommendations – and the best spritz in Venice! If you stop in, please tell them Courtney says ciao!

Cantina Do Mori – 429 A strong contender for my favourite bàcaro. Do Mori dates back to 1462. It’s an old-fashioned haven of wine, and I could easily spend an entire day drinking, eating, and people-watching here. It’s said Casanova himself used to frequent this bar, which makes me wonder what I would give to go back in time and have a chat with him over a bottle of wine. Speaking of wine… they’ve got huge wooden vats of them behind the bar. I would crawl into one and drink myself to death if I could, but I’m not sure I’d fit. Food-wise anything you try will be delicious, but I’m a sucker for the ubriaco (drunk) cheese and the lardo on crostini – literally FAT ON TOAST, you’re welcome. Fun fact: they open at 8:00AM (for the fisherman at the nearby Rialto market who pop in after work)… #wineforbreakfast.

Bacaro al Ravano – Rughetta del Ravano 1047 One of my favourite additions to the San Polo cicchetti scene, this bacaro is run by a group of younger Venetian gents and it has that edge of sass that I live for. First off, they play the best tunes in all of Venice – including VENETIAN REGGAE. You’ll notice the staff all wearing t-shirts that say ‘bevi e tasi’, literally Venetian for ‘drink and shut up’. I can assure you that you will be shut up, with inventive cicchetti including my favourite – mortadella and pistachio pesto on the tastiest dark brown bread. The guys here make a mean Select spritz, I think I had about five in a row. As an added bonus, there is plentiful seating here for a bacaro which means you can relax and enjoy the music and the Venetian vibes. Make sure to leave the guys a nice tip in their tattoo fund jar on the counter!

Ostaria dai Zemei – Ruga Rialto, 1045/B Run by twins Franco and Giovanni, this tiny bàcaro is a haven for foodies. The cicchetti varies from classic to inventive, and everything is top quality. Strewn about the bar are various photographs of the twins from childhood, along with images of other pairs of twins who’ve stopped in. I always get some of their tiny bite-sized sandwiches – I’m not sure who their supplier is but the salami, prosciutto, etc is divine! If you can handle the heat, they do some seriously good spicy cicchetti as well.

Fancy having access to over 150 of my favourite bars, restaurants, shops, and more in Venice?   Click here to learn about ‘Courtney’s Venice: The Map’, my comprehensive Google Map embedded with two decades of experience visiting Venice.

Ciao for now, Courtney

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12 comments.

You’ve covered many of the wonderful bacari of Venice. A determined person could sample a different place every night for a year without duplication, I reckon.

Yay, Venice.

Thank you, Yvonne, and yay Venice indeed! I covered a fair few of these spots in a frighteningly short amount of time… I think my liver is still rejecting me for it. I am nothing if not a determined person, perhaps I’ll spend a year trying to go to every bàcaro in Venice just once? Don’t give me any ideas…

Yes, do it!

Alright, I’m in. I’ll likely be in Venice for about six months next year. I promise to devote at least two hours each day to the art of giro d’ombra.

[…] find in charming little bàcari around the city. I wrote a guide to exploring them, which you can find here. Sometimes a girl needs to stuff her face though, and with that in mind I decided to put together a […]

Ohhh I LOVE doing the bacari tour!! I definitely miss that! 🙁 Thank you for sharing!

https://fromdreamtoplan.wordpress.com/

Thank you! I miss those bàcaris…. need to get back to Venice ASAP! 🙂

[…] to the glorious world of cicchetti. You can find out more about cicchetti and Venetian bars in my rather delightful post about them (shameless […]

[…] miss out on a Venetian bar crawl during your stay. Click here for everything you need to know about cicchetti  (Venetian tapas), wine, and the famed […]

[…] If you’re just interested in eating, don’t sweat it, Venice street food is some of the best in the world! In fact it even has its own name: cichetti! Cicchetti are bite-sized snacks (think Venetian tapas) usually little sandwiches or seafood treats that locals swear by at happy hour or Aperitivo– it is the closest thing to heaven that I can imagine. Cichetti are usually served at typical taverns or what the Venetians call ‘Bacari.’ It is such a treat! I highly recommend booking a bacaro tour where you will be let in on all the local secret spots! Or if you prefer a self-guided bacaro-hopping experience, here are all the bacari you absolutely can’t miss. […]

You lost me at “perhaps the only thing ever written by Rick Steves that I’ve enjoyed reading.”

Ahaha – sorry, David, to each their own!

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13 April 2022

Things to do in Venice:

Self-guided bacaro tour.

Italy has one of the richest food cultures in the world, full stop. This comes as no surprise given how the love of food is infused in every aspect of daily life – w hether you’re gathering with family or taking a stroll with friends, there’s a perfect Italian cuisine moment waiting for you if you know where to look.

Additionally, enjoying local traditions is one of the best ways to make sure you’re getting a truly authentic Italian experience. While this can get trickier and harder to find in the most touristy cities in Italy, it’s never impossible – and Venice isn’t an exception. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the typical tourist must-do’s while still immersing yourself in the soul of the city, a self-guided Bacaro tour in Venice is an absolute must!

In this mini-guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about a Bacaro Tour – what it is, how to do it, Italian words you should know, and my personal recommendations to navigate your way through a seriously delicious dining experience.

A little note before we get going:

As I’ve mentioned before, traveling doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg – there are plenty of ways to enjoy an authentic Italian experience on a budget. I’m all about traveling on a realistic budget and knowing what you should splurge on and what you can save on. 

With this in mind, I’m confident your time spent drinking, snacking, and chatting with locals on a self-guided Bacaro tour is well worth an evening in Venice. Although, I don’t think you’ll need much convincing ;).

Now – let’s dive in!

What is a Bacaro?

First thing first – what in the world is a “Bacaro”?!

A Bacaro is a type of traditional Venetian tavern where locals gather after a long day’s work to laugh, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.

It is a rich Venetian tradition passed down from generation to generation where you go from Bacaro to Bacaro (or bar to bar) to get something called “cicchetti” and “ombra.”

Think of it like a pub crawl – just earlier in the evening and filled with more local delicacies and traditions. Twist my arm.

Small by nature, these taverns give you an intimate, front-row seat to local Venetian culture and authentic, no frills cuisine.

As I mentioned above, part of a bacaro tour is indulging in ah-mazing food.

“Cicchetti” are small Venetian snacks, such as “crostini,” which are small pieces of bread with a bunch of different toppings like fish, meat, vegetables, or “polpette” (meatballs made of meat, cheese, or fish). Is your mouth drooling yet because mine is. 

There’s a variety of different crostini at every bar, but one of the most famous Venetian cicchetti flavors is “baccalà mantecato” – whipped salted cod. Even if you aren’t a fish person (I’m not), you should try it. It’s surprisingly delicious!

In addition to varied Italian cuisine, no bacaro tour would be complete without the “ombra” – a small glass of red or white wine.

The best parts about a Bacaro tour

One of the best parts of a self-guided bacaro tour is how affordable it is. You can literally find cicchetti at almost any bar or cafe, and they usually cost anywhere from 1.50€-3€ per piece.  Happy wallet AND happy stomach?! Sign me up. 

A glass of ombra (again, wine) is also very cheap due to the fact that the Veneto region where Venice is located is famous for wines. These usually range somewhere between €0.60-€2 per glass.

If you aren’t a wine fan, you can always opt for an Aperol or “Select” Spritz instead of ombra. In fact, Venice is famous for Spritz, so you shouldn’t expect to pay much more for a spritz in Venice if that’s more your speed.

Another one of the big reasons that I personally love doing a self-guided Bacaro tour is that you can go completely on your own and on your own time – you don’t need to do a guided tour to experience life as the local Venetians do. 

This means if you strike up a conversation with locals at bacaro A, you don’t have to rush off with a tour group to make it to bacaro B at a certain time. Dreams.

It’s traditional to either stand or sit outside of the bacaro and enjoy the company of others while enjoying your snacks. Or you can take it outside and walk around while you snack and head to the next bacaro.

My friend Maddy and I opted to take a gondola ride with our cicchetti and a spritz in hand. I hiiiiighly recommend adding this to your bacaro tour – yes, it’s touristy, but hey, you’re in Venice, and pairing the touristy things with the local traditions gives you the ultimate Venetian experience. 

Simple, delicious, and truly so much fun!

Where to go on your Bacaro tour

After living in Italy for a while and sampling my fair share of bacaro cuisine (it’s quite the sacrifice, I know), I’ve curated my own list of stops to guide you on your way!

As you’re creating your itinerary, consider adding these to the list:

• Vineria all’Amarone
• Cantine del Vino gia Schiavi
• Bacareto da Lele
• Osteria All’Arco
• Osteria Al Squero

Venice’s streets and waterways are some of the most unique in the world, and experiencing the city with a yummy snack or drink in hand is always a favorite of mine.

In summary…

A self-guided bacaro tour is cheap, easy, and fun. And it’s great for groups, families, couples, and solo travelers alike.  In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to explore Venice like a Venetian, and I always love the warm and inviting feeling of this magical city. 

If you’re looking for other top tips for navigating Italian food culture, you can find my guide to proper coffee etiquette here . 

And whether you’re in the beginning stages of planning a visit to Italy or already have your tickets booked, I’m always happy to answer any questions you have along the way. 

To book a call with me, simply follow this link to get some time on my calendar. And if you’re planning to city-hop while you’re in Italy, be sure to check out my blog on how to spend a day in Florence , too. 

Happy traveling! ❤️

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• Verona and Lake Garda
• TAILOR MADE

Venice To See

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Trip Type: All 100% GREEN ART & CULTURE DISCOVER VENICE EVENTS FOOD & WINE SPORT & NATURE TAILOR MADE ITALY THE CLUB | VILLE VENETE FOR YOU TOP BY V2C TOUR TRANSPORT WELLNESS & RELAX

Location: All Brenta Riviera Venice DOLOMITI Vicenza e Colli Berici Asiago Plateau Treviso and Prosecco Hills Padova and Euganean Hills Verona and Lake Garda

GUIDED BACARO TOUR IN VENICE, WINE TASTING AND CICCHETTI

Enjoy an aperitif like a real Venetian! Discover the most typical places of the city tasting wine, spritz and cicchetti.

• Trip Type ART & CULTURE , DISCOVER VENICE , FOOD & WINE
• Activities Escursione
• Group Size No size limit - No size limit
• Reviews 0 Reviews
• Locations Venice
• Trip Duration N/A
• Trip Outline
• Trip Includes
• Trip Excludes

An original way to get to know Venice in all its aspects, food and wine included!

This is a travelling aperitif lasting about 2h , among the most traditional places in Venice : the so called bacari . The latter can only be found in the historic centre of the city and they are an obligatory stop for every Venetian evening.

Our Bacaro tour includes a stopover with an aperitif in 3 bacari . The happy hour includes, for each place, a cicchetto and a glass of wine (for example a glass of prosecco or a spritz).

Cicchetti are snacks with more local flavours, they can be meatballs of tuna or meat, sardines in saor, dried cod on bread or polenta and much more. All this is then accompanied by a glass of wine, usually a spritz. This is an aperitif that takes its name from the German term spritzen, i.e. watering. This is composed of 1/3 white wine, 1/3 sparkling water and 1/3 liqueur.

Our bacaro tour is organized everyday , with departure in front of Venice Santa Lucia Railway Station at 5.00 pm . It lasts between 2/3 hours and it ends at Rialto. There is also the presence of an assistant to discover the hidden corners/tastes of the city.

On request we can develop customized solutions , for example the departure of the tour in different places/time/date.

Price: €86 p/person

Our Bacaro tour includes a stopover with an aperitif in 3 bacari . The happy hour includes, for each place , a cicchetto and a glass of wine (for example a glass of prosecco or a spritz).

Our bacaro tour is organized everyday, with departure in front of Venice Santa Lucia Railway Station at 5.00 pm. It lasts between 2/3 hours and it ends at Rialto . There is also the presence of an assistant to discover the hidden corners/tastes of the city.

• a cicchetto and a glass of wine in each of the three bacari
• tour leader
• what is not specified under “inclusions”

CUSTOMISATION

To customize this service contact us directly, within 24 working hours you will receive our feedback and the best solutions customized for you.

At the time of booking, subject to availability, you will automatically receive our feedback. Please be advised that it is compulsory to print a paper copy of the voucher issued at the end of the online reservation and bring it with you the day of the tour. It is advisable to arrive at the place of departure 10 minutes before the indicated time. Indicate in advance any problems of moving in order to ensure the best possible quality of service.

CANCELLATION

Cancellation at least 24 hours in advance is fully refundable. In case of no-show at the meeting point at the time indicated on the voucher, cancellation after the deadline (24h) or abandonment of the service before its end there is no refund. In case of adverse meteorological conditions and/or force majeure, you are invited to contact us in order to verify the feasibility of the service and assess, in case of cancellation, the best solution. This may be a refund or the postponement of the service to the first date available. Where predictable well in advance you will also receive our notice of change / cancellation service.

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The ultimate private food tour - Bacaro Hopping a Venetian

• 3 drinks (Spritz or local wine) - non-alcoholic alternatives available
• 4 bites (delicious "cicchetti") - vegetarian alternatives available
• 1 sweet tasting (pastry or gelato)
• Local top rated guide (licensed tour leader & nature and interpretive guide)
• Combo, Venezia, Campo dei Gesuiti, 4878, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy Meet your guide at Combo, in the internal courtyard near the well.
• Zattere, 30133 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy a very scenic area of the city, conveniently located and at walking distance to the rest of the city and main public transportation
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Stroller accessible
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Most travelers can participate
• On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Ponte di Rialto
• Casa di Marco Polo
• Campo San Bartolomeo
• Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Combo, Venezia Or, you can also get picked up See departure details
• 1 Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 2 Casa di Marco Polo Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 3 Campo San Bartolomeo Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 4 Ponte di Rialto Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 5 Pescheria di Rialto Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 6 Campo Bella Vienna Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 7 Campo dei Frari Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 8 San Polo Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 9 Fondamenta Zattere Stop: 15 minutes See details
• You'll end at Zattere 30133 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy a very scenic area of the city, conveniently located and at walking distance to the rest of the city and main public transportation See address & details

• 875klarab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect private tailored tour We booked this private tour that exceeded our expectations: we wanted to visit the palace without crowds and take our time to catch the details and the real essence of the place. Valerio made an excellent job sharing the history of the Republic of Venice for us and the hidden secrets of the Dogis. We really enjoyed our time and I will totally recommend to anyone looking for a private tour guide. Grazie!!!! Read more Written April 18, 2024
• lou75169 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Marvellous Murano glassmaking tour with a local guide We had a fantastic tour of Murano glassmaking with Valerio and visited some amazing showrooms, factories and small boutique glassmakers. He took great care that we were looked after and engaged our kids so well. The kids loved making their own glass beads and will treasure their momentos. He knows the island very well and is happy to share his knowledge and experience. Read more Written April 11, 2024
• loganp525 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour Great experience! Valerio provided a great tour with a lot of extra information. At the end of the tour, Valerio provided recommendations for restaurants and bars then assured each tour guest knew directions to hotels. I will recommend Valerio to all of my friends. Read more Written April 11, 2024
• mildge2 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour of Murano and glass factories! Valerio was a great tour. As a native of Murano, he showed us some places we would not have found on our own. We made our own glass bead! Monica was patient as we were both new to glasswork. On our tour, we actually found a factory that offered classes on glass blowing. We returned another day to create our own drinking glass! Murano was definitely a highlight of our tour. Read more Written April 10, 2024
• marcgH20OY 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Vini Vici Valerio! Valerio guided us through Venice in the evening and its unusual links to LGBT history. He is a knowledgeable and professional guide who takes pride in his city of Venice. Separately, we went on his glass tour of Murano also. If you are a traveler who wants more from your visit than walking in the group behind the flag, then Valerio is for you! Read more Written April 9, 2024
• V4171CVbeas 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Unique experience we recommend We received interesting details about gay (LGBT) life in Venice, although there could have been a bit more of those ‘kinky’ stories. Valerio was extremly flexible when we organized the tour, and also with the meeting point. He speaks very good English! We highly recommend him and his tours! Read more Written April 6, 2024
• adairh_13 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great private tour with Valerio Our private tour with Valerio was awesome! He personalized it to our needs and was very informative about the palace and other significant information on Venice. Will recommend his tour to friends! Read more Written March 25, 2024
• 875klarab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect way to start our stay in Venice We had a great time with Valerio! We took this tour on the first day of our visit and it was just perfect. A good balance between informations and fun facts. He is a true local Venitian and it makes the diffence, you can feel it like the way he shows you the streets. He gave us plenty of tips and recommendations for things to do and where to eat and drink. I will definitly recommend this tour if you wanna get the vibe of Venice! Read more Written March 15, 2024
• Mary D 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Murano glass beads making! We couldn't have asked for a more patient teacher of lamp work and educator of Murano glass. Well worth the cost and no pushy sales pitch after. We had so much fun making the glass beads! A must when visiting Venezia, where else can you make Murano glass beads yourself? Read more Written December 8, 2023
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• Julie Z 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Murano with Valerio Valerio was very personable. We certainly enjoyed him. He was so knowledgeable and fun and knew the area and the people well. The tour was so much more than we expected. He is from the area and was able to give us a wonderful behind the scenes look at Murano. Read more Written October 17, 2023
• grantd4 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience Valerio was great. Lots of local knowledge and insights. Took us to rarely seen gardens in Venice easy walking great views. 3 private and one public. Read more Written October 13, 2023
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More to explore in Venice

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The ultimate private food tour - Bacaro Hopping a Venetian provided by [deTour]ist - Valerio Coppo: Tour Guide. Take a detour in Venice, be a detourist!

What is a “Bàcaro”

We can say simply that a bàcaro is a tavern, this could be too —— and not completely correct to say.

Bàcaro is a typical tavern, featured by simple forniture, where mainly glasses of wine ( ombre ) are served along with small appetizers ( cicheti ),showed in the display window over the counter.

But, the main feature that characterized a real “Bacaro” is that is attended by local people, they have always used this place for chatting, laughing and speaking about the different aspects of life, under the control and conviviality of the bar-tender .

The name ‘ bàcaro’ seems came from a Venetian expression as “ far bacara ” that means to have a party, to make noise, so in the end to have a fun. We have to take into account that in the past the tipical customer of the above mentioned places, is used to leave himself with the beverage, typical of “ Dio Bacco “ ( as said overdrunked), and so he didn’t use to respect public peace as it is nowadays.

Also the names of the typical products of bàcaro , “l’ ombra” and “ cicheto” , have their roots; and as regarding as “ ombra” its comes from the attitude of wine’s merchants,that in the past, used to keep the wine in a cool place, and so they moved the wine following the shade of the main tower in Saint Marco Square. ‘ cicheto’ cames from the latin word “ ciccus” that means “small quantity”, and still nowadays is used an italian version, as “cicchetto”. The classic “ciccheto” are: meatballs or fishballs, and’ sarde in saòr’ , or codfish in butter and small octopus “ fòlpeti “ ,they came into a wide range : from fried ones to those are on a slice of bread with a great variety of ingredients.

This pages will bring you to discover the most authentic ‘ bàcari ‘, where is still possible to find out the real Venice, and where you can taste the typical food, listening to the conversation of the local people and take part of this fascinating stage that ‘Venice is.

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Private Bacaro Tour by Traditional Boat

• Tour Code: TUR-01454
• Type: Private
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Price Starting From : EUR 260.00 (Pricing is per person based on 2 pax traveling) Note : Price also Depends on Point of Departure & Number of Participants. Get in touch with us today to get an accurate quote!

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The Bacari of Venice {Venetian Wine Bars}

Living in Umbria six months a year, we are only a short drive from Venice, and in fact it takes us just about four and a half hours from our farmhouse to the parking garage in Venice. Once we realized this, we have been taking short trips to Venice each year to enjoy the architecture, the ambience, and most of all the food.

Living in landlocked Umbria, we truly appreciate fresh seafood, and Venice has some of the best we have ever tasted. One unique dining feature in Venice that we love are the wine bars, or bacari, where you can get a glass of wine and some finger foods, called cicchetti, which are often seafood based. On every trip, our lunch in Venice includes walking to two or three bacari and enjoying a glass of local wine and a number of cicchetti .

Back in the 1990’s when we first discovered Venice’s bacari , there were a handful that we found, many in the Rialto market area. Often these wine bars were small, dark places, packed full of locals, and hidden away on tiny streets and alleyways.

Today, we can find a bacaro on just about every street in certain districts, and in fact many restaurants have started to include a cicchetti menu due to the growing popularity of this wonderful Venetian experience. Bacari have become quite trendy in Venice now, and offer a unique dining experience for tourists and locals alike.

A year or two ago, we met up with a Facebook friend, Monica Ceserato, who gives cicchetti tours around Venice, along with cooking classes in her bed and breakfast. Monica was kind enough to meet up with us, and took us to some of her favorite bacari.  We have since visited the ones Monica shared with us, along with our own old favorites, again and again. (see list below)

There is nothing better than to experience Venice bacari with a local resident to get a true feel of traditional Venetian wine bars, and I highly recommend taking a guided bacari tour with Monica, as Venice can be a difficult city to locate addresses if you are not familiar with it.

I have always been a big fan of finger foods, called sputini or stuzzichini in other parts of Italy, but find the cicchetti served in Venice very unique to the region. Usually when you walk into a bacaro, you will see a large selection of cicchetti arranged on top of the bar, or under glass, and you simply go up and choose a few that will be plated for you to enjoy with a spritz (Aperol based drink) or a glass of local wine.

The selections often include raw seafood options, deep fried polpettini (balls) of vegetables, seafood, or meat, open faced sandwiches or crostini topped with just about anything under the sun, and many cooked seafood selections sometimes served on squares of polenta. One of our personal Venetian cicchetti favorites is Baccala Mantecata , or whipped salted cod served on polenta, although if you like raw seafood, you won’t find fresher selections than at a Venetian bacaro !

El Sbarlefo – The BEST Baccala Mantecato!

Our favorite bacaro for raw seafood!

Choosing a cicchetti selection at El Sbarlefo.

Our third bacaro selection.

Whipped salted cod ( Baccala Mantecata ) at El Sbarlefo along with calamari in pesto, and a slice of artichoke tart.

The freshest raw clams ever.

Raw shrimp and fresh porcini mushrooms and cheese on crostini.

A List Of Just A Few Venetian Bacari (Our Personal Suggestions Are Starred)

Alla Vedova – The Widow’s Place – is the ultimate Venetian bacaro, run by the same family for over a century. Ramo Ca’ d’Oro, Cannaregio 3192, 041 528 5324

Cantina Do Spade * – Only a short walk from Rialto, Cantina do Spade offers fish based recipes from the traditional Veneto cuisine, often made with creative flair. San Polo 859, Venezia 30125 041 521 0583

Vecia Carbonera * – Wine-barrel tables are rough around the edges in this historic coal-hole-in-the-wall bar, and that suits regulars just fine. Ponte Sant’Antonio 2329 Cannearegio, 041 524 23 88

Alla Rampa – The sign outside may say ‘trattoria’, but this venerable locale on the ground floor of a 17th century palazzo has been a traditional ‘bacaro’ for over a century. Via Garibaldi, Castello 1582, 041 0991434

El Sbarlefo * – Sbarlefo has expanded to a new location in Dorsoduro, in the calle just behind the church. Select from a spread of delectable cicchetti from classic polpette of meat and tuna to tomino cheese rounds to speck and robiolo rolls, and more. Salizzada del Pistor (off Campo Santi Apostoli), Cannaregio 4556/C, 041 523 3084

Cantinone Vini gia Schiavi – Known to Venetians as the Bottegon – the bottle shop – this legendary ‘bacaro’ is a favourite haunt of fashionable Venetians. The Bottegon sits on the idyllic San Trovaso canal, opposite one of the last workshops still making gondolas, and in summer, crowds mill around the water’s edge while rowers glide along the canal, moor their boat and then head in for a drink and ciccheto. Ponte San Trovaso, Dorsoduro 992, 041 523 0034

Alla Ciurma * – A centuries-old storeroom has been converted into a tiny bar that resembles the inside of a boat – ‘ciurma’ means ‘the crew’ – and it is easy to spot because the place is so packed that customers spill out onto the street. Calle Galeazza, San Polo 405, 041 523 9514

Cantina do Mari * – This is the original bacaro—in business continually since 1462. Cramped but warm and cozy under hanging antique copper pots, it has been catering to the workers of the Rialto Market for generations. Calle dei Do Mori, San Polo 429, 041 522 5401

Al Merca – A busy, tiny bacaro shoved into corner of the campo just beyond the Rialto Market. A local favorite, choose from various cicchetti (meat, tuna, or eggplant croquettes; crostini and panini with imaginative combos of radicchio, artichokes, fish, soppressa, ossocollo, and more) Campo Cesare Battista, San Polo 213, 347 100 2583

Osteris Ca’Doro * – Often reputed to have the best polpette in town, this bacari is also a trattoria so it gets very busy. Calle del Pistor (off the Strada Nova), Cannaregio 3912, 041 528 5324

Deborah Mele October 2014

Loved your article about Venezia’s bacari…what a wonderful find! I hope that someday soon I will be able to travel and visit Italia once more…it has been too long and I long to see it so badly!! Thank you Deborah for sharing your personal experiences with all of us…I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that your words inspire us all with the desire to be amongst the locals of Italia!

Thanks Rosetta!

I love you articles about each region you visit in Italy and is amazing the passion you have for food. I have been in Italy a couple of times and I love it, I think is a great country with a lot of culture, variety of food and wine and architecture.

The Italian culture reminds me of My country Colombia with very warm people who likes to socialize.

Thank you for sharing all your experiences with us, hopefully one day I can get to meet you in person.

Alex Herrera.

This is such a beautiful article of Venice. This article brought back so many memories of my trip to Venice. Loved the food and when I was there I bought wine glasses and a vase from a hand blown glass factory. This was a long time ago. Your pictures of Venice made it feel like yesterday for me. Thank you. Terri Lashley

I really enjoyed reading your article! Gorgeous photographs and made me reminisce of my visits to this lovely city. I also took a food tour while there and it was decadent! As long as you select the right tour (some can be crowded and tourist-y). We went with a small company called Food Tours of Venice, and I couldn’t have had a better time. The food and wine was truly authentic, the tour was small and intimate (under 15 members) and we all left wishing we could return someday soon. Thank you for sharing. – Sammy

http://slkjfdf.net/ – Eriwedaw Akamoze qbd.ectm.italianfoodforever.com.bex.sw http://slkjfdf.net/

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A bacaro tour of Venice

[Updated September 2021]

Venice can be a bit of a mystery. I’ve been there countless times, and I still get lost. It can feel like one giant tourist trap in some places, with no authenticity in sight. 

The first time I went to Venice, my friends and I were a bit bewildered by the lack of places to go out at night. We ended up at the same divey pub every night, wondering where all the bars were.

The answer, which I have since discovered, is this: everywhere! You just have to know what they’re called ( bacari ) and where to look for them. 

Read on for all you need to know, and for my bacaro tour of Venice, free map included .

Table of Contents

A few things to know about Venetian bar culture

Like I said, the first time I went to Venice, I wondered where the hell everyone went for a night out. The truth is that Venice has its own unique little bar culture. And by “little bar,” I mean physically little.

These bars are as much a part of the local culture as the rest of the city. Known in Venetian dialect as bacari , they’re sprinkled all over the place, and serve up cocktails, spritz, prosecco, and local wines known as ombra , which only cost about 1 euro. You can get ombra bianca (white) and ombra rossa (red). They’re like house wines, sold by the glass, so if you’re on a budget, ombra is a great option.

Note that some bacari don’t accept large groups or bachelor/bachelorette parties. Venice has a somewhat tense relationship with tourists as it is,  so make sure to be respectful of this rule and others.

Don’t forgetti the cicheti

Another specialty of the bacari are cicheti , which are usually small slices of bread with something on top. There are all sorts of different options – baccalà mantecato (dried salted cod fish with cream or milk), tuna, anchovies, cheeses, vegetables, cold cuts – you name it. Most places also offer meat and veggie balls (eggplant, zucchini, etc.), crocchette (I can’t think of any other way to describe these other than fried logs of mashed potato flecked with prosciutto, but I bet you’re getting a visual despite that unappetizing description), fried baccalà , etc.  Cicheti usually only cost a euro or two, and are the perfect accompaniment to your ombra or spritz.

Fun fact: cicchetti , with two cs and two ts, in standard Italian, refers to shots of alcohol. In Venetian dialect, cicheti  (one c and one t) are the little snacks I described above. You’ll see it written both ways in Veneto, but if you use the term “ cicchetto ” outside of Venice, people might thing you’re talking about a shot. Maybe you want to talk about shots, in which case, you’re welcome. Please send your thank you note with a five-dollar bill enclosed to my PO Box. (PS: you can also say “ uno shot ” or “ uno shottino .”)

It’s always spritz o’clock in Veneto

Let’s talk spritz for a moment. It was invented here in Veneto, but it’s recently garnered fame the world over due to a massive marketing campaign on the part of Campari .

Spritz in Venice usually cost 3 and 4 euro. If you’re paying more than that, you’re probably near Saint Mark’s or the Rialto bridge.

The basic recipe for a spritz is a bitter, prosecco, and a splash of club soda or acqua frizzante . There are lots of varieties of spritz, with the most popular being made with Campari or Aperol.

In Veneto, it’s also common to order a spritz misto , which is Aperol and Campari, plus prosecco and fizzy water. Spirtz Ugo is popular during the summer months, and it’s made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, mint, and lime. Craving something more simple? Spritz bianco is just prosecco and water. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try a spritz Cynar, which is a bitter made from artichokes! Bars in Venice and the surrounding towns also do wild and whacky spritzes, adding juices and different kinds of alcohol.

If you’re outside of Veneto, you might not be able to get the funkier ones, and they might not have the same names for them. I was in Milan once and overheard a guy at the table next to me order a spritz “ mezzo Campari mezzo Aperol .” If you ordered that in Veneto, they’d probably wonder why you didn’t just say “ spritz misto .”

I think Aperol and Campari both taste like cough syrup, so I don’t partake on a regular basis, but I’d say you should definitely try one if you haven’t before and are in the region.

So, if you’re up for a local experience, try my bacaro tour of Venice! Don’t be intimidated, even if you don’t speak Italian. Just point at the cicheti you want and remember to say grazie !

Below you’ll find a list of bacari that local friends have brought me to. They’re all in Cannaregio, which is a residential area of Venice. That means that it’s not packed with tourists, like the city center is.

Pronti? Andiamo!

Luggage and Life’s bacaro tour of venice

Fondamenta dei Ormesini 2754

We’re starting our bacaro tour of Venice on Fondamenta dei Ormesini, a street that’s lined with bacari. You could really do an entire bacaro tour on this strip alone!

Our first stop is Al Timon, which serves up delicious cicheti (not to be confused with tapas, as the sign reads). Grab your snack and drink and sit outside along the canal as you fuel up for stop number two.

Fondamenta dei Ormesini 2684

This place has a classic bacaro feel. Small inside, low ceilings, and food prepped right behind the bar. 

Paradiso Perduto

Fondamenta della Misericordia 2540

Paradiso Perduto (Paradise Lost) is one of Venice’s most famous foodie joints and is known for its food and live music. It’s always packed to the rafters.

Often referred to as a “tavern,” many point out that the interior of Paradiso Perduto is like being in a ship. There are jazz concerts and other live music events weekly.

You can order mixed plates at Paradiso Perduto, for example fritti (fried things), verdure (vegetables) or carne (meat) and all sorts of fish.

The portions are hefty, so keep that in mind when ordering!

Alla Vedova

Ramo Ca’ D’oro 2912

If you say “alla Vedova” to anyone who knows Venetian bacari , they’ll probably reply with “They have great meatballs!” and they are right. 

This one is set back from the main drag a bit in a little alleyway between a McDonald’s and a store called Pylones. It’s worth the detour!

Ai Promessi Sposi

Calle dell’Oca 4367

Tucked around another corner of Cannaregio, Osteria ai Promessi Sposi has a cozy interior and an exterior courtyard.

The name – which means “the betrothed” – might look familiar to anyone who knows Italian literature, but according to their Facebook page, the Osteria is named for its two original owners: a young engaged couple who had to postpone their wedding several times for various reasons.

Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina 5402 

This place is new on my radar, but I’ve warmed to it quickly. Their beautifully displayed  cicheti  quickly made me a fan, and I like the bright decor, too.

Calle de la Malvasia 6014

I never would have found this place unless a friend had brought me there. The first time I saw it, I fell in love. It’s the perfect bacaro – hidden away from the crowds with an outdoor area that’s covered to protect you from Venice’s frequent rains.

Ostaria al Ponte

Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina

When I go to Venice with friends, we spend most of our time here. It’s my favorite, so it’s the perfect place to wrap up our bacaro tour of Venice.

They do nice little taglieri , or meat and cheese boards, the cicheti are great, and the staff are very friendly. What I enjoy most is sitting on the bridge and enjoying a glass of wine with friends as the light on the piazza changes color while the sun sets. 

Miss the map above? Here it is again !

Did you enjoy my bacaro tour of Venice? Let me know in the comments, or share your favorite spot, so I can check it out next time I’m there!

Want more Venice? Check out my post on five unique sights to see !

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking or purchase something through one of them, I’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Luggage and Life!

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Bacaro Tour

Un tipico tour dei Bacari, i tradizionali bar veneziani, tra miti e leggende, vi regalerà momenti indimenticabili tra gusto, mistero e tradizione: uno straordinario itinerario enogastronomico in città, per assaporare rinomati vini e gustosi “cicchetti,” i tipici stuzzichini, seguito da un affascinante percorso tra leggende e misteri di Venezia.

Tour di 2 ore con sosta in 3 tipici bacari veneziani accompagnati da una guida locale

In partenza dall’hotel e poi tra le calli della città con tappa in 3 bacari tipici

Disponibile tutto l’anno, è richiesta la prenotazione anticipata

Da 2 a 5 persone

Seasonal Dinner Experience

Dinner on board

Shake & Drink

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BACARO: A LONG JOURNEY

Bacaro: venetian bar culture.

In Venice, Bacari  are as much a part of the local culture as the rest of the city. They’re sprinkled all over the place, and serve up cocktails, spritz, prosecco, and local wines known as ombra , which only cost few Euros.

Depending on whom you ask, bacaro comes from the Venetian word for “wine” or “a good bar,” or even from the ancient Roman god of wine, Bacchus .

A Bacaro is a type of traditional Venetian tavern where locals gather after a long day’s work to laugh, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.

It is a rich Venetian tradition passed down from generation to generation where you go from Bacaro to Bacaro (or bar to bar) to get something called “cicchetti” and “ombra.”

Small by nature, these taverns give you an intimate, front-row seat to local Venetian culture and authentic, no frills cuisine.

OmBRE and CICHETI

Cicchetti (or cicheti).

Legend has it that in ancient times the wine was served by street vendors in San Marco Square. They used to follow the shadow of the bell tower, in order to keep the wine cool. Hence the use of the word “ ombra ” (“ shadow ” in Venetian dialect) to name a glass of wine.

The bacaro serves infinitely varied, kaleidoscopically colorful small plates called "cicheti"  (or cicchetti) (pronounced “chi-KET-tee”) — said to derive from the Latin “ciccus,” meaning “little” or “nothing.”

Andar par bacari (Bacari tour)

Each year, 20 million tourists visit Venice. The vast majority will pay too much for indifferent food eaten mostly in the company of other tourists. But there’s one way to eat great Venetian food that’s thrilling, filling and authentic. You’ll find it at a place where you’re almost certain to rub and bend elbows with locals. Visit a bacaro.

The bacaro serves small plates called "cicchetti".  The term embraces a broad range of dishes: polpette (fried meatballs), crostini (small open-faced sandwiches), panini (small sandwiches on crusty rolls), tramezzini (triangular white bread sandwiches) — and a scintillating array of pickled, baked, stuffed or sauced seafoods and vegetables.

"Andar par bacari" (Bacari tour) is the tour that every Venetian doc does among the bacari of the city to enjoy a "cicheto" and drink a "ombra" . 

All terms are in Venetian dialectal, because they contain years of Venetian history and culture, ancient traditions that are renewed generation after generation.

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Body found inside flaming boat near nyc landmark sunny’s ‘a flashback to the old days of red hook’.

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A little bit of the “old days” came back to Red Hook early Saturday when the FDNY was called to a boat fire near a world-famous bar in the Brooklyn nabe, and discovered a smoldering body in the wreckage.

The FDNY responding to a call of a “dumpster fire” at 253 Conover St., between Beard and Reed streets, found flames shooting out of a boat on a trailer just before 5 a.m., the FDNY and NYPD said.

Stunned firefighters found the man’s body inside the boat, an NYPD spokesperson said.

“I called it in. Honestly, I thought it was a dumpster fire. These days they have all these lithium batteries. My second thought was that it’s hazardous material. It was a powerful blaze,” Sunny’s owner Tone Balzano Johansen, 58, who lives upstairs from the bar, told The Post. 

She found it strange when an ambulance pulled up to the scene.

When she learned there was a dead body aboard the ”fiberglass” boat, it gave Johansen the creeps.

“It was a flashback to the old days of Red Hook. The Red Hook of yesteryear,” she noted.

Johansen said the bar closed at around 1:30 a.m. Saturday and an hour later her bartender had closed-up and unlocked her bike and headed for home.

Johansen said she did not hear a thing. “I was facing the other way [sleeping] so I saw something orange, flickering.. and I turn around and it was a big blaze.”

She continued: “I’m a little suspicious. We don’t really have homeless people much in this neighborhood because it’s too far from the hustle and bustle of the city,” she reasoned, adding the locale is far from the subway. “I don’t think a homeless person would have curled up in a boat. I think it’s an inside job,” she added.

Johansen, is a Norwegian artist and the widow of Sunny Balzone, the original proprietor of the legendary Red Hook bar and beloved raconteur who died on March 10, 2016. The rough-and-tumble gin mill is a local institution and was a favorite of the hard-scrabble best-selling author and chef Bourdain.

Cops could be seen Saturday morning examining the charred boat and surveying the lot.

The FDNY fire marshal is investigating what sparked the blaze, and a medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death, officials said.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
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• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Tour Details

Moscow metro tour: architectural styles of the subway.

Duration: 2 hours

Categories: Culture & History, Sightseeing

This metro tour of Russia’s capital and most populous city, Moscow, is your chance to get a unique insight into the beautiful and impressive architecture of the city's underground stations. Admire their marble walls and high ceilings representing Stalin's desire for glory after World War 2, and see first-hand how the interiors change with the rise of new political eras. Your guide will lead you through the complex network, which is one of the most heavily used rapid transit systems worldwide, with over two billion travelers in 2011.

Opened in 1935, Moscow’s underground system, now 190 miles (305 km) long with 185 stations, is today one the largest and most heavily used rapid transit systems in the world. On this Moscow metro tour, discover the impressive architecture of Moscow’s underground stations and learn how they reflect the Soviet era.

Getting around by metro, your local guide will take you through parts of Moscow’s infamous history. Stop at stations built during the time of the USSR (Soviet Union) that are praised as one of the most extravagant architectural projects from Stalin’s time. After World War 2, he was keen on establishing Stalinist architecture to represent his rising regime and a recognized empire. Learn how when his successor started the de-Stalinization of the former Soviet Union in 1953, the extravagancy of the architecture was toned down.

Discover how the unique character of each station reflected several different eras. While stations like Kievskaya and Slavyansky Bulvar have pompous halls and high stucco ceilings brimming with extravagant decorations, those built later, like Volzhskaya, are lightly adorned with sparse furnishings. Architect Alexey Dushkin and painter Alexander Deyneka were just two of the many artists who made these magnificent landmarks possible.

Revel in Moscow's glory days, as well as the years of scarcity, on this fascinating Moscow metro experience. Conclude your tour at one of the central stations in Moscow. If you're lucky, you may even find the secret entrance to the unconfirmed Metro-2, a parallel underground system used by the government -- a mystery which has neither been denied nor confirmed today.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

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