05/06/2026
For the food lovers who want some places to eat cichetti in Venice, finger foods.
St. Mark’s is beautiful but terrible for cicchetti — too pricey, too touristy. Locals don’t eat there.
Here are 3 real bacari where Venetians actually hang out after work. All away from the crowds:
*1. Cantina Do Mori – Sestiere San Polo, near Rialto but on a quiet calle*
Oldest bacaro in Venice, 1462. Tiny, stands room only. Try baccalà mantecato + meatballs + ombra de vin. Spritz here is 2.50 euro, not 9 euro. Locals come at 6pm sharp.
*2. Al Mercà – Campo della Pescaria, Rialto Market area*
Right by the fish market. Morning it’s market workers, evening it’s locals. Amazing sarde in saor and polpette. No tables, you eat leaning on the counter. Closes early, around 8pm.
*3. Osteria Al Squero – Dorsoduro, across from Squero di San Trovaso boatyard*
You take the little gondola ferry 2 euro to get there. Zero tourists. Watch gondola builders while you eat baccalà + bigoli. Best view + spritz for 3 euro. Open late.
*Local tips for cicchetti crawl:*
1. Cicchetti = 1-2 euro each. Point and eat at the bar. Sit down = double price.
2. “Ombra” means small glass of w**e. “Un spritz, grazie” is the code.
3. Go 6-8pm. That’s aperitivo time. After 8pm locals go home.
Map these 3 and you’ll have a perfect evening. San Polo → Rialto → Dorsoduro. All walking, no vaporettos needed.
