Venetian Cicchetti
If you’re in Venice and want to eat like a local, skip the touristy restaurants (of which there are far too many!) and go cicchetti hopping.
Cicchetti (pronounced chee-ket-tee) are Venetian tapas-style snacks, usually consisting of a slice of bread or polenta with a variety of toppings — though sometimes there’s no bread at all, just a tasty morsel of meat or cheese speared with a cocktail stick! They’re best enjoyed with a spritz or a glass of wine in a bacaro (wine bar).
The great thing about eating this way in Venice is that cicchetti give you the chance to sample local flavours, often dominated by fresh fish and seafood due to the city’s canal and fishing culture. It also gets you away from the major tourist hubs and into quainter, quieter neighbourhoods.
A bonus is that cicchetti are often pretty cheap, costing around a couple of euros each, and your pairing of ombra – a small glass of wine – or aperitivo beverage doesn’t cost much more. You can get very full and very tipsy on a cicchetti crawl — speaking from experience!
Here are my top five favourite authentic spots, personally vetted by myself, to offer you a taste of Venice beyond pizza and pasta…
Osteria Al Squero
Buzzing with groups of young professionals catching a drink with friends after work, Osteria Al Squero is the perfect spot to perch alongside the canal overlooking a gondola workshop in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood.
Here you can enjoy classic toppings like salted cod, a spritz to go in plastic cups, and unreal canal views that are far more laid-back than those in hectic San Marco. Just be sure to guard your plate from the opportunistic seagulls!
Address: Dorsoduro, 943, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Cantina del Vino già Schiavi
A short stroll away from Osteria Al Squero is Cantina del Vino già Schiavi. Loved by locals, it offers an impressive array of cicchetti (I read somewhere there are around 60 varieties!) and boasts a beautiful interior with walls stacked floor to ceiling with wine bottles. I discovered this spot after watching Phil Rosenthal visit it on his Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil.
A highlight was the tuna topped with cocoa powder — creamy, slightly salty, and bitter — a flavour combination that’s unmatched. It’s the perfect place if you’re feeling adventurous!
Address: Fondamenta Nani, 992, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Bar Ai Artisti
For something more laid-back, and the chance to sit at a table and people-watch in a pretty Venetian square, check out Bar Ai Artisti in Dorsoduro.
It’s perfect for late-evening drinks in a relaxed, family-friendly setting, with plenty of polpette (fried balls of meat, fish, or cheese) flavours to try — my favourite!
Address: Campo S. Barnaba, 2771, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Cantina do Mori
Then there’s Cantina do Mori. As soon as I saw that Anthony Bourdain had visited in his series No Reservations, I knew I had to check it out too.
This place dates back to 1462, and rumour has it Casanova brought his dates here… and I can see why. It’s tucked away in a quiet, shaded alley, and everything about it screams romantic hideaway. The décor is gorgeous, with walls and ceilings covered in old smoking pipes, cooking pots, and dark wood.
It’s no-frills, edgy, and all about cheap, delicious wine and classic cicchetti — think hunks of cheese, artichoke, and cured meats on cocktail sticks.
Address: Calle Do Mori, 429, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
La Barrique Wine Bar
And finally, La Barrique Wine Bar in Venice’s Castello district. Everything here is made fresh with local produce at this gastronomic wine bar, where traditional cicchetti are elevated.
Luca, who served us, even took the time to explain how he makes the cicchetti and shared the importance of ensuring each piece is beautifully presented, as “you eat with your eyes first.” It was such a great experience and really showcased his passion for food.
My favourite topping here was the tiny squid marinated in a rich tomato sauce.
Address: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1765, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Must-Try Cicchetti
Each of these spots offers traditional toppings carefully arranged in a beautiful stack on top of a slice of baguette. Some of my favourite offerings that I would highly recommend sampling include:
- Baccalà mantecato – creamy whipped salt cod spread
- Sarde in saor – sweet-and-sour sardines marinated with onions
- Soppressa veneta – local salami on crostini, sometimes with pickled vegetables
- Acciughe marinate – marinated anchovies with garlic, parsley, and lemon
- Polpette di carne – small meatballs
- Lardo – cured pork fat that melts in the mouth, topped with peppercorns
And, if you’re in doubt or overwhelmed, ask! In several of these spots when I was completely new to cicchetti flavours, I simply asked the person serving me to choose a couple of options they’d recommend. It’s a great way to become acquainted with new flavours and eat what the locals do.
Eat Like A Local in Venice
So grab your aperitivo of choice, go cicchetti hopping, and eat your way through Venice like a local.
Which spot would you try first?
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
