The bacaro (plural : bacari) is a typical bar, small, friendly, offering products of Venetian cuisine such tramezzini (sandwiches with shrimp, crabmeat, tuna and eggs, etc ... ) crostini ( small slices of bread topped with anchovies, artichokes, baccala mantecato ...) or small octopus , boiled eggs, polpete meat or fish , sardines in saor , ...
All these Venetian specialties, often to eat at the counter or on the "fondamenta" (dock along a canal) where is located the bacaro, casually be called the "cicchetti".
It is an economic and friendly way to eat like the Venetian quality cuisine .
The wine of course is the second important element of these places. Whether Prosecco, white wine or red wine, it is often the wines of the Veneto region, or from Friuli and Alto Adige. In the Venetian tradition , this glass of wine called "ombra" as it existed in an era of wine sellers on St. Mark's Square and those they had their stall at the foot of the campanile, stall they moved depending on the rotation of the sun so that their wine constantly remained in the shade, so fresh.
Other traditional drink, the spritz, compound of white wine, water of selz and of a typical alcohol like Campari, Apérol or Cynar, to which we can add an olive, or a slice of orange, ... This drink is conquering the planet.
To go round of bacari in Venice can be a merry activity.
The list of my favorite bacari :
1. Al Squero (photo above)
Fondamenta Nani, Dorsoduro 943/944. See map
tel: (0039) 335 600 7513
Former professor, the owner of "Al Squero " decided to open there two years this "Bacaro" just opposite the famous site of San Trovaso which we can see the workers activate, build, and repair gondolas, drinking a glass of wine from the Veneto, Alto Aldige, Trentino and Friuli enjoying excellent "tramezzini", "crostini", "chicchetti" .
I love this place for its tranquility, the friendliness of its owners, the beauty of the neighborhood (Dorsoduro); this true vision of the daily venetian life. A must away from tourist areas, within walking distance of Zattere, these beautiful quays along the Giudecca canal.
2. Do Mori
Calle dei Do Mori, San Polo 429 (near the Rialto market ) See map
tel: (0039) 0415225401
Located near the Rialto market, this wine bar exists since 1462. It offers many wines of northern Italy and among the best tramezzini (sandwiches of sliced bread) and cicchetti (small inputs such small octopus, anchovies, baccala alla vicentina , ...) of Venice. The setting is amazing, it seems that has not changed for centuries (old caldrons hanging from the ceiling , ancient counter, ageless bottles on shelves, ...
3. Vino Verro
Fondamenta della Misericordia Cannaregio 2497. See map
tel: (0039) 0412750044
Quite new, this bacaro has a trendy look, the welcome is warm, the wine and cichetti are good there. On one of the nicest waterfront of Venice where the young Venetians meet them.
4. Il Paradiso Perduto
Fondamenta della Misericordia Cannaregio 2540. See map
tel: (0039) 041 720 581
Open from 11:00 to 22:00 ( closed on Tuesdays ) .
Concerts usually on Monday (jazz , world music ...)
Il Paradiso Perduto is a cult place in Venice who was born in the 80s at the initiative of young venitian students whose Venetian Maurizio Adamo, the current boss of the place. It's more than bacaro, it is also a typical restaurant (wooden tables, simple and traditional cuisine based on seafood), a concert location, ... More information on the website
Other venetian bacari :
Lunch in a bacari is also a very nice and inexpensive way to taste the Venetian cuisine. And you can choose restaurants only for dinner.
Osteria Al Timon
fondamenta degli Ormesini 2754 Cannaregio. See plan
tel : (0039) 0415246066
Ai Promessi Sposi
Calle dell' Oca 4367 Cannaregio. See plan
tel : (0039) 0412412747
All' Arco
Calle dell Ochialer, 436 San Polo. See plan
Tel : (0039) 041 520 56 66
Al Portego
Calle della Malvasia 6014 Castello. See plan
tel : (0039) 0415229038
Cantinone già Shiavi
fondamenta Priuli 992, Dorsoduro. See plan
tel : (0039) 0415230034
Bacareto da Lele
Campo dei Tolentini 183 Santa Croce. See plan
Lunch in a bacari is also a very nice and inexpensive way to taste the Venetian cuisine. And you can choose restaurants only for dinner.