What is the meaning of life? To Italians, it means going out after a long day at work, chatting with some friends, drinking good wine, and enjoying good food. And in Venice, there’s a specific tradition and a unique place linked to this way of life. It’s called bacaro: and if you try it, your life will never be the same.
What is a bacaro and why you never stop at the first one
Bàcaro (plural: bacari) is an ancient Venetian tavern. You stop here to have an ombra, a small glass of wine, complimented by a cicchetto, a small bite that will prevent you from getting cross-eyed. Because, believe us, if you’re with a lively company, the number of ombre can get high. It’s no coincidence that the word bacaro derives from a Venetian expression, far bàcara, meaning make a noise.
But only tourists stop at one Venice bacaro and stay there all night. True Venetians prefer to bounce from one bacaro to another, and meet new friends at each new place. The philosophy of the bacaro is grounded in alcoholic nomadism, so that’s why we decided to make a list of the best bacari by neighborhood.
Top Venice Bacari by Neighborhood
Let’s start by saying that Venice doesn’t have neighborhoods, it has sestieri. The six administrative zones of the ancient Republic stuck, so the city is still divided similarly today.
Below is our list of the best bacari in Venice, but don’t feel limited by our choices! Every bacaro with enough people making noise outside is a good sign to stop and enjoy.
Cannaregio
Cannaregio is the first neighborhood you’ll come across when you arrive in Venice by train. It’s the most densely populated and houses the ancient Jewish ghetto. Some of the best bacari are:
- Il Paradiso Perduto
- Al Timon (Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2754) is also great for cicchetti.
- Osteria Bea Vita (Cannareggio 3082)
Another hot spot is Fondamenta Savorgnan, between Ponte delle Guglie and Ponte dei Tre Archi–the paradise of bacari! Al Parlamento is our favorite here, but feel free to explore.
Santa Croce
In Santa Croce, tradition meets modernity: ancient and new architecture combine with elegance. And the bacari are not so different:
- Bacareto da Lele (Fondamenta dei Tolentini, 183) is the most famous one, where the only cicchetti are little panini and the only way to enjoy them is sitting on the stairs of the nearest church.
- Ae Saracche (Fondamenta di Rio Marin, 847/D) offers modern cicchetti and a bright atmosphere.
- Da Filo (Santa Croce, 1539) breaks the rules since here you can find live music, free Wi-Fi, and even a library.
San Marco
The king of all sestieri, San Marco, is where the likelihood to end up in a tourist trap is higher. But not with our Venice bacari list:
- Rosticeria Gislon (Calle de la Bissa, 5424/a) is famous for its mozzarella in carrozza, fried sandwiches filled with melting mozzarella and anchovies or ham.
- Bacaro da Fiore is the best for seafood cicchetti: creamed cod, fried fish, sarde in saòr, and so much more.
- Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso stands out for its cozy atmosphere and carefully selected wine list.
San Polo
San Polo is the sestiere of the Rialto Bridge, so it’s no surprise that the highest density of bacari is here. Have fun among students celebrating their graduation and locals meeting with friends.
- Cantina Do Mori (Calle Do Mori, 429) is the oldest bacaro in Venice. According to legend, it was also the place where a young Casanova would rendezvous with his lovers.
- Ruga Rialto praises itself for its traditional cicchetti like creamed cod, meatballs, crostini, and fried fish.
- Cantina do Spade stands out for its delicious cicchetti.
Dorsoduro
This sestiere faces Giudecca, one of the islands that composes Venice. Enjoy the view with a stroll along the Zattere, and stop by at a few of these bacari.
- At Adriatico Mar (C. Crosera, 3771) you’ll see locals dock on the canal and enjoy their ombra on their boat.
- Al Squero (Dorsoduro, 943) is right in front of one of the last shipyards in Venice.
- Cantine del Vino già Schiavi is one of the bacari with the best cicchetti ever.
Dorsoduro is also the sestiere of Venice University, and Campo Santa Margherita is filled with bacari that host chatty students and loud groups.
Castello
Castello is the biggest Venetian sestiere, and the one that’s farthest from the main monuments. You’ll find that life is a bit slower here.
Bacari here aren’t fancy, but they’re certainly authentic. We recommend a la Scuela (Castello 3183/a, Salizada de le Gate), where you have an ombra with some fried cod and enjoy the flow of the city.
Want to upgrade your experience by exploring Venice alongside an expert guide? Join our Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour to discover local secrets, including our favorite bacari!
Eliana Ferrari doesn’t like to stay put. She’s traveled all around Europe, excited by every encounter with people, food, and art. How did she end up in Florence? She fell in love: with the magnificence of every corner, with Bolgheri wine, and with the famous Florentine wit (one Florentine’s in particular!).