THE BEST BACARI (TAPAS BAR) OF VENICE

The 'bacari' is a super ancient, popular and traditional Venetian tradition, although for some time it has become very fashionable, thanks in part to the boom of the foodie world. This is good and bad: we can all enjoy the atmosphere of the 'bacaro', but the typical tourist traps also begin to appear ... With today's post we will recommend you which are the best bacari in Venice, This way you can build your own bacaro-tour!

A bacaro is a typical tasca from Venice, where you can have wine glasses at a good price accompanied by 'cicchetti', a kind of veneta version of Spanish tapas.

It's basically like a normal bar: it's nothing complicated! Theirs is to order one ombra (a glass of house wine), or choose one of the many types of wines or snacks that are there (yes, the shade will always be cheaper, between € 1-1.50). The shadow is accompanied with something to eat: the famous cicchetti.

Curiosity: ombra in Italian means shadow and in this case it refers to whoever drinks the wine usually follows the shadow so that the glass does not get hot!

There is a lot of variety: among the cicchetti there are mini toasts and crostini, squid skewers, prawns, octopus or mini sandwiches, tempura of vegetables, sandwiches, meatballs or more elaborated specialties such as fried polenta crostini with sarde in saor. Sometimes the bacari have a specialty, in that case it is essential to try it!

As we said there is a lot of variety of cicchetti, but on a gastronomic tour of Venice you can not miss at least these:

• Crostino with baccalá mantecato: a toast with cod cream, oil and garlic.
• Sarde in saor: sardines marinated in vinegar, raisins, pine nuts and caramelized onions.
• Meat and fish meatballs.
• Fried squid skewer.

Although let yourself be advised by bacaro waiters.

It depends on how elaborate they are: prices range from € 1 to € 3 approximately. We have spent about € 8 on average between the two of us drinking a glass of wine each and trying about 4 cicchetti.

We were only one day in Venice so we decided to ride a bacari route in the area where we were staying (near the Rialto Bridge). It must be said that this sestiere or neighborhood (San Polo) is, together with Canareggio, one of the best to find bacari ... we were lucky!This was our bacaro-tour:

♣ Al Mercá

A small bacaro that is located near the Rialto market. Here we take some aperol spritz and some house spritz (€ 2.50 each). To accompany them we ate a montadito with ham of San Daniele (€ 1.5 each).

• Pro: good product quality, nice waiters, good atmosphere.
• Against: there is no place to sit, drinks are enjoyed in the square where the place is (although thinking better is not something negative!).
• Where: Campo Bella Vienna, 213.

♣ Bacarando in Corte dell'Orso

We had read discordant criticisms about this place: many said it is one of the best bacari for having many cicchetti and a good place to sit quietly; others said that the boss is not a very nice guy ... We, really, were lucky because we were treated by two very kind girls!

We take a ombra of white wine (€ 1 each) *, a mozzarella in carrozza (battered mozzarella), tuna meatballs, baccalá mantecato crostino and another with meatball and spicy tomato sauce. In total we pay about € 8. Maybe it was the one we liked most of all.

* update May '18: yesterday we returned and apparently there is no longer house wine. Now there are glasses of wine from 2.5 -_- or so we have been told!

• Pro: great variety of cicchetti and good price (from € 1 to € 5).
• Against: it's something hidden, so sign up for the address!
• Where: S. Marco, 5495.

♣ The Sbarlefo

This was the one that perhaps disappointed us the most: we had read that it was the typical bacaro frequented by Venetian grandparents and local people and upon arrival we were the only ones, together with an English couple. We tried tuna meatballs, which were not very far (€ 2), red meatballs (€ 1.50 each) and meatballs (€ 1) that were rich although they minced for a while. To drink, white house wine (€ 1.50 per glass).

• Pro: We sat on a little table in the street, good atmosphere.
• Against: the staff a bit cold, correct but not very nice ...
• Where: Salist del Pistor.

♣ Cantina Vecia Carbonera

Very good discovery 🙂 We took some Aperol spritz (€ 2.5) and a white house wine (€ 1.5) and we tried a toast with baccalá mantecato, another one of sarde in saor, another one of leeks with gorgonzola and another with radicchio and prawns Although the best was the polpetta di carne (meatloaf). Prices of cicchetti between € 1.5-2

• Pro: good variety of cicchetti
• Against: the truth is that I can't think of anything bad :-p
• Where: Canneregio 2329

And other recommendations:

Being only one day in Venice we did not try more bacari but we have a very good list, compiled thanks to forums, Italian bloggers and Venetian friends (and a last minute sneak of our friends Lelly and Gus!). Here are the other best bacari in Venice:

♣ Canteendo Mori

A legend of Venice: apparently it is the oldest bacaro in the city. Prices are slightly higher compared to other bacari but you know, fame is paid! The house wine costs about € 2 and you have to try the house specialty: the francobollo (seal), a small square sandwich with ham and cheese. Prices of cicchetti: € 2

• Where: Sestiere San Polo, 429.

♣ Cantina do Spade

One of the oldest bacari in Venice. Spritz at € 3, came from the house € 1-2 and cicchetti from € 1-3. It is also a restaurant so if you feel like eating something more forceful ... you can.

• Where: Sestiere San Polo, 859.

♣ Osteria dai Zemei

A curious place, managed by two twins (Zemei in Veneto means twins), decorated by hundreds of photos of twins from every part of the world. Cicchetti between € 1-5, house wine € 1.50 and aperitif spritz € 3.50

• Where: San Polo, 1045 / B.

♣ Osteria alla Ciurma

Cicchetti between € 1.2-3.5 (there is a lot of variety), € 3 aperol spritz and good atmosphere.

• Where: Galeazza Street, 406.

♣ Alla Vedova

If, as we are a meatball lover, you cannot miss a stop at Vedova (the widow): they say that the best meat dumplings in Venice are eaten here. Why didn't we go Because we can't find it, so the address points better than us: -S

• Where: Cannareggio, 3912.

♣ Osteria ai Promessi Sposi

Another place that we had recommended but we could not enjoy: upon arrival it was closed, so you know ... from 15 to 18 do not go! The specialty of the house is the meatballs and if you want to eat something that fills more try the sarde in saor dish.

• Where: Galeazza Street, 406.

That's how happy we would have been in 'ai promessi sposi' ...

♣ Da Fred and Luca (Cicchetteria Venexiana)

If you are near the station and want to make a last bacaro-stop before leaving Venice, we advise you to stop by this place: cicchetti and wine glasses from € 1.50. Recommended "flying discs", stuffed fried eggplants. Beers and spritz € 3.

• Where: Rio Terà San Leonardo, 1518.

♣ Hostaria Vecio Biavorol

One of the cheapest options (although somewhat away from the center). He came from the house at € 1 and toast for € 1.30-1.80. Spritz € 3

• Where: Fondamenta dei Tolentini, 225.

♣ Bacareto da Lele

Near the Hosteria Vecio Biavorol and very close to Piazzale Roma is another legend of Venice: the Lele bacaretoda. The typical thing here is to try one of their mini-sandwiches (try the speck) at € 1 and accompany it with a ombra (house wine) € 1-1.50.

• Where: Campo dei Tolentini.

♣ Cantinone Già Schiavi

A step away from the Accademia Gallery is this historic cicchetteria. There are many types of cicchetti (€ 1-3) and ombre for € 1.

• Where: Fondamenta Nani, 992.

♣ Al Portego

One of the students favorite bacari for its value for money. The specialties of the house are fish based, the baccalá a la vicentina is a must!

• Where: Castello San Lio, 6014.

So far our recommendations. As we always say there are not all who are, but they are all who are ... or something like that, we have not spoken Spanish for days and we are making a mess!

We leave you an interactive map with all the places that we have recommended (in purple those that we tried directly and in orange those that have advised us and that we will try, this is sure, in the future!)

Video: Venice Bacari & Cicchetti (April 2024).