Cheap eats in Venice: Best Cicchetti in Venice Italy
A light lunch or an “aperitivo” in Venice, like everywhere in Italy, is very popular. Here, I listed the best places to eat in Venice, where you will find only typical drinks and local Venetian food to taste and love.
In Venice, they call these places Bacari, where you can eat the Cicchetti, delicious mini portions of Venetian delicacy served on little plates or top of a slice of bread.
A glass of wine usually costs less than 2 euros, and each “ciccheto” (slice of bread with a topping) costs around 1.50-2.50 euros. I advise you to get them for lunch; they are a tasty and fast solution while exploring this beautiful city.
No need to book in advance; pop in, order a mixed plate (choose from the counter), and “un ombra” (the name of a glass of wine in Venetian). Take a seat, or if there aren’t any available seats, get outside and sit along the canal. You will be surprised to see how many people will do exactly like you.
Hi! I’m Valentina
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The Complete Guide to Where to Have Lunch in Venice
Bacareto da Lele:
Da Lele is a guarantee, 1.00/1.20 euro sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients, the bread is always fresh (crispy zoccoletti bread stuffed with salami, cheese, cold cuts, and vegetables), and wine of all kinds, quality like this is complex to find in Venice. The owner is always cheerful and friendly.
Address: Fondamenta dei Tolentini, 183,
Opening Time: Mon-Fri: 6 am-8 pm. Sat: 6 am-2 pm. Closed on Sundays
Venice Travel Tip: If you arrive in Venice too early for your check-in or your departure time is too many hours after your check-out, and you need a place to store your luggage, check out Radical Storage in Venice, a website that shows you all the safe places to keep your bags while still exploring Venice.
Osteria al Squero:
Al Squero is the only Osteria in Venice before the Ancient Squero of San Trovaso. This is the best place to enjoy the construction or restoration of original Venetian gondolas while having a break from all the walking.
It is a cozy and comfortable place to enjoy a glass of Italian wine and taste some delicious “Cicchetti.” The selection of wines comes from small regional wine firms of Friuli, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Veneto regions, so I guarantee you will enjoy and taste everything Venice and the Regions around it have to offer.
Address: Dorsoduro, 943
Opening Time: Mon-Fri: 10 am-8 pm. Sat: 10 am-2 pm. 4.30 pm-8 pm. We are closed on Sundays.
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Cantine del Vino gia’ Schiavi:
Historic Venetian bacaro, with floor-to-ceiling bottles lining the walls, affectionately called “the bottegon” by trusted customers, has been a meeting place in the city for over a hundred years. There are many Ciccheti to choose from and as many bottles for tasting to be purchased to take them home.
Located in the Accademia area, it is perfect for an aperitif to be enjoyed along the canal in a peaceful and beautiful setting in front of the Church of San Trovaso! This is a highly recommended spot! The picture above was what we ordered when we visited Venice for San Valentine’s Day. It is a mix of “Cicchetti” from the counter and two “ombre di bianco” (two glasses of white wine).
Address: Fondamenta Nani, 992,
Open daily from 8 am till 8.30 pm.
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Going to Venice and not tasting its delicacies would be a huge mistake. A mistake not to make is to bring a packed lunch (unless you travel with an extremely tight budget or have allergies).
Why take a sandwich at the supermarket when you can get a mix of delicious Cicchetti and a good glass of local wine with a few euros? Even if you are on a budget, remember Cicchetti are pretty cheap and highly delicious!
Bar alla Toletta:
A destination that cannot be forgotten! The fresh sandwiches of the Toletta are the best in Venice, which is why it is one of the most loved places to eat in Venice. Many varieties, from the classics to the local ones, include sandwiches with cured meat like horse frays, ham with radicchio rosso (a local red leaves salad), tuna, tomato mayo, roast beef, rucola, and mayo.
Patience for a free table is worth it. Otherwise, take them out and eat along the canal or eat them at the counter and then continue your discovery of Venice.
Address: Dorsoduro, 1191.
Open every day from 7 am to 8 pm.
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Skyline Rooftop Bar:
This rooftop bar is inside the beautiful Hilton Hotel, where you can admire a fantastic view of Venice. This roof bar is perfect if you want a place to have an aperitif at sunset.
The staff is very kind and welcoming, and the atmosphere is pleasant. This is not a place to go for cheap Cicchetti, as you might guess, but before or after dinner, this place will make you enjoy the Venice view as it deserves.
Address: Giudecca, 810.
Open every day from 7 pm till 11 pm.
Venice Travel Tip: You will see many places to have an aperitif or a light typical lunch in Venice. There is one at every corner, but these on my list are my favorite and the most famous.
Be aware that, as in every other famous city, the closer you get to the main square (St Mark’s Square), the more expensive drinks and food are. Of course, a nice picture of you having a glass of wine in St. Mark’s Square is a perfect Instagram story, so keep it in mind before ordering a glass of the best champagne.
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Xoxo Valentina
