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Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

Cicchetti are Venetian tapas, tasty morsels to whet the appetite and soak up a glass of wine or two. They are traditionally served in a bacaro (wine bar), which also offers wines by the glass; Venetians eat cichetti before lunch or dinner, usually standing at the bar. A plate of cicchetti is one of the cheapest ways to fill up in this expensive city; 6 or 7 make a light meal, and at an average price of €2, along with a glass of inexpensive local wine, that’s a bargain.

A fun way to enjoy this tradition is to plan a tour of different bacari, tasting a couple of cicchetti in each. Expect polpette (fried meat balls), baccalà mantecato (creamed salt cod), a whole variety of weird and wonderful seafood, and lots more.

While you’re there

Just across the canal from the Cantinone (a popular bacaro in Dorsoduro) is a working squero (a gondola-building yard). It’s not open to the public, but you can easily see the artisans at work across the canal.

Price from: £-
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Getting there & doing it

First, do your research (read the guide books, ask at your hotel or look up local food bloggers such as Monica Ceserato, to find out where the best bacari are and plan your route; by foot is by far the best way of get around. Some recommendations: All’Arco and Bancogiro (Rialto), El Refolo (Castello), Alla Vedova (Cannaregio) and Cantinone (Dorsoduro).

You can also sign up for guided ‘cichetti tours’ that will help you navigate the bacari and their weird and wonderful dishes. This may involve quite a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Cichetti cost anything between €1.50 and €3 per portion or piece; a glass of local wine will cost from €3. Tours will normally include all food and drink.

When to do it

Cichetti are served year round; off-season, the bacari will be less crowded and most of the punters will be Venetian. For the best choice of dishes, and to avoid the lunch or dinner time rush, go early (12 noon or 6.30pm).

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Venice: Aperitif & Cicchetti Tasting and Walking Tour

Venice

Venice: Aperitif & Cicchetti Tasting and Walking Tour
This gastronomic walking tour will wet your tastebuds and allow you to discover the delights of the original Venetian Aperitif. A qualified guide will accompany you to authentic bars and tavens in the Rialto area, allowing you to taste Venetian delicacies and local wines. The perfect way to way to enjoy the Venetian way of life, discover curious and hidden locations, whilst tasting fantastic food and drink.

Price: €37

Min age: 18

Rating 4.25 / 5 [12 ratings]

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Tasty Street Food Tour of Venice City Center with Cicchetti & Local Specialties

Venice

Tasty Street Food Tour of Venice City Center with Cicchetti & Local Specialties
Soak up your way through speechless views of the city during this 2.5-hour street food tour around the best spots of Venice. Explore the narrow picturesque alleyways, hidden canal gems, ancient bars and shops. Visit the famous local market of Rialto and sample traditional Venetian dishes and ingredients along the way. Indulge delicious specialties like typical pastries, desserts, local tapas known as cicchetti and much more. Enjoy a stroll along the historical bridges of Venice and the opportunity to discover and learn about attractions such as the Basilica dei Frari, Campo Santa Margherita, San Polo and the Grand Canal. With spectacular panoramic views this experience will remain forever as a great memory of your holidays!

Price: €44

Min age: 0

Rating 4.54 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Venetian Cicchetti Street Food & Sightseeing Walking Tour with local guide

Venice

Venetian Cicchetti Street Food & Sightseeing Walking Tour with local guide
When you think about Italy, you think about the Sea and the Food, you think about Venice and Rome so there is no better way to dive right into the Italian lifestyle than coming with us on this unique 2.5-hour Street Food tour, where you will not only taste some of the most typical foods Venetians eat, but also see a lot of the marvelous sights in this world-famous city.Your local guide will tell you all about the past and present of these historical places, and also about the lifestyle and cultural facts you wouldn't get strolling on your own. During this walking tour you'll see some beautiful and well known sites such as Campo San Bartolomeo, Campo San Polo and Basilica dei Frari and you will taste some of the most typical Venetian foods, the “cicchetti” and “burianelli” in the traditional Bacari bars. If you don't want to just walk around aimlessly, but you really want to live and taste the city, come join us on this 2.5-hour walking Street Food and Sightseeing tour through Venice.

Price: €44

Min age: 0

Rating 4.69 / 5 [56 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tapas & Wines through secret Venice

Venice

Tapas & Wines through secret Venice
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE TOUR? - Visit 2 authentic "bacari" (the traditional bars in Venice): a variety of tapas and 3 wines INCLUDED! - opportunity to take some photos of the "real" Venice, away from the touristy path and traps - Fun facts about the city! - Ask all the questions and recommendations you want for your stay in Venice - And most importantly, meet NEW FRIENDS from all over the world! WHAT WILL WE DO? After meeting with the group, we'll make our way through the hidden alleyways and over the bridges to discover the real Venice off the tourist track. We will stop at 2 different traditional bars to taste a variety of local wine and "cicchetti" (small dishes similar to the Spanish Tapas). We will make sure you will get the most out of the history of the city and, of course, of the food culture, so be prepared to be amazed by the secret spots we will show you during the tour! (Please note: tour stops and final destination may vary depending on opening times of bacari)

Price: €64

Min age: 0

Rating 4.79 / 5 [103 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tastes & Traditions of Venice: Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit

Venice

Tastes & Traditions of Venice: Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit
Step away from the tourist trail to discover Venice’s culinary history from the days when the city was a major spice trade port through to the present day. As you learn about the influence of Venice’s maritime history, learn where the locals go to eat and hear tips for Venetian dishes to try. Explore the Rialto Market and visit a few of our favorite renowned cicchetti bars to enjoy Venetian-style "tapas" with wine.

Price: €89

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [81 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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A Venetian Evening - Wine Tasting & Tapas tour with a Local guide

Venice

A Venetian Evening - Wine Tasting & Tapas tour with a Local guide
Enjoy real Venice away from the tourist crowd led by a young local guide. A relaxing 3 hours street food and wine walking tour around the alleys and the fine wine bars of Venice to try the best selection of cicchetti (Venetian-style tapas) and sip various regional drinks. Bars have been carefully selected based on the quality of their food/drinks and the authenticity of the location. The tour offers a selection of local prosecco, natural wines and more drinks, all originally from the Veneto region. All our guides are local, young, passionate about Venice and its cuisine and, of course, professionally licensed. The wine experience combines insights into Venice's culture, its rich history, arts and daily habits. Our commitment is to show you Venice the way it really is not the way tourists want to see it. This tour has been designed for real foodies and travelers.

Price: €99

Min age: 0

Rating 4.93 / 5 [78 ratings]

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Authentic Venice Food Tour in Cannaregio

Venice

Authentic Venice Food Tour in Cannaregio
Get ready to embark on an epicurean adventure fit for a true Venetian connoisseur! Brace yourself for an extraordinary evening food tour that will whisk you away to the vibrant core of the Cannaregio district, immersing you in the authentic essence of Venetian life while tantalizing your taste buds with the absolute finest cuisine Italy has to offer! Prepare to be guided by a local guru of gastronomy, who will lead you on a captivating journey to the crème de la crème of Venetian culinary havens. Indulge in traditional cicchetti, savor the tantalizing flavors of Venetian pasta, treat yourself to delectable gelato that transcends ordinary desserts, sip on exquisite local wines that dance on your palate, and raise a toast with a refreshing Campari spritz that will effortlessly cleanse your palate. Join us for an unforgettable evening of culinary bliss, unleashing your inner Venetian and let your taste buds embark on a journey they will never forget!

Price: $99

Min age: 0

Rating 4.28 / 5 [32 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Experience Venice Like A Local: Small Group Cicchetti & Wine Tour

Venice

Experience Venice Like A Local: Small Group Cicchetti & Wine Tour
Discover magical Venice with a local by your side. Drink like a Venetian at some of our favourite and most authentic Cicchetti wine bars. Cross the famous canal on a traghetto gondola ferry like the locals do and explore the heart of the city: Rialto. Taste flavoursome regional wines and mouth-watering local cuisine. Get the lowdown on Venice and discover the secrets of the iconic and oh-so-Italian aperitivo, vino in hand. This small group tour is limited to maximum 12 guests.

Price: €109

Min age: 6

Rating 4.79 / 5 [1390 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The ultimate private food tour - Bacaro Hopping a Venetian

Venice

The ultimate private food tour - Bacaro Hopping a Venetian
You can’t have a genuine experience in Venice without drinking a Spritz in town! Pleasantly tipsy after having this popular drink, we will start our culinary journey through the city. We will hop from wine bars to family owned shops, and you will choose several mouthwatering ‘cicchetti’ bites, the traditional snacks, paired together with local wine glasses... and you’ll be in Venetian heaven! Drink after drink and hopping from city highlights to hidden gems, your cravings for local food and culture will be certainly satisfied. We promise you will taste the best food in Venice, together with a passionate foodie hosts, wandering around the vibrant San Marco and San Polo districts, ending the food tour with a traditional treat, the ultimate gelato or a traditional venetian cookie. Looking for a vegetarian alternative? It’s possible! Just let us know in advance and we can customize according to your wishes, diet or food allergies.

Price: €240

Min age: 0

Rating 5 / 5 [72 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Venice

Veneto, Italy

Venice

Crammed with picturesque canals, Renaissance palazzos and artistic masterpieces, this unique and alluring city is heaven-on-earth for art lovers and romantics.