Cicchetti in Venice: How to Eat Like a Local with the Traveling Professor

One of our favorite cities to explore on Traveling Professor small group tours is Venice—and one of our favorite ways to experience it is by eating like the Venetians do. That means wandering the canals, stopping into tiny neighborhood wine bars called bacari, and sampling cicchetti, Venice’s answer to tapas.

What Are Cicchetti?

Cicchetti (pronounced chi-KET-ti) are traditional Venetian small bites—simple, flavorful snacks typically served on bread or polenta and enjoyed with a small glass of wine (ombra) or a spritz. You’ll find fresh seafood, local vegetables, cheeses, and meats, all highlighting the flavors of the Venetian lagoon.

Venice feels most authentic when you’re standing shoulder to shoulder with locals at a crowded bar, balancing a plate of cicchetti and a glass of wine. Cicchetti hopping—moving from one bacaro to the next—is a beloved local ritual and one of the best ways to experience Venice beyond the guidebooks.

Here are three of the best places in Venice to enjoy true cicchetti culture.

🍷 Cantine del Vino già Schiavi

A Venetian institution along the Zattere canal, Cantine del Vino già Schiavi is famous for its generous crostini topped with baccalà mantecato, artichokes, and creamy local cheeses. Grab a glass of wine, claim a spot outside along the canal, and soak up one of the liveliest cicchetti scenes in the city.

🍢 Osteria Al Squero

Directly across from a historic gondola workshop in Dorsoduro, Osteria Al Squero is a no-frills favorite known for excellent cicchetti at very reasonable prices. Expect standing room only, fresh seafood bites, and a distinctly local vibe that feels far removed from tourist-heavy Venice.  This is The Traveling Professor's favorite place for cicchetti because it overlooks the place where gondolas are made. 

🍤 Cantina Do Mori

One of the oldest bacari in Venice, Cantina Do Mori dates back centuries and retains its old-world charm. With low wooden beams, hanging wine barrels, and classic cicchetti like fried seafood and polpette, it’s a perfect stop near Rialto for a truly authentic Venetian aperitivo.

How to Enjoy Cicchetti Like a Local

Cicchetti are meant to be casual and social. Order one or two bites at each stop, enjoy a small glass of wine, and then move on to the next bacaro. Late afternoon to early evening is ideal, when Venetians gather before dinner and the bars buzz with energy.

If you want to experience Venice beyond the postcard views, cicchetti hopping is the local way—simple food, great wine, and unforgettable atmosphere.

Tip from the Traveling Professor: Cicchetti tastings are one of our favorite informal experiences to recommend on our small-group tours of Italy. Easy, social, and delicious every time. Join us on our Traveling Professor Venice & Northern Italy tour to savor the authentic flavors—and rhythms—of Italian life.