Discovering Authentic Venice: The Bacaro Tour

The Bacaro tour is an authentic Venetian ritual that you cannot miss if you want to discover one of the many facets of Venice. We offer you a tried and tested itinerary that you can follow entirely or by selecting the bacari (wine bars) according to your preference.

Venice’s most typical taverns: history and curious facts about “bacari”

Da Lele (Fondamenta dei Tolentini): Near Piazzale Roma, you’ll find one of the most famous bacari in Venice, where the high quality of the wines and small sandwiches come at honest prices (a glass of wine, about 1€). Bacareto da Lele is very popular from the early morning hours with locals and university students. Here, you can exchange a few jokes with the friendly host or listen to the lively Venetian expressions of the clientele.
El Sbarlefo (Calle S. Pantalon): A bacaro with a more refined and international taste, worth trying especially for its rich selection of cicchetti compared to the average: fried foods, meatballs, zucchini flowers, arancini, and panzerotti. It opens at noon.
Osteria al Squero (Dorsoduro): Located in front of one of the last “squeri” (ancient shipyards where gondolas are made), it offers a wide variety of Venetian-style crostini and, of course, good wine to enjoy by the canal. Close to St. Mark’s, from here you can continue your walk or opt for a gondola or ferry ride.
Al Portego (Calle della Malvasia): It features a portico where you can take shelter from rain or heat, and offers cicchetti, including gourmet options.
Vino Vero (Fondamenta della Misericordia): Somewhere between a wine bar and a bacaro, it doesn’t serve spritz but offers an extensive selection of natural wines (about 600), accompanied by very refined gourmet cicchetti.
Al Timon (Fondamenta dei Ormesini): One of the favorite bacari among Venetians, who start gathering here even before 6:00 PM waiting for it to open. The bar offers typical crostini at the modest price of €1; for the more adventurous, there’s the option to enjoy “ombre” (glasses of wine) on the boat moored outside.
El Refolo (Castello): Known by locals as “the university of spritz” for its variety of alcoholic and spirits, it is notable for its “venetian amaro” and baccalà, among the best in Venice.
Caffè Vergnano 1882 (Rialto): A bacaro—but not only, it is also a café and restaurant—at the foot of the Rialto Bridge, offering a good variety of wines and cicchetti along with a wonderful location right on the Grand Canal.
Cantina Do Spade (Rialto): A bacaro and trattoria, this establishment pays great attention to traditional Venetian cuisine, with dishes following the seasons or traditional events. It’s open until late at night, making it a perfect spot to conclude a bacaro tour.