The best places to eat and drink in Venice

We spent three days in Venice and despite the beautiful city being packed full of things to see and do, eating and drinking was probably our favourite! Venice is known for cicchetti – similar to pintxos in San Sebastián – and the streets are lined with small bars serving these snacks alongside very affordable wines, beers, and spritzes. 

We loved the cicchetti in Venice so much that we actually didn’t have a sit-down meal during our time in the city! Although we stopped for snacks and drinks at a lot of great restaurants that also offered full menus. 

These were our favourite places to eat and drink in Venice.  

The best places to eat and drink in Venice

Ai Do Leoni

This small bar next to Saint Mark’s Basilica has some of the best cicchetti we ate. And considering its central location it could very easily be an over-priced tourist trap – but it’s not. It’s a great place to stop for a snack and spritz before or after exploring the cathedral and piazza. 

Osteria Al Squero

This was our favourite spot for cicchetti in all of Venice. We liked it so much we went back twice. It’s a small bar on the edge of the canal with a view of a gondola repair workshop and you can eat and drink inside or outside – but be aware that if you eat outside your food will be a target for seagulls! 

The cicchetti here is very affordable and the options change day to day, and they have a good range of inexpensive wines. 

Al Timon

Another great place to go for cicchetti and drinks is the Cannaregio area in the north of Venice. Al Timon was one of our favourites here as it has a laid-back pub vibe. 

Bacaro ae Bricoe

Another good bar in Cannaregio is Bacardi ae Bricoe. They have a big selection of cicchetti including croquettes and other fried snacks. They have space for seated and standing customers. 

Osteria ai Cacciatori

This casual cafe is one of the few small bars to stop at on Murano that don’t offer larger and more expensive meals. We just wanted to stop for a snack while we walked around the island so this was the perfect place. 

Osteria Senza Fondo

Another good cicchetti bar on Murano is this small restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. They also serve hot snacks like meatballs and lasagne if you want something bigger. 

Bibenda

This bar is a little more upmarket and the drinks aren’t as cheap as some of the other bars in Venice. But the food and service is very good and it’s in a lovely area next to a pretty piazza. 

El Borrachero

In the Accademia area close to Osteria Al Squero is this small bar that’s very popular with students. It gets very busy and the drinkers spill out into the street, creating a lively vibe along the walls of the canal. 

Cantina del vino Già Schiavi

Opposite El Borrachero is this wine bar which is also very popular and gets too busy to hold all its patrons! The vibe along the canal is to take your drinks and cicchetti outside (weather permitting) and this has some of the best snacks we found so it’s definitely worth a visit. 

Find out more about how we spent three days in Venice here.