Ciao a tutti! I get asked a lot “Amedea where are the best bars in Venice? I don’t want to go anywhere too touristy!”
So from Learn Italian Manchester to you all, my guide to the best non tourist bars in Venice.
So in the UK people often go for a pub crawl around their favourite city, drinking a wide variety of CAMRA approved real ales. In Venice people go for a “giro di ombre”. This is the best way to try Venice’s bacari, popping into each for a cicchetto and accompanying ombra (small glass of wine). And a good place to start was Ca’ d’Oro – Alla Vedova (Cannaregio 3912, Ramo Ca’ d’Oro), one of the best-known bacari, on the Strada Nuova, well away from the city’s touristy hub. On a Friday night it was packed with punters lingering around the bar
Around the corner is La Cantina (Cannaregio 3689, Campo San Felice) which, like other Bacari has taken the simple cicheto to another level with its freshly prepared, imaginative dishes.
Sora al Ponte – Ponte delle Beccarie, San Polo 1588, Venice (00 39 041 718208). Sora al Ponte, on the far side of the bridge that leads out of campo delle Beccarie, is the place to go for the true bacaro (a traditional Venice wine bar) experience. Perch at the bar, order a glass of white Tocai or red Raboso and tuck into the cicheti (tapas-style snacks). There are usually a few pasta and main courses as well, though you pay extra for the luxury of table, chair and cutlery.
Un Mondo Divino – Cannaregio 5984/a, Venice (00 39 041 5211093). Near the church of San Canciano, north of the Rialto Bridge, this bacaro has some of the best cicheti in Venice. Perch at the counter and point to whichever bite-sized treats take your fancy: specialities of the house include marinaded sea bass and museto (a local pig’s head sausage). Wine is served from a selection of more than 40 by-the-glass options. Open Tues-Sun.
Da Bonifacio – Calle degli Albanesi, Castello 4237, Venice (00 39 041 5227507). The best spritz of all is served not in bars but in cake shops such as Bonifacio.
Al Chioschetto – A much-loved spot not only for scrumptious panini and nibbles, but also for the tranquillity of sitting outside along the Giudecca Canal in Venice with a sweeping view from industrial Marghera to Palladian San Giorgio Maggiore. Seating is strictly outside, so take advantage of any sunny day throughout the year and head over here for your daily spritzer.
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About Learn Italian Manchester: My name is Amedea and I’m a native Italian tutor with a real passion for my language. I run Italian classes in Manchester which are sociable, fun and designed to teach you Italian you will really use. As well as Italian courses in Manchester I teach 1 to 1 Italian lessons and cover areas including Didsbury, Chorlton, Sale, Altrincham, Hale, Woodford, Bramhall and others. If you would like to do something new, learn to speak Italian and make new friends along the way! Contact me at: hello@learnitalianmanchester.