Where to eat in Venice without overpaying
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 28, 2026
The cheapest good meal in Venice is cicchetti: small bar snacks eaten standing at the counter of a bacaro with an ombra, a small glass of wine. Standing, they cost roughly €1.50 to €6 each; sit down and the price can double.
At sit-down restaurants, check the menu for a cover charge (coperto) or a service charge of 10 to 12%. Some places add both, and they must be listed on the menu.
How eating out works in Venice
- A bacaro is a wine bar that serves cicchetti. Order at the counter, point at what you want and eat standing for the lowest price (Cicchetti in Venice (Reid's Italy)).
- A coperto (cover charge) of about €1.50 to €5 is common, and many Venice restaurants add a 10 to 12% service charge instead or as well (Venice restaurants overview (Frommer's)).
- Drinks next to Piazza San Marco cost several times what they cost in a bacaro a few streets away.
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Compare hotels in VeniceRecommended bacari and osterie by area
| Place | Area | Known for | Recommended by |
|---|---|---|---|
| All'Arco | Rialto | Tiny counter with cicchetti that change all the time | Michelin Guide |
| Cantina Do Mori | Rialto | Wine poured here since 1462 | Michelin Guide |
| Al Volto | Near Rialto (Calle Cavalli) | Fish, baccalà, bigoli in salsa | Gambero Rosso (2026) |
| Vino Vero | Cannaregio | Natural wine and cicchetti by the canal | Michelin Guide |
| Osteria La Vedova | Cannaregio (Ca' d'Oro) | Polpette (meatballs), baccalà, sarde in saor | Gambero Rosso |
| Al Timon | Cannaregio (Fondamenta Ormesini) | Canal-side cicchetti and steaks | Gambero Rosso |
| Ozio | Castello (Santa Maria Formosa) | Natural wines, tables on the square | Michelin Guide |
| All'Aciugheta | Castello | Anchovy-and-egg cicchetti | Gambero Rosso |
| Cantine del Vino già Schiavi | Dorsoduro | A century-old bacaro | Gambero Rosso |
| Stappo | Santa Croce | Wine bar with a kitchen | Michelin Guide |
| Vini da Gigio | Cannaregio | Family-run osteria with lagoon seafood | Michelin Guide |
| Al Covo | Castello | Lagoon seafood; a splurge | Michelin Guide |
Sources: 2 days in Venice itinerary (Michelin Guide), Four bacari to try in Venice (Gambero Rosso) and Al Volto, a bacaro near Rialto (Gambero Rosso). The Gambero Rosso bacari list dates from 2019, so check that a place is open before you go.
Tips for eating well for less
- Eat your main meal at lunch in a bacaro, standing at the counter.
- Read the menu outside for the cover and service charges before you sit down.
- Walk two or three streets away from San Marco and the Rialto bridge before choosing a bar.
- Book the sit-down osterie in advance, especially at weekends.
Frequently asked questions
What are cicchetti?
Small Venetian bar snacks served in bacari (wine bars), usually eaten standing at the counter with a small glass of wine called an ombra.
How much do cicchetti cost in Venice?
Roughly €1.50 to €6 each at the counter, according to Frommer's. Sitting at a table can double the price.
Do restaurants in Venice charge a cover charge?
Many do. A coperto of about €1.50 to €5 is common, and some restaurants add a 10 to 12% service charge instead or as well. Both must be on the menu.
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More Venice guides
Sources
- Cicchetti in Venice (Reid's Italy)
- Venice restaurants overview (Frommer's)
- 2 days in Venice itinerary (Michelin Guide)
- Four bacari to try in Venice (Gambero Rosso)
- Al Volto, a bacaro near Rialto (Gambero Rosso)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 28, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.