Are you planning a vacation, a weekend trip, or even just a day in Venice and wondering where to eat well without overspending? In this guide you won’t simply find cheap restaurants in Venice, but also traditional osterias and trattorias loved by locals themselves. This article is dedicated to anyone who wants to taste typical Venetian cuisine without breaking the bank — whether for lunch or dinner in a good restaurant, a cozy trattoria, or even better, in a classic Venetian bàcaro.
This article is dedicated to anyone who wants to taste typical Venetian cuisine without breaking the bank — whether for lunch or dinner in a good restaurant, a cozy trattoria, or even better, in a classic Venetian bàcaro.
What are Bacari?
Bacari are small traditional wine bars, mainly frequented by young people, university students, and residents who want to eat and drink well in Venice while spending little. The atmosphere inside is usually very characteristic, and some of these places don’t even offer seating.
If you love food and wine, you can also look into Venezia da Esplorare’s guide to the
Questo perché Venezia, nonostante i tanti ristoranti con menu fissi turistici, ha una tradizione culinaria davvero eccezionale con tante eccellenze del territorio: dal radicchio chioggiano, al baccala mantecato, dalle seppie in umido alla polenta.
Di queste piccole taverne e trattorie ne esistono tantissime, sparse in tutta la città. Se vuoi sapere quali sono le migliori e provare i migliori piatti tipici, serviti sui famosi cicchetti veneziani, scopri la nostra classifica:
> I 10 migliori bacari a Venezia
Street Food: eating well in Venice on a budget
If you love street food and enjoy eating outdoors, here are three places you absolutely have to try.
1 – I’Bacaro de’ Bischeri
Just a few steps from Rialto Bridge, “Bacaro de’ Bischeri” is a spot that’s especially popular with young people. There are no seats, which actually makes it perfect for a quick street-food stop.
Beyond the classic cicchetti, this place introduced a great novelty: the schiacciata (the one you see in the photo – from their official Facebook page). We tried several of them and they were truly delicious, especially when paired with traditional Venetian specialties. For under €10 you can enjoy a full lunch with something you won’t easily find elsewhere in Venice.
How to get there: view on map
2 – Al Mercà
You’ll always find it near Rialto Bridge, right next to Venice’s daily market. If you’re wondering where Venetians actually go to eat, Al Mercà is a small bacaro that has become a true local landmark.
We’ve been here many times and it’s always a safe choice. Their specialties are cicchetti and small sandwiches, as you can see in the photos, but we also recommend trying the fried options.
How to get there: view on map
3 – All’Arco
A traditional Venetian osteria where you can spend little and eat really well, especially typical dishes: cicchetti and plenty of delicacies not only based on cured meats, but mainly on fish.
We obviously stopped here too and tasted many traditional dishes, from the ever-present sarde in saor to calamaretti alla busara. Don’t forget to order a good glass of white wine to go with your food — they have excellent ones and prices are truly affordable.
How to get there: view on map
3 tips for eating in Venice without spending too much
How much does lunch in Venice cost? Is it true that restaurants are very expensive and you risk overspending? These are questions we receive by email almost every day.
It’s true that, especially near St. Mark’s Square, prices can get quite high, and you might run into cheap restaurants that only satisfy tourist tastes. We Italians want to eat well. Here are a few tips to enjoy Venice without overspending:
- Be wary of restaurants where waiters or hosts stand outside trying to pull people in.
- Avoid the most crowded alleys and squares where tourist traffic is highest.
- Choose places where Venetians actually eat — look for spots filled with locals or young residents.
Other affordable trattorias and restaurants in Venice
What you see here is our selection of bacari, trattorias and typical Venetian osterias that we personally tried in recent months. We included two for each district, so wherever you are in the city you can always find a place to eat well at reasonable prices. These are the places where real Venetians go.
Cannaregio District
The Cannaregio district is one of the most interesting areas if you want to eat well in Venice without spending much. You’ll find many restaurants, trattorias and budget-friendly osterias — some of them very characteristic, especially around the Jewish Ghetto area.
Just behind the Jewish quarter, along Fondamenta dei Ormesini, you’ll find countless cafés and osterias where you can have lunch, grab a snack, or simply enjoy an aperitivo. The must-try spots here are:
Al Timòn: sit at a small table right on the Rio della Misericordia canal. We tried several fish-based cicchetti and, of course, the creamed cod (baccalà mantecato). If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth it.
How to get there: view on map
Paradiso Perduto: you can grab your cicchetti and eat outdoors right by the canal, or take advantage of the full osteria service and sit inside. Fish specialties are the highlight — don’t miss the fried dishes. Booking in advance is recommended.
How to get there: view on map
Dorsoduro District
The Dorsoduro district is a slightly more artistic area of Venice and generally less crowded by mass tourism. Here are two typical Venetian osterias where you can eat well without spending too much:
Osteria Al Squero: Venetian crostini (cicchetti) and good house wine are the stars here. The location is fantastic, right next to the historic Squero of San Trovaso — where gondolas used to be repaired. Very popular among locals thanks to the food quality. Perfect for both a budget lunch and an aperitivo.
How to get there: view on map
Osteria Cicchetteria Aea Canevassa: located in the university area, this is a small and welcoming place still run by Venetians. Beyond the friendliness of the owners, locals are cheerful and sociable, and we were impressed by the duck ragù.
How to get there: view on map
Getting Around
If it’s almost lunchtime and you’re tired of walking, just hop on a vaporetto. Below every osteria or budget restaurant listed on this page you’ll find a link to the map. Simply press Directions on your smartphone, then tap the public transport icon at the top to see the nearest stop.
You can buy your ticket online in just a few seconds. This way you won’t need to look for a ticket office — just use the yellow machines at the stops and enter the code you received by email to print your paper ticket.
Did you find a trattoria, osteria or budget restaurant you loved during your walk in Venice? Leave your review in the comments below!
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Sono stato in Venezia l’anno scorso e ho seguito alcuni dei consigli di questo articolo per mangiare alla buona a prezzi accessibili. E’ stato davvero un’esperienza memorabile! L’osteria alla Testa ha detto veramente il meglio della vera cucina veneziana e il prezzo era assai ragionevole. Sarò sicuramente a tornare in queste osterie quando torno a Venezia!
Grazie mille per i suggerimenti! Ho sempre pensato che mangiare bene a Venezia potesse essere troppo costoso, ma ora ho diverse osterie da provare! Non vedo l’ora di assaporare i piatti tipici senza svuotare il portafoglio. Ottimo lavoro!