Food & Traditions
Venetian cicchetti
They are not tapas, not a starter and not a miniature meal. They are simply… cicchetti.
If you walk into a bàcaro and hear someone order “an ombra and two cicchetti”, you are stepping into one of the most ordinary pleasures of Venetian life. These are small bites served at the counter, made to accompany a drink and a pause rather than follow the rules of a full meal.
An osteria tradition
Cicchetti belong to the culture of Venetian bàcari and osterie. For centuries, small bites have accompanied wine, allowing people to stop, eat something and continue their day without turning every pause into a sit-down meal.
What are they for?
Nothing complicated: they accompany an ombra of wine or a Spritz, take the edge off your hunger and, above all, are part of the pleasure of being together. One or two, then perhaps move on to another bàcaro. If you are full after five places, technically it has become dinner, although that probably was not the plan. 😄
What you may find on the counter
Baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor, meatballs, crostini, small octopus, mozzarella in carrozza, eggs, vegetables, fried fish and preparations that change from place to place and from one day to the next.
Cicchetto is a format, not a recipe
That is the key point: there is no universal cicchetti menu. Walk in, look at the counter and choose whatever catches your eye. That is much more Venetian than arriving with a rigid checklist.
The bàcaro tour
Cannaregio, San Polo, Santa Croce and Dorsoduro are just some of the areas where it is enjoyable to move from one bàcaro to another. You do not need to chase ten famous addresses: often the place that looks inviting during your walk is part of the experience.
Marghera Venice Apartments tip
Do not try too hard to translate cicchetti into tapas, finger food or appetisers. After your first bàcaro, you will understand why in Venice we simply call them cicchetti.
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