So, what are cicchetti? When you visit Venice, you absolutely must try these traditional Venetian small dishes. If you’re unfamiliar with these aperitivo foods, nicknamed Venetian taps, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know. We’ll cover everything from what types of foods you can expect to how to order in Venice. Soon enough, you’ll dine like a local!
What Are Cicchetti?
You may see the word written as ciccheti or cichetti, but the sentiment is the same: mini dishes similar to Spanish tapas. Pronounced “chee-KET-eeh”—ordering these bites will give you a range of fresh, in-season foods to nibble on, allowing you to sample a wide range of traditional Italian specialties.
To understand what are cicchetti, let’s look at their origin. Cicchetti’s meaning is believed to derive from the Latin word ciccus, meaning “little” or “nothing.” Other theories suggest the name originates from the Spanish word “chico,” meaning “small.”
As we dive deeper into what are cicchetti, a quick note. The word cicchetti is the plural of cicchetto, although you’ll pretty much never see it written in the singular form. When it comes to these tasty, tiny bites, it’s impossible to have just one!
The History of Venetian Cicchetti
The concept behind cicchetti most likely originated as fast, easy meals for the merchants of Venice. Imagine throngs of people gathering in a bustling Piazza San Marco or Rialto Market hundreds of years ago, selling and buying wares.
For wine sellers, having a few small bites helped customers absorb some of the alcohol; for others, business deals may have been sealed with a glass and a toast of “cin cin,” along with a snack.
Cicchetti Culture Today
Today, you can find hip places that sell innovative takes on these bites, but the most authentic spot to enjoy them is at a bàcaro (pronounced “BAH-kah-roe”). Bacari in Italy are the Venetian take on taverns—they’re no fuss, usually on the smaller side, and oftentimes standing room only.
Classic Cicchetti Dishes To Order
Now that you know what are cicchetti, you likely want to know how to try them yourself!
Some might consider grabbing cicchetti a kind of aperitivo that Venice has to offer. However, an aperitivo in Italy typically occurs later in the day, whereas eating cicchetti can happen at any time.
Most will be finger food and small enough to consume in a couple of bites (or even whole). You can expect to pay around €1 to €2 per cicchetto, although the price may vary depending on the ingredients. Their price and size make it easy to mix and match to create your ideal meal.
Offerings range from simple items, such as olives or hard-boiled eggs, to tiny sandwiches or fried foods. Considering Venice’s location in the Adriatic Sea, some of the most traditional cicchetti dishes involve seafood, ranging from anchovies to tuna.
Examples of what you might find at a cicchetti bar include baccalà mantecato (whipped salt cod that’s usually on top of slices of grilled polenta), polpette (fried meatballs), insalata di polpo (marinated octopus salad), or sarde in saor (sardines in a sweet and sour vinegar sauce).
Sandwiches make excellent cicchetti fare—paninis, skewered with a toothpick, are easy to grab and enjoy, or tramezzini, triangular-cut white bread sandwiches filled with ingredients like tuna or prosciutto. Many bàcaros will also offer simple yet satisfying finger foods, such as olives, pickled vegetables, or crostini.
Tips for Going to Bacari in Venice
To get some of the best (and most authentic) cicchetti Venice has, you’ll want to visit one of Venice’s traditional bars. This experience will differ from sitting down in a restaurant for a meal. So, along with knowing what are cicchetti, here are some tips to give you the best bacaro experience.
Go Off The Beaten Path
Because locals love their bacari, expect to go off the beaten path to find some delicious cicchetti. Some popular spots include I Rusteghi, Cantina Do Mori, and Bar All’Arco Venezia—but part of the charm of Venice is getting lost, so feel free to venture down the city’s streets and see where they may take you.
Look For Crowds
Have you discovered a bacaro that’s packed to the brim? Good! If a place has a lot of patrons, then the quality is likely top-notch. Heading out for some cicchetti won’t be like an ultra-quiet, relaxed sit-down dinner (most wouldn’t take reservations even if you wanted), but this kind of meal will give you a literal taste of local life.
Standing Room
Speaking of seating, many bacari don’t have any chairs or tables. Luckily, cicchetti don’t require big plates or utensils! If seating is available, please note that a small service fee will be charged if you choose to dine and drink at a table.
Eat Early
If you want to venture out for an evening cicchetti tour in Venice, start early since many bacari close by 8 PM or 9 PM. These morsels make a great snack or meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so you could spend the whole day sourcing cicchetti around the city.
Opt For Wine
Would you like a small portion of wine to accompany your meal? Ask for un’ombra di vino. When merchants sold wine in Piazza San Marco, they would move barrels of wine around to the shady spots to avoid their goods spoiling in the sun. People referred to going for a few glasses of wine as grabbing some shade (or ombra), and Venetians still use the term today.
Super Fresh Fare
Enjoy the freshest ingredients in these small dishes. Because bacari use ripe ingredients from the region, what’s on the menu can change hour by hour.
Affordable Eats
A cicchetti meal won’t break the bank, at only €1 to €2 per item, but bring cash—some bacari are old-school and don’t accept credit card payments.
Manners, Per Piacere
When you’d like to place your order, simply point to the cicchetti in the display case that you’d like. While this doesn’t require any Italian language, people will always appreciate a per favore and grazie!
Get A Personalized Travel Itinerary
What’s the best way to travel to Venice to taste these regional specialties? By train! The Venetian lagood is well-connected by rail. For tips on navigating Italy’s rail system, booking tickets, and making the most of your journey, check out our tips for taking trains in Italy to ensure a smooth and delicious adventure.
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1 thought on “What Are Cicchetti? A Guide To Venice’s Take On Tapas”
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