The spritz: symbol of the Venetian aperitif
The true symbol of aperitif in Venice is the Venetian spritz. Born among calli and campi, it’s prepared with prosecco, soda and Aperol or Select. Enjoyed in front of the Grand Canal or in St. Mark’s Square, it has become a tradition that still today marks the daily life of the city. The spritz is accompanied by cicchetti, the small tastings that tell the story of the typical dishes of ancient Venice: an experience that is not just taste, but conviviality.
Traditional bacari: the authentic spritz
To experience the most genuine soul of the city, enter the best bacari in Venice. In these historic places, often hidden among the calli, spritz is served in its most classic form and accompanied by cicchetti such as:
- baccalà mantecato cremoso
- sarde in saor dal gusto agrodolce
- polpette fritte
- bruschette e tramezzini artigianali
Here the atmosphere is authentic: no frills, just conviviality and glasses of wine served as they used to be.
Modern bistros: spritz and reinvented cicchetti
Alongside the bacari, today you can also find modern bistros that reinterpret the aperitif in a contemporary way. At Farini the spritz is accompanied by creative cicchetti, gourmet pizzas and artisanal pizza al taglio.
- A San Polo, la sede Farini Carlon è perfetta per un aperitivo dopo una passeggiata in centro o una visita al mercato di Rialto.
- Sempre in zona Rialto, Farini Rialto propone cicchetti stagionali e cocktail innovativi.
- A Santa Croce e Campo Santa Margherita, invece, troverai locali giovani e vivaci dove tradizione e modernità si incontrano.
Tips for a perfect Venetian aperitif
- Ordina sempre uno spritz veneziano con cicchetti vari.
- Alterna le tappe: un bacaro tipico per i sapori classici e un bistrot moderno per un tocco creativo.
- Non fermarti alla prima sosta: il bello dell’aperitivo è fare più tappe
Having an aperitif in Venice means discovering the essence of the city: from typical bacari that preserve ancient recipes, to modern places like Farini Carlon and Farini Rialto, to lively neighborhoods like Santa Croce. The Venice spritz, accompanied by cicchetti and typical dishes, is still today the best way to experience the city among glasses of wine, history and innovation.
