Introduction
Venice is famous for its canals, palaces and winding alleys, but it’s just as much a city of shared little bites. Cicchetti — those Venetian snacks served at the counters of bacari and small osterie — are the local art of grazing: garlic-rubbed bread, slices of polenta, marinated vegetables, topped crostini and tiny fritters. For vegan travelers the challenge is to discover these culinary gems without compromising dietary needs or missing out on the spot’s authenticity.
Contenu de l'article
This article is dedicated to vegan cicchetti, tested on the ground in Venice. It’s not a theoretical list: these are places we visited and evaluated for the quality of their plant-based options, ingredient freshness, creativity and friendliness. You’ll find practical info — exact addresses, opening hours, price ranges in euros, sensory descriptions and local tips — so you can plan a stress-free cicchetti crawl.
Venice’s food scene has evolved: where veganism used to be marginal, many bacari today offer at least two to four vegan cicchetti, and a few spots have even specialized in plant-based cooking with a relaxed, informal approach. Understanding cicchetto culture helps you enjoy the experience more: you order at the counter, you usually pay when you leave, and you’ll often pair your bites with a spritz, a local white wine or a chilled prosecco. Socializing is central — locals often stand around high tables, sharing plates and conversation.
This guide will lead you step-by-step to the best vegan cicchetti in Venice through a selection of tested addresses, visual cues, phrases to use when ordering in Italian, and tips to avoid tourist traps. From marinated eggplants and crispy polenta to mushroom crostini and little roasted vegetable skewers, you’ll find tasty vegan alternatives that respect the soul of a Venetian bacaro. Get your palate ready, put on your walking shoes, and let yourself be guided through the calli and campi where eating on the go becomes its own social ritual.
1) Cantina Do Mori — history and vegan cicchetti in the historic heart
Cantina Do Mori is often cited as one of Venice’s oldest bacari — a place full of history located a stone’s throw from the Rialto. Address: Cantina Do Mori, Calle dei Do Mori 429, 30125 Venezia VE. Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:00; closed Sunday (hours may vary in high season). Price range: vegan cicchetti from €2.50 to €6.00 each; glasses of wine from €2.50. During our visits we sampled several vegan options displayed at the counter and prepared to order.
The charm of Cantina Do Mori lies in its traditional tavern vibe: low beams, walls lined with bottles, a compact but lively space. The vegan cicchetti here are simple but well made: tramezzini with grilled vegetables and artichoke tapenade, lightly spiced lentil polpette served on a bed of salad, and small toasts topped with a cannellini bean cream brightened with lemon zest. The bread is crisp, the plant-based mayo (available on request) is homemade, and the olive oil often comes from local producers.
Practical tips: arrive early to grab a spot at the counter and watch the staff assemble the cicchetti. If you have allergies or want to avoid dairy, ask in Italian: « Sono vegano/vegana, è possibile senza latticini e uova ? » (I’m vegan — is it possible without dairy and eggs?). Cantina Do Mori will generally accept simple modifications; allow 10–15 minutes for service when the place is busy. Payment is made at the counter when you leave.
2) All’Arco (Cantina All’Arco) — small portions, big creativity
All’Arco is another cicchetti landmark in the San Polo neighborhood: Cantina All’Arco, Calle dell’Arco 427, 30125 Venezia VE. Opening hours: weekdays 11:00–20:00, late closing times vary; often closed on Sundays. Prices: vegan cicchetti €2.00–€5.50; glass of wine from €2.00. This cantina, popular with locals, stands out for fast preparations and a high turnover of dishes at the counter.
The All’Arco experience is that of a buzzing bacaro where plates circulate and you need to be quick when ordering. For vegans, our tests highlighted mushroom crostini sautéed with garlic and parsley, arrostiti peppers (grilled peppers) marinated in olive oil and basil, and excellent chickpea-and-herb polpette. The smoky flavor of grilled vegetables and good local oil often make the difference: simple, yet deeply satisfying.
Practical tips: watch out for peak hours (12:30–14:30 and 19:00–21:00). If you’re in a group, order a variety of cicchetti to share so everyone gets a taste. Ask for a « bicchiere di vino bianco locale » (a glass of local white wine) to pair with vegan cicchetti — Veneto wines are often light and fruity, pairing nicely with vegetable dishes. Don’t forget to check whether the oil used is purely plant-based, since some traditional recipes can include butter or grated cheese.
3) La Zucca — inventive vegetarian cooking with solid vegan options
La Zucca is a well-known Venice restaurant focused on vegetables and vegetarian offerings. Address: La Zucca, Calle del Tintor 1762 (or Calle de la Zucca), 30135 Venezia VE — located near Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio by local landmarks. Opening hours: generally open Tuesday–Saturday; lunch 12:30–14:30 and dinner 19:30–22:30; closed Mondays (check seasonal hours). Prices: vegetarian mains €12.00–€22.00; vegetable cicchetti/antipasti €4.00–€8.00. La Zucca has a reputation for creative, seasonal vegetable cooking and regularly offers vegan alternatives.
This place feels more like a refined osteria than a bacaro, but it deserves mention because its small plates and antipasti can sometimes resemble elevated cicchetti — perfect for a seated vegan meal. Dishes we tried include zucchini tempura with a lemon vegan mayo, eggplant-and-roasted-pepper mille-feuille, and a warm beluga lentil salad with rosemary. The chefs seek balance between textures and flavors: crisp versus soft, acidity versus sweetness.
Practical tips: La Zucca is popular — reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner. For strict vegans, specify « sono vegano/vegana, senza latte e uova » and ask if dishes can be adapted (many will happily accommodate). Portions can be generous; share several antipasti to build a full meal. Carry some cash because some older establishments still prefer cash, even though most now accept cards.
4) Osteria Alla Vedova and bacari around Campo Santa Margherita — student circuit and vegan options
Osteria Alla Vedova sits in the lively student quarter near Campo Santa Margherita: Osteria Alla Vedova, Calle della Madonna 594, 30125 Venezia VE (San Polo). Hours: often open daily for lunch and dinner, roughly 11:30–23:00 depending on season. Prices: cicchetti €2.50–€6.50; mains €10.00–€20.00. Around Campo Santa Margherita you’ll find many bacari popular with students and young people, offering affordable cicchetti that are often easy to adapt to vegan versions.
During our visits, Osteria Alla Vedova offered a range of vegan small plates: white bean salad with olive oil and red onion, grilled polenta with mushrooms and rocket, and bruschette topped with black olive tapenade. The atmosphere is loud but friendly — ideal for a cicchetti crawl with friends. Bars and restaurants around Campo Santa Margherita are convenient for a progressive evening: stop at one bacaro for a drink and two cicchetti, then move on to the next.
Practical tips: the neighborhood stays lively late — perfect if you want extended opening hours. Many places here accept simple substitutions: ask « può essere vegano? » (can this be made vegan?) and staff will often suggest an alternative. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas; keep your belongings close. If you need gluten-free bread, mention it when ordering — some bacari can provide specialty bread or alternatives on request.
5) Paradiso Perduto & other vegan-friendly spots — alternative aperitifs and modern creations
Paradiso Perduto (often listed as Paradiso Perduto Vegan) is an informal bar-restaurant known for vegan options and an alternative vibe. Address: Paradiso Perduto, Campo San Barnaba 2757, 30123 Venezia VE (Dorsoduro). Opening hours: typically 12:00–23:00; closed some weekdays (check ahead). Prices: vegan cicchetti/plates to share €4.00–€9.00; mains €8.00–€15.00. Paradiso Perduto offers inventive takes inspired by Venetian tradition but with many dishes 100% plant-based.
On our visit we enjoyed creative cicchetti: black rice croquettes with saffron and vegetables, beet tartare on rye toasts, mini skewers of balsamic-glazed seitan and smoked tofu bites. The vibe is relaxed, often filled with students and artists, and the menu offers good value. Paradiso Perduto also provides gluten-free options and can usually tailor dishes for intolerances.
Practical tips: if you want something less traditional but very satisfying for a vegan aperitivo, this type of spot is ideal. Bring an idea of the wines you like — staff can often recommend a local natural or biodynamic bottle. In high season, book or arrive early to avoid queues. Finally, keep a short list of Italian questions handy to clarify ingredients: for example, « contiene glutine? contiene soia? » (does it contain gluten? does it contain soy?).
General tips for a vegan cicchetti crawl in Venice
- How to order: Key Italian phrases speed up service: « Sono vegano/vegana » (I’m vegan), « Senza latticini e uova, per favore » (no dairy and eggs, please), « Posso avere senza formaggio? » (can I have it without cheese?).
- Best times: Aim for 11:00–13:30 and 16:00–18:30 for a calmer experience and fresher choices at the counter.
- Budget: Expect roughly €10–€20 per person for a crawl of 4–6 cicchetti plus a glass of wine. For a full seated meal at places like La Zucca, budget €25–€40 per person.
- Local etiquette: Many bacari are small and noisy; keep your bag close and follow the locals’ pace — ordering at the counter is the norm.
- Allergies and swaps: Most bacari can remove cheese or swap a sauce if you ask politely; however, some traditional recipes use lard or pancetta — always check with staff.
Conclusion
Far from being closed off to modern diets, Venice offers a joyful range of vegan cicchetti — from traditional adaptations (grilled peppers, polenta, mushroom crostini) to bold creations from contemporary vegan chefs and bars. Hunting down vegan cicchetti in bacari and small osterie is above all entering a social ritual: you order at the counter, share, compare flavors and eat standing or seated as you wish. The places listed here — Cantina Do Mori, All’Arco, La Zucca, Osteria Alla Vedova and Paradiso Perduto — cover everything from authentic to inventive, with vegan options tested for taste, quality and authenticity.
Practical and tasty, a vegan cicchetti route also lends itself to happy accidents: follow the scent of fried eggplant, the sight of a colourful board at the counter, and above all the friendliness of Venetians. For a smooth crawl, learn a few useful Italian phrases, go at the right times, carry some cash and always state your restrictions. Prices are generally affordable — a euro or two for a small cicchetto, a few euros more for a more elaborate preparation — which makes sampling lots of bites very doable.
Finally, remember that Venice is best discovered on foot between bites. Combine your stops with contemplative pauses along the Grand Canal, detours to the Rialto market to admire the stalls, and moments on campo benches to taste your cicchetti while watching everyday life. Each bacaro has its own character: some will charm you with simplicity, others with inventiveness. With a curious and respectful attitude, you’ll leave feeling you experienced not just a meal, but a little Venetian ceremony — light, shared and deliciously vegan.
