Bacarretto

There are many things that make a restaurant unforgettable. Sometimes it’s the service. Sometimes it’s the owner. Sometimes it’s the atmosphere. Most of the time, though, it’s the food! Every now and then, however, you happen to find a place that is unforgettable because of the service, the owner, the atmosphere, and the food, and this was the case with Bacarretto! A quaint little restaurant in the heart of Venice, Bacarretto is the very definition of “hidden gem”! When we arrived, we were greeted by Marco, the owner. He was absolutely delightful! We spent quite a bit of time talking about food, and he was a very nice, interesting, and knowledgeable guy! He started us by telling us that he served Sicilian cuisine, which is a little different from everyday Italian cuisine. We already knew this, but it was very considerate of him to tell us, in case we were expecting traditional Italian food. We started off with some caponata di Melanzane, polpette (meatballs), and an assortment of fried Sicilian delicacies. (Various arancini, and some other delicious munchies). We then had fresh pasta with sardines, olive oil, and cherry tomatoes, and pasta al forno (baked pasta with meat sauce and peas.). We finished our meal with homemade cannolis and marzipan cake. Everything was absolutely phenomenal! I highly recommend checking this place out if you’re in Venice! It’s like taking a day trip to Sicily without the plane ride! Absolutely amazing experience!

You MUST come here if you are in Venice. This was a perfect experience both in atmosphere and food. The owner and all of the staff were incredible. The restaurant is authentic Sicilian and all family recipes. I’ve never had such a unique experience like we did here. The nonna meatballs, the focaccia and the cannoli were just amazing.

A Michelin star experience on frito misto. Each item was separate and unique, and all filled with love. This is a sicilian restaurant hidden in the narrow streets of venice, but a treasure worth finding. The best sicilian dishes ever include great meat loaf and nonna pasta. The place resonates with the real italian experience and is also, as every real italian restaurant, child friendly.

Wow! Best dinner experience of my family’s 2 week tour of Italy. We felt like we were being welcomed into Marco’s home where his family had perfected the art of cuisine into a beautiful mix of refinement and comfort of home. This is a rare gem, with a real family making their own family recipes in small batches. We all shared each other’s dishes to experience all the flavors, and each was a masterpiece of flavor. Add to that Marco’s bright, friendly personality and fun atmosphere… amazing!!!

We stumbled into this place, and found it absolutely lovely. The Sicilian owner and his staff are the friendliest, most enthused hosts. They recommended food based on our preferences after a great conversation, and it exceeded expectations. The wine- I asked for white that fit summer, ended up taking a picture of the bottle to find it again. My boyfriend asked for "a nice dry fruity red" and that is exactly what turned up. Great service, delicious food, delectable wine. Family friendly, overall lovely

A true culinary gem in our 3-day trip to Venice. Simply put, if you're looking for an affordable, cozy and quality place to eat this is it ! We dined in Bacarretto on a hot Tuesday evening of June. The humid Venice atmosphere made us dine inside the small bistro of Sicilian origin. They welcomed us even though we didn't make a reservation. We started with a "fritto misto Siciliano" (antipasti starter) with fried eggplant, arrancini balls and chickpeas sticks. It was delicious even though a bit oily. Then we proceeded to the main dishes: tono affumiciato and local Sicilian sausages with oven potatoes. The ingredients were of high quality. We enjoyed our food as much as the friendly environment. All of the people working there allegedly belong to the same family. Highly recommended 👏

Best food experience in Venice. We visited the specific Sicilian restaurant and we had the chance to taste different and exceptional food. The staff was very gentle and helpful. Thank you so much.

finding good food in venice is really difficult but this place absolutely blew us away!! one of the best places we’ve eaten in all of italy !! it had so much flavor and the owners sister was SOOOO sweet. We even ordered seconds of things because we loved them so much!! highly recommend

By far, the best restaurant we went to in Venice. Came here twice on our visit after trouncing around to all the top-rated places on Yelp and Google reviews. This one is unstoppable! Could eat their fried mista platter every day of the week - their fried eggplant, sardine ball, and rice balls in particular. Love the Sicilian spritz, this citrusy blend. The pastas are delicious but that platter and drink were the best foods on our trip. Such an intimate, cozy spot that felt local. 5 stars!!!!

My daughter and I ate dinner here tonight. We got the Pasta Alla Norma and the Meatballs. Both were delicious! We shared our food and definitely eat the pasta before the meatballs. The meatballs have a stronger sauce on them so you need a palate cleanser before eating the Pasta Alla Norma after the meatballs. For dessert we got cannolis and they were wonderful as well! I've been disappointed at the cannolis in Italy so far and was searching for some really delicious ones. I FOUND THEM HERE!:)

I was disappointed after seeing the rave reviews. I had the special of the day - fries fish balls made of cod. Well fried but dry. I also tried the eggplant caponata which was good but nothing special. Service was polite but I noticed the server explaining more about the restaurant being Sicilian to other customers, making me wonder why she shared much less info with me.

Located on a quiet Calle in beautiful Venice, Bacarretto Bistrot offers warm service and delicious food, in an inviting space. Our group of eight ordered a variety of appetizers, pastas, desserts and drinks. The standout for me, was the homemade Tiramisu, cannoli, and an amaretto spritz - which the owner, Marco, made for me personally. The Mr's favorite was the carbonara with smoked tuna. In addition to great food, we were treated to excellent conversation with Marco. As a retired teacher, I appreciated his love of the children he tutors, and the beautiful children's art that decorated the restaurant. Bacarretto Bistrot was one of my favorite dining experiences in Venice.

My wife and I were traveling to Venice in April 2024. We found Bacaretto on Yelp with a 4.9 stars rating and decided we have to try it. My wife messaged Marco the owner through What'sApp for a 6:30 pm reservation and he confirmed in a few minutes. We were seated right away upon getting to the restaurant at 6:30. We ordered the Sicilian fried platter, pasta al forno and smoked tuna with Burrata cheese. Everything was really good. The pasta was cooked al dente and the bolognese was flavorful. For dessert we had the cannoli with pistachios. The pistachios were not in the menu but Marco just added it in because we asked for it. The cannoli was really good with a lot of ricotta cheese. Marco took the time to talk to his customers. He even remembered my name from the reservation. I definitely recommend this restaurant when you're in Venice. Thank you Marco!

Tried this spot and it was one of the highlights of Venice. The service was top notch and our pasta was delicious. Loved the children's drawings hung as art around the dining room.

The restaurant is off the beaten path, which was a plus for us. It was actually right next to our AirBnb! The owner made space for us even though we didn't have a reservation and served us very quickly. The food itself was tasty and fresh. The pasta was cooked to a nice Al dente. The sauces were fresh, light, and simple. The shrimp were over cooked which is something I'd usually take a star off for (plus that might be how the dish is traditionally made?), but the host/owner was so warm and accommodating that I had to give them a 5/5. The food was overall great though, don't get me wrong.

One night, while exploring Venice in search of dinner, my wife and I noticed a crowd gathered in front of a restaurant. This interested us, so we went inside and asked if a table was available. Alas, one was not, nor would one be that night. We then decided to make a reservation for the following night. This proved to be a wise choice. Everything about Bacaretto is superb-the food, the service and the ambiance. After dinner, we enjoyed a conversation with Marco. It is obvious, in talking with him, that he brings joy to his work, and that he wants to share this joy with his guests. In this, he succeeds admirably. Of course, we made another reservation. Of course, the second dinner was every bit the equal of the first. If we have the good fortune to ever return to Venice, we will return to Bacarretto il Siciliano-probably several times. Of course, we will make a reservation first. Mille grazie a te, Marco e a tutto il tuo staff. You helped to make our trip to Venice truly memorable.

BEST DINNER YET!! When you hear people talk about eating in Italy, this is what they are talking about!! Italy is not just spaghetti & pizza. It is so much more. If you are ever in Venice, go see Marco. The food was unbelievable. From the starter to the dessert, there wasn't a bad bite. If I could could give this 10 stars I would!!! Service is slower than we expected in USA. I suggest you relax and enjoy the delicious meal.

I'm so mad I didn't take any photos of the dishes. Hands down the best place we ate at in Venice and worth the walk. The staff was incredibly kind and the food blew us away. My husband and I got their take on carbonara and the pasta alla Norma for our entrees (both to die for) and the cassatina Siciliana (highly recommend trying) and cannoli for dessert. A MUST if you're visiting Venice.

Found this on Yelp (thanks Yelp!) and made a reservation thru Fork. This small bistro does not have a website and unfortunately my reservation was somehow canceled after we'd left for our trip and I had no idea. Marco was gracious enough to accept us in anyway and I'm so glad he did! Many were turned away after that so make sure you have a (legit) reservation! The place is tiny and popular! Hubby had the sea bass special and I had the pasta al forno...both dishes so simple yet so tasty and fresh and the cannoli! OMG the cannoli...be sure to leave room for that! It has been noted in reviews how personable the owner Marco is and it's true. He is a busy man running this tiny place but will take the time to talk and joke with you. Schoolteacher by day, restauranteur by night! His "kids" drawings adorn the ceiling and while we were there at Halloween he was super sweet and attentive to the trick or treaters that came in. Very much recommend this place!

Marco is a culinary genius! Bacarretto is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Italy, and the fact that it's Silician food in Venice is special. He started this place in 2015. It's a beautiful story--ask him about it and why there are drawings posted on the ceiling. I came in by myself, a little shy about my lack of Italian, but Marco speaks excellent English. I can't believe I ate so much food here. In addition to a few glasses of wine, Marco brought me a platter of mozzarella and proscuitto atop lettuce and drizzled with a mouthwatering dressing. Great appetizer that preceded my main course of linguine and shrimp with an almond and wildfennel pesto. One of the best dishes I've ever eaten in my LIFE. The food at Bacarretto brings people together--local families as well as visitors passing through. It's a small rotating menu, but everything is fresh and delicious. Marco is also active on Instagram so check out what's cooking. Definitely not a substitute for stopping by and receiving royal Silician treatment, though. I'd give this 6 out of 5 stars if I could!

This was one of the best dinners we've had during our Italy trip. The food was so yummy, fresh, and homemade. You literally cannot go wrong with choosing a dish. Also, make sure to end your meal with one of their cannolis because they're perfectly crispy and creamy. The biggest thing that stands out about this place is the service. The owner is hilarious and made our dinner such a fun experience! Important note: the place is air conditioned and not a touristy spot which is definitely nice during the summer haha. I would highly recommend going here if you're looking for a fun dinner with comforting meals and a good environment.

A Great time, went here on our last night in Venice, and the ambiance and food were a perfect send off

We walked five miles round trip to eat here and it was worth every step. We've been in Italy for a bit and have been slightly disappointed by the food we'd eaten. But then we found this place. Easily the best meal we've had while visiting and probably a top 5 meal in my lifetime. The owner and his family are incredibly fun to talk to and so proud of their food. And rightly so. The cannoli was fresh and made to order with candied citrus and dark chocolate. The roast beef was served cold (it's supposed to be) with tomatoes and the freshest burrata I've ever had. The pasta Al Norma had this incredible basil sauce drizzled on it. I just can't say enough good stuff about it. Thank you for sharing your food with us.

The food was excellent and a nice change from rest of northern Italy's food as its Sicilian. The service was immaculate and had the friendliest staff. All of us enjoyed the food and they have colourings hanging from the ceiling which was cool to recognize characters from shows that people coloured.

Phenomenonal restaurant, owned by a man from Sicily, whose sister is the chef. Absolutely amazing! Small place, personalized service by the owner who treats you like family. A highlight of our time in Venice!

Hands down this was the best food I had in the two weeks we traveled to Italy! We spent time in Rome, Florence and Venice. The dishes were authentic and amazing. I had caponata and a shrimp and pasta dish... The staff was so warm and accommodating. Outstanding! It was so delicious I decided to take a chance on ordering dessert as I had a cannoli at some other place on anther day and it was an embarrassment. The cannoli was the best cannoli I have ever had! Please, if you are in Venice, don't miss this wonderful place!

Phenomenal service, phenomenal taste. Dining here is an incredible experience. The meatballs were also very good, and the pasta with the eggplant is amazing. Basil sauce on the eggplant pasta is absolutely amazing and worth the visit.

We stopped in for an afternoon snack while waiting to check in to our hotel. The meatballs and fried appetizer medley were delicious. The server recommended a great beer from Sicily and it was just that. The 1/2 pistachio-choc chip cannoli was the star of the show and we almost went back just to have it again but we were tight on time. We would get just pistachio next time as it was that good. Great service and a cool little spot away from all of the busy tourist areas. Would definitely go back!

The short of this review is this place is amazing. A must try if you're even remotely close to the area. The food is amazing, the people and owners/workers are wonderful people with love and passion for what they do. From the moment we made the reservation and talked to the nice lady, until we left the restaurant a little after 11:00pm we felt like friends and family to Marco and his family. From the journey of his family to the start of the restaurant, the meaning behind the ambiance inside, to the cleanliness of the restrooms, and restaurant over all, to the freshness of our fish, and the delicious wine, it was all top notch and very reasonable for the price. We've been on vacation for 2 and a half weeks from Athens and several other islands in Greece, Montenegro, Crete, Split, and Italy, this was a meal to remember. Our whole group agreed that it was probably our favorite meal we could remember, and for sure our favorite meal of the trip. We asked Marco questions about the restaurant and the food and how it began, and as he told the story we got a glimpse in to the food and it wet our appetite but once we tasted his food and the love and heart that went in to these family recipes we felt like friends through his food but by the end of the meal we felt like family. So much love in this restaurant and delicious food. If I'm ever in Venice Italy again, I will come back to see my friend and his restaurant. Ciao!

I am sorry, but I make a point of not handling other people's phones. I am certain I'm not alone in this practice. How difficult would it be to have a single paper menu as a convenience? Most restaurants even have a menu posted at the entrance, but not you. I would suggest you reconsider your unusual policy. Ciao.

Didn't have a reservation but was able to get a seat after about 10-15minutes of waiting. The food was delicious and the staff was so kind. Definitely the best food we had while in Venice

What an AMAZING traditional family place! The food, the service and the atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. If you are in Venice you must come here. Make sure to make a reservation!!

Amazing restaurant! Owner is on site and involved. Great pairing of wine recommendations with the meal. Central location, nice intimate setting, staff is responsive and accommodating. I can't wait to go back!!

For as touristy as Venice is- my husband and I agreed that we ate some of the best food in this city during our trip to Italy. Bacarretto provided a great dining experience- the restaurant is small, cozy, friendly but most importantly great quality food at terrific prices for Venice... just make sure to make a reservation! It's hard not to want to try everything you set your eyes on in Italy.. there's so much variety in the foods of this country and Bacarretto showcases the depth by offering a wide variety of dishes which made this such a fun experience! For starters we ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana and Stuffed Sardines. The Eggplant Parmigiana consisted of fried eggplants, cheese, tomato sauce, fresh basil cream. The slices of tender eggplant coated in homemade breadcrumbs, and then layered with melted cheeses & rich marinara and basil cream was sooo amazing! The stuffed and breaded sardines, with orange and lemon peel, almonds and basil was a must order! Sardines are amazing on their own but stuffed sardines were something I never would have thought of, but they pulled it off! The sardines were huge and stuffed to the gills (pun intended). For main dishes we ordered the Involtini Di Carne Alla Palermitana which translates to beef meat rolls stuffed with flavored breadcrumbs, raisins, and pine nuts. This dish was soooo good!!! I loved the use of the raisins and pine nuts inside the meat. The roasted potatoes on the side are also worth talking about. They were buttery, herby and roasted to perfection. You didn't think we would forget to order a dessert did you?! You're in Italy on vacation- it's required that you order a dessert with every meal!! Their cannolis are phenomenal!! Best cannoli I've ever had the pleasure of eating. This huge crispy waffle stuffed with sweet Ricotta cheese and pieces of pistachio topped was so fun to split with my husband. They are made fresh to order so save some room for this treat! We left Bacarretto with big smiles on our face. Thanks to the staff for being so friendly and providing us a memorable meal!

This place is a hidden gem. It's a family-owned Sicilian restaurant and their food is excellent. We ordered the fried sampler, baked pasta, eggplant pasta, smoked tuna, sausage and potatoes, and cannoli. Every dish was a hit and the service was fantastic. There is a reason this place gets such high ratings.

Slightly off the beaten path, and quite a find. Owner and food were great, and his personality and passion shone through everything. Terrific meals for all of us, Sicilian fare, a little jewel.

The atmosphere was amazing! The food was incredible! And the owner had the best customer service in all of Venice. You can tell he truly cares about those coming into his restaurant. Also, if you can order anything eggplant, I highly recommend. It was sad when our meal was over.

This small somewhat hard to find bistrot in the Santa Croce is a great find. The owner is a Silician from Palermo. No tourist places nearby. The have 4 tables outside in a covered area and 9 tables inside. They have a limited menu of both food and drinks. The roof is decorated with children's artwork. I started with their Fritto Misto (breaded aubergines/eggplant slices, rice balls with beef & peas, rice balls with ham & mozzarella, chickpea flour sticks, mini calzone with ham & mozzarella, mini calzone with anchovies & mozzarella) for 16 Euro and a glass of 2018 Etna Rosso red wine (6 Euro). My 2nd course was Filleto Di Orata Alla Griglia Con Pesto di Mandorle E Zucchini (grilled sea bream with almonds and zucchini pesto) for 14 Euro. I paired it with a glass of 2021 Insolia white wine (5 Euro). A wonderful mild fish with a tasty & crunchy pesto. For dessert, I had 2 mini pistachio cannoli's with Coffe Corretto (expresso with Sambuca). The Coffe had quite a kick. They have no printed menus, but their menu thru a QR code was quick and my mobile security app said their WIFI was secure. The owner came to my table. He has been here 7 years. They charge a 2 Euro cover charge and 2,50 Euro for still/sparkling water.

Fantastic food and incredible owner Marco we thank you and your staff for an incredible meal and sharing of stories. Zucchini pasta pasta plus a smoked veggie fruit tuna was buenismo my friend

Wonderful food and service the menu is limited but everything is homemade with a family recipe. Small location but very special.

We enjoyed a nice meal at Bacarretto. Everything we tried was good from the food, to the wine, to the beer. And, we enjoyed visiting with the owner who is also a school teacher. The restaurant is small and intimate. There were a number of locals there when we visited. We enjoyed the experience and a meal away from the more touristy places.

Worth the walk from the grand canal. Pasta is the perfect al dente. Simple pasta yet delicious. The eggplant was cooked into the sauce perfectly. Perfect lunch after a long travel from the aiport.

Excellent service, ambience, and food. Their pasta was perfectly cooked and had the perfect balance of spice. I would recommend them to anyone passing for great food and service.

My husband and I are visiting a bunch of places in Italy for our honeymoon and I came across this amazing little place! The owner came and spoke with us, explaining that all of the recipes came from his family. Everything we tried was incredible and authentic! Simple and perfect. Opening this restaurant was their dream - and they're so happy they did it. After eating here and speaking with him, we're happy they did it too!! One of the best meals and experiences of the trip!!

Food was very tasty. The owner said this was a Sicilian restaurant, not Venetian, but the swordfish with ragout was amazing. Ask the owner for a wine recommendation. Cozy place with a family atmosphere.

Everything about this restaurant was fantastic, we had amazing food with amazing wine with fantastic service. Marco was super fun we had a blast talking with him. Would give this restaurant 6 stars if I could. Absolute must do when in Venice.

10/10 cannot recommend this spot enough. I NEVER leave reviews (although I rely on them)... nonetheless I cannot rave about this place enough. From the friendly staff (served by the owner Marco), delicious food, and willingness to share Nonna's recipes.... A++++

One of the loveliest meals we had during our 2 week Stay in Italy. In addition to delicious food, the graciousness of the owner and staff was a treat. We had a simple meal with carbonata to start...it has eggplant olives and served on toast. Not heavy and unlike anything I've ever had. Loved it. Husband has sea bass which was light with a great sauce but don't know what it was and I had linguine with shrimp. Oh my goodness...tender shrimp and perfect pasta. Heaven. Husband had to try cannoli and I don't like cannoli, but I loved this. Special ricotta from Sicily in it. Eat here as soon as you can. Great price, even better food and welcoming restaurant that serves some of the best food in Venice.

Food is amazing. Fish was excellent- clam and spaghetti dinner is one of the best dishes I have eaten. Marco owner/waiter was engaging, charismatic and recommended excellent wine pairings. Would recommend!

This is one of those warm, intimate, family-run businesses that exudes the personality of the owner. Marco grew up in Palermo; and the menu comprises mostly family recipes from Sicily. Among the highlights were a delicious fritto misto (reminiscent of cicchetti) and pasta with shrimp and pistachio. But while the food was all wonderful, the real draw is the atmosphere. Marco, who teaches at a local elementary school in addition to running the restaurant, is a born host. The night we were there (at the tail end of the season on a a Tuesday) the place was packed. Yet, somehow, Marco managed to talk and joke with every single patron. Hundreds of drawings--mostly by child customers but also some adults--hang from the ceiling, as a kind of tribute to the creativity of his clientele. If you want to feel welcome, eat at Bacarretto.

Marco was very friendly and helpful, loved his food the fish dish bream was cooked perfectly with veggies. He suggested wine to accompany and the meal was great.

The food was very good. Hands down our favorite meal while in Venice. Highly recommend it.

The place is outstanding. A true Sicilian restaurant that takes great pride in the quality of the food. Enthusiastic, friendly and attentive staff made for a great dining experience.

My wife and I were on day 12 of a 28 day trip through Europe and with our stop in Venice we have officially found the best food of our trip so far. The food was authentic and service was incredible. The owner took the time to visit with each table. Not sure how this place wasn't more crowded than it was. A true hidden gem!

Found this little gem based off other reviews and it was amazing! The owner and his little son (who is beyond adorable) were working, very friendly and welcoming. We were reminded this is a traditional Sicilian restaurant and the cooking would reflect that. It was awesome! Tried fried beef and pea rice ball (sounds gross but yummy) pasta with eggplant, tomato sauce and cream of basil (holy hell yumm!) and cannoli (uhhh, this is not the American version. This was the real thing and I'm ruined forever!). This plus 5 glasses of house wine (also decent, judgers) was all only 41€. In this semi tourist trap you can pay 20€ for a plate of cheese if you stay around the big landmarks. Go in alleys. Find little local spots. It's so worth it!

We would give more stars if we could!!! My husband and I arrived drenched and hungry with no reservation. (Make a reservation!!) Marco graciously took us in and made us feel like family. The food is truly amazing. We had the stuffed sardines and caponata di melanzanie for starters. Unbelievable. We then had a plate of pasta with tuna, followed by sea bream with lemon pine nuts and raisins which was served over delicious greens. My husband had the roast beef, burrata and mushrooms. We stayed and talked to Marco and learned about his family and the story behind his restaurant. Don't miss this place!

Stop everything and eat here. We ordered the Parmigiana Di Melanzane (fried eggplant, cheese, tomato sauce., fresh basil sauce) to start and the fresh pasta with shrimp and zucchini and the smoked tuna, Buratta mozzarella with pistachio and peach. We want to rewind and start all over. That good. And the pistachio cannoli was the icing on top. The owner so friendly as well. A true gem.