CICCHETTI
& spritz
One of the best things about Venice is the “Cicchetteria” because they are perfect for kids. A “Cicchetteria” serves small bite-sized dishes (usually eaten with a spritz), and you can usually see them in a display at the bar, which makes it really easy for kids to pick and choose something they like.
Most places have toasted bread topped with various ingredients. Creamed salt cod “baccala”, marinated sardines “sardine in saor”, crude or cooked hams, mortadella, tuna, as well as cheeses.
Meatballs, fishballs & aubergine balls are also popular.
Seafood lovers will also enjoy some of the more traditional cicchetti bars that serve baby octopus or other local specialities.
SPRITZ
Cicchetti are usually enjoyed with a spritz as part of an aperitvo in the early evening.
A spritz is a mix of bitters, white wine and sparkling water, which you can have very bitter made with Campari or slightly less bitter made with Aperol. It’s served in a glass with a slice of orange and an olive. If you want a booze-free alternative ask for a Gingerino (or I like to order a Gingerino with Prosecco – delicious!) Or be brave and order a spritz with Cynar or Select. For something more simple order a “Spritz Bianco”, which is white wine, fizzy water, ice and lemon. See below for a list of all the alternatives.
If you see Venetian with an orange drink at 11am, it IS a spritz, many of them (especially the retired ones) like a drink in the morning! They usually order it in a very small round glass called a “pallina” (which means a small ball).
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Aperol soda – A lightly alcoholic drink with Aperol and soda water. Lighter than the classic spritz.
Campari soda – A lightly alcoholic drink with Campari and soda water. Lighter than the classic spritz.
Birra – You can order beer in a bottle “bottiglia” or on tap “alla spina”.
Gingerino con prosecco – if the usual Spritz are too bitter for you, order a gingerino with prosecco, as I often do!
Spritz – This is the general term for a drink that mixes sparkling water, white wine and a liquor, usually with a green olive inside. It’s a classic Venetian aperitif that now is enjoyed all over Italy and the world. The quantities differ depending on who’s serving it and you can make variations by changing the liquor, or by ordering it with proscecco instead of white wine.
Spritz Bianco – This is the original version of Spritz, which was created by Austrians who found Italian wine too strong, so they watered it down with a splash of water. This is a refreshing alternative if you find the other spritz types too bitter.
Spritz al Aperol – A blend of white white wine and a slightly bitter, bright orange liquor, with a splash of sparkling water.
Spritz al Campari – This version is more bitter than Aperol.
Spritz al Cynar – If you are feeling very adventurous why not order a spritz with cynar, a liquor made from artichokes!
Spritz al Select – Select is also quite bitter but has a hint of orange tones.
Vino – Wine, white “bianco”, red “rosso” or just order a prosecco, as this lightly sparking wine is made in the Veneto region so is always good.
DRINKS FOR THE KIDS (NON-ALCOHOLIC)
Aranciata – A fizzy orange drink, quite refreshing.
Aranciata amara – A slightly bitter orange fizzy drink.
Cedrata – A slightly sour but very thirst-quenching fizzy citrus drink.
Chinotto – A sort of bitter variation of cola.
Granite -Crushed iced, flavoured with a fruity syrup. You can usually find many different flavours including mint “menta”, peach “pesca” and watermelon “anguria”.
Gingerino – A slightly bitter, bright orange fizzy drink. This is a great option if you want to have a non-alcoholic spritz but is equally good if you pair it with prosecco “un gingerino con prosecco”.
Limonata – A slightly bitter lemonade.
Spumante di arancia – Freshly squeezed orange juice.
Succo – Bottled juice. You can get many different flavours, including a bright green apple one. Ask for “succo di mela/arancia/ananas/pera/pesca” (apple/orange/pineapple/pears/peach).
our top 5 ciccheteria
