Originally Posted by
fickleflyer
Like the original poster, I'm a long time lurker. I've read through this amazing thread and the prior one by Oliver about dining in Venice. Our family of three (two adults plus a teen) will be in Venice over Easter. It seems most bacari are closed on Sundays. We have dinner reservations at Al Covo that evening, but would love some lunch ideas. And then on Easter Monday, I'm hoping Osteria Santa Marina will be open but would appreciate any other suggestions. It seems Oliver was disappointed by ai Assasini, and it seems he did a lot of research, so looking for alternatives. Thanks in advance!
Easter is a national holiday called Pasqua, and the day after Easter, called La Pasquetta, is also a national holiday. Rialto Market is closed on Sunday and Monday, so it is harder to get fish, but there are other vendors. You won't have trouble finding good food in Venice during those two days. You just have to be aware of the fact that Venice is full of tourist traps and learn how to avoid them. With few exceptions, anywhere near San Marco Square is going to serve junk food. Anything near the Rialto Bridge, with few exceptions will be junk tourist food. Anything near the train station, or near Strada Nuova is going to be junk tourist food. In fact, it's kind of a tradition to eat out on Easter, it's called Pranzo di Pasqua (Easter lunch). There is plenty of information on this site on how to avoid the tourist traps.
Not true that Bacari are closed on Sunday. Not at all. You can always find dozens of them. Some, like Aciugetta, never close, ever. Not even on Christmas.
I can't guarantee that all of these Bacari will be open on Pasqua, but these are some of the best in Venice, and most will likely be open. Not in order of rank
All'Arco near Rialto Bridge (restaurants there are the worst in the city, as bad as San Marco, but the Bacari are excellent).
Al Merca' nearby.
Bar ai Nomboli, also in San Polo nearby.
Cantina Do Mori, also nearby
Cantina do Spadi, also nearby
Muro Venezia Rialto, also nearby in San Polo
Naranzaria, same neighborhood
Osteria all Ciurma same neighborhood
Osteria Bancogiro (get the picture, best Bacari are in San Polo near Rialto, which has the worst food)
Osteria do Zemei, same neighborhood
Al Timon, near the ghetto in Cannaregio
And for once, a decent Bacaro in San Marco, Trattoria Da Fiore
Not all will be open, but you'll find some that are.
Cantina Vecia Carbonera in Canarregio
Enoteca do Scalone nearby in Canarregio
La Cantina also nearby, but on the dreaded Strada Nuova, so be careful, because they even have a McDonalds on this super touristy street
Osteria all Vedova Ca' D'Oro, Cannaregio
Bacaro Risorto in Castello
Osteria al Portego in Castello
Osteria Alla Staffa, same neighborhood
Cantina di Vini già Schiavi in Dorsoduro (my personal favorite)
Bacaro Risorto in Castello