The best bars and cafés Veneto

If you don't have the opportunity to stay in this historic hotel (a luxurious 4-star hotel), nothing prevents you from having a drink in its bar, a small showcase for the evening. The setting is sumptuous, all in wood and with preserved antiques. Among the rites of Cortina, it is the most practiced: one goes there for an aperitif before dinner, as Hemingway did. Inspiring, isn't it? Among the cocktails, we recommend lemon-strawberry vodka, but also Dolomiti, made with grappa and raspberry, subtle and original.

The village's unmissable café, a meeting place for the whole of Asolo, serves cocktails invented by the Venetian Cipriani (the one at Harry's Bar). All made from prosecco, they are mixed in winter with orange juice (Mimosa), in spring with strawberry juice, in summer with pink peach juice (Bellini), in autumn with grape and strawberry juice (Tiziano). The most original, the aperitivo della casa, is Tintoretto, which mixes prosecco and pomegranate juice. Some grocery products are on sale, including oil from the Asolo hills and green apple jams.

A trendy address for young people and offers a super "happy hour". This very nice bar, hosted by a French woman, is located opposite the university. A guaranteed student atmosphere!

One of the many meeting points of the young people of Venice. As its name indicates, in this wine bar you can enjoy a drink on a jazz background in an exhilarating light atmosphere. The Bacaro offers a fine selection of beers, cocktails and wines to drink in glass. Late in the evening, waiters from the restaurants of the surrounding area have a last drink. In the afternoon, it's the ideal place to enjoy a drink between friends, while in the evening, more "hot", there are other epicurean who also appreciate this address.

This neighborhood establishment on the edge of Castello and San Marco is a nice place to take a break, after a day's work or between two walks, hence the mix of locals and vacationers. From breakfast to dinner, from morning espresso to evening cocktails, people come here to eat on the go, in the dining room or on the terrace, with a range of inexpensive and efficient dishes on the menu: salads, assorted fried fish, tomato-mozza, among other choices.

This café has a beautiful location in the shadow of the sculptural Clock Tower. It is one of the historical addresses of San Marco square. The prices are almost similar to the other famous cafés nearby but who cares, as long as there is drunkenness and you have a good time watching the crowd, consuming Spritz and stuffed tramezzini, comfortably installed in your armchair. Inside, a Murano glass floor lamp is the Lavena's signature. Each of its branches is topped by a white-capped Moor's head.

A nice and cozy shop where Francesca has managed to unite her two passions, that for books and that for good wine (she also has a past as a wine grower). On the walls of this charmingly retro address, dozens of book covers (of movies, for children, etc.) are displayed on the shelves like paintings: monographs, stories, fables... They surround long recycled and flowery tables. Behind the zinc, where the kitchenette is located, hot drinks and aperitifs are prepared, accompanied by pastries or planks of cold cuts.

Take a break in a business with sober and elegant lines, a rather unusual place which rests on a triptych of café, wine bar and art gallery. Imagina welcomes you from morning to night and until late on weekends. You can come for a simple espresso with a brioche, a focaccia with grilled vegetables or cannelloni with spinach. You can also come to share an aperitif with friends, over a cocktail or a glass of regional wine, all in a setting enhanced by modern furniture and contemporary paintings.

In the heart of the city, this wine bar, also called La Mandorla, is exceptional for its atmosphere, which recalls that of the 1950s and 1960s, with its black and white photos on the walls. Ideal to drink something at the end of the day in a vintage atmosphere. The choice of craft beers is vast, as well as regional wines and cocktails; a little originality, the traditional Spritz is served here in jam jars! As a side dish, meat or rice croquettes, focaccia and mini-pizzas.

A bewitching atmosphere between Venetian style and the splendours of the Orient, for the bar-café of the sumptuous Hotel Metropole. The barman skillfully blends various alcohols and spices for cocktails (try the Vivaldi Martini), teas or drinks with unexpected and original flavours. A surprising and totally exotic place, opening the doors to the kingdom of the East. Between April and October, the bar moves to the peaceful garden of the Met restaurant, which comes alive on Friday nights to the sound of trendy DJs (smooth jazz and Ibiza hits).

Definitively modern atmosphere which slices with the style of the Venetian bacari to approach more the New Yorkean bars: high stools, iron bed, bar out of stone and contemporary art set the tone. The clientele mixes with the buildings of all the ages and the discussion is quickly committed with the travellers in a "cool" atmosphere rather. Very good cocktails, ciccheti and club sandwich.

Four generations of craftsmen have made the Ferracina pastry shop famous. It is located behind the Basilica Palladiana. It is an ideal address to have breakfast with a cappuccino and stuffed buns, or to have tea at five o'clock... It's up to you to find the best time. Regulars flock here on Sundays (after mass) to get the dessert for the family meal. Specialties of the house: the mille-feuille, the fruit petits fours and the baba au rhum.

A pleasant little family-run tavern in the heart of the town, known as "Da Franco" (Franco's), which serves a wide range of lunch dishes, including a pork sandwich to take away. But it's at aperitif time that people flock here for their bruschette, pints of beer and vino della casa. The small adjoining grocery offers a fine selection of cheeses (try the morlacco or the bastardo del Grappa, extremely tasty) and a wide range of regional cured meats.

No fuss here, but the real Venice, the one of the civil servants who swallow their espresso before going to the office, the one of the fishermen who stop for a spritz in the evening, the one of the children who ask for a brioche for their snack after school. The setting is not too seductive, but the bar overlooks a lovely campo (a stone's throw from the Frari basilica). And we love it! Each drink is followed by small free snacks (rare in Venice) and by its lot of local discussions. The whole at unbeatable prices.

Right in front of the beautiful Basilica dei Frari, a picturesque café whose soft lights and red front invite you in. A slightly bohemian atmosphere reigns here, with its leather benches, the dimmed lights, the scenes painted on the walls, and the incredible balcony that guards the mezzanine. We like to sit at one of the small tables for an aperitivo or a light lunch. Gourmet cocktails like the Sunset in Cambaluc, with paprika and raspberry infused vodka, make the barman one of the most experienced in Venice.

A small bar that seems to blend into the string of tourist addresses of the central street of Burano, and yet where the "old" of the village like to meet to sip their evening white. Indeed, cocktails, tramezzini (club sandwich) and panini are not bad at all here. Go there to breathe an authentic atmosphere while having a little black at the counter, or for a spritz on the terrace. Good salads and bruschette for lunch, the time to take a break between two visits. And you won't be overwhelmed by the crowd!

It is the café-restaurant of the Hotel Astor, enjoying one of the most beautiful terraces in the city with its magnificent view of the Piave Valley. The setting is chic, with birch trunk columns serving as decorative fences. The plate, distinguished as quality cuisine by the experts of the Michelin Guide, is rather chic and sophisticated, and quite expensive. If your means are limited, you can always come and drink a good cocktail in front of the sunset in a relaxing designer place, always with this incredible view.

A wonderful address, recently opened in the residential area of Castello. An old greenhouse created for the 1894 Art Biennale, now tastefully restored, houses an organic cafeteria, a concert and exhibition hall, a cultural center, all surrounded by flowers and green plants. The ideal place to drink a tea or a glass of prosecco in peace and quiet, between one visit and another, but also for a snack with the children; toasts and fruit juices will satisfy appetites of all ages.

Here's a little neighborhood bar with a discreet front. Push open the door and you'll find a narrow room with a long counter. The locals come here in the early hours of the morning to have a coffee, eat a croissant, read the paper and meet up with friends. The atmosphere is delightfully authentic and friendly. The ideal place if you're traveling solo and want to take a real dip at breakfast time. A real village café! With its parade of regulars, but few tourists.

Da Filo, this friendly neighborhood bacaro, has a crazy charm! A bit vintage, but above all ultra bohemian and above all not touristy. You can enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine or a spritz in a flea market atmosphere, on the pleasant terrace or inside, in a cheerful bazaar, among books, miscellaneous objects or even near the old piano. The prices of the drinks are honest, as are the prices of the boards that come with them (superb meatballs). On the entertainment side, concerts of local boy bands are organized every week.

Basegone is a welcoming and picturesque address located in Campo San Tomà, one of the most emblematic campi of the city. It is a typical Venetian cicchetteria, with its charm and sense of hospitality. In this family-run wine bar, they make sure the quality is there. They select the best products and make sure they are as beautiful as they are tasty. You will enjoy glasses of wine, spritz and homemade cicchetti. To be enjoyed in a popular atmosphere, coupled with regularly organized events.

Located on the campsite, the terrace is the new institution of Venetian trenches at the hour of the aperitif. A delightful bohemian atmosphere. Cabernet or spritz, chardonnay or prosecco, you can choose between French or Italian wines. One thing is sure, taste the ciccheti in the bar. Very correct pizzas too.

For lovers of the little black Italian boy, this café is a real paradise. It is probably here that you will taste the best coffee in Verona in a very small room with enough space for a few tables, the counter and an impressive collection of teapots (120 varieties of tea for tea lovers). Let yourself be tempted by the various gourmet coffees and chocolates, or by a marocchino (small coffee served on a creamy chocolate base), either black or white. Among the accompaniments: fresh cream, chocolate chips or caramel syrup... To discover!

Some feel that Tonolo is the best pastry in Vénise. By returning not to be attracted by the window, which especially during the carnival period, fills with croissants, brioches, foccacce and cakes of all kinds. Go for a gourmet breakfast, or an aperitif hour for a sipped and a pizzetta.

Historical café of Vicenza, opened since 1943, the Gran Caffè Garibaldi is at the same time a café, a restaurant and an ice cream parlour. The place, which was completely refurbished in 2012, now has a rather design decor where some special Murano glass windows still sparkle here and there. The room on the first floor and the terrace overlooking Piazza dei Signori are very pleasant at lunchtime or for an aperitif, while upstairs, the Matteo Grandi restaurant has just won its first Michelin star. Experimental cuisine for those who love it.

In this pretty neighborhood bar located on the banks of a canal, Venetians often stop for a drink accompanied by beautiful toast as an appetizer. The house has more than 500 wine labels, with a clear predominance of local vintages. Along the walls, the shelves are lined with these bottles, so you will be spoilt for choice. You may be served a "balloon" of fragolino, a strawberry flavored vintage...

The enoteca's focus is on small-scale producers, with the possibility of tasting almost every derivative of the region's famous prosecco. The house also offers a selection of biodynamic wines. The tasting can be accompanied by cheeses, cured meats or a plate of tomato-mozzarella. And don't forget our bread with oil and oregano! You'll have the pleasure of spending a pleasant moment seated at the little tables on the terrace, facing the bell tower of San Giacomo dell'Orio, lulled by the voices of the children playing on the Campo.

A gourmet haven for the people of Padua since 1919, who love buns, almond cakes and other sweets. For those who love it, the speciality for which people travel miles is the millefeuille with custard, a recipe that has been handed down from father to son for 100 years. Over the years, to the traditional version have been added the one with cream and chocolate chips and the one with cream and wild strawberries. Nice terrace on Piazza della Frutta, for a break between two visits. A sure value.

This enoteca, located under the arcades of Piazza Mazzini, is not to be missed. It's a delight for wine-lovers, who like to meet up for a convivial time between aperitifs and the early hours of the morning. A vast stock of bottles is on offer, to be accompanied by a few hot or cold dishes, such as cheese and charcuterie boards, but also polenta, pumpkin gnocchi or tagliatelle with ragout. We love the turn-of-the-century atmosphere here, with regulars always ready to remake the world.

A small wine bar, welcoming and intimate, perfect place for the après-ski, but especially at the time of the aperitif. We are talking about a glass of a large Venetian cru or a giant sipped, eating exquisite appetizers and cold meats. Small restoration for who would like something more consisting of.

This last address, which has won the Golden Palm of Venice's nightlife awards since its opening in September 2018, is not to be missed. The way to get there is not the easiest, but the setting, the drinks and the food are worth the detour. The choice of beers is extensive, and the list of cocktails is well provided. On the menu, burger and chips are served with spaghetti in squid ink, oyster platters from Chioggia and Parma ham boards. To be enjoyed as early as the aperitif, in a very local atmosphere

A good place to meet the world under the arcades of the Palladian Basilica, with trendy music and a dreamy view of the Piazza delle Erbe. Regulars flock here to taste the wines selected by the owner or to sip the latest trendy cocktails. The regional antipasti are obviously part of the party. It's hard to resist this mix of flavors that promotes, in meticulous portions, products from the land (prosciutto, beef, panna cotta, tomatoes, etc.) as well as those from the sea (tuna, salmon, squid, among others).

Away from the busiest canals, this small, family-run neighborhood bar offers food on the go, pizzas (only topped on the spot), sandwiches and paninis, as well as good cicchetti prepared to order. Amadi Stefano, Roberta Bon, Tommaso and Nicoló keep the store running, not forgetting their mascot, Bignè (donut), who takes care of reception. In the mornings, before the tourists arrive, we like to join the local regulars for a first coffee, before continuing our stroll along the pretty Terranova canal.

A small, rustic bar on the edge of the canal, just across the Dei Pugni bridge from the church of San Barnaba. People come here at all hours to drink a coffee, enjoy a good vintage, sip a spritz or a beer, and eat on the go. Good regional products (cheese and ham) line the window, and some delicious dishes are available à la carte at lunchtime. Perfect for a pleasant break. Local regulars like to meet up here, and you'll be made to feel very welcome. Warm Irish bar atmosphere (the wood has a lot to do with it). Very reasonable prices.

A tiny neighborhood bar at the foot of the Ponte Giovanni, where a few old-timers have their morning habits. It's one of the best places to stop off on your way to Santa Croce, where you can watch the bustle of Campo San Cassian. Ideal for a hot chocolate, americano or latte with croissant, or to share a beer, mojito or glass of sangria with friends. But it's also a popular spot for tourists, so service can be rushed and prices inflated.

For 31 years Al Vapore has been a nightlife hotspot, frequented by locals and young Venetians alike who want to party. It is an old-fashioned pub to surround yourself with a British atmosphere on a background of Italian dolce vita. At the same time snack bar, concert hall and place of temporary exhibitions, you will find a good atmosphere if you want to escape from the lagoon or if you simply stay on land. Concerts start at 9.30 pm, on Saturdays also at 11 pm and half past midnight.

A cosy place, both trendy and refined. This elegant café welcomes you at any time of the day with its raw wood, stainless steel and frosted glass decor. You can come early in the morning to sip an espresso, at noon to devour a panini or a sandwich on the go, and finally to drink a cocktail in the evening. On the menu, we find a wide range of typical dishes revisited with taste. The whole is rather sophisticated, with a touch of originality. Nice wine list. A delicate address in short, which will seduce in particular the lovers.

This tiny bar dug beneath the Basilica Palladiana is full of charm! We love the almost mystical subterranean atmosphere of a vaulted cellar with ancient exposed beams. This is one of the favorite addresses of young Vicentines, especially those in their thirties. Relaxed atmosphere, modern music, full glasses (preferably of Spritz, at only €3.50!) and delicious aperitif cicheti topped with a thousand and one original garnishes: smoked salmon, Parma ham, gorgonzola and walnuts, grilled vegetables, eggs and anchovies..

At first glance, this café located near the Olympic Theater might not stand out from the others. And yet, its beautiful terrace shared between the arcades and the piazza mysteriously attracts the walker when it's time for a break. A slightly shaded address where locals and tourists alike enjoy sitting down. One comes here to drink an espresso or a caffè latte, to enjoy a salad or a well seasoned pasta dish. Typical regional savory snacks are also available at aperitivo time.

The owner Mauro Lorenzon is a reason to spend the evening in his wine bar. He will tell you everything about the local wine production and will open any of his bottles for you. If you ask nicely, he will happily and expertly pour a good bottle of prosecco. And when hunger strikes, seafood (including oysters from the lagoon), spaghetti with squid ink, ravioli, buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes will be among the dishes suggested on the menu.

Perched on the hillside of Castel San Pietro, this restaurant has a beautiful terrace set in a large garden, overlooking the Teatro Romano and the rooftops of Verona. The view dominates the whole city, offering sublime sunsets. After climbing the long staircase leading up to the castle, it is the perfect stop for a spritz or a well-mixed cocktail. As an accompaniment, crunchy little pizzas covered with tomato, string cheese and cold cuts. Among the dishes, burgers and pasta remain the best choices.

Located just a few meters from the thousand-year-old church of Santa Mater Domini, this little neighborhood café is also a place steeped in history... and stories. It's a family business that has been going strong with the same enthusiasm since 1937. Antonio, the current owner, has taken up the torch from his elders to continue serving his clientele, from cappuccino-croissant regulars to students looking for an aperitif and evening concerts. At lunchtime, thanks to the takeaway service available at the counter, you'll find something to quench your hunger without breaking the bank.

Zanzibar looks like both a small newspaper kiosk in the square and a short-lived beach bar, with a few tables (all outside) under umbrellas and commercial music. The clientele is young, even if a few grannies come there to chat. Everything that is eaten in a beach bar is there: hot-dogs, hamburgers, panini, slices of pizza (prefer hot-dogs!). Refresh yourself with slushies, cold coffees or homemade ice cream. Like everywhere else, here too you can drink beer and spritz.

A delightful little café that occupies nothing less than one of the terraces of the old kitchen of the Foresteria (outbuilding), in the heart of Villa Valmarana ai Nani. From here, there is a beautiful view of the stables of the villa and of the Vicenza valley dominated by the Basilica of Monte Berico. With its refined decor and a piece of Tiepolo's fresco still visible on one of its walls, the café is open to everyone, whether you are visiting the villa or just passing through. Perfect for a coffee break or a refreshing drink in an 18th century atmosphere.

Although only accessible for a few months of the year, the unique setting of this café deserves your full attention. In fact, it is an ephemeral bar that takes up residence in high season on the roof terrace of the Palladian Basilica, on the roof of Vicenza so to speak. The view is breathtaking, the architecture and the ancient statues are sublime. You can sit up there for hours and contemplate the landscape while sipping a cocktail.

Beneath the arcades of the Basilica Palladiana, here's a pleasant bar that's both vintage and cosy. In the evening, candles light up the tables and jazzy music wafts through the air. The icing on the cake is the occasional live concert. It's the ideal bar for a quiet chat over an aperitif after a day's sightseeing. The establishment also serves as a restaurant, so you're more likely to go there for a club sandwich lunch or a generous brunch (daily 11am-2pm, 10am-2pm at weekends).