Cantina Do Mori, Venice

This is a little bar which has been running since 1462, apparently. It's close to the Rialto bridge, on the San Polo side, and down two back streets off the market - ie. it has two entrances. The bar runs the width of the building, and it's standing room only for sampling a wide range of wines, and superb selection of ciccheti, the bar snacks. These are freshly made each day, cost about 1 euro each, and could be finely chopped tomato in a dressing, a guacamole and sardine confection, a vegetable dumpling, or salami/bresaola all on a slice of bread. You can pick a plateful to complement your lunchtime drinks. There are cauldrons suspended from the ceiling, and really calm, efficient bar staff, who patiently await your choice. It's frequented by locals and tourists alike, and we liked it so much we went back twice and were recognised - quite a feat in a busy spot like this. Really worth a visit. Price will depend on how restrained you can be with the ciccheti!!

Open 8.30-20.00, closed Sunday.

This place is a great spot to have a rest after your evening stroll. It is normally busy but worth the jostle to get some of the local area's red wine and a nibble of the finger foods served.

After crossing the Rialto Bridge (to Market side) you will see the building opened in 1462. The merchants of Venice (apparently) still stop into this dark, tableless space for a quick bite between sales.

Heavily canopied with copper water pails (which were once used with the stone wells that still sit in most squares), this place looks and feels like a nostalgia trip. Well worth the effort.

Favorite Dish: The finger food (cichetti) is the stuff to eat - a really good selection of local items.

Do Mori is a hot spot for pizza and hanging out by the side of the canal on Giudecca Island. I must share this story with you, we call it our "Ponte di Pizza" story: It was a windy evening when we ordered three pizzas to go. Okay you know how this story will go, right? Well, my husband is carrying the stack of pizza boxes, and as we cross the bridge, the wind takes the top one. My brother catches it momentarily, and then it's gone..over the railing and away into the water!!! You just had to be there, I guess. We were annoyed, too, because there was a long wait for those pies!!
I personally felt bad about littering....