All'Arco

All'Arco is a tiny standing-room bacaro on Calle dell'Arco in the San Polo district of Venice, in the Veneto region of Italy, just off the Rialto market. It has room for only a handful of people at the counter and is often called the best single cicchetti stop in the city, valued for the freshness of what it serves. The crostini are assembled to order in front of the guest from whatever the market stalls have that day, rather than sitting pre-made under glass as at many other cicchetti bars, which is why the toppings change daily with the season and the market. Signature items include artisanal crostini made to order, prosciutto and fig tramezzini, and an ombra di vino, the small glass of wine traditionally paired with cicchetti. Seafood, vegetables, cheeses and cured meats appear depending on the day. The atmosphere is casual, friendly and crowded, with market workers, locals and food-focused visitors squeezing into a small space, and noise rises quickly when several groups are in at once. There are no real tables, so it is an in-and-out stop with a glass in hand, and many customers eat outside on the calle. There is no dress code. Prices are low, with individual crostini and a glass of wine costing a few euros each, so several rounds still cost little. The bar operates as a lunchtime spot from eight in the morning until half past two in the afternoon, Monday to Saturday, and has no dinner service, so visitors should plan it for a late-morning stop. Reservations are not accepted. Arriving early avoids the peak crush at the counter, particularly on weekends and in summer, and it pairs naturally with a visit to the Rialto fish and produce stalls just around the corner.