Paradiso Perduto

A lively, eclectic spot near the Venetian Ghetto, over the years this has become the go-to address not just for anyone who enjoys catching up over an ombra of wine, but also for lovers of jazz and live music. Paradiso Perduto, a traditional Venetian osteria, is an authentic Venetian bacaro, where house wine comes paired with the famous cicchetti, Venice’s quintessential bar snacks.

Located at Fondamenta della Misericordia 240, Paradiso was founded in the ’80s by a group of university students and quickly became a lively social hub, with a young, eclectic atmosphere. As in any proper bacaro, Paradiso Perduto offers a wide selection of cicchetti, not to be eaten standing at the counter – as the iconic ‘vietato ormeggiare’ sign suggests –, but at a table or right by the canal, taking in the Venetian scenery. In the evening, the venue turns into a jazz club hosting all kinds of live performances that are famous across the lagoon. Not surprisingly, the illustrious guests who have graced Cannaregio with their music include Keith Richards.

The menu focuses on Venetian specialities and changes daily, guided by what the city’s fish market has to offer and the inspiration of chef and longtime manager Maurizio Adamo. Breaded fried sardines, meatballs and baccalà are just a few of the classic cicchetti on offer. The crowning glory of this historic bacaro is ‘il gran fritoin’, a generous feast of fried seafood served with polenta. A glass of house wine, sourced from a winegrower in Cividale del Friuli, is an absolute must alongside it.

Some traditions die hard, and thankfully so. Paradiso Perduto is a true institution in Cannaregio, a gathering place where warmth and energy have defined the venue for 40 years, remaining a timeless symbol of carefree Venetian nightlife.