Venetian cuisine is in a league of its own. Though seafood may have a place at the table of many Italian restaurants—thanks to the bountiful Mediterranean Sea—Venezia takes it to a whole other level. Not to mention the unique ombra and cicchetti pairing in the late afternoon that you won’t want to miss. We could call it “wine and appetizers” but that’s just not descriptive enough, since there’s so much heritage to Venetian food and traditions.
As you plan your trip to the City of Canals, get excited to try food from many of the best restaurants in Venice, Italy. We’ve included locations across the main island from Dorsoduro to Cannaregio. You’ll find panino shops and Michelin-starred restaurants where you can practice ordering food in Italian with the right pronunciation that your Rosetta Stone tutor helped you perfect.
What to know about the best restaurants in Venice, Italy
The main island for the city of Venice (there are 118 islands that make up Venice) is filled with tiny alleys and hidden gems of artisan shops and restaurants. Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is the largest square in Venice where you’ll find a noteworthy Italian coffee shop: Caffè Florian. It’s the oldest coffee shop in Venice, and it’s worth stopping in for an overpriced coffee to take in the best view of the sunset glowing on St. Mark’s Basilica.
Otherwise, most of the tourist trap restaurants tend to be on the main streets or near Rialto Bridge and the Santa Lucia train station. That means you’re bound to find lots of delicious restaurants in Venice no matter if you’re in the Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, or San Polo districts. You’ll find that frutti di mare (seafood) has a prime spot on all menus. But if seafood isn’t your favorite, there are plenty of carne (meat) and vegetarian options to enjoy. So, jump into this curated list of the best restaurants in Venice, Italy, that will make you wish you didn’t have to go home.
Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti
Price: $$; reservation recommended; Dorsoduro district
Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti is a fabulous gem of a restaurant that boasts fresh produce from the famed Mercato di Rialto (Rialto Market) every day. This little location in Dorsoduro has an old-world vibe to it, but the dishes are nothing but deliciously modern and fresh. If you’re lucky, you can grab one of the few seats outside on the edge of the canal next to Ponte del Squero (Squero Bridge).
Food is memorable here and wine is the cherry on top. Doubling as an enoteca (wine shop), this ristorante (restaurant) is run by a chef who knows his vino (wine). Don’t hesitate to let the waiter recommend the best pairings with your specialty dish of the day. You also won’t go wrong with the scallops, pork tenderloin, sauteed mussels and clams, or prawns.
Il Salotto di San Marco
Price: $; best for an afternoon drink and snack; San Marco district
We’d be remiss if we didn’t add a bar like Il Salotto di San Marco to our list of the best restaurants in Venice. Their specialty is ombra and cicchetti and those go hand-in-hand with Venetian culture. Ombra (shadow) comes from ancient times when workers would sip a glass of wine in the afternoon during their break and sit in the shadow of St. Mark’s bell tower. And cicchetti are flavorful pairings of appetizers, usually bread topped with unique ingredient pairings—mostly seafood.
This restaurant is one of our favorites to enjoy the afternoon aperitivo with a glass of wine and small plates of food. When you order your Aperol Spritz or other drink, you’ll often get a free plate of cicchetti with it. Or you can order them separately. It’s very busy here, so plan ahead and let them recommend the best cicchetti to try.
Trattoria Da Gigio
Price: $$; great for small groups; Cannaregio district
Just across the Canale Grand in Cannaregio, you’ll find Venice’s main food district. It’s where most food tours explore Venetian cuisine and it’s also near the historic Jewish Ghetto. Trattoria Da Gigio is one of the best places to eat in Venice if you want traditional fare in a trattoria (casual restaurant) that has a surprise: a hidden inner courtyard.
With more space than many restaurants, they can accommodate groups of six to eight if you call ahead. You’ll enjoy dishes like tuna tartare, spaghetti with clams, or the classic squid ink pasta. But don’t skip the fried calamari on polenta—it’s a surprising but delicious pairing. And the portions are larger than some restaurants, which makes up for the calories you’ll burn walking around Venice.
Il Refettorio
Price: $$-$$$; reservations recommended; San Polo district
With a chic, industrial modern interior, Il Refettorio belies the ancient vibes of Venice, but it’s one restaurant in Venice you don’t want to skip if you like fine dining. And it’s one of the highest-rated restaurants on Google. Perhaps the quality of the food has to do with the chef’s emphasis on slow food (quality sourcing and attention to detail in the kitchen).
Each dish is a work of art that comes without the price of Michelin-starred food—but with all the flavor. The polpo alla brace (grilled octopus) is the best we’ve ever had, but the Waygu ribeye is also worth a try. If you’re a vegan, they have a chickpea curry that gets rave reviews. And the other surprise is that they’re open for breakfast, so stop in if you’re needing to fuel up for the day.
Terrazza Danieli
Price: $$$-$$$$; reservations required; San Marco district
If you’re looking for the best fine dining in Venice, or the ultimate location for that TikTok or Instagram video, then head over to Terrazza Danieli. Perched on the rooftop of one of Venice’s nicest hotels, this Michelin-starred restaurant has the best view of the canal and Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) if you get a seat on the terrace.
It’s never a bad idea to go with the tasting menu as the chef is sure to serve the best or most creative dishes. But you might prefer ordering the Venetian creamed baccalà, the red prawns with caviar, or the octopus with stuffed eggplants and burrata. We also love the lamb ragout on a bed of handmade pasta. Overall, the experience at Terrazza Danieli will be one to remember.
Trattoria Da Jonny
Price: $$; seafood specialties; northeast of San Marco district
One of the cool things to do in Venice (that a lot of people miss) is to visit the shipyards and arsenal found northeast of Piazza San Marco. While you’re there, it’s likely you’ll get hungry, so head over to Trattoria Da Jonny. They have indoor and outdoor seating on a small street so it’s a little quieter. It’s also a great spot for families since they have a little more space here and a kids menu.
If you dare, try the black ravioli with cod. It’s one of those special Venetian dishes that will leave an impression. There are also cuttlefish and baked eel dishes you can try along with their gnocchi. The prices might be a little higher than most trattorie but the portions are generous.
Ristorante Pizzeria da Alvise
Price: $$; gluten-free options; Cannaregio district
Sometimes you just need a solid pizza while you’re traveling through Italy. While pizza isn’t a main staple here in Venice, Ristorante Pizzeria da Alvise is a sure bet. Located north of San Marco and on the east side of Cannaregio, this restaurant has a coveted waterfront spot that’s quiet and picturesque.
Seafood and pasta lovers can find plenty of classic entrees on the menu, like grilled scampi with zucchini courgettes and even a carbonara. But the pizza and calzones are also worth ordering—plus they have gluten-free options for those with dietary considerations. They have an amazing shrimp and salmon pizza with buffalo mozzarella and courgettes, but you might fall in love with the pesto and smoked cheese pizza.
L’Bacaro de’Bischeri
Price: $; sandwich shop; San Polo district
Sometimes you just need a panino (sandwich) instead of a whole sit-down meal. In that case, there’s a great place to eat a sandwich in Venice called L’Bacaro de’Bischeri. It’s located down the street from the iconic Rialto Bridge, which makes it a perfect place to grab a bite away from the biggest tourist trap spots.
The panini here are piled high with ingredients like bresaola (cured beef), baccalà mantecato (creamed cod), pancetta e porchetta (bacon and pork), and prosciutto. They also serve cicchetti if you’d like to try a few more options here. Every bar has their own recipes for these delicious bites, so don’t hesitate to try some wherever you go.
>> See which sandwich shop is actually the best restaurant in Rome! (Hint: It’s not the one you’re thinking of!)
Ristorante Centrale Pizzeria
Price: $$; a classy osteria with a wide menu; San Marco district
Just a couple streets away from busy Piazza San Marco, you’ll find a modern restaurant with an extensive menu that includes pizza. The interior of Ristorante Centrale Pizzeria is a classic modern vibe and you’ll see wine bottles on shelves everywhere you turn. Even the house wine is delicious here, but let the waiter offer suggestions on wine pairings with your entrees.
You could splurge on a bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) if you’re craving a carnivore dinner. But you’ll find a variety of dishes here from northern Italy, like the Milanese veal cutlets, to southern Italy, like a traditional margherita pizza. They even have a drool worthy Sicilian pizza covered in capers, anchovies, and tuna. For a refresher after dinner, try the lemon sorbetto.
>> Get an authentic Florentine steak at some of the best restaurants in Florence.
La Palanca
Price: $$-$$$; reservations recommended; Giudecca district
Giudecca is the district for the closest major islands to the main island of Venice. It’s where many high-end hotels and villas are found, and it’s a little quieter than the rest of Venice since you have to take a vaporetto (water taxi) to get there. But it just might be worth it for the view of the canal and the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute from the waterfront terrace at La Palanca.
It’s cheaper than a fine dining restaurant but the food and view are every bit as good, which makes it one of the best restaurants in Venice. Not to mention you’ll find more locals than tourists here. We recommend ordering the beef ragout, ravioli di branzino (sea bass ravioli), or the squid ink pasta. The catch of the day could also be your best bet, so don’t hesitate to let your cameriere (waiter) order for you.
Antico Forno
Price: $; vegetarian options; San Polo district
There may not be a lot of great places to eat near Rialto Bridge, but if you wander a few streets away, you’ll find the popular Antico Forno Venezia. It’s a takeaway restaurant with delicious pizza, including vegetarian options. They even boast craft beer, which is uncommon in Venice. And lest you think this is a touristy, American spot, one bite of their authentic pizzas with fresh ingredients will remind you that you’re in Italy.
We really like the Capricciosa that’s loaded with mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, and artichokes. The four-cheese pizza is also delicious, but so is the house speciality Antico Forno. It comes with mozzarella, peppers, onions, ricotta, olives, and even jalapenos. Some of their pizza slices are absolutely massive—worthy of an American pizzeria’s notice. There isn’t really any seating here, so plan to grab, go, and enjoy.
Hostaria Castello
Price: $$-$$$; reservations recommended; near San Marco district
In between San Marco and the Venice Arsenal, you’ll find Hostaria Castello. It’s a tiny restaurant with a vintage vibe that’s not far from Ponte Sant’Antonin. We wish there was more seating here, but if you do get a seat, you’ll be treated like a king or queen—and so will your tastebuds.
Unlike other restaurants, you’ll find a small menu here to ensure each dish gets the attention it deserves. They have sauteed calamari in a bourbon vanilla cream sauce that is absolutely incredible. Octopus also has a worthy spot on their menu, but you might just enjoy the cacio e pepe gnocchi, aubergine (eggplant) ravioli, or tender suckling pig. Just don’t skip the berry meringa (meringue)!
Ristorante Lineadombra
Price: $$$; reservations required; Dorsoduro district
Much like some of the best restaurants in Rome, you’re probably looking for a restaurant in Venice that has a view and some ambiance. Ristorante Lineadombra is another worthy option for a few reasons. It’s on an over-the-water terrace and it’s Michelin starred. The location is in Dorsoduro overlooking the Giudecca Canal for the most romantic views of the lagoon.
Each dish is appealing to the eyes and taste buds, sometimes plated on a dish and other times on a slate stone. The menu changes, but every variety of gnocchi dish is worth trying, whether it’s with ricotta or prawns. You could go for a veal tenderloin with pistachios or opt for the fish of the day specialty. And since the wine list is extensive, you’re sure to end your meal fully satisfied and ready for an evening passeggiata.
0 Commentaires