Must-see restaurants in Venice

  • Gatto Bero in Venice

    Trattoria al Gatto Nero

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Don't expect fancy tricks from this 'Black Cat' – just excellent, traditional fare. Once you’ve tried the homemade tagliolini (ribbon pasta) with spider…

  • Osteria Bakan in Venice

    Osteria Bakán

    Venice

    A strange mix of local drinking den and surprisingly adventurous restaurant, Bakán has bucketloads of atmosphere – with old beams and soft jazz inside,…

  • Cantine del Vino già Schiavi: Legendary tavern with floor-to-ceiling bottles lining the walls, with wines by the glass & snacks.

    Cantine del Vino già Schiavi

    Venice

    It may look like a wine shop and function as a bar, but this legendary canalside spot also serves the best cicheti (Venetian tapas) on this side of the…

  • La Palanca

    Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands

    Locals of all ages pour into this humble bar for cicheti (Venetian tapas), coffee and a spritz (prosecco cocktail). However, it's at lunchtime that it…

  • Osteria Boccadoro

    Venice

    The sweetly singing birds in this campo (square) are probably angling for your leftovers, but they don’t stand a chance. Chef-owner Luciano and son Simone…

  • Osteria Trefanti

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    La Serenissima's spice trade lives on at simple, elegant Trefanti, where gnocchi might get an intriguing kick from cinnamon, and turbot is flavoured with…

  • Suso

    Venice

    Suso’s gelati are locally made and free of artificial colours. Indulge in rich, original seasonal flavours such as marscapone cream with fig sauce and…

  • Trattoria Corte Sconta in Venice

    Trattoria Corte Sconta

    Venice

    Well-informed visitors and celebrating locals seek out this vine-covered corte sconta (hidden courtyard) for its trademark seafood antipasti and…

  • Zanze XVI:  Polished eatery presenting reimagined local fare such as pasta, fish & meat dishes, plus wine.

    Zanze XVI

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    These sophisticated culinary adventurers offer a contemporary spin on Venetian traditions. Opt for a 'surprise' five-course mare (seafood; €70) or terra …

  • Anice Stellato.

    Anice Stellato

    Venice

    Tin lamps, unadorned rustic tables and a small wooden bar set the scene for quality seafood and other Venetian specialities at this excellent canalside…

  • Taverna La Fenice: Traditional Italian cuisine served in an elegant, stuccoed dining room with plant-filled terrace.

    Taverna La Fenice

    Venice

    Step back in time at this historic dining room with a coffered wooden ceiling, gleaming terrazzo floors and red-and-gold wallpaper. The official caterers…

  • Ristorante Quadri

    Ristorante Quadri

    Venice

    When it comes to Venetian glamour, nothing beats this historic Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking Piazza San Marco. A small swarm of servers greets…

  • Da Codroma stands on a picturesque canal side

    Da Codroma

    Venice

    In a city plagued by high prices and indifferent eating experiences, the shared wooden tables at Da Codroma are the antidote. Chef Nicola faithfully…

  • Ristorante Glam Venice. Intimate, acclaimed venue at a luxe hotel with a leafy courtyard presenting imaginative dishes.

    Glam

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    Step out of your water taxi into the canalside garden of this inventive Michelin-starred restaurant in the Hotel Palazzo Venart. The contemporary menu…

  • Bistrot de Venise: Elegant restaurant serving updates of traditional Venetian dishes, plus over 60 wines by the glass.

    Bistrot de Venise

    Venice

    Indulge in some culinary time travel in the red-and-gilt dining room at this fine-dining bistro reviving the recipes of Renaissance chef Bartolomeo Scappi…

  • Salvmeria

    Venice

    Fashioned from an old deli, Marco Ginepri’s cool cichetteria serves accomplished food and excellent Veneto wines by the glass. Gourmet cicheti (Venetian…

  • Pasticceria Dal Mas

    Venice

    This historic Venetian bakery-cafe sparkles with mirrors, marble and metal trim, fitting for the pastries displayed within. Despite the perpetual morning…

  • Ossi di Seppia

    Venice

    It’s worth going the extra mile to find this osteria (casual tavern) where Venetian neighbours gather to gossip over good glasses of Valpolicella and…

  • Local

    Venice

    Although he’s cooked in fine-dining establishments such as Noma, chef Matteo Tagliapietra grew up on the fishing island of Burano. As such, his simple,…

  • Met

    Venice

    The Hotel Metropole's Michelin-starred restaurant offers an intriguing proposition: at each stage of its multicourse menu you can order a traditional…

  • Ristorante da Guido

    Venice

    Dine beneath the umbrella pines in Guido's garden which supplies the raw materials for the restaurant's refined dishes. At this family-run restaurant,…

  • Ai Promessi Sposi

    Venice

    Bantering Venetians thronging the bar are the only permanent fixtures at this neighbourhood osteria (casual tavern), where ever-changing menus feature…

  • CoVino

    Venice

    Tiny CoVino has only 14 seats but demonstrates bags of ambition with its inventive, seasonal menu inspired by the Venetian terroir. Speciality products…

  • Trattoria Maddalena

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Just a footbridge away from Burano’s photo-snapping crowds, this pretty Mazzorbo restaurant is a great place for a lazy seafood lunch. Relax by the canal…

  • Al Covo

    Venice

    Chef-owner Cesare Benelli has long been dedicated to the preservation of heritage products and lagoon recipes. Only the freshest seasonal fish gets the…

  • Enoteca ai Artisti

    Venice

    Dishes might include a lightly curried rabbit maltagliati (cut pasta) or beef cheeks with polenta chips at this elegant enoteca (wine-orientated bistro),…

  • Il Ridotto

    Venice

    When the octopus starter looks so beautiful that it elicits gasps, there's no questioning how this small, elegant restaurant gained its Michelin star…

  • Trattoria Altanella

    Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands

    Founded by fisherfolk in 1920 and still run by the same family, this cosy restaurant serves classic Venetian fare such as potato gnocchi with cuttlefish,…

  • Estro

    Venice

    Estro is anything you want it to be: wine bar, aperitivo pit stop or sit-down degustation restaurant. The vast selection of wine was chosen by young-gun…

  • Trattoria Vini Da Arturo

    Venice

    Everyone in this corridor-sized restaurant comes for the same reason: the fantastic array of salads and Arturo's vinegar-soaked pork chop. For more than…

  • Osteria al Duomo

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Opened in 1903 by the parish priest as a co-op grocery shop, this osteria (casual tavern) is still collectively owned by 50 Muranese families. Don't be…

  • Trattoria da Bepi Già '54'

    Venice

    Much better than it looks, Da Bepi is a traditional trattoria in the very best sense. The interior is a warm, wood-panelled cocoon, and service is…

  • Bacaro Vintidò 22

    Venice

    Daniela and Ruggero really make this little tavern feel like a home, with worn carpets, a ramshackle bookshelf and an exceedingly warm welcome offered to…

  • Venissa Osteria

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    A more affordable companion piece to its Michelin-starred sister, this upmarket osteria offers updates on Venetian classics such as marinated fish, duck…

  • Osteria da Rioba

    Venice

    Taking the lead with fresh seafood and herbs pulled from the family's Sant'Erasmo farm, Da Rioba's inventive kitchen turns out plates as colourful and…

  • Ristorante da Omar

    Venice

    Cap off a day in designer beachwear with white-linen dining at Lido di Jesolo's best restaurant. Duck and veal play supporting roles but seafood is the…

  • Trattoria Da Fiore

    Venice

    Rustic-chic decor sets the scene for excellent Venetian dishes composed of carefully selected seasonal ingredients from small Veneto producers. The…

  • Trattoria ai Cacciatori

    Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands

    If you hadn't guessed from the oversized gun hanging from the ceiling beams, the restaurant is named for the hunters who once bagged lagoon waterfowl…

  • Gelateria Ca' d'Oro

    Venice

    Foot traffic stops here for spectacularly creamy gelato made in-house daily. For a summer pick-me-up, try the granita di caffe con panna (coffee shaved…

  • The entrance to the pizzeria on busy Barbaria de le Tole

    Pizzeria alla Strega

    Venice

    This hugely popular pizzeria and cichetteria has been feeding locals for years. Although best known as a pizza parlour, you can also enjoy a wide range of…

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