My Venice Food Guide
An insider's everyday Venice described through food...
A list of cafeterias, wine-bars, ice-cream stalls, and restaurants I like.
From street food to gourmet experiences.
VENETIAN FOOD: AN INTRODUCTION
SAVOUR THE BEST FOOD IN VENICE | FROM GOURMET TO STREET FOOD
There's a verb in Venetian dialect -cichetar- that describes a lifestyle, a mood, an attitude to life.
Cichetar derives from cicheti, small nibbles eaten standing while enjoying a small glass of house wine and chatting with friends and/or with whoever happens to be there in that particular moment. Wine and cicheti are small because normally we go from one place to the other. I love these long aperitifs, first of all because you get to eat a wide variety of delicious things and secondly because in this culinary wandering people come and go, which means you know who you are meeting with...but you never know who you'll finish your evening with!
Anyway, do you know what cicheti are? Have you any idea of what food to expect?
Find out WHAT and WHERE to eat the best cicchetti -and not only- in Venice!
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN VENICE
BY DISTRICT
WHERE TO SNACK, EAT AND DRINK IN VENICE
CASTELLO:
Food & Drinks
Address: Calle Secco Marina, Castello 738, 30122
Phone: (+39) 041 523 7102
Family-run business, easy going place serving delicious pizza. Booking recommended, especially during the weekend! Here you will really savour the local culture, this small pizzeria is always crowded with locals and can be quite noisy. Excellent prices.
Address: Via Garibaldi 1762, 30122
Phone: +39 041 850 0299
Friendly bar offering cicchetti, selections of cured meat and cheese, wine and craft beer. Buzzing with locals at the aperitif, I suggest to stop by and enjoy the general atmosphere.
Address: Via Garibaldi - Castello 1788, 30122
Phone: (+39) 241 1136
Venetian osteria located in Via Garibaldi, where it's possible to have cicheti standing or a delicious meal seated. I particularly like their bigoli in salsa and the gnocchi with spider crab. Friendly atmosphere, quality food and very good value for money. Highly recommended.
Address: Via Garibaldi, Castello 1580, 30122
Small wine bar in Via Garibaldi, located in a beautiful position, offering a wide assortment of small panini, grilled just before being served.
Address: Via Garibaldi, Castello 1769, 30122
Phone: +39 0415233971
Located in front of Refolo, Salvmeria is a brand new cicheteria offering a delicious assortment of fish and vegetable nibbles, cured meats, small sandwiches and very good wine.
Address: Calle de la Pescaria, Castello 3968, 30122
Phone: +39 041 522 3812
Excellent restaurant offering traditional cuisine and local seafood. Very interesting selection of wine. Medium/High price range.
PietraRossa
Address: Castello 2877/2878, 30122 Venezia
This is the new restaurant renovated by Andrea Lorenzon, the same owner of CoVino. A lovely, cozy place with a vibrant atmosphere ideal for natural wine lover and those seeking locally sourced ingredients prepared with a contemporary twist.
Address: Castello 4161, Riva degli Schiavoni
Phone: +39 041 522 7463
The restaurant of Hotel Wildner offers top quality food at only few minutes from Piazza San Marco. Short menu, fresh seasonal and local ingredients, beautiful plating and very good service.
Address: Salizzada dei Greci, Castello 3303, 30122
Phone: +39 041 241 1128
Absolutely excellent high end restaurant that pays great attention to regional and local ingredients, modern design and never fails to leave its clients astonished with creative combinations. Great wine list, high price range. Only for lunch, a 40-euro-menu that includes starter, 2 mains and a dessert.
Address: Campiello delle Gatte, Castello 3210, 30122 Venice
Phone: +39 041 296 0065
Lovely restaurant offering traditional food presented in a modern version. Fresh and seasonal products, excellent quality, beautiful plating, generous portions and great service. With regard to wine, don't be afraid to ask, their list is long and really well selected. Mid/High price range.
Corte Sconta
Address: Castello, Calle del Pestrin 3886, 30122 Venice
Phone:+39 041522 7024
Traditional Venetian restaurant with very good quality seafood and a lovely and warm atmosphere. I definitely recommend the selection of starters.
Address: Calle delle Rasse, Castello 4540, 30122 Venice
Phone: +39 041 523 0557
Snack bar close to Saint Mark's offering delicious tramezzini, toasted sandwiches and small rosette (a soft type of bread shaped as a rose) stuffed with cheese, mortadella or prosciutto. Ideal for a quick budget break in this area.
Address: Calle della Malvasia 6015, 30122
Phone: +39 041 522 9038
In this small osteria it's possible to sit down for a nice traditional meal or to enjoy a plate of cicchetti standing. Often crowded, it's a great solution for lunch. At around 12:30 they offer freshly made risottos at he excellent cost of 6 euros per portion.
Address: Calle del Mondo Novo, Castello 5801, 30122
Phone: +39 041 522 7220
This Venetian restaurant is renowned for the use of high quality ingredients and for the take on traditional dishes. It's very small and cozy, which means that the staff pay attention to every detail. Great wine list and amazing food! Medium-high price range.
Il Ridotto
Address: Campo Ss. Filippo e Giacomo 4509, 30122
Phone: +39 041 5208280
My favourite restaurant! High end dining experience in a small yet extremely comfortable environment, where you will be taken care of from the beginning to the end. The menu changes according to the season, I suggest to try the tasting menu. Very interesting wine list too.
Ozio - wine bar
Address: Campo Santa Maria Formosa 6130, 30122
Phone: +39 041 779 9234
The ideal place for an easy-going yet extremely pleasant stop at only few minutes from San Marco. This bar has recently changed management and now it offers a good selection of natural wine, delicious and creative club sandwiches and other snacks and a friendly service. Perfect in the warmer months when you can sit outside in front of the church of Santa Maria Formosa.
Coffee & Ice-Cream:
Address: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1254, 30100
Phone: 041 296 0360
This beautiful glass and iron greenhouse has been recently renovated and transformed into a recreational area with a greenhouse with plants and a cafeteria with a chilled and relaxed atmosphere. Delicious freshly squeezed juices and sandwiches.
Pasticceria Bonifacio
Address: Calle degli Albanesi, Castello 4237, 30100 Venice
Phone: +39 041 522 7507
Tiny traditional pastry shop offering lots of pastries and mouthwatering savoury pizzette, made both with a pastry and a bread dough! In winter I suggest trying the fried cream or a piece of Dogaressa cake.
Il Pinguino
Address: Castello 2142, 30122
Phone: +39 041 241 1395
Delicious homemade ice-cream, I suggest the ricotta and fig flavour and "Panna in Ghiaccio".
SAN MARCO
Food & Drinks:
Address: Calle de Le Boteghe, San Marco 3461, 30124
Phone: +39 041 523 5310
Here you will be welcomed by a noisy atmosphere and a counter full of delicacies like fried, grilled and baked ranging from squid to sardines, from veal-cartilage to seasonal greens, baccalà and all sorts of polpette (meat, fish and veg fritters). A historic place that has kept its original style, recommended!
Address: San Marco 2801, Campo Santo Stefano
Phone: +39 041 527 4879
Elegant restaurant serving both meat and fish. Short menu, fresh ingredients, beautiful plating.
Address: San Marco, Calle de la Mandola 3648, 30124
Phone: +39 041 2412785
Lovely restaurant at only few minutes from San Marco, serving meat and fish. Highly recommend the carbonara di mare.
Address: Calle della Bissa, San Marco 5482, 30124
Phone: +39 041 302 6336
New take-away close to Rialto and San Bortolo offering a wide range of both traditional and revisited cicheti, cold cuts and cheese and other warm dishes. Open everyday from 10 am to 10 pm. At 12:30 the chef prepares the risotto of the day (3 euros half a portion; 5 a whole portion).
Address: San Marco, Calle Frezzaria 1610, 30124
Phone: +39 041 528 52 42
Contemporary restaurant at only few minutes from Piazza San Marco. Lovely design, very interesting wine list and delicious food. Excellent choice in this area.
Chat Qui Rit
Address: Calle Tron 1131, 30124 Venice
Phone: +39 041 522 9086
High-end cuisine and great wine selection. Beautiful modern location with an international feel and a very attentive service.
Address: San Marco, Corte Contarina 1535, 30124
Phone: +39 041 523 78 55
Innovative cuisine just behind the Piazza. A creative menu featuring both meat and fish, often reinterpreting the recipes of the local tradition.
For coffee & Ice-Cream:
Address: Calle Fiubera 950, 30124
This historical pastry shop has different spots in town, but in the one in Calle Fiubera freshly made pastry keep coming out from the laboratory that is just behind the cafeteria and it's also possible to have a quick savoury lunch. Many workers come here, so with about 7/10 euros you can enjoy a rice salad or other first and second courses and a drink.
L'ombra del Leone (Ca' Giustinian)
Address: Calle Tredici Martiri 1364, 30124
This place is simply beautiful. The palace hosts the offices of the famous Biennale and on the ground floor there is a stunning bar with a gorgeous terrace overlooking Saint Mark's basin and the Church of Madonna della Salute. If you are passionate about contemporary art, you will also be able to see different videos and/or works from the past biennali.
Da Suso (ice-cream shop)
Address: Calle de la Bissa 5453, 30124
Okay, maybe it's on the pricey side...but believe me, this ice-cream shop is excellent. Especially if you are into curious combinations and strong flavours! My suggestion: dark chocolate and pistacchio from Bronte with sea salt...spectacular!
Gelato Fantasy (ice-cream shop)
Address: Calle dei Fabbri 929
Another of my favourite ice-cream shops. Favourite flavour: yogurt from the Alps.
DORSODURO
Food & Drinks:
Address: Fondamenta Nani 992, 30123
Phone: 041 523 0034
Great place for a Venetian experience! Amazing selection of crostini, to wash down with some house wine standing along the canal.
Caco Nero
Address: Dorsoduro 2344, 30123
Phone:041 52 46 042
Lovely cafeteria located in the Dorsoduro district open from 9 am to 9 pm and serving delicious homemade cakes, savoury bread and express dishes. Excellent quality at excellent prices.
Pane e Vino San Daniele - Angelo Raffaele
Address: Campo Angelo Raffaele 1722, 30123 Venice
Phone: +39 041 523 7456
Closed on Wednesday.Wonderful restaurant in a peaceful and quiet location, with both indoor and outdoor seating, offering excellent cold cuts and cured meats from Friuli, homemade pasta and delicious second courses. Great choice of ingredients, well selected wines.
Address: Dorsoduro 2540, 30100
Phone: 041 524 6789
Located in a student area, Codroma's clients are mainly locals and university students. The place is lovely, the staff very helpful, during the summer you can eat along the canal and the prices are very reasonable. Great option also for cichetti and the famous tramezzini.
Address: Dorsoduro, Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1473, 30123
Phone: +39 041 522 7621
Elegant restaurant in stunning location overlooking the Canale della Giudecca. Excellent seafood and wine.
For an unforgettable experience.
Address: Dorsoduro 3771, 30125
Phone: 041 476 4322
Cozy wine bar serving natural wine and locally sourced products. The offer consists of cured meats and cheese, salads and express sandwiches.
Address: Dorsoduro 3778, 30100 Venice
Phone: +39 041 476 4914
Another excellent wine-bar with restaurant serving natural wines, small sandwiches and extravagant dishes with local produce of very high quality. Perfect if you are looking for a contemporary approach to Venetian traditional cuisine.
Address: San Barnaba 2687, 30123
Phone: +39 041 522 5955
Sushi restaurant with outdoor seating. Fresh ingredients, delicious food, and very kind service.
Address: Dorsoduro 2104, 30123
Phone: +39 041 524 6244
The only vegan restaurant in Venice. Located in Santa Marta, thus quite off the beaten track, La Tecia Vegana is a very simple and easy-going place. Excellent solution to have good food on a budget.
Address: Piscina Forner 857, 30123
Phone: +39 041 528 9238
Lovely traditional restaurant serving delicious food in a friendly atmosphere. At lunch all the gondoliers that work in the area have lunch there, so be prepared to be surrounded by men wearing striped t-shirts!
For coffee:
Tonolo (pastry shop)
Address:Calle S. Pantalon 3764
This traditional and historical pastry shop makes the best custard creams in Venice, ask for the "bignè alla crema"!
Fujiyama (tea-house and eatery)
Address: Calle Lunga de San Barnaba 2727/A, 30100
Cosy tearoom in Japanese style, with a small garden an wide selection of tea, very good coffee and excellent brownies and muffins. Excellent option also for a quick lunch, ideal for vegetarians.
SANTA CROCE
Food & Drinks:
Address: Santa Croce 35, 30135 Venice
Phone: +39 041 718989
Cosy wine-bar with a well selected wine list and a delicious assortment of crostini. Cheese and cured meats are free range and if you stop by you must try Katia's aunt salami, so good! Great spot also for a quick lunch or supper, the offer includes homemade warm dishes like aubergines parmigiana, chicken or Greek salads and selections of cheese and cold cuts served with jams and chutneys. Highly recommended.
Address: Santa Croce 2166, 30135 venezia (VE)
Phone: +39 340 1342140
Wonderful wine bar offering exclusively natural wine and quality nibbles. It's possible to enjoy a glass and a cicheto standing, or sit for a light meal, possibly in the beautiful courtyard with red bricks... A real heaven for natural wine lovers!
Address: Santa Croce 888, 30100
Phone: +39 041 520 1789
Small and warm fish restaurant in a beautiful and quiet setting, facing a canal and with only 4 or 5 tables. Real intimate! The food is fresh and the menu changes daily, Umberto, the chef, combines tradition and creativity with mastery, realising mouthwatering dishes.
Address: Santa Croce 231, 30135
Phone: +39 041 715394
Excellent restaurant managed by a young team full of enthusiasm and passion. This is an ideal option for gourmets who appreciate traditional dishes revisited with a contemporary taste. Highly recommended.
Glam
Address: Calle Tron 1961, 30135 (inside Palazzo Venart)
Phone: +39 041 5233784
2 star Michelin restaurant. Needless to say, beautiful location, excellent service and amazing food. For a special experience.
Address: Campo San Giacomo de l'Orio 1503, 30135
Phone: +39 041 524 0222
Lovely wine bar in Venice in a beautiful location facing Campo san Giacomo dell'Orio. Great selection of wines and delicious platters of cured meats and cheese.
Address: Santa Croce 1762, 30135 Venice
Phone: +39 041 524 1570
Vegetarian friendly restaurant offering fresh and local products and excellent wine. Beautiful location, warm and homey. Medium price range.
Address: S. Croce 2098, 30135 Venice
Phone: +39 041 200 7667
Easy-going trattoria offering Venetian and Sicilian cuisine. I suggest trying the fried arancino and the pasta alla Norma!
Address: Santa Croce 2338, 30135 Venice
Phone: +39 041 524 1169
Friendly and easy going pizzeria and restaurant offering pizza, pasta and simple fish and meat dishes. Excellent prices and lovely atmosphere, in summer I suggest eating in the garden.
For Coffee & Ice-Cream:
Address: Rio Marin 784
Delicious pastries, very good coffee and lovely location with outdoor seating along a canal.
Address: Calle Larga Rosa 1627, 30135
Quality ingredients and delicious flavours.
SAN POLO
Address: Sestiere San Polo 436, 30125
Phone: +39 041 520 5666
Really tiny place in the heart of Rialto serving amazing cichetti. It's one of my favourite places, always very crowded, here you will meet locals, workers and lots of curious travellers.
I Compari - Pulperia
Address: Campo de la Pescaria 255/A, 30125
Friendly wine bar specialised in boiled octopus, definitely worth a try! I also suggest trying their sarde in saor and if you happen around lunchtime ask them what's the pasta of the day!
Address: Campo San Giacometto 122, 30125 Rialto
Phone: +39 041 523 2061
Amazing location: on one side it faces campo San Giacometto, while on the other it overlooks the Grand Canal. Great wines and super tasty cichetti. I love their bread made with potato flour and the octopus salad.
Address: Campo Bella Vienna 213, 30125
Phone: +39 346 834 0660
Tiny spot in the heart of the Rialto market serving wine and small panini. My favourite: tuna and radicchio.
Pescaria
Address: San Polo, 317, 30125
Phone: +39 331 275 0934
This small corner bar located in front of the Rialto fish market is the perfect place for a drink and a nice tramezzino. You can sit down and watch the world pass by.
Address: San Polo, Rio Terà de le Carampane, 1911, 30125
Phone: +39 041 524 0165
One of the most refined and renown traditional restaurants. Fresh locally sourced fish, excellent quality and authentic atmosphere.
Address: San Polo 2908, 30125
Phone: +39 041 5243373
At only two minutes from the Basilica dei Frari, a beautiful restaurant with private garden. Elegant location, very interesting offer of tasting menus and fresh ingredients plated with mastery.
Il Refettorio
Address: San Polo 3138, Campiello San Rocco, 30125
Phone: +39 041 9347366
Lovely modern and young restaurant, with an interior design that beautifully blends warm wood and red bricks with colder metals. Short menu with quality ingredients, and very good wine list.
Address: San Polo 2564, 30125
Phone:+39 3478293158
If you are looking for a good cocktail, this historical bar in front of the Frari's church is the place for you! Staff always so nice and professional, ideal for a pre or after dinner experience.
For Coffee:
Address: Calle dei Cinque 609, 30100
Great place for coffee lovers. Strong and intense perfume, wide variety of choice and excellent gift idea!
Address: S. Polo 1415, 30125
This historic pastry shop is really tiny, no place to sit but...everything is delicious and the furniture is simply wonderful. I always buy toasted almond to go!
Address: San Giacometto 129, 30125
Come here if you want to sit down and relax. The location is outstanding: hosted in a former warehouse, this cafeteria has a cozy ground floor and a gorgeous top floor with a red brick wall, a parquet floor and windows facing the Grand Canal. In the summer it's possible to sit outside in the terrace. Perfect.
CANNAREGIO
Food & Drinks
Address: Cannaregio 5176, 30121
Phone: 041 241 2585
Homey and welcoming restaurant, definitely out beaten track. Simple seasonal menu based on the traditional cuisine of the region, perfect for couples or anyone looking for a quiet and intimate place.
Address: Cannaregio 4550
Phone: +39 041 5285031
This place has been open for I don't know how many generations, and the food is still superb! An old style trattoria, serving fresh and seasonal products prepared according to tradition. Here you really have to try the spaghetti al nero di seppia!
Address: Fondamenta de la Sensa 3272, 30121
Phone: +39 041 720744
Excellent food in a wonderful atmosphere. Lovely location, minimal design, delicious seasonal dishes, and natural wine, one of my favourite places. Mid-range.
Address: Cannaregio Calle Larga 2555, 30121
Phone: +39 348 769 6480
Lovely contemporary wine bar with a great natural wine offer and high quality cicheti. Lovely location, young and well-prepared staff.
Address: Cannaregio, Fondamenta de la Misericordia 2553, 30121
Phone: +39 041 524 43 79
Excellent restaurant, wonderful location and lovely staff. This is the place where tradition meets creativity, a wonderful fresh fish dishes, local produce, seasonal veg and high quality meat. Mid range. Highly recommended. They also offer home delivery service.
Address: Campo dei Gesuiti 4878, 30121
Phone: +39 041 528 6103
Beautiful eatery and cafeteria inside an ex convent with a beautiful cloister and a terrace on the canal. Ideal for coffee , snacks and also for a light lunch and dinner. The offer includes sandwiches, salads and selections of cured meats and cheese, all slow food but at very good prices. Options for vegans and vegetarians. Highly recommended.
Address: Calle de l' Oca 4367, 30121
Phone: +39 041 241 2747
This small osteria is very popular among locals. It's possible to have lunch and dinner, or you can simply have a cicchetto standing. Things you must try: fried meatball stick, fried sardines and baccalà mantecato.
Address: Calle Ca' D'Oro 3912
Phone: +39 041 528 5324
Alla Vedova is a traditional and historical restaurant in Venice. Known for their fried meatballs, I suggest you also try some more typical snacks like "latti di seppia" and "sarde in saor".
Address: Calle Priuli Racheta 3728, 30121
Phone: +39 041 523 2629
Spacious restaurant where you can enjoy a glass of wine and a cicheto standing or a traditional meal comfortably sated down. .
Address: Fondamenta della Misericordia 2497, 30121
Phone: +39 041 275 0044
Small wine bar specialised in natural wine, offering a wide range of crostini.
Address: Fondamenta degli ormesini 2754, 30121
Phone: +39 041 524 6066
Very popular among locals, here you can dine or have a long aperitif. Beautiful location, with a wooden boat in front of it where to enjoy a late afternoon spritz, Timon is for sure one of the nicest places in Venice. Just next to it, there is Al Timon Antica Mola, a relatively recent addition, where they focus on fish! Lovely...
Address: Fondamenta Cannaregio 1102, 30121
Phone: +39 041 715077
Gourmet Italian food, locally sourced ingredients, homemade pasta and great wines. Mid range price.
Address: Fondamenta Misericordia 2535, 30121 Venezia VE
Phone: +39 041 722924
Lovely new bookshop and vegetarian bistrot in F.ya della Misericordia. Small offer that includes only organic, fresh and very good products. Ideal if you wish to have a cup of quality tea with a slice of cake, a small focaccia, hummus or fresh cheese (the cheese is produced by the company Borgoluce, delicious!!!!). Highly recommended!
Address: F.ta Cannaregio 969, 30121
Phone: +39 041 244 0031
The place if you are into jazz music. Seatings indoor and outdoor along the canal, friendly atmosphere and lots of events going on.
For coffee & Ice-Cream
Address: Rio Terà Lista di Spagna 149, 30121
Historical Venetian pastry shop. If you ask me, here you eat the best croissant in Venice! Their savoury bites are delicious too and just next to the pastry shop, they recently opened a chocolate shop, which I suggest trying.
Address: F.ta degli Ormesini 2804, 30121
Artisan production, alluring perfume and amazing variety of coffees. Great roasting business!
I recommend trying their mouthwatering chocolates and also their savoury products, like the pasta made with coffee or cocoa! If you aren't sure about how to cook it ad with what ingredients combine it, keep following me because I have many recipes in mind.
Address: Strada Nuova 3843/A
Excellent family run pastry shop offering some of the best croissants in Venice. A must try is their croissant with pistachio and the one with jam and custard!
Address: Cannaregio 1525, 30121
Artisan ice-cream, generous portions, friendly and helpful staff, plus -if you want- you can sit down and relax. Try the nocciolosa flavour !