Today’s post is dedicated to vegans. An ever-growing number of people on the planet is opting for a vegan diet and one of the biggest issues they encounter when traveling is finding vegan friendly eateries and restaurants, so I decided to gather a number of vegan-friendly options in Venice and organise them by district (sestiere in Venice), in a way that you can easily plan your day and avoid running from one part of the city to the other just to enjoy a meal!
I will immediately say that compared to cities like Rome and Milan, Venice does offer many options for vegetarians (see my vegetarians in Venice post) but, when it comes to vegan... well, there is much less choice. In fact, although in Italy vegetables and grains are widely used, I also understand that the “hidden ingredients” factor has its importance and that one can feel embarrassed to ask about the ingredients of every dish, so I hope that this post will make planning your meals in Venice a little bit easier. Eating should be fun and never become a stressful experience and just because you are vegan it doesn't mean you should starve or end up eating only side dishes or -quite sad and uncreative- salads!
SAN MARCO
Address: S. Marco, 5556, 30100 Venezia VE - map Phone: +39 041 241 2823
Lunch + Dinner / Medium price range
Alajmo is definitely the best option for a quality vegan meal in this district. The menu offers a whole section dedicated to veggies with inviting dishes like avocado carpaccio with cilantro and white balsamic condiment, vegetable tartare with crispy black rice focaccia, gourmet pizzas and more and –only for lunch- it’s possible to have a large vegan salad (9,50 €). The restaurant is located inside the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the atmosphere is fancy and modern and the service attentive. Great attention to ingredient sourcing, creative menus with vegetarian options that can be easily veganised. A must try is the vegan mayo, delicious! (see online menu).
Address: Calle dei Stagneri O de la Fava, 5242, 30124 Venezia VE - map Phone: +39 041 528 5147 High-end restaurant offering a gourmet vegan menu. Haven't tried it myself, but I read several reviews on the HappyCow which suggest the food is really delicious, but the prices very expensive. I passed to take a picture of their menu, so I can tell you that all vegan starters cost 17 euros, all first courses 18 and to this you must add 4 euros of "coperto" + 12% service, which makes it a bit over budget for me. If you decide to try it, make it your fancy treat meal and be prepared to spend. The ambience is very elegant, with white tablecloths and waiters in livery.
SAN POLO
Address: San Polo, Fondamenta Frari, 2558, 30125 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 720050
Lunch + Dinner / Medium price range
Frary’s is a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant where it’s always possible to find options for vegans, which usually include some spreads like chickpea hummus or their must have carrot and ginger sauce, couscous, rice or bulgur with vegetables, a vegan version of the moussaka and other seasonal side dishes. I find this place very friendly and warm and particularly appreciate the simple and easy-going atmosphere. Plus, you won’t leave feeling starving!!!
Address: San Polo 129, 30125 Venezia (VE) - map
Phone: +39 041 2770948 Lovely cafeteria located under the porticos in Rialto Erbaria offering a selection of vegan dishes like: lasagna with vegetables, warm couscous salad, falafels with hummus and grilled veg, warm quinoa salad and the rainbow salad with avocado, rocket salad, red onions, carrots and black olives. All dishes are 12.00 euros, thus if you add a drink consider you'll spend between 15/20 per person, which I think is good value if you consider the location: overlooking the Grand Canal on one side and Campo San Giacometto on the other.
SANTA CROCE
- ABOUT - EVENING FARMER MARKET OFFERING WARM FOOD
Address: Lista Vecchia dei bari 1165, 30123, Venezia
Contact: info@about-about.org
This is a really lovely farmer market that takes place every Thursday evening from 6 to 10 pm. Not only do these young fellows offer fresh local produce to buy, they also cook. I suggest contacting them via email or send them a message through their Facebook page if you wish to eat at their stall. Excellent prices and really tasty and flavoursome food. A particular and definitely alternative meal in Venice! Highly recommended!
DORSODURO
Address: Dorsoduro, 2104, 30123 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 524 6244
The only 100% vegan restaurant in Venice. Located quite far from the centre this very friendly place is definitely worth a visit. Simple and easy going atmosphere and lots of creative dishes at extremely affordable prices. They became known for their aubergines in saor, but I also suggest trying the first courses (especially anything that comes with the rocket salad pesto) and the chocolate desserts! Generous portions too!
Address: Dorsoduro, 2344, 30123 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 524 6042
Lunch + Snacks
Not vegan, but vegan-friendly. This trendy and easy-going eatery and cafeteria offers a short (synonym of fresh!) list of daily made dishes that always include lots of veggies. They have options for vegans but, anyway, everything is made at the moment thus you can always ask to remove or replace some ingredients.
Address: Dorsoduro 2920, 30121 Venezia, Italia+39 041 520 0217 - map
Phone: +39 041 822 4337
Lunch + Dinner / Budget eats
Ethnic restaurant offering lots of options for vegans like hummus, main courses with grains, veggies and nuts, a couple of soups and lots of salads. Excellent prices and chilled and friendly atmosphere. This restaurant (like the one in Cannaregio) are managed by an Afghan who has become well-known and quite loved in Venice because he hires immigrants in need of help with documents, language and integration! Highly highly highly recommended.
Address: Dorsoduro, Calle Lunga S. Barnaba, 2722, 30123 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 476 7865
Lunch + Dinner / Budget eats
Although the management is different from the one of Orient Experience, the menu is practically the same. I find this location particularly nice and warm, with beautiful drawings on the walls, wooden sculptures of animals and a cosy back garden, although the best thing about this restaurant is undoubtedly the smile of the staff. I highly recommend trying it and I also strongly suggest to book!
Address: Calle Lunga de San Barnaba, 2727/A, 30123 Dorsoduro di Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 417241042
Lunch + snacks / Budget eats
Super lovely tea-house, beautiful especially in the summer when it's possible to sit outside in the Japanese style back garden. The lunch offer always includes at least 1 or 2 options for vegans, like the rice roll with mango and avocado or the seasonal salads. With regard to desserts, just ask!
CANNAREGIO
Address: Cannaregio, Salizada dei Spechieri, 4877, 30121 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 5286103
Lunch + snacks This stunning and unique cafeteria is not vegan, but it does offer a really delicious vegan salad and a couple of vegan sandwiches which are to die for. Excellent for a quiet and light lunch in a relaxing location (an ex convent). I suggest stopping by even just for a cup of tea.
Address: Fondamenta Misericordia, 2535, 30121 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 722924
Snacks/Teas+coffees
Small and welcoming vegetarian tea-house and bookshop. Great for snacks, love their chickpea hummus served with raw carrots and turmeric bread and the savoury focaccia, but I also suggest trying their desserts and cakes. The chocolate and almond cake is absolutely mouthwatering (vegan and gluten free) not to mention the cookies... They also produce an organic prosecco called Lunatico, thus if you come here you can be sure of the quality of the ingredients. Love it.
Address: Rio Terà Farsetti, 1847, 30121 Venezia VE - map Phone: +39 041 822 4337
Lunch + Dinner / Budget eats
See the Orient Experience above mentioned.
Address: Sestiere Cannaregio, 1122, 30121 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 366 250 4505
Lunch + Dinner / Low-Medium range
The oldest and most known Jewish restaurant in Venice. Not vegan, but with lots of delicious meat and dairy free options and a very good value for money ratio. I will never get tired of remind you to book a table in advance, otherwise chances to find space will be practically nil... Colourful rooms, easy-going atmosphere and friendly young staff.
Address: Cannaregio, 2873/c, 30121 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 243 0711
Lunch + Dinner / Medium-Highish price range
Located in Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, this beautiful Jewish restaurant offers traditional Jewish dishes and has quite a few options for vegans. Beautiful location, medium/high price range.
Address: Cannaregio, 146, 30121 Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 220 6517
Dinner only / Medium-High price range
Japanese restaurant located inside the Hotel Principe in Lista di Spagna offering a very interesting vegetarian menu (see here) with options for vegans and a couple of super inviting vegan salads!
LIDO
Address: Via Gran Viale, 28/B, 30126 Lido di Venezia, Venezia VE - map
Phone: +39 041 770618
Lunch + Dinner / Low-Medium price range
Indian restaurant with vegan options. This is the place if you love very spicy and flavoursome dishes and perfumes and easy-going and friendly environments.
MESTRE
VgOloso Address: Viale Ancona 10, 30172 Mestre (Venezia) Phone: +39 041 3095669 Lunch + Dinner Excellent vegan restaurant offering organic food at a great value for money. Here you will savour seasonal and local veggies, homemade whole wheat and farro pasta, lots of gluten-free pasta, mouthwatering second courses and homemade breads, pizzas and focaccia (all with ancient flours and sourdough). Try to leave some space for the desserts too, so good! From Venice, it is a 15 minute bus ride. Just take bus 43 (it leaves every hour at 20 and 50 past) and get off in Via Torino after NaturaSi.
FOOD SHOPPING
For a list of general markets and farmers markets, please refer to my All you need to know about Food Shopping in Venice post.
Consider that every supermarket has its vegan line and offers non-dairy milks and products, but undoubtedly the most -and better!- equipped store is the NATURASì STORE. Ideal not only to shop for your home food, but also for snacks: ask them about their breads and focaccia, absolutely delicious!!!! I am personally addicted to the turmeric, carrot and seeds bread...
MY FAVOURITE VEGAN ICE-CREAM
Most ice-cream stalls offer at least a couple of vegan ice-creams, thus I'm just listing my 3 favourites in Venice:
Gelato Fantasy Address: Calle dei Fabbri, 929, 30124 S.Marco, Venezia VE - map
Gelateria Alaska Address: Santa Croce, Calle Larga dei Bari, 1159, 30135, Venezia VE - map
Don't limit yourself to ice-cream, here you should really try the granatine alla frutta, his specialty!