Last updated on June 22nd, 2024
If you are looking for the best restaurants in Venice, Italy then you are probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. There are so many choices… and tourist traps.
I have now been living in Italy for over a decade and after countless visits to Venice and recommendations from Italian friends, family and local guides, I have sifted through all the choices to create this list of the best restaurants in Venice, no matter your food preference (seafood, pizza, traditional Venetian dishes, etc) or neighborhood. I will guide you through what each restaurant is best for and where to eat cicchetti beforehand.
And don’t worry if you are pinched for time and need a quick recommendation for the best restaurants in Venice, just reference my quick guide and map below to find a restaurant near your current location that suits your needs.
Families, couples, large groups, students and solo travelers, look no further – I have a restaurant for you in Venice that will fit your budget, needs and requests!
Jump to Section
Map Of Best Restaurants Venice Italy
Best Restaurants Venice Italy Quick Guide
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Best For | Rest Day (Closed) | Where To Get Cicchetti Beforehand |
| Vini Da Gigio | Cannaregio | Wine lovers + Classic Venetian dishes | Monday & Tuesday | El Sbarlefo / Bacarando Corte dell’Orso (not as close) |
| Osteria L’Orto Dei Mori | Cannaregio | Innovative Venetian cuisine off beaten track | Tuesday & Wednesday | Cantina Aziende Agricole |
| Osteria Bancogiro | San Polo (Rialto Bridge) | Refined dinner with kids (6+) | Monday | Same place (specialize in cicchetti as well) |
| Cantina Do Spade | San Polo (Rialto Bridge) | Authentic dinner and cicchetti experience all in one | Open everyday | Same place (specialize in cicchetti as well) |
| Venissa | Mazzorbo | Sustainable cuisine & dining experience | Tuesday & Wednesday | No personal recommendation |
| Ristorante Luna Sentada | Castello | Intimate experience or Romantic dinner | Wednesday | Osteria alla Scuela |
| Trattoria Alla Maddalena | Mazzorbo | Island hoppers | Thursday | No personal recommendation |
| Trattoria Al Gatto Nero | Burano | Island hoppers | Monday | No personal recommendation |
| Osteria Alla Bifora | Dorsoduro | Making a meal out of cicchetti or families | Open everyday | Panini e Vini Da Babbo |
| Al Covo | Castello | Foodies looking for classic Venetian dining experience or seafood | Tuesday & Wednesday | Osteria alla Scuela / Basegò |
| L’Osteria di Santa Marina | Castello (not far from Rialto Bridge) | Seafood | Sunday | Osteria Al Portego / Bacarando Corte dell’Orso |
| Corte Sconta | Castello | Seafood (particularly good appetizers) | Saturday & Sunday | Osteria alla Scuela / Basegò |
| Cà D’Oro alla Vedova | Cannaregio | Seafood pasta | Thursday | El Sbarlefo |
| La Bitta | Dorsoduro | Meat (no seafood) | Saturday & Sunday | Panini E Vino Da Babbo / Estro (a bit further away) |
| Osteria Da Carla | San Marco | Modern Italian cuisine | Sunday | Enoteca Al Volto |
| Trattoria Al Vecio Portal | Castello | Classics with an international flare | Tuesday | Osteria alla Scuela / Basegò |
| Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi | Cannaregio | Seafood & classic Italian dishes | Open everyday | El Sbarlefo |
| Birraria La Corte | San Polo | Pizza & great beer selection | Tuesday | Acqua E Mais |
Vini Da Gigio
Sestiere, Calle Stua Cannaregio, 3628A, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Wed-Sunday 12:00-2:30 pm/7:00-10:30 pm
Specialty: Refined Venetian cuisine
Where to eat cicchetti beforehand: El Sbarlefo / Bacarando Corte dell’Orso (not as close)
Vini Da Gigio is a sophisticated Venetian restaurant with some of the best local wines, boasting an impressive wine list paired with authentic Venetian dishes to remember.
Located just on a small canal (no outdoor seating, however), Vini Da Gigio is the place to eat if you want to taste some of the best local cuisine in Venice surrounded by locals.
Look the Part: Check out these 5 Items Not to Wear When Dining Out in Italy and What to Wear to Dinner in Italy.
Most recently, Vini Da Gigio has become a member of “Osti in Orto”, a farmshare from the small Venetian island of Osti where all their produce comes from. Because of this, you can expect their menu to reflect the season and change often.
Good To Know: Vini Da Gigio is one of the best restaurants in Venice to try and buy wines along with Cantina del Vino già Schiavi (one of the best places to get cicchetti in Venice).
Osteria L’Orto dei Mori
Sestiere Cannaregio, 3386, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Thursday-Monday 12:30-2:30/7:00 pm -12:00 am
Best For: Innovative Venetian cuisine off beaten track
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Cantina Azienda Agricola
The chef at Osteria l’Orto dei Mori is from Southern Italy which is clear from his take on Venetian classics. Although the restaurant is dedicated to the lagoon’s bountiful fish and local produce, they are always adding their southern touch.
The atmosphere is easy going, like a classic Italian trattoria with wooden tables and just like the food, the dining room is furnished to mirror the food served: classic but with their own touch of color and fun lamp fixtures.
Unfortunately, the osteria does not have seating on the canal but it’s off the beaten path on the Northern canal Rio della Sensa in Cannaregio. Try and get a table by the window and you will have a great view of the canal and foodbridge just outside the restaurant.
Osteria Bancogiro
Campo San Giacometto, Ponte di Rialto, 122, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 12:00 am (closed Monday)
Specialty: Cicchetti
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Eat cicchetti standing at the bar before sitting down to your table.
Osteria Bancogiro is one of my all time favorite restaurants in Venice for both cicchetti and a full meal right on the grand canal just off of the Rialto bridge and market.
Osteria Bancogiro is best known as a bacaro for tasting cicchetti in Venice but it also has a large outdoor terrace on the backside and upstairs dining room elegantly furnished with a simple yet clean design.
I suggest Osteria Bancogiro for travelers who want to make a whole evening out of a single restaurant. Sometimes we all get lazy and don’t want to move from place to place. If this is you, come to Osteria Bancogiro and enjoy your cicchetti and aperitivo standing before being seated at your table (I highly suggest pre-booking your table!).
Good To Know: Osteria Bancogiro is also one of my top picks for drinking after dinner and eating with kids in Venice along with Cantina Do Spade and Trattoria Al Vecio Portal
Cantina Do Spade
San Polo, 859, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Everyday
Specialty: Cicchetti
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Eat cicchetti standing at the bar, at one of the three indoor tables or outside on the benches before sitting down to your table.
Cantina Do Spade is the place to come if you want to sit down and enjoy some of the best Venetian dishes with the locals. It’s so popular you are absolutely required to pre book a table (online). This place is a bit of an institution among Venetians, catering not only to people looking for a quick pick me up with a glass of wine and a cicchetto or two but also has a small kitchen serving up excellent pastas (and other dishes too!).
Cantina Do Spade is hidden away off the Rialto Bridge on a small side road identified by the benches on either side of the doorway. You can come for an aperitivo and if you are lucky, nab one of the three tables indoors to sample some of the best fried cicchetti in Venice.
From the outside Cantina Do Spade doesn’t look like a restaurant. The dining room is hidden away in the back but the kitchen is right off the bar where you can watch the piles of seafood pasta coming out one after another and disappearing next door.
Good To Know: Cantina Do Spade has a new takeout option, offering a few select dishes from their menu to order and take home.
Venissa
Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 3, 30142 Venezia VE (Mazzorbo)
Open: Lunch and dinner (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Speciality: Farm to table experience
Best For: Wine lovers and foodies
Venissa is a farm to table experience on Mazzorbo (attached to Burano) about an hour by boat from the mainland of Venice.
You can choose to either eat at the osteria and opt for their tasting menu or choose to sit at the bar for an aperitivo.
The restaurant’s dedication to cucina ambientale or sustainable cooking, has won them the Green Michelin Star, given to those restaurants dedicated to preserving the local flavors of Venice’s lagoon without compromising its values and commitment to sustainability.
Good To Know: Venissa has their own vineyard onsite, offering various wine experiences, tastings and the opportunity to buy wine directly from them. Read more about the various wine experiences in my 48 hour Foodie Itinerary in Venice.
Ristorante Luna Sentada
Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 7/b, 30142 Venezia VE
Open: Lunch and dinner (closed Wednesdays)
Speciality: Classic Venetian fare with a twist
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Osteria alla Scuela
My Venetian friend Diego recommended Ristorante Luna Sentada to me as a good choice for travelers who love seafood but would like a slightly modern take on traditional methods of preparation.
Seafood is the clear star of the show at Ristorante Luna Sentada but with an Asian twist. It isn’t too ‘far out’ but rather, subtle but with enough flare to take their food to the next level.
What I like best about Ristorante Luna Sentada (apart from their Asian spin on seafood which isn’t easy to find in Italy in my experience) is their flexibility. You can either choose to order from their wine bar menu which has more casual choices such as large salads, cicchetti, cheese and charcuterie boards, a large selection of cocktails and artisan beers, non-alcoholic beverages, and wine.
Or, you can opt for their regular menu and more formal experience, which is perfect for a romantic evening. I suggest pre booking and sitting outside on the water in the small square. It’s a quiet corner of Venice ideal for romantic evenings away from the hustle and bustle.
Trattoria Alla Maddalena
Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 7/b, 30142 Venezia VE (Mazzorbo)
Open: Lunch and dinner (closed Thursday)
Speciality: Classic Venetian Cuisine
Best For: Quiet evening away from the crowd
Trattoria Alla Maddalena has been around since 1954 serving up local food prepared in the typical Venetian methods of preparation on the small island of Mazzorbo, attached to Burano.
What sets Trattoria alla Maddalena apart is that they grow all of their own produce, ensuring fresh and seasonal food year-round.
I suggest Trattoria Alla Maddalena for travelers who are looking to get off the beaten path and have never really tried Venetian food before. Here you will get just that in an elegant white table cloth setting.
Good To Know: Trattoria Alla Maddalena can also host larger groups for celebrations and events. Get in touch to book your next celebratory lunch or dinner in Venice!
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
Via Giudecca, 88, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Tuesday – Sunday (hours vary)
Specialty: Seafood
Best For: Burano travelers
Trattoria is my top pick for eating on the island of Burano about a 1 hour boat ride from the mainland of Venice. Although quite a hike, this is one of the best restaurants in Venice for seafood prepared in the Venetian style on the water.
Nestled between brightly painted colorful buildings on either side, Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is definitely a favorite in terms of atmosphere. You won’t find a ton of tourists here because it is a bit far to get to so expect to rub elbows with the locals. Despite this, it’s still extremely popular so you will need to pre book your table and ask if they can seat you outdoors.
They really have any kind of seafood prepared in numerous ways from grilled cuttlefish and deep fried mixed seafood to marinated anchovies, raw fish appetizers and plenty of fresh seafood pasta!
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero isn’t cheap but it’s worth every penny, especially if you can manage to eat here outdoors on a sunny day!
Osteria Alla Bifora
Open: Daily 12:00 pm – 2:00 am
Specialty: Make your own cicchetti platters
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Panini E Vini Da Babbo
Osteria Alla Bifora is one of my top picks for eating with kids in Venice because of its location in Campo Santa Margherita (one of the best squares to eat in with kids in Venice) a large square with plenty of outdoor seating.
If you are coming to Venice with kids, this is a great option because the food comes out quickly and while the kids wait, they can play in the piazza without the fear of water for mom and dad (no canals in the square).
Osteria Alla Bifora specializes in classic Venetian cuisine in a very casual ambience. You can order a large plate of cicchetti which will come with all the classic cicchetti toppings and spreads with a basket of cut bread which you can then assemble yourself. If you aren’t feeling the cicchetti, choose from one of their classic mains or pasta dishes and you won’t be sorry.
Good To Know: After your meal at Osteria Alla Bifora, consider getting some of the best gelato in Venice at Gelateria Il Doge.
Al Covo
Campiello de la Pescaria, 3968, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm / 7:30 – 10:00 pm (closed Tuesday & Wednesday)
Specialty: Seafood
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Osteria alla Scuela / Basegò
Al Covo is one of Venice’s most famous restaurants but this hasn’t kept the locals away. Aftering being added to the list of Michelin Guide restaurants, Al Covo gained even more traction so if you hope to get in, book far in advance.
They offer classic refined Venetian dishes specializing in really excellent seafood, making it a top pick for gluten-free travelers in Venice.
The seafood dishes are simple but designed this way to highlight the quality and taste of each specific fish. Expect the specials to change daily and the menu to change seasonally.
They do have excellent seafood alternatives such as the Chianina beef tartare from Tuscany or the schnitzel to satisfy all customers. Don’t miss the local crabs that come in for a couple weeks in the spring and the fall, a real treat!
L’Osteria di Santa Marina
Campo Santa Marina, 5911, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Monday-Saturday, hours vary (Closed Sunday)
Specialty: Seafood
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Osteria Al Portego / Bacarando Corte dell’Orso
L’Osteria di Santa Marina was recommended to me by a tour guide friend of mine who has spent over 40 years guiding Americans through Venice. Located not far from the Rialto Market, this reliable restaurant in Venice specializes in seafood, offering seasonal menu changes depending on the season.
Their seafood is refined, each dish prepared with a twist to the classics. For example, I ordered the baccalà mantecato served on a bed of potato and leek puree and sarde in saor, which was made with shrimp instead of sardines.
I ate here with a gluten-free friend of mine and she had plenty of options to choose from including several risotti and fresh fish mains.
The food was so beautiful, served as a piece of artwork with flower garnishes and handmade vegetable crisps. By the looks of the food, it actually has the feeling and vibe of a Michelin Restaurant – it’s that good and that beautiful!
Good To Know: L’Osteria di Santa Marina also offers a comprehensive tasting menu.
Corte Sconta
Calle del Pestrin, 3886, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Monday – Friday 12:30-2:00 pm / 7:00 pm – 12:00 am (closed Saturday and Sunday)
Specialty: Seafood (particularly good appetizers)
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Osteria alla Scuela / Basegò
Corte Sconta is where I come to Venice if I want a restaurant that is serving really clean and fresh seafood in a simple but exciting new way. For example, you can find fresh seafood prepared simply by being marinated and served in a light sauce, showcasing the bright flavors of that fish.
You will notice many of the seafood is simply steamed. Although to some this may seem rather uninteresting, a restaurant that can just serve steamed fish is a true test of quality! It’s so good that Corte Sconta is a Michelin Guide restaurant in Venice.
Corte Sconta is also well known for their beautiful inner courtyard, elaborately decorated with plants and flowers, making you feel as if you have stepped into a magical forest restaurant in Venice.
Good To Know: Corte Sconta offers a comprehensive tasting menu, which is an excellent way to sample several dishes without committing to a single dish.
Cà D’Oro Alla Vedova
Ramo Ca’ d’Oro, 3912, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Friday – Wednesday, hours vary (closed Thursday)
Specialty: Seafood pasta dishes
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: El Sbarlefo
Cà D’Oro Alla Vedova is a hole in the wall restaurant tucked away from all the tourist crowds in Venice serving up some of the best seafood pastas in town. The dining room is small and casual with wooden tables and simple furnishing but the food is rustic and homemade.
I found the price to be very reasonable compared to other Venetian restaurants serving similar dishes. They don’t have a huge wine list so I don’t suggest this restaurant to wine connoisseurs but rather, people who are looking for a local hangout.
La Bitta
Open: Monday – Friday 7:00 – 10:00 pm (closed Saturday and Sunday)
Specialty: Meat (no seafood)
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Panini E Vino Da Babbo / Estro (a bit further away)
I suggest La Bitta for delicious Italian food in a casual setting without the price tag for people who don’t eat fish. La Bitta prides themselves on serving food made without seafood, a rarity in Venice but nonetheless, greatly appreciated by many.
Choose from regional meat specials such as carpaccio, fegato, stewed game, artichoke salads and rich first course such as gnocchi with cheese.
They are only open for dinner so be sure to book your table well in advance!
Osteria Da Carla
Corte Contarina, 1535, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: 9:30 am – 11:00 pm (closed Sunday)
Specialty: Modern Italian cuisine
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Enoteca Al Volto
Osteria Da Carla is where I recommend pre-booking a table if you plan on being around Piazza San Marco around lunch or dinner time.
Osteria Da Carla is one of my favorite restaurants in Venice if you are a bit tired of Italian food (impossible, right?). The food is Italian here yet innovative.
For example, ravioli filled with pulled pork: a true fusion of American and Italian cuisine. The food presentation is also more artistic and curated than other restaurants in Venice with attention to detail, color and the china that they choose to serve each food item on.
Trattoria Al Vecio Portal
Riva degli Schiavoni, 3990, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Closed: Wednesday – Monday 12:00 – 3:15 / 7:00 pm – 10:15 pm (closed Tuesdays)
Specialty: Pizza
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Osteria alla Scuela / Basegò
Trattoria Al Vecio Porta is one of those ‘can’t go wrong’ restaurants in Venice. They have an extensive menu with a wide selection of homemade pastas, making it easy to find something for everyone in your party.
Apart from their traditional menu, Trattoria Al Vecio Portal has also become well known for their pizza, which is how I first stumbled upon it.
Trattoria Al Vecio Portal’s amazing location right on a small canal in the western part of the Castello neighborhood is what makes this restaurant worth mentioning. They don’t have that many tables outdoors but if you can get one, it’s the classic Venetian outdoor pizzeria experience you are looking for.
Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi
Calle dell’Oca, 4367, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily (hours vary)
Specialty: Seafood
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: El Sbarlefo
Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi was recommended to me by a local from whom I rented an apartment. He said this is a staple for his Venetian family and once I got a closer look, I understood why. The menu is often changing, catering to what is seasonal. Think scallops on the half shell, seafood salad, pasta with clams.
Although Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi does offer several non seafood items, I would say this is what they are most beloved for. If you want to eat lasagne, head to Bologna (Emilia-Romagna) instead.
Birraria La Corte
S. Polo, 2168, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Wednesday-Monday 12:00-2:00 pm/6:30-10:00 pm
Specialty: Pizza
Where To Eat Cicchetti Beforehand: Acqua e Mais
Birraria La Corte makes some of the best pizza in Venice, with a wide selection of beer on tap.
The pizza is Neapolitan-style with a thick airy crust. They don’t have a huge pizza menu but what they have is very good, including traditional toppings and innovative combinations.
I suggest this pizzeria for families or for groups who can’t agree on dinner. If you don’t want pizza, they have a great menu as well including interesting appetizers with southern cheese specialities for you all mozzarella lovers out there.
They have a small courtyard on the backside of the restaurant with more outdoor seating on S. Polo square.
Best Restaurants In Venice FAQ
This is a question I get asked a lot and although it is a historic institution and has played an important role in the Venetian culinary scene, I prefer to eat at other Venetian restaurants first.
Harry’s bar is located right on the canal but there is no terrance on the water. Instead, the windows are tinted, giving it a very exclusive and private feel, which is why some people choose it. When I come to Venice, I want to see, smell and taste the water, the sea life and the lagoon, which doesn’t happen in Harry’s bar. If you really want to come here, I suggest opting for an aperitivo at the counter or bar with a bellini, the classic drink invented here.
In terms of food, however, it’s pretty run of the mill, nothing to write home about. This being said, I don’t deny or negate the role Harry’s bar has played in Venice throughout history in terms of culinary importance and place of cultural exchange between important travelers and Venetians.
Venice bound? Get prepared with all of our Venice posts:
20+ Must-Try Foods And Drinks In Venice – And My Favorite Places To Eat Them
What Are Cicchetti? + Where To Eat Them In Venice
What Is A Bacaro? + A Local’s Self Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary
My Favorite Cicchetti In Venice – The 10 Best Bacari To Try
Best Restaurants in Venice + Nearest Cicchetti Stops
Best Gelato In Venice – My Italian Family’s 10 Favorite Gelaterie
7 Food Markets In Venice Worth Your Time
Where To Get Coffee In Venice
Where To Eat Breakfast In Venice – A Local’s Favorite Breakfast Nooks
10 Amazing Bakeries In Venice – Where to Get Your Pastry On
Best Spots In Venice For Aperitivo – My Top Bars & Squares for Pre-Dinner Drinks
Dinner On The Water In Venice – My Top 7 Restaurants
Best Pizza In Venice – My ‘Don’t Miss’ List
My Favorite After Dinner Drink Spots In Venice
Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice – Tips + Printable
5 Street Foods To Try In Venice & Where Eat Them
Best Places To Get Takeout In Venice – My Top Picks
Where To Eat Before Catching Your Train At The Venice Santa Lucia Train Station
My Favorite Food Chains To Try In Venice
Eating Gluten-Free In Venice – Restaurants, Cicchetti & Gelato
Gluten-Free Cicchetti In Venice – What To Order (& Avoid) and How to Order
Eating Vegetarian In Venice – My Top Five Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants + Tips
Eating Vegan In Venice, Italy – My Top Five Vegan Friendly Restaurants
Eating in Venice While Pregnant
8+ Kid Friendly Restaurants In Venice
Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice
24 Hour Food Guide For Venice – A Self Guided Tour For Foodies in Venice
Eating Around Venice in 48 hours – 2 Day Venice Itinerary For Foodies
10 Best Food Souvenirs From Venice, Italy + Where I Buy Them
