Venice has a multitude of options for eating. Each sestiere has its own meeting points and places to eat in Venice. Italian cuisine, specifically Venetian cuisine, is a favourite in Venice. You can opt for a refined restaurant with a dress code, and spend an appropriate amount of money. 

You can choose a simple osteria, often family-run, serving traditional rustic dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. A trattoria is similar to an osteria. 

As Venice is surrounded by water, seafood restaurants are popular and offer fresh seafood and fish dishes. Some restaurants, trattorias and osterias offer take-away food.

Explore the best seafood restaurants in Venice, Italy. Check here for the opening times and your best-choice menu.
 

Best 5 dining restaurants in Venice

Venice has several Michelin-starred options if you're looking for a special occasion restaurant. These include Ristorante Glam, Enrico Bartolini's restaurant with two Michelin stars for its creative take on Venetian cuisine. Oro Restaurant on Giudecca Island offers gorgeous lagoon views and innovative tasting menus. 

Terrazza Danieli in San Marco boasts stunning views of the Grand Canal. 

Gran Caffè Quadri in Piazza San Marco offers a luxurious experience in a Venetian restaurant.

Interactive Venice map for visitors, On this map, you will find the exact route to your destination, along with your nearest attractions and a lot of detailed information, such as the Venice City Pass.

Traditional Venetian Dining

For a more traditional Venetian experience, try an osteria or trattoria. These small, family-run restaurants serve up delicious local dishes such as fresh seafood, pasta, and risotto. 

Osteria Antico Martini in San Marco is a popular choice, as is Osteria alle Testiere in Cannaregio. Osteria Ai Pugni in Dorsoduro is a local favourite for hearty Venetian dishes. 

Trattoria Al Gatto Nero in Burano is a lively spot with a focus on fresh seafood. Ristorante Carpaccio Venezia is where you can try the original carpaccio, a thinly sliced raw beef dish.

Bàcari and Cicchetti

If you don't have time because you're busy visiting the city, we recommend going into any Venetian bacaro for a cichetto. The word “cicheto” comes from ciccus, which means 'small quantity' in Latin. The word bacaro, on the other hand, is probably derived from bacara, which means noise, hubbub or revelry. 

The bacari was an ancient figure of merchants who sold alcohol and cheap food and stopped under the shadow of St Mark's Campanile. That is why in Venice the spirits are called “ombre” (plural of the word “ombra” mean shadow). The bacaro is the popular heart of Venice, where you can eat and drink cheaply. Some shops put their delicacies on display to attract tourists. 

For centuries the local fishing industry has fed the Venetian tables, so fish remains the basis of Venetian dishes. Many of the dishes in the bacari are fish-based. Be sure to try some local specialities, such as baccalà mantecato (creamed codfish) and crostini (small toasts) with various toppings. 

Try to accompany these dishes with local cocktails such as Bellini or Spritz. Maybe try the famous prosecco or some local wines. Get help from the staff at the various bacari. Some popular bacari include Bacaro Quebrado in Santa Croce, Al Mercà and Naranzaria in San Polo.

No matter if you've been to Venice before or this is your first time there, our carefully planned Venice itineraries will help you find your way through the maze-like streets and show you the city's secret gems.

Pizzerias in Venice

If you're short on time, plenty of pizzerias or pizza restaurants are dotted around the city. In these small pizzerias you can buy slices of pizza or a whole pizza and various drinks. If you prefer to enjoy a whole pizza with a beer, then visit any trattoria in Venice. Ae Oche in Cannaregio is a popular choice, with a wide variety of pizzas on the menu.

In case you don't want to eat Italian, you can always opt for ethnic restaurants, where you'll find many choices based on continents. If, on the other hand, you are a fast food chain type, Venice has little to offer.

Apart from these, there are numerous cafes around Venice where one can grab a coffee, pastries or light snacks. If you are looking for desserts, you can visit any Gelateria, a shop that specializes in gelato, Italy's famous frozen dessert.

If you're staying in a flat, try buying your produce at a local market, such as the Rialto, and cook according to one of our recipes.

Additional tips for dining in Venice

  • Restaurant Timing: In Venice, you can go for lunch after 12 noon and dinner after 19:00. Venice often has shopkeepers open every day.  Always try to contact the restaurant in advance.
     
  • Be aware of tourist traps: Many restaurants in Venice cater to tourists, and these can be overpriced and low-quality. You should do some research before you go, or ask your hotel concierge for recommendations.
     
  • Make reservations: If you're planning on eating at a popular restaurant, it's a good idea to make reservations in advance, especially during peak season.
     
  • Beware of coperto: Many restaurants in Venice charge a coperto, or cover charge, which is usually a few euros per person. This is a service charge that is added to your bill.

A trip to Italy without sampling some of the local dishes is an incomplete journey of heavenly sensory experiences.