Where to eat in Venice

Selection of Restaurants and Specialties

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Among calli, bridges and canals that tell centuries of history, the Serenissima offers a unique gastronomic journey, featuring seafood flavors, traditional recipes and historic venues capable of captivating every visitor.

Overview + Restaurants Table

• Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie
• Cà D’Oro alla Vedova
• Osteria alle Testiere
• Trattoria alla Madonna
• Antiche Carampane
• Harry’s Bar
• Ristorante Quadri
• Il Ridotto
• Bacari Veneziani

FAQ

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Overview

In Venice, cuisine is a journey through tradition, history and unique flavors, with a strong connection to both the sea and the local culture.

In this guide you will find a selection of particularly representative venues (see Restaurant Table), accompanied by an overview of their most appreciated specialties and the signature dishes of Venetian cuisine.

The undisputed protagonists are the flavors of the sea and tradition: from the famous creamed cod with polenta to bigoi in salsa, up to Venetian-style cuttlefish with polenta. Among the must-visit venues are the centuries-old Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie, the historic Cà D’Oro alla Vedova and the legendary Harry’s Bar, each capable of offering dishes that express identity, the freshest ingredients and a unique atmosphere, blending elegance, warmth and Venetian charm.

Important notes:

In the following sections you will find some key references to help you better orient your choice among restaurants and their specialties, in particular:

📌 The number next to each restaurant and dish indicates how many gastronomic guides recognize its quality.

📌 The stars shown next to each dish are an internal Tourplan classification, developed based on reviews from major guides: ★★★ dish worth the trip, ★★ must-try dish, ★ dish to try.

📌 The indicative price is an indicative value calculated on a standard meal consisting of a starter + a first course, drinks excluded. See Legend 🔗

Restaurants Table

In the table below you will find a carefully curated list of selected restaurants, created by cross-referencing data from 10 of the most authoritative Italian and international food and wine guides.
The selection is not based on proprietary scores or rankings, but on the number of guides that recognize the quality of each restaurant, offering a clear, transparent, and comparable criterion to help guide your choice.

🔎 The guides considered in this selection are: Michelin Guide, Gambero Rosso, l’Espresso Guide, Italian Academy of Cuisine, Slow Food Guide, Bibenda, Il Golosario, Identità Golose, Touring Club Italiano, and TripAdvisor.

• Scroll the table down and to the right to view all column data and quickly access the maps Google Maps ➡️
• To see the explanation of each data column, click on the column header itself (e.g. Org, Index, etc.) at the top of the table.

📌 This table is updated every 6–12 months.

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🍽️ Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie

Type: Traditional Venetian trattoria / seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center of Venice
Indicative price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center

Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie (1) is a historic Venetian landmark open for centuries, and for this reason it has become an icon of tradition, well known to locals and tourists alike.

The trattoria offers an authentic Venetian experience with a welcoming outdoor veranda and an interior featuring a period fireplace that provides warmth and atmosphere. The location is perfect for an intimate dinner, immersed in Venetian authenticity.

The cuisine is mainly seafood-based, with traditional Venetian dishes. Meat options are also available, but fish remains the star, with recipes ranging from classic grilled dishes to more refined and typical local specialties.

Starters

• Doge’s appetizer
• Sautéed clams and mussels
• Schie with polenta
• Gratin scallops
• Fish carpaccio

First courses

• Gnocchetti with lobster
• Green tagliatelle with scallops
• Tagliatelle with fasolari clams and pistachios
• Black tagliolini with crab
• Spaghetti with lobster and cherry tomatoes
• Squid ink risotto

Main courses

• Grilled eel
• Sea bream Poste Vecie style
• Baked turbot
• Venetian-style cuttlefish with polenta
• Mixed grilled fish

Desserts

• Classic tiramisu
• Millefeuille with pastry cream

Summary: Rustic and authentic Venetian trattoria with outdoor veranda and indoor fireplace, seafood and meat cuisine with traditional dishes and a romantic atmosphere ideal for experiencing Venice.

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🍽️ Cà D’Oro alla Vedova

Type: Venetian trattoria / meat and seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center of Venice
Approximate price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center

Cà D’Oro alla Vedova (4) is a historic Venetian trattoria, among the most appreciated on TripAdvisor and listed among the Historic Places of Italy. The setting is rustic and classic, with a warm and engaging atmosphere: among the characteristic details are the polenta cauldrons hanging from the ceiling, making the environment unique and evocative.

The cuisine offers both meat and seafood dishes, with no prevalence, and a strong focus on quality and the use of Slow Food presidia. Among the main dishes not to be missed are spaghetti alla busara, bavette with cuttlefish ink, bigoi in salsa and spaghetti with clams. The wine cellar features local and Italian labels, ideal to accompany every course.

Starters

• Typical Venetian cicheti
• Creamed cod with polenta (2, ★)
• Sarde in saor
• Grilled baby cuttlefish (3, ★)
• Octopus salad with green celery and potatoes (2, ★)

First courses

• Spaghetti alla busara (4, ★★★)
• Bavette with cuttlefish ink (4, ★★★)
• Bigoi in salsa (4, ★★★)
• Spaghetti with clams (4, ★★★)
• Venetian-style fish soup with croutons

Main courses

• Mixed fried seafood (2, ★)
• Stewed baby octopus with soft polenta (3, ★★)
• Tiny lagoon shrimp with soft polenta (1, ★)
• Cuttlefish in its ink with polenta (1, ★)

Desserts

• Zaleti biscuits and sweet wine (3, ★★)
• Chocolate salami
• Tiramisù (1, ★)

Summary: Historic Venetian trattoria, rustic and warm atmosphere, meat and seafood cuisine with top Venetian dishes, local and Italian wine cellar, ideal for an authentic and engaging experience.

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🍽️ Osteria alle Testiere

Type: Seafood osteria / Venetian cuisine
Area: Historic center of Venice
Approximate price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center

Osteria alle Testiere (6) is a historic venue highly reviewed by gastronomic guides, typical and intimate, with an authentic Venetian osteria atmosphere. The setting is classic and simple, perfect for enjoying its specialties in an informal yet refined context.

The cuisine is exclusively seafood-based and changes daily according to the catch available at the Rialto market, ensuring ultra-fresh and local ingredients. Among the must-try dishes are creamed cod with polenta, pumpkin, ricotta and king prawn ravioli and grilled lagoon baby cuttlefish. The wine cellar offers local and Italian labels, with a selection of spirits to complete the gastronomic experience.

Starters

• Fried soft-shell crabs marinated in carpione
• Clams with ginger
• Mixed Adriatic seafood starter (3, ★★)
• Creamed cod with Biancoperla corn polenta (5, ★★)
• Mussels in “cassopipa” style (2, ★★)
• Raw fish of the day

First courses

• Pumpkin, ricotta and king prawn ravioli (4, ★★)
• Spaghetti with bevarasse (clams) (3, ★★)
• Tagliolini with scampi, prawns and mushrooms
• Gnocchetti with squid

Main courses

• Grilled lagoon baby cuttlefish (5, ★★)
• Turbot fillet with citrus, spices and aromatic herbs
• Mixed grilled fish and shellfish (2, ★)
• Sliced tuna steak with potatoes and cherry tomatoes

Desserts

• Bronte pistachio flour cake
• Crema rosada (4, ★★)

Summary: Typical Venetian osteria, classic and intimate setting, exclusively seafood cuisine with extremely fresh dishes linked to the catch of the day, local and Italian wine cellar, ideal for an authentic and refined experience in the historic center.

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🍽️ Trattoria alla Madonna

Type: Venetian trattoria / seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center of Venice
Approximate price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center

Trattoria alla Madonna (5) is a typical Venetian trattoria, among the most reviewed on TripAdvisor, with a rustic and welcoming atmosphere. The location includes a few outdoor tables, a warm and convivial setting, and a fish counter that guarantees top-quality ingredients.

The cuisine is mainly seafood-based, with a few meat options, and stands out for its use of ultra-fresh, local ingredients. Among the restaurant’s must-try dishes are spider crab with oil and lemon, seafood risotto, vermicelli with cuttlefish ink and Venetian-style cuttlefish with polenta. The wine cellar offers local and Italian labels, ideal to accompany every course.

Starters

• Mixed seafood starter (mantis shrimp, small shrimps, baby octopus, sea snails, dairy products) (3, ★★)
• Madonna seafood starter (3, ★★)
• Sarde in saor
• Spider crab with oil and lemon (5, ★★★)

First courses

• Seafood risotto (5, ★★★)
• Vermicelli with cuttlefish ink (4, ★★★)
• Spaghetti with clams (2, ★)
• Venetian-style fish soup with croutons

Main courses

• Venetian-style cuttlefish with polenta (5, ★★★)
• Fried scampi
• Mixed fried seafood (4, ★★)
• Grilled fish (4, ★★)

Desserts

• Tiramisù (3, ★★)
• “Madonna” cake (1, ★)

Summary: Typical Venetian trattoria, rustic setting with a few outdoor tables, top-level fish counter, mainly seafood cuisine, local and Italian wine cellar, ideal for an authentic and convivial experience.

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🍽️ Antiche Carampane

Type: Seafood trattoria / Venetian cuisine
Area: Historic center of Venice
Indicative price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center

Antiche Carampane (2) is a historic Venetian trattoria, rustic and welcoming, with a few outdoor tables and a warm, characteristic interior. The atmosphere is simple yet well-kept, ideal for those seeking an authentic and intimate experience in the heart of Venice.

The cuisine is exclusively seafood-based, featuring traditional Venetian dishes prepared with great attention to the quality of the catch and seasonality. The trattoria also boasts an internationally oriented wine cellar, with local, Italian, and foreign labels, perfect for pairing each dish with the right match.

Starters

• Classic Venetian mixed seafood starter (1, ★)
• Tiny lagoon shrimp with soft “Bianco Perla” polenta
• Sautéed local clams and mussels with tomato
• Raw fish carpaccio according to availability

First Courses

• Thin spaghetti with spider crab
• Spaghetti in “Cassopipa” with lightly spiced seafood (2, ★)
• Tagliolini with cuttlefish ragù and parmesan sauce

Main Courses

• Carampane mixed fried seafood (2, ★)
• John Dory fillet with Treviso red radicchio, black cabbage cream, puntarelle, and crispy bread (1, ★)
• Local cuttlefish in its ink with Bianco Perla polenta
• Grilled catch of the day with aromatic mixed salad (1, ★)

Side Dishes

• Artichoke bottoms

Summary: Historic Venetian trattoria, rustic and welcoming, exclusively seafood cuisine with traditional dishes, international wine cellar, and outdoor tables for an authentic and intimate experience in the historic center.

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🍽️ Harry’s Bar

Type: Historic restaurant / international and Italian cuisine
Area: San Marco, Venice
Indicative price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot from the center / vaporetto

Harry’s Bar (4) is a legendary venue in Venice, opened on May 13, 1931 by Giuseppe Cipriani and recognized as a historical and cultural landmark not only for the city but for the entire international gastronomic scene. Over the years it has been frequented by artists, writers, aristocrats, and international celebrities, including Ernest Hemingway, and in 2001 it was declared a “national monument” by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage.

The atmosphere is extremely elegant and classic, with wooden furnishings and an ambiance reminiscent of historic European cafés. Located near Piazza San Marco, just a few steps from the main canals, the venue is famous above all for its prestigious location, worldwide reputation, and strictly traditional Venetian cuisine.

Meat Starters

• Carpaccio

Seafood Starters

• Creamed cod with polenta
• Roasted baby cuttlefish
• Octopus salad with green celery and potatoes

Meat First Courses

• Green tagliolini gratinated with veal ragù
• Pumpkin ravioli
• Cipriani-style risotto

Seafood First Courses

• Tagliolini with cuttlefish
• Risotto with scampi and artichoke bottoms
• Spaghetti with clams

Meat Main Courses

• Parmesan-style tripe with pilaf rice
• Curry chicken with pilaf rice
• Veal kidney with saffron risotto

Seafood Main Courses

• Curry scampi with pilaf rice
• Chilean sea bass with capers
• Sole meunière
• John Dory Carlina-style

Desserts

• Chocolate cake
• Selection of homemade sorbets and ice creams

Summary: Historic Venetian venue, elegant and classic atmosphere with strong cultural identity, cuisine ranging from meat to seafood dishes.

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🍽️ Ristorante Quadri

Type: Seafood restaurant / Venetian cuisine
Area: Piazza San Marco, Venice
Indicative price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center
Michelin stars: ⭐

Ristorante Quadri (5) is a Michelin-starred excellence located in a historic building in Venice, overlooking the picturesque Piazza San Marco. The atmosphere is elegant and refined, with well-spaced tables ensuring privacy and comfort, and the option to dine outdoors with a view of the square for an unforgettable experience. The location is breathtaking, perfect for those seeking a unique blend of history and gastronomy.

The menu offers a contemporary interpretation of Venetian seafood, with creative and meticulously prepared dishes, accompanied by a top-level wine cellar including local, Italian, and international labels. Two signature dishes stand out: Spaghettoni with cuttlefish ink and oysters and Tuna belly with borage cream and Camone tomato panzanella, symbols of the restaurant’s refined cuisine. Prestigious wine cellar with both national and international labels.

Starters

• Rolled Daurenki Tsar Imperial caviar tartare with scampi, lobster, and sea truffle cream
• Cold egg with Asetra Cru caviar, eel cream, and beetroot
• Lagoon cappuccino (3, ★)

First Courses

• Paccheri with tuna belly sauce and stewed cuttlefish
• Burrata ravioli with broccoli, seafood, and white truffle (3, ★)
• Risotto with goby, spider crab, and artichoke sorbet with fried soft-shell crabs
• Spaghettoni with cuttlefish ink and oysters (4, ★★)

Main Courses

• Turbot, canestrelli, and fried soft-shell crabs with spicy sweet-and-sour sauce sorbet
• Crispy red mullet with smashed potatoes, tomato reduction, and Taggiasca olives
• Tuna belly with borage cream and Camone tomato panzanella (5, ★★)

Desserts

• Saffron and licorice fried cream with spumone ice cream (2, ★)
• Hazelnut grand ice cream (1, ★)

Summary: Michelin-starred seafood restaurant in a historic Venetian building with well-spaced tables and views of Piazza San Marco. Creative menu with iconic dishes. Prestigious wine cellar.

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🍽️ Il Ridotto

Type: Gourmet restaurant / contemporary Venetian cuisine
Area: Small square near the center, Venice
Indicative price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / vaporetto / on foot from the center
Michelin stars: ⭐

Il Ridotto (7) is a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its gourmet cuisine in Venice. The location is modern, intimate, and elegant, with well-spaced tables and the possibility to dine outdoors in the small square. The refined and cozy atmosphere makes every culinary experience unique and memorable.

The cuisine offers a seasonal, creative, and refined menu, based on both fish and meat. Signature dishes include Black spaghetti with sea urchins, candied pepper, and friggitelli and Turbot with juniper, mandarin, and green beans, true musts of Il Ridotto’s gourmet cuisine. Highly curated wine cellar with over a thousand local, Italian, and international labels.

Starters

• Smoked herring, bitter herbs
• Large prawns, leeks, smoked herring and bitter herbs crème brûlée (4, ★★)
• Scallops, carrots with smoked black tea (2, ★)

First Courses

• Black spaghetti, sea urchins, candied pepper, and friggitelli (6, ★★)
• Spaghetti with spring onion and clams
• Tubetti in goby reduction with lagoon herbs (4, ★)

Main Courses

• Turbot with juniper, mandarin, and green beans (6, ★★)
• Cuttlefish, veal tripe, and black purée (3, ★)
• Sea bass with cabbage and garlic sauce

Desserts

• Matcha tea biscuit, bergamot, chocolate, and sake granita (3, ★★)
• Cold ricotta cream with pistachio, orange, and chocolate

Summary: Michelin-starred restaurant with gourmet cuisine, seasonal menu based on fish and meat, top-level wine cellar, modern, intimate, and elegant location.

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🍷 Bacari Veneziani

Bacari are a typically Venetian tradition, informal places where you can enjoy cicchetti, small tastes of local cuisine, accompanied by a good glass of wine or an ombra.

Historically, bacari originated as taverns for the city’s workers and merchants, simple and convivial spaces to stop for a quick meal or an aperitif, but also to meet and exchange conversation.

Today, bacari retain their authentic charm: cozy environments, often with wooden counters and shelves full of bottles, where tradition meets the everyday life of Venetians. They are ideal for tasting typical specialties such as sarde in saor, meat or fish meatballs, and other delicacies of Venetian cuisine in small portions, perfect to accompany with a glass of local wine.

FAQ