23 Restaurants You Need to Try in Venice
If you love to eat, Venice is definitely the city for you. From tiny pizza joints and gelato shops to five-star restaurants, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll love in this great city. Dine along the grand canal or find a hole-in-wall spot to try authentic, cuisine. No matter where you go, there will […]
If you love to eat, Venice is definitely the city for you. From tiny pizza joints and gelato shops to five-star restaurants, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll love in this great city. Dine along the grand canal or find a hole-in-wall spot to try authentic, cuisine. No matter where you go, there will be a restaurant serving up just what you’re looking for. Try getting lost amongst the small alleyways and tiny canals as you never know what kind of dining option you’ll find. If you’re visiting Venice and want to know where to eat according to your budget, we’ve broken down the 23 best restaurants by price point.
Cheap Venice Restaurants
Trattoria Alla Rampa
Found along the canal at the end of Via Garibaldi is this institution that notoriously opens at 5am. It’s a family-run restaurant and bar that offers classic Venetian dishes using fresh produce. For years it has catered to working men, offering a rustic dining room with a fixed lunch menu for €13. This worker’s meal usually offers pasta, main course, coffee, and wine. Pasta is usually €10 and main dishes are €14. Try the Venetian rice and peas or the squid cooked in black ink.
Osteria Al Squero
If you want to eat something on the lighter side, head to this cosy spot for Venetian cichetti. These are small plates like arancini and crostini, that are best paired with a drink. You can order a couple of small plates and a glass of wine for as little as five Euros! It’s not the best option for a filling dinner but if you want to stave off hunger until lunch, this is the spot.
Da Mamo
If you’re looking for cheap pizza, this is the place to go. The pizzas are crisp, light, and offer an extensive list of toppings. There will usually be a line of locals waiting for a slice in the evening, so you know it’s going to be good. The portions are quite big and you can expect plenty of value for your money as a slice will only run you £6.50.
La Tecia Vegana
This vegan restaurant is great for both vegetarian and budget-conscious travellers. Most things on the menu cost £6 or less, and the majority of the ingredients are organic. Health food like this typically costs more than most places, but not here. Try the smoked tofu salad, mushroom rice, or aubergine parmigiana. The service is said to be top-notch, the decor humble, and all the meals have a thoughtful presentation. While there are takes on Italian classics, the menu also offers a global-inspired cuisine.
Bacareto da Lele
This restaurant is technically a neighbourhood bar that offers snacks. Locals usually fill the place, and at lunchtime, expect to see long lines outside. This is one of the few places in Venice where you can grab a sandwich for € 1 or € 2 and a glass of wine for just €0.60. It has a central location so you can easily stop by for a quick meal while seeing the sites.
Trattoria dalla Marisa
This spot is popular for local students or workers who stop in for lunch. It’s a family-owned restaurant that serves up authentic, homemade Italian food. For the locals, the food here reminds them of something their grandmother would have made. The establishment is cosy, old-fashioned and welcoming, even to tourists. There are shared tables or options to sit by the canal. Their rotating lunch menu offers generous portions for just €15.
Pasticceria Bar Puppa
Located down a narrow street near the Venice lagoon, this place is reminiscent of a 1960s coffee bar in New York. Locals love the eclectic menu here as it features vegetarian bruschetta, polpetta meatballs, samosas, and the famous Puppa burger. Visitors can get a main course, wine, and coffee for €12.
The cafeteria at Palazzo Franchetti
The cafeteria in this museum offers one of the best dining deals in Venice. Not only is it beautiful, with massive glass windows that overlook the gardens, but at lunch, they put on an extensive buffet. The table offers 20 different dishes of freshly made rice, salads, grilled vegetables, pasta, chicken, beef, and seafood. It only costs €15 and is all-you-can-eat so don’t hesitate to go for seconds or thirds.
Mid-Range Venice Restaurants
Enoteca Al Volto
This wine bar is said to be the oldest in Venice. Whether this is true or not, it’s certain that this spot has been serving up fine wines and delicious cicchetti since before the Second World War. It’s a cosy spot with humble decor and a reputation for some of the best baccalà mantecato (creamed codfish on polenta) around. It’s a great place for a few snacks and a glass of wine or a full meal for dinner.
Trattoria al Gatto Nero
Located on the island of Burano, this family-friendly restaurant is known for its charm. It’s a family operation made up of a husband and wife duo, and their son, who is the onsite sommelier. Try the homemade tagliolini noodles with spider crab, a local dish that you won’t find in many other places. The giant portions of fresh seafood have become famous in this neighbourhood, as locals have been coming here since the 1940s. Make sure to reserve a spot ahead of time, especially if you want to sit outside by the canal.
Al Timon
This casual restaurant is located right on one of the Venice canals. It’s a popular spot for cicchetti, and at €1 a piece, you should definitely order as many as you think you can eat. The speciality at this restaurant is the spiral cut Fiorentina steak. It will come out on a large wooden plank and is meant to be shared by two. It will usually come accompanied by roasted potatoes and vegetables and goes perfect with a glass of red wine. Keep in mind that this steak is served, very rare, so make sure to ask the staff if you prefer it cooked otherwise.
Osteria La Zucca
This restaurant is low-key but highly rated. They serve all of the classics, covering seafood, red meat, and vegetarian options. They have dishes like pumpkin soup, zucchini and almond lasagna, and asparagus flan. Meat lovers shouldn’t panic because there are plenty of seafood and meat dishes on the menu that does a great job rivalling the veggie dishes. Don’t leave without trying one of the homemade desserts either! Before ordering anything, make sure to check the list of daily specials so you don’t miss any opportunities. If you’re visiting during the summertime, make sure to grab a table outside for a meal with a view.
Antiche Carampane
Located down an alley in San Polo, this refined dining room offers upscale seafood dishes in a cosy setting. The eclectic decor is made up of artwork, old photos, wine bottles, and knick-knacks that add to the atmosphere. It’s a family-run restaurant with a tiny kitchen, but the artful seafood platters that make their way to the dining room taste just as delicious as they look. The dining room is lively, but often packed so try to grab a table outside if the weather is nice. There are decently priced bottles of wine and a range of price points on the menu. Some of the seafood dishes are listed at market price so make sure to find out what that is before ordering.
La Colombina
This restaurant seems to have it all. Diners will find a colour-coded menu of vegetarian options, classic Venetian dishes, local specialities, and gluten-free meals. It’s family-friendly, no-frills, and tucked away off the beaten path. The tasting menus are popular here, especially if you pair them with something from the cheery wine bar.
CoVino
Located off the tourist trail, this tiny restaurant is great for three-course lunches or a low-key dinner. Guests can order an appetizer or pasta course, a main dish, and a dessert for one fixed price. This restaurant has about seven or eight tables and an open kitchen. It’s intimate, has authentic, tasty food, and won’t be crowded with hoards of tourists. Make sure to book a table ahead of time, which you’ll need a credit card to do.
Il Paradiso Perduto
If you want a more casual spot for seafood and live music, this is it. The portions are large, the wine is cheap, and the crowd is super laid back. They specialize in mixed seafood platters that come either grilled or fried. The place is definitely a little rustic, but that’s all part of its charm, especially since the taste of the food holds up! If you can hang out past 9 pm, you’ll be treated to some exceptional jazz music from international and local artists. It’s said that Keith Richards once played here! The crowd is varied but swings to the younger side, so anyone is welcome.
L'Anice Stellato
This local spot is neither classy nor touristy. It’s a neighbourhood restaurant offering a modest menu with big flavours. You can dine on roasted rabbit or stuffed sardines while overlooking the canal, or dig into an array of fresh seafood dishes. The atmosphere is cosy and natural, without all of the frills or high price tags.
Expensive Venice Restaurants
Acquerello Restaurant
This high-end restaurant is located at San Clemente Palace Kempinski. Guests will find authentic Italian dishes with a modern spin, created by Vincenzo Di Tuoro, the executive chef. The restaurant features an outdoor seating area by the water so that diners can look out over St. Mark’s Square and the lagoon. Inside, expect vintage decor, table cloths, and prestigious looking servers who know all the ins and outs of the menu.
Met Restaurant
This Michelin-Star restaurant can be found inside Hotel Metropole. Put on your finest outfit and head out for a night of elegant dining. Chef Luca Veritti puts a creative touch on each and every dish. Try the seafood carpaccio, the foie gras that comes in a cannoli shell, and the tiramisu shaped like a sphere. You’ll definitely want to make a reservation as this place books up fast.
Ristorante Riviera
Located on the Grand Canal, this restaurant offers incredible views as well as delicious meal options. You’ll look out over Giudecca island while impeccably dressed waiters bring out tasting menus to elegant dinners. This place can certainly bust your budget, but if you want at least one luxury meal in Venice, this would be the place. Ristorante Riviera has class, so cell phone use and picture-taking are strictly frowned upon. The head chef happily boasts that his menu is barren of vegetarian items because he’s proud to focus on the meat and seafood dishes Venice is known for. Guests can opt for the two or three-course tasting menu, but keep in mind that the portions are quite small and it doesn’t include wine. If you have the budget, this is the place to let it loose.
Osteria da Fiore
This family-run restaurant has humble roots, a modest atmosphere, and a Michelin Star rating. The menu is heavily seafood focused so expect squid, soft shell crab, and local shrimp. Their dishes are known for their artistic presentations and creative pairings. At Osteria da Fiore, guests can try unique dishes like raw shrimp in peach sauce or linguine with cinnamon and peas. This is a great place for a celebration as their menu features a giant selection of vintage champagnes. Make sure to reserve a table well in advance, especially if you want to request a canal-side spot.
Quadri
Enjoy some Michelin-star dining in a converted palace from the 1700s. This opulent restaurant can be found on Piazza San Marco and mixes old-world charm with modern cuisine. Their menu features some of the most renowned ingredients from around the country, with each course, plated more beautifully than the last. The wine list starts at €50 per bottle and climbs to upwards of €1500 for some of the best. Dress to impress if you’re planning on dining at this bucket list, foodie destination.
Local
If you couldn’t tell by the name, this restaurant puts a major emphasis on using local ingredients. In fact, the ingredients are so local that many of them come right from the nearby lagoon. The restaurant is owned by a brother and sister duo who work closely with their head chef, Matteo Tagliapietra. The menu offers classic dishes with interesting twists like risotto with eel and mango. The dining room is bright, spacious, and the perfect mix between modern and rustic. Try the tasting menu which pairs with a lovely selection of organic wines.
No matter your budget you’ll find a fantastic restaurant while visiting Venice. Whether you want to grab a quick slice of pizza, locate a mom-and-pop shop, or dine in luxury, this beautiful city has something for you.