Increasingly, gastronomy has become a very important part of a trip and even more so if it is to Italy, one of the richest countries gastronomically speaking. That is why when visiting this city, one of the most romantic in the world, the question of what are the best restaurants in Venice, usually occupies a good part of the organisation.
Although we know that it is impossible to list all the restaurants in the city with an excellent value for money, we want to leave you with a selection of some of the ones we believe you should not miss to enjoy the local gastronomy to the fullest.
Based on the several times we've been to the city of canals, which you can see in the Venice guide, we leave you this list of restaurants where to eat in Venice that we are sure will become some of your favourites in the country. Let's start!
1. Osteria Alla Staffa
Known for being one of the most recommended osterias where to eat in Venice, this place is a sure hit for lunch or dinner if you want to enjoy an elaborate cuisine with top quality products. It is also located very close to the famous Acqua Alta bookshop, so it could be the perfect time to come here and enjoy some of its dishes.
We ordered a plate of ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and another of saffron ravioli, which is one of the house specialities, with beer and water plus two espressos for 48 euros. Everything was very good, although the portions seemed a little fair for the prices.
Address: Calle de l' Ospedaleto Castello 6397/A
Opening hours: every day from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm
2. Ostaria al Ponte
This small place, located at Cannaregio 6378, is another of the most recommended restaurants in Venice, both by travellers and locals.
Note that the place is small, so it is worth coming early at noon to avoid being left without any of the tables available, although another option, in case it is full, is to take out your glass of wine and tapas to enjoy them in the street, next to the bridge.
The options on the menu are small tapas or montaditos, as we would call them, most of them priced at 1.50 euros. We ordered 8 montaditos, a soft drink, a glass of wine and a portion of pecorino for 17.50 euros. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Ignacio Izquierdo for the recommendation!
Address: Cannaregio 6378 Calle Larga G Gallina
Opening hours: every day from 10am to 11:30pm
3. Rossopomodoro Venezia
Located very close to St. Mark's Square, this huge restaurant, which initially seems to be a franchise, is one of the most recommended in the area, as in addition to a wide variety of dishes, the prices are very reasonable compared to other restaurants in this area of Venice.
We ordered a cacio e pepe pasta, pizza diavola, made in the Neapolitan pizza style, beer and water for 32.50 euros. Highly recommended if you want to make a quick stop while visiting the city.
Address: Calle larga San Marco 404
Opening hours: every day from 12h to 23h.
4. Ca Dolfin, one of the best restaurants in Venice
This restaurant in Venice is another one of the most recommended by locals and travellers alike if you want to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine with excellent value for money.
Although its menu is quite extensive, we recommend you opt for its pasta dishes, which are its speciality, preferably the tagliolini with prawns for 14 euros, which are delicious.
Address: Cannaregio, 5903
Opening hours: every day from 11:30h to 23h.
5. Da Mamo
This pizzeria, located very close to the Rialto Bridge, is another of the most recommended restaurants to eat in Venice, where in addition to pizza, you can find a wide selection of pasta dishes and other Italian cuisine.
We ordered two pizzas after the many recommendations we were given and the truth is that although they were very good, they were not up to the standard of others we tried in the city. Despite this, the price for the two pizzas plus a large water was 23 euros, a more than reasonable price considering the restaurant's central location, which is why we can only recommend it.
Address: Sestiere San Marco 5251 Calle Stagneri
Opening hours: every day from 12:30 pm to 3 pm and from 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Ice cream parlours in Venice
It is impossible to finish this list of restaurants where to eat in Venice without talking, at least a little, about some of the best ice-cream parlours in Venice and leaving you some recommendations so that you can put the best sweet end to your trip.
I Tre Mercanti
Very close to the Acqua Alta bookshop is this little shop, which is one of the recommended patisseries/ice cream parlours in Venice, where we recommend you don't miss the iconic Italian tiramisu. They have the classic tiramisu for 3.70 euros and the three-chocolate tiramisu for 4 euros.
Address: Castello 5364 at the bottom of Ponte della Guerra
Opening hours: every day from 12h to 19h.
Suso Gelatoteca
Very close to the Rialto Bridge is Suso Gelacoteca which is one of the most recommended gelato shops in Venice and after tasting their gelato, we can only confirm it. You can take a cone or a cup and they have many flavours, with macadamia and caramel being the most coveted.
The price for one scoop is 1,80 euros and the price for two special scoops is 4 euros. Spectacular!
Address: San Marco 5453 San Marco
Opening hours: every day from 09:30h to 23:30h.
Tips for lunch or dinner in Venice restaurants
We know that one of the best things to do in Venice, apart from getting to know the city, is to enjoy its gastronomy. With this in mind, we advise you not to leave this aspect to chance so that the experience is as attractive as possible and unforgettable.
Often the best restaurants to eat in Venice are outside the tourist area, so don't be surprised if you find that the recommendations, although among the best in the area, are not the best in the city. We understand that your trip is likely to be a day trip to Venice, a two day trip to Venice or at most, a 3 day Venice sightseeing tour, so you'll probably be focusing on the more touristy area of the city. Unfortunately this is where not all the restaurants are exactly as good, so we believe that this is where recommendations and advice are most needed.
Bear in mind that most of the restaurants in Venice that we have recommended are tourist restaurants, so you will find that most of them have menus in English and Italian.
Most of them also speak a little Spanish, so you won't have any trouble understanding the menus.Although Italian cuisine is also incredibly extensive and excellent, if you don't come to Venice for many days, we recommend you try the pizza and pasta, iconic dishes of this gastronomy, which we are sure you won't be disappointed.
Where to eat in Venice
In most restaurants a tip is not expected as it is usually included in the ticket as a coperto, servizio or pane, which will add to the bill without the need for a tip. In most establishments this extra tip is usually between 10% and 15%.
Credit cards are widely used in restaurants in Venice, especially in the more touristy ones, so you can pay with any card, including the N26 (our favourite), which is one of the best cards for commission-free travel.
In any case, it's always a good idea to carry some cash in case they don't accept credit cards or the POS doesn't work.Although almost 100% of restaurants and eateries will give you a ticket, if they don't, don't hesitate to ask for one, as they are obliged to give it to you.
Keep in mind that many of the most recommended and famous restaurants in Venice, especially fast-food restaurants, receive a lot of customers every day, so if you don't want to queue, it is highly recommended that you arrive at the time they open.
The opening hours of fast food places are usually quite tight, so it's worth checking their website if you don't want to get there and find it closed. We tell you from experience!
If you are especially interested in gastronomy or you just like to eat, a good option is to do this Gastronomic Tour of Venice or this Venetian Wine Tasting, both with guide in English.
All these restaurants where to eat in Venice are within the tourist routes of the city and the area, which you can prepare following the next posts, depending on the days you have available:
15 must-see places to visit in Venice
50 things to do in Venice
10 tips for travelling to Venice
Italy in 7 and 10 days (train, car or excursions)
Italy in 14 and 21 days (by train or car)
Venice in one day
Venice in two days
Venice in 3 days
How to get from Venice airport to the city centre
Gondola ride in Venice: prices and tips
Where to stay in Venice: best neighbourhoods and hotels
Venice City Guide
Pizza