Where to Eat in Venice

Venice isn’t known for its good places to eat. It is, in fact, known for the exact opposite - it’s one of those cities that even non-foodies complain about, because of the high prices and mediocre food. But not all the places to eat in Venice serve bad food. After all, there’s no way the residents of Venice would put up with bad food, although they might be content to let the tourists eat it!

One option when thinking about dining in Venice includes the Venetian equivalent of tapas, called “cicchetti” (pronounced chee-KEH-tee). The idea is you get a glass of wine and a selection of little plates of food, from bite-sized items on toothpicks to small samples of regular meals. These places, called “bacaro,” can be stand-up only, although some have small tables inside and, in good weather, you may also opt to bring your quasi-picnic outdoors and sit on the steps of a nearby bridge to eat. You can choose to visit several places to make up a meal, or choose one and keep sampling until you’re full.

So, where should you eat in Venice? Some options to consider are listed below (I haven’t tried all of these personally, so I’m relying on the reviews of others), and don’t forget about that excellent website that lets you pinpoint any Venice address with ease, or to read my tips for eating well in Venice!

Places to Eat in Venice

On a Budget (Be advised that even “budget” dining in Venice could be more than you might spend in other touristy Italian cities.)

• Osteria ai Promessi Sposi (Cannaregio 4367 on Calle dell’Oca) - excellent selection of typical Venetian cicchetti, plus regular plates
• Osteria da Carla (San Marco 1535 on Corte Contarina off Frezzeria) - simple Italian meals
• Osteria Bancogiro (San Polo 122 on Campo San Giacometto) - typical Venetian cicchetti
• Ostaria Antico Dolo (San Polo 778 on Ruga Rialto, near Rialto Market) - typical Venetian cicchetti
• Devil’s Forest Pub (San Marco 5185 on Calle dei Stagneri off Campo San Bartolomeo) - British pub atmosphere with English & Irish beer on tap

Budget Be Damned

• Al Mascaron Osteria (Castello 5225 on Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa) - local seafood specialties
• La Colonna (Cannaregio 5329 on Campiello del Pestrin near Fondamenta Nove) - seafood, far from tourist areas
• Osteria da Fiore (San Polo 2202 on Calle del Scaleter) - famous & busy restaurant in Venice with seafood specialties
• Ristorante da Raffaele (San Marco 2347 on Ponte delle Ostreghe) - quiet canal-side romance, for a price

Restaurants in Venice change hands and close more often than you’d think, so check that a place is still open (and when it closes for the week) before you walk across town for dinner. Click through to this link to find a few more of my own tips for eating well in Venice, along with a video in a cicchetteria.

And if you still don’t find a sublime meal in Venice, don’t worry - there’s much more of Italy for your palate to explore. Enjoy Venice for what it is and you’ll still have a great time.