Eating and Drinking in Venice
Highlights from Way to Go, the newsletter from our friends at Fathom
This week we’re spotlighting another friend of Broken Palate — Way to Go, by the creators of Fathom, which shares insider travel tips to some of the world’s most interesting destinations.
Planning a trip to Venice? You’ll want to savor every bar and restaurant on this list.
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One city, made of 118 islands, filled with thousands of treasures, seen by millions of tourists. Look, it’s popular for a reason, and you shouldn’t be discouraged from planning a trip to Venice, though we strongly suggest a visit in the off-season because this gorgeous city is the global poster child for overtourism, and we all need to do our bit to alleviate this. Anyway, it’s better in April than in August.
Restaurants
No, you’re not imagining it. Seafood is the name of the game around here.
al Covino — Venetian cuisine with Neapolitan accent.
al Covo — seasonal menu inspired by the fishy bounty of the lagoon.
al Giardinetto — traditional seafood with a lovely garden.
Anice Stellato — out of the way? No, worth the walk.
Antiche Carampane — sorta hidden, totally beloved seafood trattoria.
Bacán — Latin American flavors, fun, and mezcal.
Corte Sconta — updated take on Venetian classics.
da Fiore — excellent bacaro in front, trattoria in back.
da Riccardo — don’t argue. Eat whatever he feeds you.
Il Paradiso Perduto — Cannaregio favorite for food and music.
Koenji — Japanese-Italian fusion in San Polo.
La Bitta — when you need a carnivorous break from fish.
Lineadombra — summer lunch on the over-water terrace.
Osteria Al Pesador — osteria with outdoor tables off Rialto.
Osteria alle Testiere — hardly a secret but still delicious.
Osteria di Santa Marina — traditional seafood with a creative edge.
Quadri — the finest innovative fine dining.
Quadrino — gorgeous, casual bistro in a historic coffeehouse.
Ristorante da Ivo — tiny, beloved celeb hangout.
Taverna al Remer — snag a cozy table by the fireplace.
Venissa — make a day of a meal on Mazzorbo island.
Bars and Bacari
Ombra translates as “shadow,” and is the order for a glass of wine. Happy hour calls for a spritz, but please hold the Aperol and order the local bitter: spritz al Select. Bacari are bars that serve cicchetti, those small, bite-sized snacks you can (and should) consume by the dozen.
Al Mercà — so authentic and cool, it doesn’t have a website.
All’Arco — no website either; order all the baccalà.
Bacareto da Lele — hole in the wall giving good vibes.
Bacaro ae Bricoe — canalside snacks in Cannaregio.
Bar Longhi — primo people watching over martinis at Gritti Palace.
Birreria Zanon — when you can’t face another spritz, have a beer.
Cantina do Mori — the oldest tavern in town; no website.
Estro — elevated wine bar and gourmet bistro
Il Mercante — tiny lounge built for romance.
Naranzaria — our go-to for cicchetti near Rialto.
Osteria Bancogiro — our other go-to for cicchetti near Rialto.
Ozio Venice — natural wines in a beautiful campo.
Vino Vero — sommelier-fave specializing in small producers.
Cafes, Bakeries, Gelato
Bacaro del Gelato — artisanal gelato cones, swirls, and concoctions.
Caffè Florian — St. Mark’s pretty coffeehouse since 1720.
Gran Caffè Quadri — St. Mark’s other pretty coffeehouse since 1775.
Dal Nono Colussi — order a fugassa baked on site.
Farini — tasty pizza on the go; multiple locations.
Pasticceria Rizzardini — come for fried brioche veneziane alla crema.
Pasticceria Rosa Salva — get a box of baicoli cookies for the flight home.
Pasticceria Tonolo — if it’s Carnevale, order the frittelle.
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