Dining in Venice

Venice has a large variety of restaurants. As usual with Italian cities, the best dining experience can be had at a simple neighbourhood trattoria off the tourist strips. Venice has many culinary specialities, like bigoli in an anchovy and mushroom sauce, or castraure, tiny artichokes with Parmesan shavings and olive oil. Make sure to always look at the bottom of the menu to see if a service fee is added to your bill. "Service included" or "12% added/charged" means that another 12% of the total cost will be added to your bill. "Non cover" means no service fee included in prices and no additional charge.

Da Fiore
This used to be a neighbourhood bar serving una ombra (a shadow), Venetian slang for a glass of wine. Today it is possibly the city's best restaurant, with sober decor and dishes like misto crudo (marinated raw fish) and pennette with crayfish tails and broccoli.
Address: San Marco 3461 - Calle delle Botteghe
Phone: +39 041 52 35 310

Dalla Zanze
This discreet trattoria has a loyal following that appreciates the dedication to traditional Venetian cooking. The simple interiors are a bonus: white curtains, linen table settings and a bare, polished floor. In other words, just what a trattoria should look like.
Address: Fondamenta dei Tolentini, Santa Croce 231
Phone: +39 041 52 23 555

Locanda Cipriani
This is part of the world famous luxury hotel Cipriani, but you can't really tell. The decor is simple, the atmosphere relaxed, and the menu includes traditional dishes such as pappardelle with veal liver.
Address: Piazza Santa Fosca 29
Phone: +39 041 730 150

Osteria Vini da Pinto
Bacaria's are simple places to eat cicchetti, a Venetian tapas. Da Pinto is close to the Rialto fish market. The brave amongst you might try the masanette, tiny green crabs that are eaten whole, shell and all.
Address: Rialto Pescheria, San Polo 367
Phone: +39 041 528 5140

Trattoria Ca' d'Oro
Known as alla vedova ("at the widows") and is almost always full. The food is the main draw, but the 19th century interior is another good reason to visit.
Address: Calle del Pistor, Cannareggio
Phone: +39 041 528 53 24

Gatto Nero
The Black Cat, located on Burano Island, is a destination in its own right. Many typically Venetian dishes are served, such as fegato alla Veneziana (veal liver with white polenta), and of course the usual selection of anchovy and seafood appetisers.
Address: Via Giudecca 88, Burano
Phone: +39 041 730 120