Romantic Restaurants in Venice?
Jan 29th, 2010, 07:00 PM
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Romantic Restaurants in Venice?
I was wondering about some good places to dine while in Venice. The main things I am looking for is good food, perhaps romantic canal view, or if not a canal view, then outdoor seating of some kind. I am going with my husband for my 30th birthday, so I am sure there are so many romantic spots. I love a place with good scenary so canal view, garden view, outside terrace, etc.
I am staying at the Westin, however I don't have to dine right around the hotel. Thanks for the recommendations!
I am staying at the Westin, however I don't have to dine right around the hotel. Thanks for the recommendations!
Jan 29th, 2010, 07:55 PM
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Venice is a wonderful, exciting and romantic city. There are many great restauants to be found. I would urge you to walk around the narrow streets along the canals and you will find exceptional, local, non-touristy restuaruants. Look for places where the menu's are written in Italian! Have a wonderful time!
Jan 30th, 2010, 05:24 AM
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Thanks Sfgator! The Westin is located in San Marco so I am sure a lot of the restaurants right around our hotel may be touristy, unexceptional food. I am looking forward to wandering around this city...
Jan 30th, 2010, 06:23 AM
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here is a top 10 list of romantic restaurants in Venice: http://www.nileguide.com/destination...ic-restaurants
Jan 30th, 2010, 06:26 AM
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Here is one that might fit the bill, that someone said was great on another site: http://www.naranzaria.it/eng-home.htm
Jan 30th, 2010, 06:34 AM
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<i>wandering around this city...</i>
Jill, this is the key to fully enjoying Venice,if there ever was a place where this phrase fit. Get away from San Marcos as much as you can...you'll come across one resto after another...for most, you can make rez's earlier in the day for that evening or the next. I find it difficult to rec restos...no tastes are alike, budget, etc....seek and ye shall find them as you stroll. The fun is discovering them on your own. (I realize this is more or less a repeat of sfgator's comments above...essentially we're saying the same things).
Stu tower
Jill, this is the key to fully enjoying Venice,if there ever was a place where this phrase fit. Get away from San Marcos as much as you can...you'll come across one resto after another...for most, you can make rez's earlier in the day for that evening or the next. I find it difficult to rec restos...no tastes are alike, budget, etc....seek and ye shall find them as you stroll. The fun is discovering them on your own. (I realize this is more or less a repeat of sfgator's comments above...essentially we're saying the same things).
Stu tower
Jan 30th, 2010, 06:40 AM
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Infotrack - thanks for that guide! I am going to look through it and perhaps use some of the recommendations. However, I am going to try and get away from my Type A personality and just wander around this beautiful city. We are staying for 4 nights. I cannot wait!
Jan 30th, 2010, 07:22 AM
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Not a restaurant reservation, but if you are looking for romatic be sure to take a gondola ride. Your hotel can help set it up. I know that it's expensive but worth it for one time. Tip-take your own bottle of Prosecco and a couple of plastic glasses on the ride.
Venice is at it's best in the early morning and evening. Crowds have thinned and the way the light shines on the buildings and water is beautiful.
Venice is at it's best in the early morning and evening. Crowds have thinned and the way the light shines on the buildings and water is beautiful.
Jan 30th, 2010, 08:27 AM
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Yes, the gondola ride is on top of our list. We arrive in Venice on July 3rd. Do you have a suggestion for what time to do the gondola ride? (sun setting time or defintiely at night??)
Jan 30th, 2010, 06:25 PM
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I love Ristorante da Raffaello - make a eservation for a canalside table. You will love it! Here is a link to their website: http://www.ristorantedaraffaele.com/index-eng.htm
Jan 31st, 2010, 07:53 AM
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One of our favorite Venice restaurants is Anice Stellato. The last time we were there, it was a beautiful Fall evening, and we were seated in one of the four canalside tables. They serve local dishes with a creative twist (mostly seafood, of course).
It's in the residential neighborhood of Cannaregio, a bit of a walk from most other places. We love the walk, though, along quiet, moonlit streets.
They don't have a website, but you can google for pictures of the exterior and interior.
It's in the residential neighborhood of Cannaregio, a bit of a walk from most other places. We love the walk, though, along quiet, moonlit streets.
They don't have a website, but you can google for pictures of the exterior and interior.
Jan 31st, 2010, 06:08 PM
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I have visited Da Raffaele on all my trips to Venice. I went there again this past October and we dined inside (too chilly for outside) and found the food to be okay, but mediocre.
The canalside seating enhances the experience, but I think you can do much better on food.
For a big splash, try Quadri, which has seating right on the Piazza San Marco, but an indoor beautiful dining room one floor up which is the only fine restaurant with a breathtaking view of San Marco Basilica and the Piazza. There will be no mistaking where you are.
The canalside seating enhances the experience, but I think you can do much better on food.
For a big splash, try Quadri, which has seating right on the Piazza San Marco, but an indoor beautiful dining room one floor up which is the only fine restaurant with a breathtaking view of San Marco Basilica and the Piazza. There will be no mistaking where you are.
Feb 2nd, 2010, 11:46 PM
#15
Regarding your gondola ride question, my wife and I took ours at sunset. We didn't plan it that way. In fact we weren't even planning to ride one at all, too expensive and touristy we thought. By our third night we were under the spell, so it just happened at sunset.
Location is more important than sunset or night timing, I think. The small, quiet canals are more romantic than the hectic Grand, at least at sunset. The Grand Canal does quiet down later at night.
Our ride started from near Campo Santa Maria Formosa and went down this picturesque stretch:
http://www.pbase.com/mangoman/image/117932663/original
Location is more important than sunset or night timing, I think. The small, quiet canals are more romantic than the hectic Grand, at least at sunset. The Grand Canal does quiet down later at night.
Our ride started from near Campo Santa Maria Formosa and went down this picturesque stretch:
http://www.pbase.com/mangoman/image/117932663/original
Feb 3rd, 2010, 03:08 AM
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Nelson - those pictures are amazing! Thanks for the advice on the gondola ride. What did you pay for yours if you don't mind me asking? I heard it is good to haggle with them. How long do they last?
Feb 3rd, 2010, 04:29 AM
#17
Jill, thanks much for your comment on my photos Jill. It's a hobby so do I put some effort getting a decent shot. That said, Venice is a photographer's dream. In some places if I had dropped my camera and the shutter went off I might get a nice photo!
We paid cash, 100Eu for a 30-40 minute ride. I have no idea if we overpaid. We have good haggle skills from years of budget travel in Asia, but we just took his first offered price and didn't haggle because that was how the vibes felt. He told us due to it being exactly sunset the price had gone up from 80 Eu a half hour ago. Who knows? Whatever, it was worth it, we had a blast.
We paid cash, 100Eu for a 30-40 minute ride. I have no idea if we overpaid. We have good haggle skills from years of budget travel in Asia, but we just took his first offered price and didn't haggle because that was how the vibes felt. He told us due to it being exactly sunset the price had gone up from 80 Eu a half hour ago. Who knows? Whatever, it was worth it, we had a blast.
Feb 3rd, 2010, 05:40 AM
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Nelson - I love your photos! Wonderful shots of a beautiful city.
Jill, we did haggle a bit and I think we paid about 80 Eu for a gondola ride during the late afternoon (sunset is more expensive). It is expensive, but it is kind of a "must do" while you are in Venice.
Jill, we did haggle a bit and I think we paid about 80 Eu for a gondola ride during the late afternoon (sunset is more expensive). It is expensive, but it is kind of a "must do" while you are in Venice.
