Venice dining
Jan 17th, 2012, 12:52 PM
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Venice dining
My sister and I are traveling to Italy in May and would like lunch and dinner suggestions for the 2 days we will be in Venice and also 2 days in Bellagio. Our dining experiences are important to us as we really enjoy food and wine. Ambiance is important to us too. We don't want to break the bank and that doesn't always translate to the best places to eat either. Any suggestions are appreciated!
Jan 17th, 2012, 01:25 PM
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For Venice. Recommendations are from an end of August 2011 visit.
Our favorite meal was at a tiny, expensive restaurant named Ristorante Da Ivo (www.ristorantedaivo.com). It is within easy walking distance of Piazza San Marco and is accessible on foot or via gondola. There are about 10 tables in the restaurant, and it is extremely cozy and romantic. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. We also had a very nice bottle of wine with out meal. Reservations are essential.
One night I had planned a gondola ride before dinner. We had a recommendation from a friend for the Ristorante da Rafaelle (www.RistorantedaRafaelle.com). It is located alongside a canal fairly near the Gritti Palace Hotel and Santa Maria del Giglio. There is a gondola station in the canal right next to the restaurant. We secured a gondola, I got in, my boyfriend got us drinks for our ride from the restaurant, and we took an early dusk ride through picturesque back canals with also a stretch along the Grand Canal (which is just what I had requested). When the gondola returned to the station, we went immediately to our reserved canal-side table. The food here was very good too. Again, I had made reservations several weeks in advance.
Our favorite meal was at a tiny, expensive restaurant named Ristorante Da Ivo (www.ristorantedaivo.com). It is within easy walking distance of Piazza San Marco and is accessible on foot or via gondola. There are about 10 tables in the restaurant, and it is extremely cozy and romantic. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. We also had a very nice bottle of wine with out meal. Reservations are essential.
One night I had planned a gondola ride before dinner. We had a recommendation from a friend for the Ristorante da Rafaelle (www.RistorantedaRafaelle.com). It is located alongside a canal fairly near the Gritti Palace Hotel and Santa Maria del Giglio. There is a gondola station in the canal right next to the restaurant. We secured a gondola, I got in, my boyfriend got us drinks for our ride from the restaurant, and we took an early dusk ride through picturesque back canals with also a stretch along the Grand Canal (which is just what I had requested). When the gondola returned to the station, we went immediately to our reserved canal-side table. The food here was very good too. Again, I had made reservations several weeks in advance.
Jan 17th, 2012, 01:35 PM
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We have eaten at La Bitta, and also here: http://www.stay.com/venice/restauran...a-san-barnaba/
Both were great. Location is in Calle Lunga San Barnaba, nearest vap stop is Ca' Rezzonico. Near Campo San Barnaba, and not hard to find.
Both were great. Location is in Calle Lunga San Barnaba, nearest vap stop is Ca' Rezzonico. Near Campo San Barnaba, and not hard to find.
Jan 17th, 2012, 01:43 PM
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I'm not exactly a foodie, so if you are, take my opinions with the proverbial grain of salt. But:
I really enjoyed our dinner at Al Nono Risorto in Venice - it seemed like a local place, which is really hard to do in Venice! It was the only place we saw with no English menus. Our fixed menus were €17 and €19, I believe, for two courses. It was a little tough to find for the uninitiated, tucked in a passageway off a campo. They had a garden, but we took the last open table, which was in the main dining room. It was somewhat noisy (with people having a good time), so if by "ambiance" you mean something quiet and elegant, maybe not for you.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ce_Veneto.html
In Bellagio, we ate at Trattoria San Giacomo as well as the wine bar right across Salita Serbelloni. Both were recommended to us by the hotel staff. The trattoria had what seemed to be traditional northern Italian dishes - I'd recommend it. The wine bar had light dinners and appetizers and was good for a light meal. We also had pizza at Carillon by the lake.
I really enjoyed our dinner at Al Nono Risorto in Venice - it seemed like a local place, which is really hard to do in Venice! It was the only place we saw with no English menus. Our fixed menus were €17 and €19, I believe, for two courses. It was a little tough to find for the uninitiated, tucked in a passageway off a campo. They had a garden, but we took the last open table, which was in the main dining room. It was somewhat noisy (with people having a good time), so if by "ambiance" you mean something quiet and elegant, maybe not for you.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ce_Veneto.html
In Bellagio, we ate at Trattoria San Giacomo as well as the wine bar right across Salita Serbelloni. Both were recommended to us by the hotel staff. The trattoria had what seemed to be traditional northern Italian dishes - I'd recommend it. The wine bar had light dinners and appetizers and was good for a light meal. We also had pizza at Carillon by the lake.
Jan 17th, 2012, 01:51 PM
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From my trip report of four years ago (but we ate there a year ago too):
We ate at the Osteria “san Barnaba”, Calle Lunga san Barnaba, Dosoduro 2736. It's small – seats about 16 people, operated by a couple, and the menu is written in Italian only. However, the proprietor speaks excellent English, and steps you through the menu. We had smoked leg of goose as an antipasto, rabbit cooked in a casserole, and calves liver Venetian style, which is a standard here, along with grilled artichoke and a bottle of good local wine. The tab came to about 70 Euro, and this is probably the best meal we have eaten in Venice – it was great. We regret that we did not go there weeks ago, because then we would have visited there again. Closed on mercoledi and giovedi mattina.
We ate at the Osteria “san Barnaba”, Calle Lunga san Barnaba, Dosoduro 2736. It's small – seats about 16 people, operated by a couple, and the menu is written in Italian only. However, the proprietor speaks excellent English, and steps you through the menu. We had smoked leg of goose as an antipasto, rabbit cooked in a casserole, and calves liver Venetian style, which is a standard here, along with grilled artichoke and a bottle of good local wine. The tab came to about 70 Euro, and this is probably the best meal we have eaten in Venice – it was great. We regret that we did not go there weeks ago, because then we would have visited there again. Closed on mercoledi and giovedi mattina.
Jan 17th, 2012, 02:05 PM
#8
Peter and I don't necessarily agree about this, but I think we ate at the Osteria San Barnanba too, and we thought that it was very good as well.
generally, staying out of places where someone is standing outside enticing you in, is a good rule of thumb.
generally, staying out of places where someone is standing outside enticing you in, is a good rule of thumb.
Jan 17th, 2012, 04:04 PM
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I agree with galelstorm's suggestion of Enoteca La Mascareta in (near) Santa Maria Formosa.
Another favorite of mine for lunch or dinner is Osteria La Zucca. Click on the tiny links on the upper right for more information-
http://www.lazucca.it/?page_id=13&lang=en
Another favorite of mine for lunch or dinner is Osteria La Zucca. Click on the tiny links on the upper right for more information-
http://www.lazucca.it/?page_id=13&lang=en
Jan 17th, 2012, 05:53 PM
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I thoroughly agree with zoecat's recommendation of La Zucca. Outstanding. Ambience is wonderful and food was quite delicious. (Five of us had a total of about 15 small plates, and nary a bad word on any.) I also found it quite affordable!
Loved La Zucca. Reservations are a must- it is a small place with 2 seatings a night.
Buon viaggio!
Loved La Zucca. Reservations are a must- it is a small place with 2 seatings a night.
Buon viaggio!
Jan 18th, 2012, 12:32 AM
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If "food is important" to you, take your questions to the Italy message board of the Chowhound website. People there take food very seriously, and several of them visit Venice every year or more. In fact, if you simply search that board, you will find copious information about Venice.
Here on Fodor's, there is an Italian poster named Franco who lives in Venice who once created a thread discussing his favorite restaurants. The thread is called "Franco's Favorite restaurants in Venice". If you scroll to the end, you will see recent updates.
More than one person posting in this thread often cheerfully jokes about not being a foodie on their travels in Italy, so you need to take their restaurant recommendations with more than a grain of salt. Both Venice and Bellagio are overrun with tourists and the vast majority of restaurants reflect that, serving tourist-friendly "Italian" food that has little to do with eating local.
You don't say what kind of "ambience" you like, but many of the best places in that area have friendly people but modest decor and no views.
Here on Fodor's, there is an Italian poster named Franco who lives in Venice who once created a thread discussing his favorite restaurants. The thread is called "Franco's Favorite restaurants in Venice". If you scroll to the end, you will see recent updates.
More than one person posting in this thread often cheerfully jokes about not being a foodie on their travels in Italy, so you need to take their restaurant recommendations with more than a grain of salt. Both Venice and Bellagio are overrun with tourists and the vast majority of restaurants reflect that, serving tourist-friendly "Italian" food that has little to do with eating local.
You don't say what kind of "ambience" you like, but many of the best places in that area have friendly people but modest decor and no views.
Jan 18th, 2012, 01:05 AM
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Well, I am obsessed with Italian food so I stand by my recommendations:
Antiche Carampane - very good fish and such a feeling of accomplishment when you find the place
La Zucca - finally got here on our last trip, great vegetable (not vegetarian) dishes, eg Sformato di Melanzane. Ask for a table outside if the weather is good enough.
Algiubagio on the Fondamenta Nove - really good fish and a wonderful view over to San Michele and the Dolomites.
For transporting views, there is La Palanca in Giudecca looking over to the Dorsoduro, and some modest but perfectly ok places on the Zattere (the ones near the vaporetto station, NOT the one by La Calcina) looking over to Giudecca. Both are lovely for lunch outside in good weather.
I also like Vini al Bottegon but really need to sit down by the time we eat or drink, and sitting on the bridge is not allowed.
Antiche Carampane - very good fish and such a feeling of accomplishment when you find the place
La Zucca - finally got here on our last trip, great vegetable (not vegetarian) dishes, eg Sformato di Melanzane. Ask for a table outside if the weather is good enough.
Algiubagio on the Fondamenta Nove - really good fish and a wonderful view over to San Michele and the Dolomites.
For transporting views, there is La Palanca in Giudecca looking over to the Dorsoduro, and some modest but perfectly ok places on the Zattere (the ones near the vaporetto station, NOT the one by La Calcina) looking over to Giudecca. Both are lovely for lunch outside in good weather.
I also like Vini al Bottegon but really need to sit down by the time we eat or drink, and sitting on the bridge is not allowed.
Jan 18th, 2012, 06:05 AM
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This thread has been discussing food in Venice for years now, is quite exhaustive and though it started a long time ago, it's up-to-date: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...estaurants.cfm
Jan 18th, 2012, 09:33 AM
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We enjoyed Locanda Montin on several trips to Venice.Our meals were excellent and in good weather dining is offered in the garden/atrium area. The restaurant has been there since 1940's. It is located in the San Trovaso area and hard to find-sits on a tiny canal. Best to google it for map and details. I should mention that fish is a specialty at this restaurant.
Jan 18th, 2012, 04:58 PM
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dkrause:
another vote for La Zucca...we've enjoyed dining there. Only a few tables outside..it's by a little bridge over a narrow canal..not too far from vap stop St. Stae..pleasant walk with a few sharp turns...try the tagliatelle with melted gorgonzola and pine nuts.
stu
another vote for La Zucca...we've enjoyed dining there. Only a few tables outside..it's by a little bridge over a narrow canal..not too far from vap stop St. Stae..pleasant walk with a few sharp turns...try the tagliatelle with melted gorgonzola and pine nuts.
stu
Jan 18th, 2012, 05:46 PM
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Hope no one minds my pointing out for the sake of the OP that La Zucca does not serve Venetian food. It serves what it describes on its website as "alternative cuisine." In fact, if I'm not mistaken, La Zucca doesn't even serve fish, which puts it fairly outside anything traditional or local to Venice.
It is very popular with tourists to Venice, and since I've never eaten there, I have no reason to say the food isn't pleasant -- obviously it pleases a lot of people!
But people putting themselves forward as being obsessives about Italian food might at least point out what kind of a restaurant this is for the benefit of the OP. Many people going to Italy who care about food want to eat the local cuisine.
It is very popular with tourists to Venice, and since I've never eaten there, I have no reason to say the food isn't pleasant -- obviously it pleases a lot of people!
But people putting themselves forward as being obsessives about Italian food might at least point out what kind of a restaurant this is for the benefit of the OP. Many people going to Italy who care about food want to eat the local cuisine.
Jan 18th, 2012, 06:00 PM
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Important point, zeppole. The food at La Zucca is fine, but not spectacular either. I prefer continuing my way for 100 meters and eat traditional Venetian fare in sometimes good and sometimes excellent quality at Capitan Uncino on Campo S. Giacomo dall'Orio.
It's fascinating, by the way, that two of the most popular restaurants of Venice, and probably THE two most popular restaurants (with tourists, of course) don't serve anything faintly Venetian, the second being Anice Stellato, where the food is not even good, and frankly, not even acceptable IMO.
But I recommend La Zucca for strict vegetarians; while the restaurant is not strictly vegetarian over the whole menu, vegetarians will find a satisfactory choice of dishes there, in satisfactory quality.
It's fascinating, by the way, that two of the most popular restaurants of Venice, and probably THE two most popular restaurants (with tourists, of course) don't serve anything faintly Venetian, the second being Anice Stellato, where the food is not even good, and frankly, not even acceptable IMO.
But I recommend La Zucca for strict vegetarians; while the restaurant is not strictly vegetarian over the whole menu, vegetarians will find a satisfactory choice of dishes there, in satisfactory quality.
