I will be in Venice for 3 nights with my two daughters, ages 15 and 24 and will be staying at the Locanda Orseolo near St Mark's.

Looking for restaurant recommendations with the following requirements:

Great ambiance
Not overly expensive
Not touristy...looking for local flavor
Emphasis on fish and pasta

Thanks to all and a healthy and happy holiday season!!

a couple to try:
Trattoria da Giorgio ai Greci
Osteria al Mascaron

We also found a little place that was recommended in a Rick Steves book off the beaten path that was great but the name escapes me unfortunately. It was family run - prix fixe with options in each course that satisfied all of the foodies.

Two more that I found in old notes:

Paradiso Ristorante - near the grand canal
Antica Sacrista

If you're staying in "venice' proper, basically everything is walking distance (at least to me). If you're on Lido or another of the islands, its a different story

Trattoria da Fiore (not to be confused with the more expensive Osteria da Fiore) fits what you're looking for. Also has a cichetti bar if you're in a snacking mood.


For pizza and a glass of wine, Da Gianni at the Zattere vaporotto stop is OK. Has a pontoon section on the water.



I generally stay away from places that offer a "tourist" menu.

You may want to try the Cichetti bar one evening. We found a couple of options in Milan. Basically, its a happy buffet of appetizers. If you buy a glass of wine, the buffet is 'free'. DH and I had dinner for the price of two glasses of wine and it was excellent people watching to boot!

cmeyer, that's the "Happy Hour" of Milano, you buy a drink and buffet is free. That's not cicchetti bars. And I don't know any that does happy hour milano style in Venice. If you know such, you can maybe share.

We had a lovely lunch at Al Paradiso (recommended above' near Rialto Bridge).

After two glasses of wine...I am afraid the name is lost! Also, though it may have changed by now, if you buy a coffee at one of the cafes in Piazza San Marco in the morning, keep the receipt. That allows you to sit there again in the evening without having to buy more wine, coffee etc. The original cup may cost 8e but its a two-fer and well worth it!

In September we had an outstanding dinner at Oliva Nera. I remember a swordfish crudo, and spaghetti with botarga. I believe dessert was semifreddo. A couple of bottles of water, no wine or coffee. About 50 to 60 USD per person for a full dinner.

I don't love eating in Venice, but this place was good. Reservations very necessary.

cmeyer, so you did find such bar in VENICE? I was confused of your post, wondered why post about a Milano thing in a thread about Venice.

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