Despite my Italian name, I'm a Yank with a fondness for Venezia. For a Nov visit, I'm staying in Dorsoduro. Since I'll be tramping around S.Marco during the day, I'll probably be looking to take evening meals nearby in Dorsoduro, or possibly neighboring S.Polo. <BR> <BR>Anyone who regularly dines alone knows that some restaurants are solo diner-friendly and others decidedly not. Has any previous solo traveler to Venice had any delightful restaurant experience there, including in S.Marco? <BR> <BR>I'll take my answers off the website here. Thanks! <BR>-claudio

Claudio, <BR> <BR>As a fellow yank (and female) I know what you mean about certain places being for "solo diner friendly". That said, however, I have never felt uncomfortable dining alone in Venezia. If it helps I have dined solo (and with friends) at the following places and would recommend them: <BR> <BR>Al Covo (Moderate) <BR>Campiello della Pescaria, Castello 3968 <BR>041/522-3812 phone <BR>This is a simple restaurant run by Cesare Benelli and his Texas-born wife Diane. All the food is very fresh - have actually run into Cesare at the fish market selecting fish for that day’s specials. Diane makes all the desserts and the one that I remember most fondly is the walnut cake. <BR> <BR>Devil’s Forest Pub (Budget) <BR>Calle dei Stagneri (a block off Camp San Bartolomeo) <BR>041/520-0623 phone <BR>Probably not what you would consider as your first choice for dining in Venice, but this was a great place to meet the locals. Also great for cheap food, salads and pints of good English and Irish beer on tap. Primarily serves lunch and hot bar snacks. <BR> <BR>Harry’s Bar (Expensive) <BR>Calle Vallaresso, San Marco <BR>Venezia, Italia <BR>011-39-041-528-5777 phone <BR>For a splurge - This is where I had my first Italian meal in Italy. My waiter’s name was Luigi and I was so well taken care of that the large group of Americans dining next to me were extremely vocal in noticing the service I was getting. Every time Luigi put another dish in front of me they would exclaim, “Oh, what is that? We want what she’s having!” Although I would later learn that this wasn’t the best Italian food, it certainly was a treat and I would go back if I wanted to celebrate a special occasion. <BR> <BR>Il Milion (Moderate) <BR>Corte Prima al Milion, Cannaregio 5841 <BR>041/522-9302 phone <BR>I was look for the quintessential place to have the local delicacy, fegato alla veneziana (liver w/onions venetian style) - please note: they have many other dishes. This is still a favorite with some of the gondoliers of Venice – so applying the same sensibility I would with truck stops and truck drivers I figured I couldn’t go wrong. It was right on the money. <BR> <BR>Loncanda Montin (Moderate) <BR>Fondamenta di Borgo, Dorsoduro 1147 <BR>041/522-7151 phone <BR>I was interested in this place since it is touted as being “the kind of rapidly disappearing Venetian inn that virtually every literary and artistic figure in Venice had visited.” It also has a wonderful arbor-covered garden where you can eat in when the weather is warmer. Even though some people might question the quality/service, I have never been disapppointed. In addition, my friend always stays at the Montin and is treated exquisitely by the staff. <BR> <BR>I too will be staying in the Dorsoduro (at La Calcina) this November 2-12. By the way, I have also found that asking the front desk where the locals go usually gets the best results and plan on doing so again when I'm there in November. Good Luck with the restaurant search. I'm sure that you'll come up with a lot of suggestions from this site and if I can help with anything else, please let me know. <BR> <BR>

Claudio: <BR>Since you are in Dorsoduro, I recommend L'incontro, at the edge of Campo Sta. Margharita. Small, reasonable, with a Sardinian chef who cooks mainly beef dishes, and very well. Also, for lunch, you must try Osteria Vini Padovani, Calle dei Cerchieri 1280. It will be a challenge to find (a street or so off the walk from Accademia Bridge to Campo Sta. Margharita). It seats about twenty and if you order pasta, chances are that it will be made by a lady across the walk and brought over for you. You will be the only tourist in the place! Ciao.

Try the Ostaria ai Coghi at Rio Tera, S. Silvestro. Basic fare, best cheese selection in Venice, and the waiters are very entertaining.

Claudio, <BR> <BR>Me too, me too, me too: <BR>American traveling solo, Venice this fall, staying in Dorsoduro at the Pensione Accademia. <BR> <BR>I enjoy solo traveling; only at mealtime do I sometimes feel awkward, but not if the vibes are right at the restaurant, so I'll be watching this posting for places to go, too. On my last visit I was NOT treated well at the casual winebar called Vino Vino near La Fenice but WAS treated like a king at my solo table at Ristorante da Ivo, a much more expensive place. Go figure. I'd have guessed it would be the reverse. <BR> <BR>Thanks for asking a question a lot of us wonder about. <BR>

Do yourself a BIG favor and dine at Da Fiore, near the Frari. The best menu you will ever see and the best food you will ever eat. The service is professional, the atmosphere is classy, but the food...*sigh* Expect to pay about $100 for your 3 course meal w/wine.

Although not a solo diner, our favorite thing in Venezia is to go to bacari and have chichetti and a glass of wine. Our two favorites are Achiugette and Do Mori. <BR> <BR>Achiugette has a restaurant attached but go into the bar and stand up for snacks and great wines by the glass. gianni is a great wine expert and there most afternoons. Located in Campo San Fillipo e Giacomo. <BR> <BR>Do Mori in San Polo is just off the campo della bacarie at the fish market. it closes early but is great for lunch. They ahve superb local wines for next to nothing. They also have 5 or so famous wines by the glass. And the food there is super. Both are perfect for a single diner as you just belly up to the bar and order. Try the Muesetto e Fagioli amnd the little sandwiches called Francobolli (little stamps). Be sure to try the Fragolino a traditional sweet wine made locally, very low in alcohol. <BR> <BR>Da Pino on the campo across from the fish market is super with a dozen outdoor tables. We say single diners tehre being well taken care of. Order the antipasti and the grilled fish. Pizza is forgettable there. <BR> <BR>