Hello there,

We are a couple in our thirties going to Lake Como & Venice for 8 days in late Sept/early Oct. (with no kids so we're reallllly excited).

Wondering how crazy I should get researching restaurants? Is it best to plan out where to go beforehand or does it make sense to just take advice from hotel concierge night to night? We like somewhat upscale places (although it seems Venice is particularly expensive!) and of course don't want it to be totally 100% geared towards tourists. Without the kids we are looking for romance and relaxing meals where we can actually enjoy ourselves instead of wiping sticky hands and shushing babies! Suggestions?

Advice would be appreciated!

Oh, a few more things. We are staying in the Castello region at Hotel Bucintoro if that makes any difference (and Metropole in Como).

And if you have any restaurant recs that you think we shouldn't miss, please let me know!!

If you are interested in good restaurants, it is wise to book ahead. You can e-mail your concierge with your choices and have them make the reservations. Our favorite is Alle Testiere, a small restaurant with 2 dinner seatings. You must reserve well in advance. You will get lots of suggestions on this forum.

Since you're staying in Castello reserve Vini al Covo for lunch. You can find out about it here: http://www.hottraveltips.com/country/italy/venice/eat
Great place.

Another recommendation for Alle Testiere, http://www.osterialletestiere.it/Testiere/Welcome.html

I will be in Venice in two weeks and am also staying in Castello. I did extensive research in books, this Forum, TravelAdvisor and ChowHound. Both this Forum and ChowHound have some great discussions (many very current) about restaurants in Venice. Here is the address for the discussion I started at ChowHound. From there you will see links to other relevant discussions and can do your own searches as well.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/799869

I narrowed down my list at last and am happy to say I have reservations for 3 of my 4 nights so far. Some of the restaurants allow you to email them directly or fill in an online reservation form. I received a response within a day or so for direct contacts. For those restaurants that required phone or fax reservations, I sent an email to the concierge with the specific date, time, restaurant, number of people and any other special request and had them make reservations for me.

The last reservation I am seeking is at Al Covo, recommended in the previous post. They are still on vacation now but will be back by the time I am there. So, if you try to contact them and receive no response for a while, that is why.

Also, I have a friend who goes to Venice for several weeks almost every year. He recommended some restaurants to me (most of which were already on my list). One he highly recommended and for which I have happily secured a reservation is Ristorante Da Rafaelle. It is alongside a back canal, just north of the Gritti Palace Hotel and the Giglio vaporetto stop. It is also accessible by gondola. Here is their website: www.ristorantedaraffaele.com.

My first reservation is at Ristorante da Ivo, www.ristorantedaivo.com/en_presentazione.htm, a very small rustic and romantic restaurant, just northwest of Piazza San Marco, up Calle Vallaresso and Frezzeria. The reservation on my last night is at the Terrazza Danieli. It has a stunning view and is also convenient since I am staying there.

All of the above restaurants sound like they fit your criteria. If you would like me to post the complete list of restaurants I considered, please let me know.

WOW! Thank you soooo much for the responses.
I think I will do more booking in advance then! And Delaine, I would love your full list!
(You sound like a planner like me!)

Please post the complete set of restaurants you considered!

(with no kids so we're reallllly excited). Cute comment, this must mean that you have kids and need a break.

This restaurant is wonderful: : Bistrot de Venise On street that runs from Rialto to Piazza San Marco www.bistrotdevenise.com

In Castello we like this small place:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/D41722.html

bookmarking

Consider our favorite...
La Caravella...first rate service and wonderful food! Close to San Marco..in Hotel Saturnia
http://www.restaurantlacaravella.com/

And in Castello..Enoiteca Mascareta
http://www.ostemaurolorenzon.it/index_file/Page418.htm

Enjoy Venice!

LOVED this place: http://www.hostariadafranz.com/

In Castello but away from the touring throngs (the Girardini vaporetto stop is one minute's walk).

Family operation and no set menu - changes daily. Go, you'll be glad you did. Heavenly food, wine and service.

I know people go out late in Italy... what's a normal reservation time for dinner?

We normally go at 8 and plenty of people, both locals and tourists, are eating at that time. However, our favorite restaurant in Venice, Alle Testiere, has seatings at 7 and 9. We try to go at 9 in that case.

Venice eats slightly earlier than other parts of Italy. It shuts down earlier as well. 7 PM is a typical early dinner.

Here is my list, divided by type (e.g. gelateria, ristorante) and by area.

Dining:

Pasticcerie:

SAN GIORGIO
▪ Rosa Salva, www.rosasalva.it.

SAN MARCO
▪ Pasticceria Marchini, San Marco 676, Calle Spadaria (Mon. & Wed.-Sat. 9am-8pm).
▪ Pasticceria Zanin, San Marco 4589, Campo San Luca.
▪ Rosa Salva, San Marco 951, Ponte Ferai, www.rosasalva.it.
▪ Rosa Salva, San Marco, Palazzo Franchetti, just off Piazza San Stefano.
▪ Pasticceria Bonifacio, Calle degli Albanesi 4237(Fri.-Wed. 8am-8pm).

CASTELLO
▪ Didovich, Campo Marina (Closed Sun.).
▪ Rosa Salva, Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo (Mon.-Sat. 7:30am-8:30pm, closed Wed.).
▪ Pasticceria Ponte delle Paste, Castello 5991, Ponte del Pistor (7am-8:30pm).

DORSODURO
▪ Pasticceria Tonolo, Dorsoduro 3764, Calle dei Preti/Crosera San Pantalon, Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico (Mon.-Sat. 8am-8pm, Sun. 8am-1pm. Closed Mon.?).
▪ Pasticceria Rio Manin, Fondamenta Rio Manin, Vaporetto: Riva de Biasio (Mon.-Tue., Thurs.-Sat. 6:30am-8:30pm)
▪ *Pasticceria Rizzardini, San Polo 1415, Campiello dei Meloni/Calle della Madonetta, east of Campo San Polo, West of Campiello Sant Aponal, Vaporetto: San Silvestro (Wed.-Mon. 7:30am-8pm, Closed Aug.).

SAN POLO & SANTA CROCE
▪ Vizio Virtu, Calle del Campanile, Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico (10am-6:30pm), www.viziovirtu.com.
Pizzerie:

CASTELLO
▪ *All’Aciugheta, Campo SS Filippo e Giacomo (Closed Wed.).
▪ Pizzeria 84, Salizzada Santa Giustina.
▪ Marco Polo, Salizzada San Lio 5571.

DORSODURO
▪ Da Silvio, Calle San Pantalon.
▪ Pizza al Volo, Campo Santa Margherita, Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico (12pm-1am).

SAN POLO & SANTA CROCE
▪ Antica Birraria La Corte, Campo San Polo, Vaporetto: San Silvestro (12pm-11pm), www.birrarialacorte.it.
▪ Ae Oche, Santa Croce 1552a, Calle del Tentor, Vaporetto: San Stae (Daily 12-2:30pm.) www.aeoche.com.
▪ Antico Panificio, San Polo 945a-b, Rio Terrá Sant’Aponal, Vaporetto: San Silvestro (Daily 12-3pm) www.anticopanificiocom.

Gelaterie:

SAN MARCO
▪ Bar/Gelateria Paolin, Campo Santo Stefano (closed Fri),
▪ Gelateria Igloo, Calle della Mandola (11am-8pm). Fig gelato.
▪ Gelato Fantasy, San Marco 929, Calle Fiubera. Meringa gelato.

CASTELLO
▪ La Boutique del Gelato, Castello 5727, Salizzada San Lio (10am-11:30pm).

DORSODURO
▪ Gelateria Da Nico, Zattere ai Gesuati, Dorsoduro 922, south of the Gallerie dell'Accademia (Fri.-Wed. 7am-10pm).
▪ *Il Doge, Campo Santa Margherita.
▪ Lo Squero, Fondamenta Nani
▪ Causin, Campo S. Margherita 2996, (Closed Sun. & most of Aug.).

SAN POLO & SANTA CROCE
▪ Alaska, Santa Croce 1159, Calle Larga dei Bari (11-12am).
▪ *Gelateria Millevoglie, Salizzada San Rocco, behind Frari, near Calle degli Albanesi.
▪ *Gelateria San Stae, Salizzada San Stae, Vaporetto: San Stae, (Tues.-Sun. 11am-9pm), www.gelateriasanstae.com.

CANAREGGIO
▪ Il Gelatone, Canareggio 2063, Rio Terra Maddalena.

Cafés/Snacks:

SAN MARCO
▪ Caffè Florian, www.caffeflorian.com.
▪ Caffè Quadri; www.quadrivenice.com
▪ Caffé Mandola, Calle della Mandola, Vaporetto: Vallaresso (Mon.-Sat. 9am-7pm).
▪ All’Angolo, Campo Santo Stefano (Sun.-Fri. 8am-9pm).
▪ Osteria alle Botteghe, Calle delle Botteghe 3454 (Mon.-Sat. 11am-4pm & 7-10pm).
▪ Al Todaro, Piazzetta San Marco.
▪ Le Café, Campo San Stefano, www.lecafevenezia.com.
▪ Caffé Brasilia, San Marco 3658, Calle dei Assassini.

CASTELLO
▪ Al Vecio Penasa, Calle delle Rasse (Closed Wed.).
▪ Osteria da Baco, Salizzada San Provolo (9-2am, closed Wed.).
▪ Chiuso Pierino, Salizzada dei Greci (Sun.-Thurs. 8am-1:30pm, 4-9pm, Fri. 8am-1:30pm)

DORSODURO
▪ Il Caffé (Caffé Rossa, Bar Rosso), Campo Santa Margherita, Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico (Mon.-Sat

SAN POLO & SANTA CROCE
▪ Caffé dei Frari, Fondamenta dei Frari, in front of the Frari, Vaporetto: San Tomá (Mon.-Fri. 7am-9pm).

GIUDECCA
▪ Harry’s Dolci, Fondamenta San Biagio, Vaporetto: Santa Eufemia or Palanca (Wed.-Mon. 10:30am-11pm).

Ristoranti:
http://www.veneziaristoranti.it/venice-restaurants.html

SAN MARCO
▪ *Da Ivo, Calle dei Fuseri 1809, www.ristorantedaivo.com.
▪ *Ristorante Da Raffaele, San Marco 2347 (M-Sat) On foot from San Marco: follow signs to Accademia Bridge. At end of XXII Marzo, before the Bridge of the Ostreghe. Vaporetto: Santa Maria del Giglio, www. Ristorantedaraffaele.com.
▪ Cavatappi, Campo della Guerra, Vaporetto: San Zaccaria, (Tu-Sat. 11:15-4, Fri. & Sat. 7-10).
▪ Ristorante Quadri, (Tues-Sun 7-10:30pm) www.quadrivenice.com.
▪ Vini di Arturo, Calle degli Assassini, (Mon-Sat noon-3 & 7-10:30).
▪ De Pisis, Calle San Moise, San Marco 1459, in Bauer Hotel, http://www.bauervenezia.com/dining-b...urant-de-pisis.
▪Club del Doge, Campo Santa Maria del Giglio in Gritti Palace Hotel, http://www.hotelgrittipalacevenice.c...oge-restaurant.
▪ Da Mario, Fondamenta della Malvasia Vecchia, Vaporetto: Santa Maria del Giglio
▪ Ai Assassini, San Marco 3695, Rio Terrá dei Assassini, www.osteriaaiassassini.it.
▪ A Beccafico, San Marco 2801, Campo Francesco Morosini/Santo Stefano, (open Mondays!), www.abeccafico.com.
▪ La Caravellla, San Marco, 2397 Calle Marza XXII (across from Bulgari), vaporetto: Santa Maria del Giglio, www.restaurantlacaravella.com.
▪ Da Carla, Sottoportego Corte Contarina 1535a (Closed Sun.).

CASTELLO
▪ *Terrazza Danieli, http://www.danielihotelvenice.com/en...rrazza-danieli.
▪ *Al Covo, Campiello della Pescaria, east of Chiesa della Pietà, near Arsenale, 3d street past Hotel Metropole (Fri-Tues 12:45-2pm and 7:30-10pm) www.ristorantealcovo.com .
▪ L’Osteria de S. Marina, Campo S. Marina (Closed Monday), http://www.ristorantiveneziani.it/smarina/index_en.htm#.
▪ Alle Testiere, Castello 5801, Calle del Mondo Novo (Closed Sun. & Mon.), http://www.veneziaristoranti.it/asso...-testiere.html
▪ Corte Sconta, Castello 3886, Calle del Pestrin, (Tues-Sat 12:30-2pm and 7:15-10pm) www.veneziaristoranti.it.
▪ Il Ridotto, Castello 4509, Campo SS Filippo e Giacomo, www.ilridotto.com.
▪ Trattoria Da Remigio, Salizzada dei Greci, near Rio dei Greci (Wed.-Sun. 1-3pm, 7:30-10pm).
▪ Osteria Oliva Nera, Castello 3417/18, several canals behind the Hotel Metropole, www.osteria-olivanera.com.
▪ Osteria alla Botte, San Marco 5482, Calle della Bissa, (Mon.-Sat. 12-3pm, 6:30-11pm, Sun. 12:30-3pm), www.osterriaallabotte.com.

DORSODURO
▪ Ai Gondolieri, Fondamenta Ospedaletto, Vaporetto: Accademia, www.aigondolieri.com (Wed.-Mon.).
▪ Ristorante Cantinone Storico, Fondamenta di Ca’ Bragadin, Vaporetto: Accademia (Mon.-Sat. 12am-3pm, 7-10pm).
▪ Casin dei Nobile, Calle Lunga San Barnaba 2765, Vaporetto: Ca’ Rezzonico (Fri.-Wed.).
▪ Oniga, Campo San Barnaba (Mon., Wed.-Sun. 12-2:30pm, 7-10:30pm), www.oniga.it.
▪ Hostaria a Massaniello, Campo San Stefano (Closed Tues.).
▪ Rosticceria San Bartolomeo, San Marco 5424, Calle della Bissa.
▪ Linea d’Ombra, Dorsoduro 19, behind Santa Maria della Salute, http://www.ristorantelineadombra.com...index_eng.html


SAN POLO & SANTA CROCE
▪ Antiche Carampane, Rio Tera della Carampane (Tues.-Sat.), www.antichecarampane.com.
▪ Osteria La Zucca, Santa Croce 1762, Ponte del Megio, Calle del Tentor, at end of Calle del Forno, behind Fondaco dei Turchi, Vaporetto: San Stae, (Mon.-Sat. 12:30-2:30pm, 7-10:30pm), www.lazucca.it.
▪ Da Fiore, 2202 Calle del Scaleter, Vaporetto: San Stae (Tues.-Sat.) www.dafiore.net.
▪ Al Nono Risorto, Campo San Cassiano, Sottoportego della Scora Beltena, Vaporetto: San Silvestro (Closed Wed.).
▪ Il Refolo, Campiello del Piovan 1459 (Closed all Mon. & Tues. lunch).
▪ Osteria Mocenigo da Guido e Luca, Santa Croce, Salizada San Stae 30135, Vaporetto: San Stae.

CANAREGGIO
▪ Vini da Gigio, Fondamente di San Felice, Vaporetto: Ca’ d’Oro (Closed Mon. & Tues.), www.vinidagigiocom.

GIUDECCA
▪ Cip’s Club, in Hotel Cipriani, http://www.hotelcipriani.com/web/oci...restaurant.jsp.
▪ Fortuny Restaurant, in Hotel Cipriani, http://www.hotelcipriani.com/web/oci...restaurant.jsp.

Nice comprehensive list! I'll be in Venice in October for 2 nights and this will come in handy.

Wow! You really did some research! Thank you soo soo much.
This will give me a lot to think about.

So Delaine, are you back? Any restaurant reviews?