We'll be leaving soon for Venice and would like to try new restaurants, different from our long time favourites ones. Can somebody share with us the best places (from the smallest to the most fancy ones) you may have tried. Many thanks in advance.

In the backstreets of venice behind the Realto bridge there are numerous small cafe's. One of my favourite is in a little square called Chiesa di S. Lio, on the corner of via Carminati, it is a very small place that looks a bit like an English pub- but the spaggetti is WONDERFUL and for Venice very cheap! we have had expensive and cheap meals in Venice on many occassions, but this little place keeps calling us back- Have you been to the Mask festival? again in my opinion an event not to be missed Have fun!

We really enjoyed the dining room at the Hotel Monaco - right on the water and the food was far superior to Danieli.

Hi Joelle, I can highly recommend an inexpensive restaurant(an Italian oxymoron)in Venice It is easy to find from the train station - head left down Lista di Spagna, full of charming shops and locals strolling with their families. It's called BEAU BRUMMELS, on the left side with a few picnic type tables out front-a few blocks from the station. We had a super charming young waiter (we ate there several times) who was a delight. They have a menu touristico,but we found the menu choices very reasonable, more varied and delicious. Wine was cheap and no coperto or pressure to order several courses, which is rare. They had delicious varied salads which can be hard to find. If you make it there do try the ham/mushroom calzone with fresh tomato sauce on
top-to die for. One our first visit, the waiter kindly informed us that the numero uno chef started at 6pm, so best go for supper. Nothing fancy, just great food and friendly service at a low price. What more could you ask for in Venice.

joelle,

Highly recommend you buy Fred Plotkin's book Italy for the Gourmet Traveller. Trattorie and ristoranti off the beaten path, most away from the tourist traps. It's 700 pages, but well worth carrying, because it also has lots of information about food shops of all kinds. It's interesting reading and gives lots of regional information and background. You can't do better than to travel with Fred. He made all the difference to our five-week trip to Italy last spring -- best we ever had. Buon viaggio.