2 Best Restaurants in Burano, Venice

Stroll across the bridge from Burano to the islet of Mazzorbo to see some of the Venetian islands' only working vineyards, amid which sits this charming restaurant where seasonal dishes incorporate vegetables, herbs, and flowers fresh from the garden and fish fresh from the lagoon, served in seven- to nine-course tasting menus (there's also a more casual osteria). To accompany your meal, pick out a local wine like the Dorona di Venezia, made with the island’s native grape. If all the food makes you sleepy, stay the night in one of the lovely guest rooms.

Around since 1965, Al Gatto Nero offers the best fish on Burano. No matter what you order, though, you'll savor the pride the owner and his family have in their lagoon, their island, and the quality of their cucina (maybe even more so when enjoying it on the picturesque fondamenta). The fish is top quality and couldn't get any fresher; all pastas and desserts are made in-house; the fritto misto is outstanding for its lightness and variety of fish; risotto de Gò (ghiozzo) is a Burano cucina povera standard that had almost disappeared from local menus until Anthony Bourdain introduced it to travelers. "Each day our fisherman return with the best the lagoon has to offer," says the owner, who, upon understanding he could not pursue his dream of being a musician, decided instead to make the kitchen sing.