SD › Italy › Venice › Best Restaurants
Updated: May 5, 2022
By Santorini Dave
10 Best Restaurants in Venice
1. Ristorante San Silvestro • San Polo • $$$
Map • +39 041 260 1787
The best restaurant in Venice, San Silvestro serves elegant, local specialties in a romantic setting with indoor and outdoor candlelight dining. The menu highlights seafood in modernized, traditional dishes, alongside meat and vegetarian plates. Popular with locals and travelers, especially for their squid ink risotto and sea bass ravioli. Open from noon until 11:00 p.m. Reservations strongly recommended, especially for dinner service.
2. Ai Mercanti • San Marco • $$
Map • +39 041 523 8269
Creative dishes, seasonal ingredients, and a relaxed setting combine at Ai Mercanti, a self-described “gastrosteria” – a mix of high gastronomy and osteria (affordable spot for simple food and wine). Incredible wine selection with pairings available for each course with special attention paid to natural Italian wines. Open Tuesdays through Saturday for lunch (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and dinner (7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) Closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations recommended.
3. Arcicchetti Bakaro • Santa Croce • $
Map • +39 041 523 7209
Cicchetti is a Venetian tradition similar to Spanish tapas: small snacks, mini sandwiches, and petite portions of comfort food, typically served with a glass of local white wine. Arcicchetti Bakaro is the best bacaro (wine bar) in Venice to fill up on these classic small bites in a friendly, unpretentious setting with Italian wine, cold beer, or a spritz. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. on Sundays). No reservations.
4. Antico Forno • San Polo • $
Map • +39 041 520 4110
The absolute best pizza in Venice plus cold craft beer (their own brand and more). Antico Forno serves traditional thin crust pizza and “pizzaccia,” a pizza with a focaccia bread base; order a whole pie or pick up just a slice. Standing room only (like many bacaro here), no table seating. Open daily from noon to 9:30 p.m.
5. Cantina Arnaldi • Santa Croce • $$
Map • +39 041 524 4992
Amazing little wine bar offering a well-curated selection of boutique, local wine along with regional Italian, natural international wines, and craft beer (draft or bottled). Food here is straightforward but delicious – mostly meat and cheese boards, cicchetti, pasta, and salads with both wine and food menus changing seasonally. Open from 11:00 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Wednesdays. Reservations strongly recommended.
6. Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi • Cannaregio • $$
Map • +39 041 241 2747
This place is always crowded with locals standing outside enjoying cicchetti and wine, but don’t let the crowd deter you. There is often seating inside even when it looks full. Ai Promessi Sposi offers a fresh daily menu of Venetian and Italian dishes, mostly seafood and meat plus a small but well-prepared selection of vegetarian plates. Open for dinner nightly from 6:30 to 10:15 (sometimes later) and for lunch daily from 11:30 to 2:15 (closed for lunch Mondays and Wednesdays). Reservations recommended for dinner, especially after 8:00 p.m.
7. Taverna al Remer • Cannaregio • $$$
Map • +39 041 522 8789
A hidden gem located down a narrow alley and opening up to stunning views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. Though the view is the main attraction, the taverna boasts an excellent wine selection and delicious dishes. Inside the restaurant features rustic charm with brick walls, exposed beam ceilings, and dark woods. Open daily from noon to 11:30 p.m. Reservations recommended for dinner.
8. Pasticceria Tonolo • Dorsoduro • $$
Map • +39 041 523 7209
A Venetian standby since 1886, Pasticceria Tonolo is a small bakery with two claims to fame: the best tiramisu in Venice (year-round) and the best frittelle in Venice (during Carnival season). Though best known for the previous recipes, the shop offers a variety of pastries, cakes, and cookies, many available in small portions for less than €1.50. Great coffee, too. No seating.
9. Trattoria ai Cacciatori • Giudecca • $$
Map • +39 041 528 5849
A favorite of locals, Trattoria ai Cacciatori has been serving up Venetian comfort food for over 40 years with a special emphasis on game (“ai cacciatori” translates to “to the hunters”). Expect a rich menu featuring rabbit, quail, boar, and more depending on the season, alongside fresh seafood, homemade pastas, and rich desserts. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Reservations recommended for waterfront tables.
10. Ai Do Archi • Castello • $
Map • +39 041 241 1306
Cozy, casual, family-friendly spot for seafood and vegetarian dishes, plus crowd-pleasers like pizza, pasta, and risotto. Large portions, stellar wine and prosecco, and surprisingly affordable prices. Open daily from noon to 11:00 p.m. Reservations recommended for weekend dinners.
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