Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute from the Gritti Palace, Venice.

Restaurants in Venice Recommendations

by Paolo Lorenzoni
As General Manager of The Gritti Palace, Paolo Lorenzoni has intimate knowledge of all Venice has to offer. As the art world descends for the 59th Biennale, Lorenzoni shares his recommendations for exploring the best restaurants in this magical city.

CLUB DEL DOGE

Helmed by Chef Daniele Turco, Club del Doge proposes an authentic Venetian gourmet cuisine with a renewed attention for seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s stunning location on the Grand Canal makes it the ultimate place to meet in Venice, especially during the bella stagione with the opening of The Gritti Terrace.

Club del Doge Restaurant at The Gritti Palace
Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, 2467
Tel.: +39 041 794611
clubdeldoge.com


HARRY’S BAR

One of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, Harry’s Bar evokes a frame of mind and was declared a national landmark in 2001 by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs. Located in St. Mark’s area and run by the Cipriani Family, it is best known for its Bellini and Carpaccio. Their room upstairs is more elegant however, true Venetian regulars prefer to sit downstairs by the bar.

Harry’s Bar
Calle Vallaresso, 1323
Tel.: +39 041 528 5777
cipriani.com


ANTICHE CARAMPANE

Hidden amongst the calli and campielli between the Rialto Fish Market and San Polo, Antiche Carampane offers a seafood[1]based menu of Venetian tradition with a modern twist, based on ingredients that vary according to the season accompanied by wines of the Veneto Region. Given that the place is so small, they have 2 sittings for dinner one at 7.30pm and a second one at 9.30pm. You will hear the owners mention that “you do not come here by chance” and will often recommend their “Spaghetti in Cassopippa”, spaghetti with local clams.

Trattoria Antiche Carampane
Rio Terà de le Carampane, 1911
Tel.: +39 041 524 0165
antichecarampane.com
Closed on Sundays and Mondays


LE TESTIERE

This tiny, charming place only has 20 seats and is very popular with the Venetians themselves. It is quite impossible to find a table during the busiest season. They have 2 sittings for dinner: 7.30pm or 9.30 pm. Bruno, the Chef and Luca in the main room will take very good care of each single guest.

Osteria Alle Testiere
Calle del Mondo Novo, 5801
Tel.: +39 041 522 7220
osterialletestiere.it
Closed on Sundays and Mondays


OSTERIA DA FIORE

A very well-known small, elegant, always in vogue Osteria with a houseboat-like dining room. It offers Venetian specialties based on seafood. Reservations require at least 2 weeks-notice. Close to San Polo square, 10 minutes from the Rialto bridge. They may require a credit card to guarantee the table.

Osteria Da Fiore
San Polo 2202
Tel. +39 041 721 308
ristorantedafiore.com
Closed on Sundays and Mondays


IL COVO

Located in the less touristic district of Castello, husband and wife team Cesare and Diane serve a cuisine based on locally sourced fish and vegetables. Ristorante Al Covo is a member of the Alliance of Chefs and Slow Food Presidia.

Ristorante al Covo
Castello 3968
Tel: +39 041 5223812
ristorantealcovo.com


DA IVO

Operating since 1976, Da Ivo is a small restaurant with a very warm and cozy atmosphere that offers specialties from Tuscany and Venice. It is a favourite amongst jet-setters mainly due to their signature dish “Tagliolini with truffle”. Additionally, they also offer great homemade pasta with gluten free options and their menu varies on a daily basis according to seasonal ingredients. They have 2 sittings, one at 7.30pm and a second one at 9.30pm and only take online reservations.

Da Ivo
Calle Fuseri, 1809
Tel.: +39 041 528 5004
ristorantedaivo.it
Closed on Sundays


GRAN CAFFE QUADRI

It is the only restaurant located in Piazza San Marco and ever since its opening, one of the most famous in town. Run by the Alajmo Family, who also own a 3 Star Michelin Restaurant in Padova, it offers a contemporary cuisine in an historical setting. Online reservations only.

Gran Caffé Quadri
Piazza San Marco, 121
Tel.: +39 041 522 2105
alajmo.it
Closed on Mondays


DA ARTURO

Da Arturo breaks the Venetian fish tradition by offering a vast selection of meat, vegetable and pasta dishes served in a simple yet tastefully decorated ambience. Specialties include a superb beef Stroganoff and Voronoff, and a pork chop served Venetian-style.

Da Arturo
S. Marco, 3656
Tel.: +39 041 528 6974


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