Venice is one of those cities that sweeps you off your feet. It’s romantic, timeless—and yes, expensive. Which is why when it comes to food, it’s worth knowing exactly where to go. You don’t want to waste a great view (or your money) on a disappointing meal.
The good news? There are incredible places where you can eat authentic Venetian cuisine, enjoy excellent service, and actually feel like you’re in Italy—not in a tourist trap. Whether you’re after a seafood feast, creative cicchetti, or a candlelit dinner before the opera, here’s where to eat in Venice in 2025. Don’t forget to reserve!
1. Ristoteca Oniga – best for cozy, seasonal dining in Dorsoduro
📍 Address: Dorsoduro 2852, 30123 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 5224410
🍝 Average Price: €55–65 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Yes (in the square, weather permitting)
If you’re wandering through the quiet back streets of Dorsoduro, far from the crowds of St. Mark’s Square, you’ll stumble across Ristoteca Oniga, a warm and inviting spot that feels like a local secret. With its bohemian vibe, vintage decor, and seasonal menu that changes daily, this restaurant is a favorite among those looking to experience authentic Venetian cuisine in a relaxed setting.
Step inside and you’ll find colorful wine bottles hanging from the ceiling, walls lined with books and paintings, and quirky touches like cutlery made from recycled materials. The ambiance is charming and unpretentious — ideal if you’re after a laid-back dinner in Venice without compromising on food quality.
The kitchen puts a strong emphasis on organic and locally sourced ingredients, and it shows. If you see the tris di tartare on the menu — a trio of raw fish beautifully plated and seasoned — don’t hesitate. The spaghetti with shrimp is another favorite: light, flavorful, and expertly balanced. And make room for dessert: the chocolate pannacotta and the apple and pear strudel are both standouts.
Located in Campo San Barnaba, right by a quiet canal often crossed by gondolas, Oniga is also a great option if you’re staying in Dorsoduro or visiting the nearby Ca’ Rezzonico museum.
2. La Caravella – best for historic dining near La Fenice
📍 Address: Via XXII Marzo 2399, San Marco, 30124 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 520 8901
🍝 Average Price: €80–100 (antipasto + primo + wine or tasting menu)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Yes (in the courtyard)
Located just a few minutes from St. Mark’s Square and steps from Teatro La Fenice, La Caravella offers a refined, old-world dining experience in the heart of Venice. With its maritime-inspired decor and a romantic inner courtyard, this restaurant feels like stepping into a timeless Venetian tale.
Originally opened in the 1960s, La Caravella has long been a favorite for those seeking elegant Venetian cuisine in a quiet and refined setting. The dining rooms are cozy and atmospheric, with ship-like wooden ceilings and vintage artwork. But the real treasure is the leafy outdoor courtyard — ideal for warm evenings.
The menu strikes a balance between tradition and sophistication. It’s the kind of place where each dish is composed with care — from ingredient sourcing to presentation. We loved the tagliolini with duck ragout — rich, comforting, and deeply flavorful. Another standout is the ravioli con baccalà alla vicentina, served over a delicate cacio e pepe cream. Wine lovers will appreciate the extensive list, with labels from all over Italy and a focus on the Veneto.
3. Grand Canal Restaurant – best for fine dining with a view in San Marco
📍 Address: San Marco 1332, 30124 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 520 0211
🍝 Average Price: €75–90 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌅 Outdoor seating: Yes (on the terrace)
If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant in Venice with Grand Canal views, this is your spot. Part of the elegant Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, this restaurant is just steps from St. Mark’s Square, yet feels surprisingly serene — especially if you’re lucky enough to grab a table on the panoramic terrace.
From here, you can watch gondolas glide past with Punta della Dogana and the majestic Basilica della Salute across the water. The setting alone makes this one of the most scenic dining experiences in Venice, perfect for a special occasion or elegant sunset dinner.
But the food isn’t just an afterthought. The kitchen delivers refined Venetian cuisine with a creative touch. Dishes like pilgrim scallops with black truffle and topinambur cream, wholewheat spaghetti in anchovy sauce, or the perfectly cooked Venetian-style fish risotto reflect the seasonality of the lagoon. The wine list is extensive and leans heavily on local producers from the Veneto region.
Service is polished yet friendly, and the interior dining room — with its floor-to-ceiling windows — offers a cozy alternative when it’s too chilly to dine outside.
4. L’Osteria di Santa Marina – best for creative Venetian cuisine near Rialto
📍 Address: Campo Santa Marina 5911, Castello, Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 528 5239
🍝 Average Price: €75–90 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Yes
Hidden just behind the bustling Rialto Bridge, L’Osteria di Santa Marina is where tradition meets creativity. Tucked away in a quiet campo in Castello, this elegant seafood-focused osteria is a favorite among food lovers looking for a more imaginative and elevated dining experience in Venice.
The interior is intimate and polished, with soft lighting and exposed brick walls creating a refined yet cozy atmosphere.
The menu changes seasonally and blends classic Venetian flavors with modern techniques. If available, start with a selection of crudi di mare — raw seafood served with subtle, flavorful garnishes. The eggplant ravioli with shrimp is a beautiful balance of earthiness and sweetness, while the gnocchetti with cuttlefish ink and seafood ragout are rich, briny, and deeply satisfying. Another standout is the turbot parcel with artichokes and new potatoes, a dish that showcases the kitchen’s talent for pairing delicate fish with bold seasonal vegetables.
The service is polished but warm — knowledgeable without being stiff — and the wine pairings are spot on, often featuring small Italian producers.
5. Cantina Do Spade – best for cicchetti & local vibes near Rialto
📍 Address: San Polo 859, 30125 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 521 0583
🍝 Average Price: €35–55 (cicchetti or antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Limited
If you want to eat like a local in Venice, start at Cantina Do Spade. Just a short stroll from the Rialto Bridge, this historic bàcaro dates back to the 15th century and is one of the most authentic spots for cicchetti — the Venetian answer to tapas.
By day, you’ll see Venetians and travelers alike crowding the tiny bar for polpette, sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato, and other bites, paired with a shadow (a small glass of wine). But many don’t know that there’s also a full dining room, where you can sit down for a proper lunch or dinner featuring house-made pastas and traditional main courses.
Don’t miss their bigoli in salsa, a rustic Venetian pasta with anchovy and onion, or the calamari fritti. Service is casual, fast, and friendly — this is a place full of energy and personality, ideal if you’re looking for a casual but high-quality meal near Rialto Market.
6. Al Covo – best for refined seafood near St. Mark’s Square
📍 Address: Castello 3968, 30122 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 522 3812
🍝 Average Price: €70–85 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Yes
Just a short walk from St. Mark’s Basilica, in the quieter Bragora area of Castello, you’ll find Al Covo — a beloved restaurant known for its refined take on Venetian seafood cuisine. Run by husband-and-wife team Cesare and Diane, Al Covo has built a loyal following for its focus on quality ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and heartfelt hospitality.
The atmosphere is warm and intimate, with exposed brick, soft lighting, and wood-beamed ceilings that make it feel more like a well-kept Venetian home than a formal restaurant. The menu highlights seasonal seafood dishes, many of which come directly from the lagoon or nearby Adriatic Sea.
To start, the scampi crudi al prosecco is a delicate and elegant choice, while the tartare di orata is fresh and clean with just the right amount of citrus. The spaghetti alle vongole e seppioline alla veneziana is a standout, combining clams and baby cuttlefish in a deeply flavorful sauce. If you’re more in the mood for meat, the tagliata di manzo is tender and expertly grilled.d
Diane’s homemade desserts — like her flourless chocolate cake or seasonal tarts — are reason enough to linger a bit longer. The wine list is curated to pair beautifully with seafood, with several bottles from boutique Veneto producers.
It’s a romantic, peaceful option just far enough from the crowds — ideal if you’re looking for an upscale yet authentic dinner near St. Mark’s.
7. Trattoria Antiche Carampane – best for traditional Venetian seafood in a hidden setting
📍 Address: Sestiere San Polo 1911, 30125 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 524 0165
🍝 Average Price: €70–80 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Yes (weather permitting)
Tucked into a quiet alley in the San Polo district — not far from the Rialto Market but completely off the beaten tourist path — Trattoria Antiche Carampane is a true Venetian gem. This historic trattoria has been run by the same family for generations and is beloved by locals and in-the-know travelers for its no-nonsense, deeply traditional seafood dishes.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted with a warm, slightly rustic interior: wooden beams, white tablecloths, and a cozy, lived-in charm. It’s the kind of place where the staff calls you “cara” and remembers your order. The menu changes daily depending on what’s available at the market — this is Venetian cuisine at its freshest and most genuine.
Start with the crudi di mare, an impressive plate of raw seafood that’s as fresh as it gets. The tagliolini del doge with spider crab is a house specialty and worth the trip alone — rich, briny, and delicately sweet. If you’re in the mood for something fried, the fritto misto delle carampane (a mix of lightly battered seafood and vegetables) is legendary. Expect bold, simple flavors done right.
Reservations are essential — it’s small, popular, and often fully booked. It’s also a great pick if you’re staying in Santa Croce or exploring the Rialto fish market in the morning.
8. Antico Martini – best restaurant near La Fenice for Opera nights
📍 Address: Campo San Fantin 2007, 30124 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 522 4121
🍝 Average Price: €85–100 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Yes
For a truly timeless Venetian dining experience — especially if you’re heading to a performance — Antico Martini is the go-to choice. Located directly across from Teatro La Fenice, this elegant institution dates back to 1720 and continues to serve refined, classic dishes in a setting that feels more theatrical than the opera itself.
Inside, you’ll find chandeliers, crisp linens, and warm service that knows how to cater to a pre-show rush or a lingering late-night dinner. On important opera nights, Antico Martini stays open late, making it a rare and ideal option for a post-opera dinner in Venice.
Expect an upscale menu of Venetian and Italian staples with just the right amount of flair. Their seafood risotto is delicately prepared, and the veal cutlet — buttery and crisp — is a standout. Their selection of antipasti and house-made pastas makes it easy to enjoy a full multi-course meal without ever feeling rushed.
9. Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti – best for intimate modern dining in Dorsoduro
📍 Address: Fondamenta della Toletta 1169A, Dorsoduro, 30123 Venezia
📞 Phone: +39 041 523 8944
🍝 Average Price: €65–80 (antipasto + primo + wine)
🌿 Outdoor seating: Limited canal-side tables
Located on a quiet canal in Dorsoduro, near the Accademia Bridge, Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti is one of the city’s most beloved small restaurants. With just a handful of tables and a menu that changes daily, it feels more like a chef’s studio than a traditional osteria.
Perfect for food lovers seeking a refined but unpretentious dinner in Venice, Ai Artisti combines seasonal Venetian ingredients with modern presentation and excellent wines. It’s a favorite among artists, writers, and chefs — and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
Dishes are creative but grounded in local tradition. Expect things like homemade tagliolini with lagoon clams and zucchini blossoms, or duck breast with seasonal vegetables. Their desserts are elegant and not overly sweet — just right to close the meal. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and always happy to suggest wine pairings from their thoughtful list of Italian producers.
Because the space is small and demand is high, reservations are essential — especially in the evening. It’s a magical spot for couples, solo travelers, or anyone who wants to enjoy Venice through a slower, more thoughtful lens.
