Restaurants in Venice

San Marco

Ai Rusteghi, (Tel: 041 523 22 05, Calletta della Bissa 5529, open 9.30am - 3.00pm and 5.00pm - 8.30pm, Monday to Saturday). This place is great for the well-known Italian sandwich (panino) and there is a wide range of fillings and breads, as well as good wines to choose from. Ideal for a quick, light snack at lunchtime before tasting the sights and sounds of Venice.

Vino Vino, (Tel: 041 523 70 27, Calle del Cafetier, San Marco 2007, open Wednesday to Monday). This is a popular bar type osteria which can be found at Ponte Veste, near Teatro La Fenice. The menu often changes daily and the pre-prepared food is of a reasonable quality. There is a wide selection of vegetables and wine is sold by the glass for not much more than a Euro.

Osteria al Bacareto, (Tel: 041 528 93 36, San Marco 3447, open Monday to Friday). The search for a welcoming traditional trattoria in this area of San Marco is over when you reach Al Bacareto. It also doubles up as an osteria, so diners can also opt for a plateful of cicheti with a glass of local wine.

Caffe Florian, (Tel: 041 520 56 41, Piazza San Marco 56/59). This is one of the most famous coffee houses in Venice. Its sophisticated interior has been visited by the likes of Lord Byron and Henry James, who often had their breakfast here, before strolling across the piazza to Caffe Quadri for lunch. High-class Venetians started paying exorbitant amounts of money for the pleasure of drinking in this establishment as early as 1720.

Harry's Bar, (Tel: 041 528 57 77, Calle Vallaresso 1323, open 12.00pm - 11.00pm daily). Harry's Bar is just off Salizzada San Moise, a quick stroll to the west of St. Mark's Square. The Cipriani family, who opened the bar in 1931, claims to have invented several Venetian specialities, including the Bellini cocktail. A meal can be expensive, but it is one of just two restaurants in the city to have been awarded the famous Michelin Star. Toscanini, Chaplin, Hemingway and just about everyone who was anyone (and quite a few who were not) have eaten and drunk here.

Ristorante ai Barbacani, (Tel: 041 521 02 34, Calle del Paradiso 5746, open Tuesday to Sunday). This restaurant, situated right near to a canal bridge, is a delightful spot to dine, especially if you can get a waterside seat or view. As for the food, it is varied and fine, but not quite up to the standards of Venice's best.

Dorsoduro

Arca, (Tel: 041 524 22 36, Calle San Pantalon 3757, open Monday to Saturday). On Tuesday nights, guests are given the treat of live music, normally light jazz which compliments the light and affordable food on offer. The majority of the clientele are students, making for a young and buzzing atmosphere.

Osteria ai Carmini, (Tel: 041 523 11 15, Calle delle Pazienze 2894/a, open 9.30am - 11.00pm, Monday to Saturday). This is one of the best spots to seek out around Campo Santa Margherita, especially if you are looking for the culinary delights of fresh fish and seafood.

Osteria da Toni, (Tel: 041 528 68 99, Fondamenta di San Basilio 1642, open Tuesday to Sunday). This is a popular workers' eatery, where you can eat great seafood at affordable prices or just sip a glass of local wine. When the sun shines, make sure you can get a place by the canal.

Taverna San Trovaso, (Tel: 520 37 03, Fondamenta Priuli, Dorsoduro 1016, closed Mondays). This taverna offers not just pizzas, but also a full à la carte lunch or dinner menu. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pizzas, it would however be a shame to miss the restaurant's excellent gnocchi al quattro formaggi, grilled fish specialties, or local favourites such as seppia alla veneziana (cuttlefish in its ink) and frittura mista di pesce (fried seafood platter). While the cuisine may not be on a par with the top expensive restaurants in town, it rates very well within its price category.

Santa Croce and San Polo

Trattoria alla Madonna, (Tel: 041 522 38 24, Calle della Madonna, San Polo 594, open Thursday to Tuesday). Situated just a few streets west of the famous Rialto and off Fondamenta del Vin, this trattoria is an excellent place to dine, it specialises in seafood and offers reasonable prices.

Da Fiore, (Tel: 041 72 13 08, Calle del Scaleter 2202, open Tuesday to Saturday). The second recipient in Venice of a Michelin Star - Da Fiore has an unprepossessing shop front appearance, but which belies an Art Deco interior and some traditional dishes, such as risotto di scampi and bigoli in salsa, all of which are prepared with optimum care. They restaurant offers a good wine selection and the prices do not seem to deter diners, as the place can be easily booked out for dinner weeks in advance. Tip: It is much easier to get a table for lunch rather than dinner.

Al Nono Risorto, (Tel: 041 524 11 69, Sotoportego de Siora Bettina, open Thursday to Tuesday). Stop in here if only to relax in the beautifully adorned canal-side garden. This is a great place for pizza or you could simply opt for the lunchtime menu del giorno (menu of the day).

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