Restaurants in Venice

This is just a small selection of the restaurants that I visit and review every year. If you'd like the full list, or need some help with organizing your own self-guided trip, please contact me about my Trip Planning Service.
Antico Martini
S. Marco 1983, Venezia
✆ 041-522-4121
Public Transit Vaporetto: San Marco
Hours: 12:00 to 14:30 & 19:00 to 23:30, closed Tuesdays
Average Price: €50 per person
All major credit cards accepted
A Venice institution and a favorite with opera goers as La Fenice, Venice’s beloved opera house, is just around the corner.

Any time you’re served by somebody in a tux, you can expect to pay handsomely for it, and in Venice that’s doubly true, but the food is excellent and the service top notch.

If you just want pasta, stick to cheaper places, but if you want a really good fish dinner, this is the place.
Le Cafe
Campo San Stefano 2797, Venezia
✆ 041-523-7201
Hours: 08:00 to 23:00
Average Price: €10 per person
No credit cards accepted
The perfect spot on this friendly square to grab a sandwich or crepe and watch people. They also have a bakery next door to the cafe with lots of yummies to go.
Ristorante San Stefano
San Marco 2776, Campo S. Stefano, Venezia
✆ 041-523-2467
Public Transit Vaporetto: to Accademia
Hours: 12:00 to 14:00 & 18:30 to 22:00, closed Thursdays
Average Price: €20 per person
Located on one of my favorite squares in Venice, the San Stefano has lots of outdoor seating, as well as some tight and bright indoor spots. Excellent selection of fresh fish and pastas, as well as pizza. The gnochetti alla San Stefano (with tomoatoes, ground nuts and parmasan) is excellent.
Al Covo
Campiello della Pescaria 3968, Castello, Venezia
✆ 041-522-3812
Public Transit Vaporetto: Arsenale
Hours: 12:30 to 14:00 & 19:00 to 22:00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
Average Price: €50 per person
No credit cards accepted
For real food lovers, one of the best places in town for lunches and dinners. Diane, Texas girl turned Venetian restauranteur, will lead you on a path through some of the freshest food in Venice. They don’t even own a freezer.

The menu is mainly fish-based, along with a non-fish choice or two.

Reservations recommended.
Osteria Oliva Nera
Castello 3417, Venezia
✆ 041-522-2170
Finding it: Located in a residential area, midway between the Bridge of Sighs and the Arsenal. Head down the waterfront, then turn left at Calle dei Pieta, just before the Metropol Hotel. Go straight for about four blocks, and the restaurant will be on a corner to your right.
Hours: 12:00 to 15:00 & 19:00 to 22:00
Average Price: €70 per person
All major credit cards accepted
Firmly focused on quality over quantity, Oliva Nera is a gourmet delight in what is otherwise a pretty bleak restaurant landscape. They are especially known for their zucchini flowers, stuffed with cheese and fried, the best I’ve ever had. The rest of the menu changes throughout the year. I’ve enjoyed the breaded shrimp with cold cauliflower cream sauce, and the ricotta and orange ravioli with tomato.

Portions are small, with a subtle blending of flavors not often found in the tourist mills so common in Venice. Each person should expect to eat two or three courses, at €15 to €20 per course. Service is warm, yet prompt and professional.

Reservations recommended.