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Restaurants in Venice

Venice has a reputation for awful restaurants with 'tourist' menus, but take this with a pinch of salt. It’s far from impossible to find a decent meal here and you don’t have to venture much further than Piazza San Marco to do so. There are a number of very good restaurants in the Castello area with great food and if budget is not an issue, many of the best restaurants have canal views or private gardens.

The Venice restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over €100)
Moderate (€60 to €100)
Cheap (up to €60)

Prices include a three-course meal for one, half a bottle of wine, plus tax and service – usually 15% added to your bill. Beware of a ‘cover charge’ for bread and napkins.

Expensive

Il Canova

Cuisine: Mediterrenean

Boasting one of the grandest dining rooms in the whole of Venice, with space for only 65 guests, Il Canova offers an intimate setting and personal service that is second to none. The food is a true reflection of the Mediterranean, while the wine collection is chosen to complement each course.

Address: , San Marco 1243, Venice, 30124
Telephone: +39 41 528 9840.
Website: https://www.baglionihotels.com/category/luna-hotel-baglioni-venice/restaurant-luna-hotel-baglioni-venice/

L'Osteria di Santa Marina

Cuisine: Italian

The menu at this charming osteria, offers a wide range of appetizers, including soused, boiled or "saor" (classic Venetian specialty) raw fish. Handmade pasta is served with seasonal fruits of the gardens from the Veneto region, while main courses range from fried foods to grilled fish.

Address: Castello, Campo Santa Marina, 5911, Venice, 30122
Telephone: +39 41 528 5239.
Website: http://www.osteriadisantamarina.com

Oro Restaurant

Cuisine: Italian

In the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, newly opened Oro manages to strike a balance between elegant fine dining and warm, family-like hospitality. The menu by Michelin-starred chef, Davide Bisetto, is an explosion of flavour combinations and highest quality produce. Its Venetian Lagoon views are also stunning.

Address: , Giudecca 10, Venice, 30133
Telephone: +39 01 852 678451
Website: http://www.belmond.com/hotel-cipriani-venice/cipriani_restaurants

Moderate

Osteria Boccadoro

Cuisine: Fish and seafood

Away from the main tourist streets, this is the place to go to experience some innovative Venetian cuisine. With modern photography adorning its smart grey walls, the decor is unusually contemporary for Venice. Try the platter of fish carpaccio, mixed fried fish or the squid ink seafood pasta.

Address: Campo Widmann, Cannaregio, 5405/A, Venice, 30122
Telephone: +39 41 521 1021.
Website: http://www.boccadorovenezia.it

Osteria Oliva Nera

Cuisine: Italian

Run by the friendly husband and wife team of Isabella and Dino, this fine restaurant offers local fish and seafood and classic Venetian dishes like stuffed fried zucchini flowers. The owners go out of their way to make every guest feel welcome and the restaurant's own olive oil makes an excellent memento.

Address: , Castello, 3417/3447, Venice, 30122
Telephone: +39 41 522 2170.
Website: http://www.olivanera.com

Trattoria Antica Besseta

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Venice's oldest trattoria is located a few minutes from Piazzale Roma station, but is definitely off the beaten tourist track. A favourite among the locals, the Mediterranean food here is simple but is often styled like a piece of art.

Address: Salizada de Cà Zusto,, Santa Croce 1395, Venice, 30121
Telephone: +39 41 721 687.
Website: http://www.anticabesseta.it

Cheap

Al Giardinetto da Severino

Cuisine: Italian

This intimate restaurant is popular with local gondoliers and has been run by the same family for over half a century. Housed in a 15th-century chapel, Al Giardinetto boasts vaulted ceilings, a frescoed fireplace and a menu of Venetian staples. Grab a table in the vine-covered courtyard during summer.

Address: Castello, Salizada Zorzi (Ruga Giuffa), 4928, Venice, 30122
Telephone: +39 41 528 5332.
Website: http://www.algiardinetto.it

Ristorante Giorgione

Cuisine: Italian

Spaghetti alla busara con scampi (scampi in tomato sauce) and spaghetti vongole (spaghetti with clams and white wine) are two of the best dishes served in this bustling restaurant, where most diners sit outside watching the action on the wide Via Garibaldi. The menu is packed with other Venetian specialities – including an owner who likes to sing Venetian songs.

Address: Castello, Via Garibaldi, 1533,, Venice, 30122
Telephone: +39 41 522 8727.
Website: http://www.ristorantegiorgione.it

Trattoria alla Madonna

Cuisine: Italian

This bustling trattoria is good value. At lunch it’s a great informal place to tuck into a bowl of pasta with fagioli beans. In the evening, the more serious dining gets under way, with seafood specialities such as black squid with polenta and octopus on the menu.

Address: San Polo, Calle della Madonna, 594, Venice, 30125
Telephone: +39 41 522 3824.
Website: http://www.ristoranteallamadonna.com
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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JW Marriott Venice Resort and Spa

With the largest spa in Venice, this resort on a private island boasts a complimentary shuttle service to St Mark’s Square, 250 contemporary rooms and suites designed by architect Matteo Thun. This is an exclusive getaway set in acres of private garden with a rooftop pool overlooking the lagoon.

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The 55 rooms in this 15th-century palace are designed in unique oriental style, but the elegance and grandeur of Venice is still clear. The hotel caters for breakfast but doesn’t have a restaurant, however staff will make suggestions and there is a small, intimate bar for a late night drink.

Hotel Henry

This family-run hotel is far from the grandeur of its 5-star canal-side cousins, but what it lacks in luxury, it makes up for in friendly and welcoming service. One of the best cheap hotels in Venice, visitors can expect staff on hand 24 hours a day, and reasonable room facilities including free Wi-Fi access.

Hotel Saturnia and International

Situated on one of Venice’s smartest shopping streets, this sophisticated hotel is very good value. Run by the same family since 1908, you will get a friendly welcome, a good-sized room with elegant antique furniture and a plentiful breakfast. The suntrap roof terrace is an excellent retreat.

Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal

Modern design has been brought to this palatial old building with stunning results. On the banks of the Grand Canal, and within a stone's throw of St Mark's Square, its setting is convenient. There are only 100 rooms and most of them tend to be booked up well in advance.

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This characterful hideaway by the Guggenheim Museum only has six rooms in the main buildings as well as three more nearby. The decor is design-led with muted browns and creams complementing the work of local artists that hangs in all rooms. The chic modern rooms and suites boast plasma TVs and free Wi-Fi.