Venice is the perfect destination for a vacation, whether it is a romantic getaway or a day trip. But this beautiful city is not only known for its art and cultural treasures, gondola rides and world famous carnival. It also has a wonderful culinary tradition.
Whatever brings you here, if you are a foodie and love fish, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal at one of the best fish restaurants in Venice. Indeed, Venice offers an unforgettable culinary experience with dishes prepared with high quality local products and, of course, fresh fish.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner. Here are the five best fish restaurants in Venice. It’s best to try them all and find out which is your favorite.
The 5 best fish restaurants in Venice
Osteria Al Cantinon – traditional cuisine of the region
If you want to get to know the authentic Venetian cuisine, the Osteria Al Cantinon is the right address. It is located in the Sottoportego de le Colonete, 2152.
This charming restaurant will impress you with its view of the canal and its traditional dishes prepared exclusively with local ingredients: Here you can “rediscover the simplicity of traditional Venetian cuisine with a few modern reinterpretations”. Ceviche of amberjack, spaghetti with squid ink, twice cooked octopus and fried eel are just some of the delicacies that will delight your taste buds.
Osteria Al Cantinon will be at the top of your list of favorites.
Poste Vecie – traditional Venetian trattoria
Poste Vecie is another fish restaurant in Venice that you should definitely visit. It dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest, if not the oldest, restaurant in Venice.
It is located in the Rialto fish market in San Polo 1608.
The romantic and elegant restaurant offers the best traditional Venetian cuisine, such as the famous cream cod, granseola (spider crab), squid and other fish specialties.
Sudest 1401 – a combination of local and oriental cuisine
I have to admit that I’m not a fan of fusion cuisine. Nevertheless, oriental dishes often arouse my curiosity, so I came to try Sudest 1401.
The restaurant is located in a Venetian palazzo and offers an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, also thanks to the beautiful garden. It is located in the Palazzo delle Zattere, Dorsoduro 1401.
Sudest 1401 is a little off the beaten tourist track, but it is no less than what you would expect from Venice. Here you can enjoy traditional dishes reinterpreted with skill, such as gnocchi with fondue and red prawns, fried mackerel with saffron sauce, or raw fish dishes such as amberjack, red prawns, scampi and scallops.
Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele – where Venetian and Sardinian cuisine meet.
To name another unusual but extraordinarily delicious culinary combination, at Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele you’ll find Venetian and Sardinian gerischte.
Since both cuisines love fish, don’t miss this delightful trattoria, one of the oldest in the city. Like many locals and tourists, I love the cozy atmosphere and the simple but refined cuisine that combines traditional Venetian cuisine with Mediterranean-Sardinian flavors.
So if you want to try the famous millefeuille with mullet roe, the tagliolini with spider crab or the grilled fish of the day, you should visit the trattoria at Campo dell’Angelo Raffaele, Dorsoduro 1722.
Wisteria – a Michelin star fish restaurant in Venice
No list of the best seafood restaurants in Venice would be complete without a Michelin-starred restaurant like Wisteria.
Located in the heart of Venice at 2908 San Polo, Wisteria’s avant-garde cuisine explores new flavors with products sourced from local farmers using sustainable farming practices.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. It is characterized by its beautiful wisteria plants, hence the name, the dining room, the view of the canal and the excellent fresh fish used for dishes such as pasticcio de pesse, smoked mullet, or the “pink pearl”, oysters from the Po Delta with cream, mignonette sauce and kiwi.
A book tip for gourmets!
Venice On A Plate: But What A Plate!
Enrica Rocca’s book explores the culinary traditions of Venice, Italy, and features a collection of recipes inspired by the city’s unique cuisine.
The book is divided into sections that focus on different aspects of Venetian food culture, including fish and seafood, vegetables, meat, pasta, and desserts. Each section includes a range of recipes, as well as information on the history and cultural significance of the dishes.
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Find out more about the Venetian culinary traditions
This post is about food, specifically authentic Venetian specialties, and the typical places where long-time residents and newcomers like to eat.
