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Eating in Venice

There’s a wide array of excellent restaurants in Venice serving cuisine from all over the world. Many of them specialize in Venetian food, especially cuttlefish and its ink, one of the city’s trademarks. However, many restaurants are notorious for over-charging tourists, especially in the streets around San Marco. Tip: If there’s a waiter in front of the restaurant trying to talk you into coming inside, don’t eat there.

For the unique Venetian experience of dining by the canal lights, tourists should try the restaurants at Rialto bridge. Most of them serve good food at excellent prices.

The following are some of the most popular restaurants in Venice.

Antiche Carampane
Located at Terà delle Carampane, San Polo 1911, Antiche Carampane is famous for its authentic Venetian cuisine, especially fish, seafood dishes and vegetarian food. It’s located just a few meters away from the Rialto Bridge, right in the heart of the city. They have a handwritten sign that says, “No lasagne, no pizza, no tourist menu” but don’t be daunted. The food is worth it.

La Caravella
This restaurant near St. Mark's Square has been delighting tourists with its traditional Venetian cuisine since the 1960s. Its history and tradition have become just as famous as its food. Many out-of-towners dine here on weekends. La Caravella is located at Via XXII Marzo.

Da Fiore
Simple-looking from the outside, Da Fiore boasts of impressive Art Deco interiors and outstanding Venetian food. It is only one of only two restaurants in Venice to receive a Michelin star. Popular cookbook author Patricia Wells once called this luxury restaurant as one of the best eateries in Italy. House specialties include risotto di scampi and bigoli in salsa. Da Fiore is located at Calle del Scaleter, San Polo 2202.

Vini Da Arturo
Located at Calle dei Assassini, San Marco 3656, Vini Da Arturo is one of the best places in Venice to order a nice sizzling steak. It may be difficult to find on San Marco’s backstreets, but its varied steak offerings and excellent wine list make it worth the trouble.