Venice is beautiful, Venice is romantic, Venice is difficult if you’re not careful about where you eat. The countless narrow streets make it difficult to keep your bearings and find the right place for an authentic and unpretentious lunch. Here are twelve where you can taste the great classic dishes of the most magical city in the world.
A Scartosso of street sea-food
Scartosso is a wax-paper cone containing fried squid and fish, to be eaten on the go. It’s classic street food and the most traditional can be found at the Frito-Inn, a more “modern” baked version can be found at Fritto e Frutta, or Acqua e Mais where it’s served on a bed soft polenta.
Local traditional sandwiches
Typically Venetian, eateries showcase them with great pride filled with anything you can think of. They only cost a few euros, there are thousands of varieties, and everybody loves them. In the Dorsoduro neighborhood they’re served at some historic establishments such as the Bar alla Toletta (always crowded) and Estro Venice. Foscarini caters to lovers of spicy foods (and it also has a beautiful terrace on a canal).
Baccalà in a bacaro
Bacari are traditional trattorias, very simple, where they serve local cuisine either seated at tables or standing at the counter for a quick aperitivo accompanied by cicchetti (pronounced “cheek-ket-tee”), the small Venetian tapas. For those who love wine and straightforward cuisine, head to the establishment of the exuberant Mauro Lorenzon and his Osteria La Mascheret. Those who love rustic surroundings should head to the Cafè do Mori, one of the oldest in the city. If you want to indulge in an elegant environment, The Egg bistro on the top floor of the Danieli Hotel serves a gourmet version of the classic cicchetti and is an excellent excuse to enter the hotel, which features one of the most beautiful and scenic halls in the world.
A spritz with a view
The spritz was born here, it flows abundantly and is very cheap. The original Venetian recipe calls for one part sparkling white wine (generally prosecco), one part bitter and one part sparkling water. Caffè Rosso is a lovely spot in a quiet square. The best view can be enjoyed from the rooftop bar at the Hilton alla Giudecca Molino Stucky. But if you want to try one of the best cocktail bars in the city and get a modified spritz by the bartender, your best bet is the Oriental Bar of the Metropole Hotel; when sitting on velvet sofas, surrounded by sculptures and oriental furnishings, it is like going back in time.