Venice on the plate
Considered one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice captivates visitors with its mosaic of 118 small islands, connected by 417 bridges to the famous Grand Canal that meanders through the city center. The city consists of six districts with St. Mark's Square as the main attraction for most visitors. The remaining streets, streets and canals create an often confusing labyrinth. However, losing yourself in it makes up just the charm of this city. The lagoon is a suitable breeding ground for many animal species that come there to lay their eggs in the salty and nutrient-rich waters. The fish is fresh and tasty, fruits and vegetables are grown on the islands of Sant'Erasmo and Vignole with its saline soils, and the meat comes from farms on the mainland. However, the richness of Venetian culinary traditions is not only due to local products, but also to the diversity of maritime traditions and the historical position of La Serenissima as a trading post between East and West. However, it is no wonder that the city visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists is also a minefield of overpriced restaurants and tourist traps with depressing cuisine. Fortunately, Venice has a tempting selection of places for connoisseurs that invite you to eat and drink in a truly unique setting!
Star quality
The Quadri is located at the northern end of Venice's Piazza San Marco, more precisely behind the arched openings of the square's arcades. The former café has been in this location since 1775. After realizing that the restaurant was in poor condition, brothers Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo came into contact with French designer Philippe Starck to give the place a more contemporary look. It's scary expensive, but if you're looking for a special dining experience, this Michelin star restaurant is probably the best in the city. Come to the Quadri to enjoy a unique view of Piazza San Marco and the creative culinary genius of Chef Max Alajmo with his straightforward creations.
Piazza San Marco 121
Tel: +39 041 522-2105
alajmo.it
Drinks with a view
Carefully restored, the striking Baroque Palazzo Papadopoli is now a place where Aman's minimalist style is in perfect harmony with the Rococo and Neo-Renaissance style interiors, frescoes, classical artworks and ornate Murano chandeliers. It has one of the greatest treasures of the city, a large garden on the waterfront: a place where you can sit under umbrellas and, with a splash, enjoy the comings and goings of the Grand Canal. The wooden altana overlooking the surrounding Pan-Tiled roofs is a small, roofed roof terrace for drinks at sunset and probably one of Venice's best-kept secrets. With a bit of luck, you will meet the young noble owners, Count and Countess Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, who are still living with their family in a 5th floor apartment in the palace.
Calle Tiepolo Baiamonte 1364
Tel: +39 041 270-7333
aman.com
bistronomy
Tucked away off the main roads, this Gastrosteria offers just what Venice often lacks: upscale cuisine in a contemporary setting at prices that threaten to break the travel budget. Chef Nadia Locatelli knows how to preserve the casual dining and dining culture at Ai Mercanti, and serves dishes made with simple ingredients such as squid risotto with ginger. The restaurant offers a wider selection of vegetarian dishes than most of the city's restaurants, and a wine cellar stocked with over 300 bottles is sure to please any taste.
Calle Fuseri 4346a, San Marco
Tel: +39 041 523-8269
aimercanti.it
Farm to table
With its bright and spacious rooms, this actor of the gourmet scene of Venice is an antagonist to the traditional Bacari, which is equipped with dark beams on the ceilings. He lives up to his name and reveals the origin of his particularly fresh and local ingredients on the menu on his website. Inspired by the changing seasons, Ristorante Local is a creative and natural interpretation of traditional Venetian cuisine. In the open kitchen, Chef Matteo Tagliapietra serves ever-changing menus that reflect the true essence of the ingredients carefully selected in and around Venice.
Salizzada dei Greci 3303, Castello
Tel: +39 041 241-1128
ristorantelocal.com
All-day dining
The area around St. Mark's Square is full of colorless and overpriced tourist restaurants. The Osteria San Marco is a rare exception - an oasis of the highest quality in a sea of menù turistici, a beautiful and contemporary osteria, with a creative but manageable and seasonally changing menu and a serious but reasonably priced wine list, among them a selection of glass-ordered wines. Another positive aspect of this restaurant are its all-day menus: you can eat here in the middle of the afternoon, bypassing the tourist crowds.
Frezzeria, San Marco
Tel: +39 041 528-5242
osteriasanmarco.it
Learn from the best
Headed by Chef Daniele Turco, Gritti Epicurean School is housed in a 15th century palazzo on one of the most beautiful squares on the Grand Canal, offering the opportunity to take individual private lessons, secrets, recipes and ingredients to discover that have led to the worldwide fame and reputation of Gritti Palace's cuisine. An exclusive area offers guests an insight into the Venetian cuisine and at the same time serves as the chef's workplace. If you want to skip the theory and immerse yourself in the practice, the Club del Doge restaurant is one of the best addresses in the city with breathtaking views.
Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, GRITTI PALACE, Grand Canal
Tel: +39 041 794-611
thegrittiepicureanschool.com
Al fresco
Part of the attraction of this seafood mecca is the grapevine covered courtyard - one of the city's most beautiful places for al fresco dining. In Corte Sconta, antipasti - often the best part of a Venetian meal - are the star dish and are served plate by plate as small bites, such as sliced pork (polenta), granseola (spider crab) or canoce (mantis shrimp). Wait until the procession is over and see if you have room for pasta or a main course, or go straight to a dessert with Zabaglione and Venetian biscuits.
Calle del Pestrin 3886, Castello
Tel: +39 041 522-7024
cortescontavenezia.com
Image Credits:
BRANDON BARRÉ / GRITTI PALACE
MARIE-PIERRE MOREL & MARCO PERUZZO / QUADRI
AMAN HOTELS
OSTERIA SAN MARCO by WEB-LAB VENEZIA
