Eating in Venice

In Venice we generally avoid canal side places to eat. They are usually overpriced and under quality. Especially in the Rialto Bridge area. But there are some exceptions on many canals. There is one canal side place you might want to try. Trattoria Da Giorgia ai Greci is a very easy walk from San Marco. A bit pricey (most places in Venice are) but the food is really great. In the Rialto Bridge area (but not on a canal) consider Trattoria Da Marco Valla Fava on Calle Stagneri. It is definitely pricy so you might want to do lunch there rather than dinner. Some of the best sea food ever!! Try to eat inside rather than outside. The place has been around at least 50 years so they must be doing it right. Also in the Rialto area (on the other side of the Grand Canal on the walk toward Piazale Roma) is an out of the way place named Pane Vino e San Daniele on Calle Dei Boteri. Definitely a local place, good food, good house wine, and not expensive at all.

You should be able to use googlemaps.com and locate all of the above with map view, aerial view, and street level views.

Italians have a saying about Venice; "Se spenda tanto e si mangia male"...You spend a lot and you eat badly.

That being said, there are some ok options. For me, the best food in Venice are the takeaway paninis (sandwiches) and pizzas and such that you see all over the island. They cost around 5 euro, they warm them up for you, they're delicious and filling and then you have more euro for other things around the island. If you have to eat at a sit down restaurant, avoid the places with the tourist menu (aka, set or fixed menu), which offer an antipasti, primi and secondi for a set price. You will regret it if you give in to those places, they are horrible.

Some recommendations for places that we like on the rare occasions that we eat in there are La Zucca, Alla Madonna and Leon Bianco. We've always gotten good meals at a respectable price (respectable by Venice standards).

Over the years we have thoroughly enjoyed "Ai Tre Leoni" on Calle Sacrestia, "over and under and around the corner from San Marco." Also around the corner from our favorite hotel, Locanda Casa Querini.

Another sandwich sold in bars is the tramezzino, triangular sandwich. Although it's on white bread and fillings tend to include a lot of mayonnaise, it is an authentic local option. Toletta Snack Bar near the Accademia museum has a good selection at lunch time. You can also find them for breakfast, if your hotel doesn't provide much.

For cheap eats, try cicheti in bacari, small bites (little sandwiches or fried things) in traditional small bars. We had fun hopping to these places and trying different things. This article will get you started: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2010/feb/13/venice-bar-snacks-cicheti-wine

For a reasonable dinner, we loved Cà D'Oro alla Vedova. The meatballs are what made them famous and they are amazing. I'm still thinking of them.