Canalside dining in Venice

In my admittedly limited experience, the closer to the Grand Canal, the higher the prices and also the risk of mediocre food. You can't eat the scenery. This summer I had a satisfying meal at Osteria Moceniga which is several blocks away from that watery thoroughfare. The only view was of a couple of tables on the street outside. But the welcome was friendly rather than brusque, and locals dropped in for a glass of something, always a good sign. I plowed through a huge platter of beef carpaccio and then some of the best misto squid ever, with zuccini. Including sparkling water, a quarter of white wine, and espresso plus cover it came to 36€,very good value at this level of quality.
Salizzada San Stae 1919, Venice Phone: 39 041 523 1703

Sempione was good when I had lunch there about 12 years ago. It's located on a canal which is used by a good number of gondoliers. The food was good, but not cheap. Waiters were friendly, ambiance was simple but nice, and a few locals were also dining there - always a good sign. I hope they are still as good now! Here's their website: http://www.trattoriasempionerestaurant.com/

If you google "canal side restaurants in Venice" you will get various recommendations, including from Trip Advisor comments.

We ate at Osteria Bancogiro and really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and it is canalside. Campo San Giacometto, 122, I-30125 Venice, Italy
http://www.osteriabancogiro.it/

While staying at Pensione Guerrato (recommended by Rick) we inquired at the front desk on what canal side restaurants they would recommend out of the Rick Steve's guidebook. We were told not to go to any of them, that they served microwaved food. Not sure if this is true or not, but that is what we were told.

Just ate lunch at a self service restaurant on the grand canal near the Rialto bridge. They have a tourist menu that includes 3 courses plus beverage for 16E. They have a wide ion to choose from, the food is good and packed with locals. It says "self service on the red awning. It's on the San Marco square side of the canal and a little way past the Rialto capo retro stop.

In August we enjoyed a canal side table at Trattoria da Giorgio ai Greci, near Ponte dei Greci, a bit east of St. Mark's. It was in the RS Venice book that I used. The waiters were fun, food good in a picturesque, peaceful setting. It's a small canal, but some gondolas go by until darkness settles in.

If you want a good meal away from tourists, go across the lagoon to the island of Giudecca and enjoy a wonderful meal while you look at Venice and San Marco. The vaporetto runs all night so, as the waiter told us, "You won't be walking home!"

I recommend Trattoria dalla Marisa. It's on a small canal in the Cannaregio district. There is no menu, you have to have the meal of the day which is usually fish. It's wonderful! Served in 5 courses by the family. While it's not cheap, its a bargain for the quality and the experience. I don't think it's over $50/person. It's important to make reservations and get good directions or you will get lost. By the way, as far as finding your way around Venice I've tried all kinds of maps and the best by far is from AAA. Get their Venice book and use the included maps.. They are great.

I second the recommendation for the Giudecca canal. Several nice restaurants at or near the Zattere stop. Less expensive and easy to get to as well. From the Accademia bridge on the Grand Canal, simply walk across Rio Terra Foscarnini to the Giudecca Canal. It's a brief walk.