Eating in venice

I am curious---where did you see all these reviews?

You're assuming that there's something wrong with charging locals less than tourists. Because of tourism, Venice is ferociously expensive to live in -- so much so that there are fewer actual residents each year. Don't begrudge the occasional restaurant or merchant who gives a discount to the locals. Also, a good restaurant is hard enough to find in Venice, much less so if you're trying to weed out these "dishonest" ones.

The servizio charge must be written on the menu (usually the touristy areas). Almost all of the restaurants have their menu posted, so you can just review it before being seated. Try to head away from the main tourist path in Venice, and you'll probably have better prices and a better experience.

Are you also aware of the difference in price if you're standing, seated indoors, or seated outdoors for coffee, etc.? This applies to everyone.

menu and prices are usually posted outside the restaurant ... just be selective

Thanks for your reply. Yes I am aware of the standing and sitting policies. I am not necessarily looking for super cheap restaurants I was just wondering if you had suggestions for a very inviting experience. We are planning a week long stay the cicchetii bars and deli are the places we will pop in and find exploring the back alleys. I was wondering if you had any "go to spots for a sit down meal

Lola. Mostly TripAdvisor and the web

We've had some really great dishes at Birraria La Corte and they have nice outdoor tables if you like.

www.birrarialacorte.it

Thanks Tim

A great experience is dinner at Paradiso Perduto in the Cannaregio area. Lots of locals and sometimes there is live music. It's on a small canal.

Michael beat me to it.. I was going to explain about "local discounts" but wanted to hear back about where you read Americans are charged extra. As Michael explained, it is not that tourists (all tourists, not just Americans) are charged extra, but rather that some places give locals who dine regularly at their place a little discount. As well they should, in my view. The residents of Venice do not have it easy---they live in a place that it mobbed with tourists most of the year, tourists who drive prices for food and lodging up. The population of Venice is shrinking because many who grew up there cannot afford to stay. So I believe they are well entitled to discounts here and there.

I read of this practice in a great book about Venice, " The City of Falling Angels" by a journalist who went to live there ( temporarily) and learn what he could of local culture. I don't recall if he ever actually earned the recognition that leads to a discount. But I was curious where you read reviews that mentioned it, as it have never seen it mentioned in restaurant reviews for Venice.

When we spent a month there and shopped almost daily at the same vegetable stand in Rialto market, I noticed after the first two weeks the woman would sometimes slip an extra handful!of arugula into the bag after weighing it, acknowledging our loyalty. It felt good to be noticed in that way, although we never expected it.

I hesitate to recommend restaurants any more, because I too read reviews! and have seen places we liked a lot get slammed by others for bad food or service. I cannot believe they are talking about the same place. But then I wonder if they acted in such a way to invite bad treatment.

I really believe you will be treated better in any Italian restaurant if you reserve ahead ( even the previous day or early afternoon for dinner) and dress nicely. Greet them when you enter, tell them you have a reservation, and be prepared to be patient if the place is busy. Also, if you can, be able to read the menu in Italian if possible. Some of the places we liked most had menus only in Italian. We avoid for sure a place that has menus in more than two or three languages.

As we had an apartment we mainly cooked for ourselves, but the times we did go out I was never disappointed with the food or the service. I will say that our dining companions felt the food at Vini da Gigio---recommended in Rick's book and highly ranked on Tripadvisor---- fell short on quality and was overpriced. The German couple at the next table complained and tried to get their bill reduced. Maybe it was their first night in Venice, who knows.

We have been to Venice 7 or 8 times and never felt we were charged more. I think the local discount for residents might explain things, though. We get that occasionally in Roma.

I also think Venice has some great dining options. Here are a few of my favorites.

Alla Palanca on the Giudecca, lunch only

Nono Risorto in San Polo. Decent pizza for Venice, but so much more

Bottega ai Promessi Sposi. Small, family-run. Be sure to reserve.

Impronta Cafe for lunch

La Zucca in San Polo, reserve a few days in advance

Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti in Dorsoduro

Thanks so much! You've all been very helpful

We were in Italy the last two weeks, beginning in Venice. We only ran into the extra charge (posted on the menu) once, and that was when we ate near La Fenice; otherwise, prices were just the amount of the food total.

We loved Da Mamo and ate there 4 times in 6 days and by the 4th visit, the manager recognized us and gave us a 10% discount which was very nice and totally unexpected. Reservations are recommended. The quality of food is excellent and they are known for their pizzas but all the food was great! We thought the prices were reasonable and would definitely eat there again.

We ate at Vinaria, on the Grand Canal just south of Rialto. It was recommended by our guide and it did not disappoint. Best mussels I've ever tasted. I don't know if they charged us extra for not being local, but I'll not begrudge them a few Euros for food that good. They also had an IPA, a rare find.