Good restaurants in Venice

Guess not... (Always hate to see no reply's...)

La Zucca, Alla Madonna are our two favorites.

Search for Bacari. http://www.dissapore.com/mangiare-fuori/nei-peggiori-bacari-di-venezia-cit-dove-mangiare-bene-con-poco-si-puo/ http://viaggi.globopix.net/blogperviaggiatori/tutti-i-post/mangiare-low-cost-venezia-bacari

Thank you so much for all the valuable suggestions I will post my recommendations when I
Return to the States in October

We just returned from Venice and have to say that we weren't "wow'ed" by the food there even though we ate at Rick Steves' recommended places. Don't know where you are staying, but we had an apartment and the best thing we did was go to the Rialto market to buy fresh food and made a delicious Italian feast for a very reasonable amount of money. Great experience and easy to work with all of the vendors. We are from Alaska so all of the fresh food was a delight. Our other favorite thing is finding a little neighborhood bar to have your morning coffee. A great way to feel like a Venetian. We went to ours for coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and even a quick shop of grappa after dinner in the evening. Find a little place where all the locals are que'd up.

The joke among Italians is a twist on their old saying about some restaurants: "You pay too much, but you eat well." In Venice, they say "You pay too much, but you eat poorly." That said, we just returned from Venice and I can recommend these two places: Pizzeria Al Profeta in Dorsoduro, and Paradiso Perduto in Cannaregio. Al Profeta, which has more than just pizza, has outdoor garden seating and it fills up fairly quickly. Make a reservation. Doesn't open until 7 pm. Paradiso Perduto is a major hangout for the locals, so go there if you want a fun, somewhat rowdy experience.

We have eaten at Locanda Montin on two trips to Venice and thought it was very good. It has been in business since the 40's. It is a bit hard to find-in the Trovaso area on a tiny canal. You can google for website and they show a map. The dining area includes a garden to dine in when the weather is nice.

So many wondeerful recommendations. Thank you very much. I will google them all and be sure to try some of them. I have been able to secure an apartment behind San Marco and will try going to the Market as well.

I agree with the others.... the food in Venice is nothing special. Typically overpriced and not that good. However, the wine is FANTASTIC and an excellent value compared to what you find in the US! Find a nice cafe with outdoor seating, order some food and a carafe of the house wine, and you won't be disappointed.

On our last visit to Venice in 2007, we had dinner at Taverna San Trovaso near the Accademia Bridge. When we sat down, we noticed an elderly gentleman sitting alone across from us eating something that looked delicious. My husband asked what it was, and he said Osso Bucco. He then proceeded to tell us he was from Brighton, England, and used to travel to Venice with friends twice a year. On their first night in Venice, they always ate Osso Bucco at San Trovaso. He was 87 now, and none of the others could travel. Before he left his hotel that evening, he had called them to say he was maintaining their tradition. We, of course, ordered the Osso Bucco and it was wonderful.

What a heart warming story, Charlene. The last time I ate there was about 2007 give or take. I looked at the Osso Bucco but had fish. I'll be in Venice again next month and I am tempted to go there for the Osso Bucco and raise a glass for Brighton. Hope he's still with us...

As far as I am concerned, a really good book written by a knowledgeable local writer is worth its worth it weight in gold. Such a one, to quote a previous post from myself is: quoted We love Michela Scibilia's Venice osterie, bars, wine bars, trattorias, restaurants - a handbook for discriminating diners My more recent version is from 2010, (release 5.2) ISBN 978-88-7200-329-9 She's never led me wrong. I just searched on Amazon.com and you can see some of her books; the recent versions are available in Venice in Italian and in English. The huge price for a new copy of an old edition on Amazon I think speaks to the quality. It should cost around €15.
Have a look at http://www.vianellolibri.com/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v10.tpl&product_id=1675&category_id=129 end quoted

My strategy in very touristy cities, of which Venice is one of the MOST touristy, is to not read guide book recommendations regarding restaurants. I always walk to an area off the tourist track and look for the most crowded place that I can find or ask a local where they eat when they go out. That way I eat for less, have very authentic, delicious food, and almost always meet very interesting, friendly people! Granted, this is not easy in Venice but it can be done. I have had some great meals in little places on back alleys there...a couple of them didn't even have signs to know a name! Just follow the locals...:)

had a couple real good dinners at da Mamo Trattoria Pizzaria. One night a great pizza, the other night we sampled various dishes. Located near Rialto Bridge just off a square, Campo San Bartolomio. Small, busy, with a fun wait staff. We got in both nights without reservations but they do take reservations. We just got lucky, I think.

I think it is a fun experience to try Cicchetti while in Venice. It is like tapas, but the Italian version. Here is the one we went to and loved: Cicchetti Bar in Venice
Melissa

I am eternally grateful for all of the recommendations, it will be difficult to try everyones suggestion in the 3 days I am there, but it looks like we will not starve. Thank you everyone. Barbara

I second the review of La Zucca we originally went there because the reviews on Yelp, only to find out it was one of our B&B host's favorite places too. The vegetable lasagna is really good with a béchamel sauce (it was the best lasagna that we tried in Italy). We were able to walk in for lunch, but I've heard it can be busy for dinner so you may want to make a reservation (for anywhere that you want to try specifically). We only had three meals in Venice and unfortunately the worst one was the only one that we got from the guide book. I'd still use Yelp and/or Trip Advisor to back up any ion you might get from the book.

Just returned from Venice-and as others have stated- it is expensive! That said we did find some enjoyable meals and our bed/breakfast host recommended some places that we really enjoyed! Rosa Rossa- http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d1514649-Reviews-Ristorante_Rosa_Rossa-Venice_Veneto.html#REVIEWS We walked in about 6ish or so and got right in- no reservation- Great food-ordered just a pizza and a salad- but everything else on the menu looked amazing as well-priced fairly. Ae Oche-pizzeria with an incredible view on the Zattere side of Venice- Pizza and salad-super good-got the pizza extra crispy and shared a salad- good food-and away from the TOURIST craziness near StMarks- nice afternoon stop! We would return to either of these-- Have an incredible trip and take extra money than you think for Venice-
there are charges for water- for everything..

Please note that a new version of Nigel's recommendation for "Michela Scibilia's Venice" will be released in August.

here is where not to go -TrattoriaPizzeriaDa_Roberto- check out trip advisor