Venice - Food

I suggest Al Chianti--very good food at a reasonable price located close to St Mark's Square. We happened upon it and now eat there whenever we go to Venice. It's fairly small but they do offer outside seating. Enjoy!
San Marco 655 | Calle Larga San Mar, Venice, Italy

I find it hard to recommend anything for "picky eaters" unless you clarify what that means. Do they want familiar American foods? Gourmet quality? Locovore appeal? Food allergies or exclusions?

Good restaurant in San Marco for people with discriminating taste at just 20 euro each? I hope your friends will be happy with just a 'primo' (first course) or a pizza with just water, because there is no way you can stay under €20 otherwise.

I really liked Da Mamo. Ate there several times. Check it out.

Calle dei Stagneri, 5251, 30124 Sestiere San Marco, Venezia VE, Italy

It is hard to only spend 20 Euro on dinner in Venice. But enjoy it, it is part of the experience.

By picky - I mean will try unfamiliar food but won't chance a whole meal of it. Think meat and potatoes american as the usual. They are good with pasta, chicken dishes - thinking we may need options other than the seafood that Venice is known for (though I really want to try this myself!).

In case you're not aware, the prices after you eat dinner & come to sit at one of the cafés, such as the Florian, in San Marco square & listen to the music with a drink may cost more than your dinner - but, very enjoyable to sit there & realize you're in Venice!

Roasted chicken with roasted potatoes is a menu staple. A side salad should be familiar enough. Perhaps for the first meal, start trying something new for dessert?

€20 per person is pretty light for dinner, but you might try Rossopomodoro, which is a moderately priced Italian chain that dishes out good food and portions too big for me.

When you can venture a little farther, try NoNo Risorto. It is in Rick's book. Our favorite pizza in Venezia and great pasta, too.

Laurel, you surprise me. A chain? Behind S Marco?

Well if €20 is the limit, and a southern chain is what you want ....

We used to go to a Rossopomodoro in the 7 Dials area near Covent Garden in London - tasty enough but overpriced for London, I didn't know they had invaded Venezia.

2600 reviews though. Not exactly off the beaten path is it?

If you're going to go to chains, Hard Rock isn't far from there, but me doubts that €20 would get you much more than part of a burger.

We don't have to stay to just wanting euros but as were going in to St. Mark's Square for dessert and coffee after we probably will only eat a primo just looking for something more like a good mom and pop instead of fancy gourmet

You mentioned seafood. Well, Venice has it. I suggest you at least try branzino somewhere in Venice. Here's a caution, I tried spaghetti with anchovies and had trouble with the little bones.

Nigel - We were trapped by plans and newly arrived jet-lagged friends, so we went somewhere convenient. I would walk 30 minutes across Venezia instead, but sometimes one goes with the crowd.

If you are all just ordering primi ( pasta dishes) it shouldn't be hard to stick to €20 per person (without wine) but you probably want a place that is used to Tourists and won't mind that you just order a single dish each.

I was going to suggest a place we have walked by many times, on a corner close to the piazza, but have to confess we have not eaten there. But I cannot find the menu online to check prices. Anyway, it is called Le Chat qui Rie (French for Laughing Cat) if you want to check it out.

Wherever you go, pay attention to the coperto ( cover charge) and other extras as things can add up.

Ok, I looked up what is recommended near San Marco in Rick's guidebook ( mine is 2014 version). He recommends one restaurant in that area, Antica Sacrestia.. Here is their ala carte menu in English:

http://www.anticasacrestia.it/index.php/menu

Lots of safe-looking pasta choices for €13,50 to €17,50. Some have a two-person minimum. Place looks attractive.