DK Travel : Venice

The uniquely romantic city of Venice was built entirely on water and has managed to survive into the 21st century without cars. Narrow alleyways and canals pass between sumptuous palaces and magnificent churches, colourful neighbourhood markets and quiet backwaters, unchanged for centuries. Few cities possess such an awesome line-up of sights for visitors.

For guided tours around Venice (see Guided Tours)

Ristorante all’Angelo

A long-running favourite with seating for 680. Try the risotto di seppie (rice cooked with cuttlefish black ink sauce).
Ristorante Anice Stellato

This is , for me , one of the top three restaurants in Venice , along with Vini da Gigio and Alla Madonna . [Why are'nt they in DK's top ten I wonder] ? Anice Stellato is in northern Cannaregio and so does'nt see many tourists . Despite this , it is so popular with locals that , like Vini da Gigio , you have to book well in advance . I actually telephoned from Scotland ten days before and I'm glad that I did as on the night the staff turned away a number of people who had turned up on the off chance of getting a table .Sevice was friendly and brisk . Again , trying to speak a little Italian certainly helps . The food was excellent , the first course of prawns in a basil sauce was to die for . I will definitely be returning on my next visit . Highly recommended .
Ristorante da Memo

A modest seafood restaurant with outdoor tables. Try the shrimps, eel or sole.
Ristorante La Sgura

An enchanting setting on a quiet canal, this fish restaurant also does pizzas in the evening. Try the zuppa di pesce (fish soup).
Ristorante pizzeria Rosa Rossa

Far more than a Pizzeria. A treat to find. a few outside tables. Good service. Good value. 10 minutes from Rialto and st Marks but a million miles from the so called fashionable restaurants. Once we found it we did not find anything better
Ristorante Vini da Gigio

Superb restaurant just off the Strada Nova , along Fondamenta San Felice , run by the friendly Paolo Lazzari and his sister . Very popular with Venetians , very busy so booking essential . The food is amazing , lots of tasty venetian seafood . Service is friendly and efficient . A definite "must " if you are visiting Venice for a couple of days .
Riva degli Schiavoni

Thronging with tour groups and packed with souvenir stalls, this quayside affords a lovely promenade past majestic palaces (now mostly hotels) and a much photographed 1887 monument to the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele. It is linked to Piazza San Marco by the elegant Istrian stone bridge Ponte della Paglia, named after the straw (paglia ) once unloaded from barges here. This is also the best place for taking pictures of the Bridge of Sighs. At the eastern end is the Ca’ di Dio (“house of God”), a 13th-century hospice for pilgrims en route to the Holy Land.
Rivoaltus

Beautiful hand-bound diaries and address books can be purchased from this tiny shop right on the Rialto bridge.
Rizzo

Unbeatable gourmet food from all over Italy – buffalo mozzarella, creamy Asiago cheese, cured Parma ham and gleaming olives. Pizza and focaccia can be found at the bread counter.

Confectionery at Rizzo
Rizzo

Feel like jet-black tagliatelle ribbons made from cuttlefish ink for dinner? Or perhaps the blue Curaçao variety or the multi-coloured Carnival masks? These are only a taste of more than 40 imaginative pasta shapes by Rizzo – a marvellous souvenir.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €30
- €30-€40
- €40-€50
- €50-€60
- over €60