Venice travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Venice, Veneto, Italy.
Venetian cuisine is anchored by lagoon seafood — Adriatic fish, crab, shrimp, cuttlefish, and bivalves — alongside dishes like risotto, bigoli pasta, and polenta. Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) served at bacari bars are the city's defining food culture.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Venetian
Italian
Bacaro
Seafood
Food tours & tastings in Venice
Eat your way through Venice with a guide.
Browse food experiences in VeniceWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Cicchetti
Small snacks at bacari bars — baccalà, meatballs, crostini
Price: €1-2.50 each (~$1.10-$2.75)
Tramezzini
Soft white bread triangular sandwiches; Venetian invention
Price: €1.50-2.50 (~$1.65-$2.75)
Fritto misto
Mixed fried seafood — sold at some market stalls
Price: €8-12 (~$8.75-$13)
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercato di Rialto
Hours: Tue-Sat 7AM-2PM
Mercato di Cannaregio
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-1PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Eat cicchetti at bacari bars for lunch — €1-2 per piece, far cheaper than restaurants
Spritz veneziano (Aperol/Campari + prosecco + soda) is the city's unofficial drink, ~€2.50-3 at local bars
Restaurants near Piazza San Marco often add a 'coperto' (cover charge) of €2-4 per person
Genuine restaurants don't display photos of dishes outside — these are tourist traps
Lunch 12:30-2:30PM; dinner 7:30-10:30PM; kitchens close strictly outside these hours
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |