Naranzaria

Naranzaria is a restaurant and bar on the Erbaria, the old produce quay in the San Polo district of Venice, in the Veneto region of Italy, standing at the foot of the Rialto Bridge beside the Grand Canal. Its name recalls the historic orange market that once operated nearby, and its position among the arcades of the Rialto market gives it one of the most recognizable settings in the city. The menu pairs Venetian lagoon ingredients with a Japanese-influenced kitchen, a nod to Venice's long history as a trading crossroads with the East. Signature items include sushi and crudo made with lagoon fish rather than the generic staples of a typical Japanese restaurant, a selection of cicchetti and drinks such as a spritz served with a canal view. The appeal is as much the terrace as the kitchen. Outdoor tables sit a few feet from the Grand Canal traffic of vaporetti, delivery boats and gondolas, and the atmosphere is relaxed, busy and cosmopolitan, with a mix of visitors and locals gathering at aperitivo time. Noise levels are moderate outside and higher when the terrace is full. There is no formal dress code. The drinks list covers Italian wines, spritzes and cocktails, and the early evening aperitivo is a particularly popular time. Prices are mid-range, though canal-front tables in one of Venice's most photographed spots can make a meal cost more than a comparable interior room. The restaurant opens Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and evening service, and reservations are recommended, especially for outdoor tables at sunset and on weekends. When booking, visitors should request a terrace table, since the indoor seating loses most of the appeal. Its location makes it an easy stop after the Rialto market, which is busiest in the morning, and a convenient place for an evening drink before dinner elsewhere.