Trattoria Favorita

Trattoria Favorita is on Via Francesco Duodo on the Lido di Venezia, the long barrier island between the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic, in Italy's Veneto region. It is a long-running, family-run seafood trattoria that sits away from the main tourist islands and is loved by locals, with a calmer feel than restaurants on the Venice island itself. The kitchen serves straightforward Venetian seafood, such as grilled branzino, spaghetti allo scoglio with mixed shellfish, and a mixed seafood antipasto, aimed at a local and repeat clientele rather than a passing crowd. Whole grilled fish is a staple, and the branzino and the antipasto are the dishes most associated with the house. There is a garden dining area used in warmer months, which gives outdoor tables under greenery rather than beside a canal. The atmosphere is relaxed and neighbourly, and the noise level is low to moderate; dress is casual. The trattoria opens Tuesday to Sunday for lunch (12PM-3PM) and dinner (7PM-10PM) and is closed on Monday. Reservations are recommended on +39 041 526 1626. It gets busy during the Venice Film Festival in early September, since it is a short walk from the festival venues on the Lido, so booking ahead is important if visiting then, and weekends in summer also fill quickly. Prices are mid-range ($$). Getting there means taking a vaporetto from the main island to the Lido, so the trip suits a half-day excursion combining the beach, cycling on the island and a seafood lunch. The trattoria works well for visitors who want to see an everyday side of Venice and its lagoon away from the crowds of San Marco and Rialto, with fresh local fish as the focus.