My Favorite Meals in Venice, Italy
Spaghetti Nero at Ristorante Marco Polo in Venice, Italy.
The food in Venice is absolutely amazing. You don’t have to pay exorbitant prices to get delicious quality meals with good service, although you certainly can if that’s your thing. Even though I am listing my faves here, I suggest you also give yourself the flexibility to stumble upon great food as it presents itself—wander into the random pizza joint for lunch when you’re hungry rather than trekking 15 minutes just to get to someone’s recommended spot. I do recommend that you try to make dinner reservations to avoid waiting and to make sure you give yourself a guaranteed break at the end of each day from the rigors of sightseeing. Even though I’ve always been treated well without a reservation, it seems many restaurants prefer you to have one.
Vanilla Raspberry Cake at Ristorante Marco Polo in Venice, Italy.
My all-time favorite dish to order (always on my first night in town) is at the Ristorante Marco Polo. Spoiler alert—the Spaghetti Nero with cuttlefish is the dish I look forward to the most. I’ve tried this dish at other places and, while very tasty, they simply do not compare to the beauty of this dish at Marco Polo. It looks weird, I know. But, after much testing over the years, I can promise you it will not turn your teeth black! If you’ve saved some room for dessert (and I recommend you do), the Vanilla Raspberry Cake is not prepared locally but descends directly from heaven. Between me and my husband we’ve tried many of the dishes here and you cannot go wrong. The service is also exceptional and the staff make us feel like we are the only table they are helping.
Diavolo Pizza at Antico Gatoleto in Venice, Italy.
The Diavoli pizza is my favorite. It looks just like a pepperoni pizza in other parts of the world. But, the sausages are so much spicier here that it really makes the pizza pop. Best paired with red wine (like all my meals), this is my go-to for something easy and familiar. The pizza at Antico Gatoleto is particularly wonderful and was recommend as one of the two best in Venice by a trusted source. You may also want to try the Burrata and Basil pizza here. Antico Gatoleto is also the place that got me hooked on Limoncello when they bring it with the bill!
Truffle risotto at Trattoria Al Gazzettino in Venice, Italy.
The risotto at Trattoria Al Gazzettino is perfection. On my first time at this restaurant, my husband and I made the mistake of getting fish and risotto—it would have been perfect if we had three or four more people sharing with us. Way too much food. We’ve since learned. The risotto comes in a “boat” and requires a minimum of two people to order it. When we first started going to this restaurant, the truffle risotto was only available when a small sign was tacked up on the wall. One year we forgot to look, assumed it was not available, and had a wonderful “substitute.” But, I live for the truffle risotto. Order it if you have the opportunity. The after-dinner grappa is also a nice touch.
There are so many more food experiences that you can and will find as you wonder around Venice. Let you nose and your feet guide you. The seafood choices here are amazing, the prosciutto is the best I’ve ever had, and the desserts are unforgettable. Eat well and don’t forget the wine!
