Enjoy The Freshly Caught Seafood At These Places In Venice

You can’t go to Venice without sampling its famed freshly caught seafood. Find the best of the best in the city of romance with our guide to its best restaurants.

* Antiche Carampane

This family-run trattoria Antiche Carampane specialises in seafood, which is a crucial element in Venetian cuisine, but also offers a wide variety of non-seafood based dishes. They use fresh fish for their dishes (Antiche Carampane was founded by a fish wholesaler’s son), which makes a huge difference, and are adamant about the quality of their crabs. The cosy atmosphere makes the delicious meal all the more enjoyable. Previous guests include Natalie Portman, Salma Hayek, Bill Murray and Yoko Ono among others. We advise booking well in advance.

* Osteria alle Testiere

This tiny but sophisticated seafood restaurant is located near Santa Maria Formosa. The chef decides on the menu each day depending on the fresh produce he can find in the market, which makes for a delightful and organic meal. It is well known in Venice for its excellent service and informal yet agreeable atmosphere, making it one of the most memorable dining experiences in the city.

* Al Fontego dei Pescatori

Although Venice has no shortage of seafood, it can be difficult to find restaurants here that really specialize in the preparation of fish. Al Fontego dei Pescatori in Canareggio is one of the best places to find fresh, excellently presented seafood in the city. Chef Adriana is passionate about her fish and visits the market daily to hand select the best quality products. The decor at Al Fontego dei Pescatori is clean and simple yet boasts a fisherman theme that matches the menu. On the white walls hang multiple wood carvings of fish and diagrams indicating various types of sea life, while the wooden bar has been designed in the form of a boat.

* Ristorante Lineadombra

Lineadombra is one of Venice’s most elegant restaurants. It has a sleek terrace overlooking the water, and a modern interior with wooden ceilings and a minimalist decor. Their wine list is excellent and the seafood dishes are some of the best in the city. The presentation is very sophisticated and the professional attitude of the waiters compliments this singular culinary experience. Burrata with artichokes, cod-filled ravioli or wines costing hundreds of euros are amongst the many options on the menu at this unique restaurant.

* Ristorante Ribot

Ristorante Ribot welcomes guests daily into their beautiful courtyard and spacious indoor area, where they can try some of the flavorsome concoctions that this great restaurant has to offer. Their curated wine list is up to par with the wonderful dishes, and will be enjoyable even for those with the finest wine palate. The recipes here are mostly fish based, which is an underlying trend in Venice due to the influence of its traditional gastronomy and the proximity to the sea. But there is also usually at least one delicious meat based option.