Seven must-try restaurants recommended by locals in Venice

Venice is located in northeastern Italy and consists of over 100 small islands connected by more than 400 bridges. It is known as the "City of Water". Riding in a unique Venetian gondola through the fairy-tale-like houses is full of poetry and picturesque scenery. Everything in Venice is closely related to water, so the cuisine here is most characterized by fish and seafood. The delicious Venetian cuisine will definitely make you want to come back for more. Dining in Venice is generally quite expensive, so don't be fooled by the giant roadside advertisements. There are also relatively cheap fast food and self-service restaurants hidden in the streets. Some of the more unique dishes include tomato stewed rice, scallop and crab salad, squid ink pasta, and clam spaghetti.

RISTORANTE LA BITTA

Are you a carnivore? If you are, then La Bitta is for you. Specializing in red meat dishes, the menu changes daily. I had the best pasta of my life here! This restaurant excels in using different parts of meat to create various dishes. Although La Bitta is located in a small alley and the restaurant layout is not large, it has the typical atmosphere of an Italian family restaurant and is deeply loved by Venetians. I was lucky to find a spot when I visited. If you're interested in trying it, it's safer to make a reservation. The waitstaff speaks English, but note that the restaurant only accepts cash.

UPUPA GHETTO VENEZIA

Upupa Ghetto Venezia is a restaurant highly recommended by many Venetians. Located in a quiet square in the Cannaregio Jewish Quarter, Upupa Ghetto Venezia may not be in a popular tourist area, but I personally found it to have a great atmosphere, closely resembling the local lifestyle. The restaurant mainly serves typical Italian cuisine, but their unique Venetian-style fried fish is particularly delicious. In fact, the overall quality of the restaurant is very high, from the main courses to the desserts, everything is impeccable. The service is excellent, and most importantly, there are not many tourists, allowing you to enjoy a rare tranquility in Venice.

GELATERIA NICO

When it comes to Italy, besides Pizza and pasta, how can we forget Italian gelato? Italian gelato is like fish balls and siu mai in Hong Kong; you can find it on almost every street. At the store, order a Gianduiotto, and the waiter will take out a brick-shaped and sized chocolate-colored ice cream from the fridge, cut it into small pieces, put it in a paper cup, and squeeze some cream on top. The first time I saw it, I was full of doubts because the Gianduiotto looked simple and had cream on it, making me wonder if it would be too sweet. But to my surprise, it was amazing!!! The brick-like ice cream turned out to be hazelnut + chocolate flavored, very rich but slightly sweet, and the light cream balanced the sweetness perfectly, making it more addictive with each bite. This Gianduiotto is only available at Gelateria Nico, so don't miss it!

VENISSA WINE RESORT

Venissa Wine Resort is located in Burano. It is both a vineyard and a hotel, featuring two restaurants. One is a Michelin-starred restaurant, while the other offers more affordable prices (though still not very cheap). Despite the difference of just one star, both restaurants maintain very high standards and serve exquisite dishes. On the day I visited, the Fish of the Day was a delightful surprise! Instead of dining at overpriced tourist traps in Burano, consider visiting Venissa Wine Resort. The resort boasts a beautiful environment overlooking the picturesque vineyard, making for a very relaxing experience. However, since Burano is a popular tourist destination, it is advisable to book a table or a room online in advance to ensure availability.

RISTORANTE VINARIA

Ristorante Vinaria is a restaurant located across from San Polo. The restaurant is relatively expensive, but its high-quality creative pizzas, beautiful views of Venice's waterways, and perfect service make it worth the extra cost. The pizzas you can find anywhere in Venice are delicious, but the pizzas at Ristorante Vinaria are even better. I usually dislike eating pizza, but the pizza here truly amazed me!

DAL MORO'S FRESH PASTA TO GO

Dal Moro's Fresh Pasta to Go is actually a place that every tourist knows about. However, Venetians also love it, so I included it as well. Even before it opens, there is already a long queue. It's super popular. The business model focuses on takeout rather than dine-in. The pasta is freshly made, and you can mix and match the sauces and ingredients as you like, which feels quite fresh. The pasta is, of course, very delicious. The portions are large for around 4 euros, making it very suitable for budget travelers.

ACQUA & MAIS

This can also be said to be a place that tourists might pass by, but whether it only caters to tourists, I am not sure. What I do know is that the fried seafood here is delicious! It has also been featured in magazines and recommended by Tripadvisor. Although the price is slightly high, if you are sightseeing at St. Mark's Square, it is definitely worth buying to satisfy your cravings. The seafood is fried to a crisp and is very fresh!