15 Best Things to Eat in Venice – An Italian Food Lover’s Guide

The 15 Best Things to Eat in Venice – An Italian Food Lover’s Guide

If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to eat in Venice, here are the 15 best things to eat in Venice and what you absolutely must try. Some are famous Italian classics, others are uniquely Venetian. And yes, most of them I’ve tasted myself, camera in one hand, fork in the other.

 

Venice isn’t just about gondolas gliding down the canals, historic palazzos, and dreamy bridges. For me, Venice is also about eating—regularly, happily, and sometimes a little too much! Every corner of this city seems to hide a bacaro (small Venetian bar) with tempting cicchetti, a pasticceria with sparkling glass counters full of sweets, or a restaurant with aromas that make you sit down before you even check the menu.

Here are the 15 best things to eat in Venice, what you absolutely must try- if you can, ALL! 🙂

1. Mussels in White Wine (Cozze al Vino Bianco)

One of my favorite memories of Venetian food is sitting by the canal with a plate of steaming mussels cooked in white wine, garlic, and fresh parsley. The mussels here are so plump and fresh that you hardly need seasoning—the broth itself is pure gold. Locals will tell you to mop up the sauce with bread (and they’re right). Pair it with a crisp Venetian white wine, and you’ll think life doesn’t get better than this.

 

2. Cicchetti – The Soul of Venetian Street Food

If Venice has a signature food culture, it’s cicchetti. Think of them as Venetian tapas: small bites served in bacari. You’ll find everything from crostini with baccalà mantecato (creamed codfish) to little meatballs, marinated seafood, or prosciutto on bread. The joy is in hopping from bar to bar, grabbing a spritz or small glass of wine, and sampling different cicchetti along the way. Trust me, once you start cicchetti-hopping, you won’t stop.

 

 

Read more about how to achieve the Best Cichetti Experience in Venice:

Cicchetti in Venice: With a Surprize, a Delicious Dive into Venetian Finger Food Culture

3. Cannoli with Pistachio, Chocolate, or Creamy Fillings

I stumbled across these beauties in a pastry shop, with their crispy shells dipped in chocolate or pistachio and filled with pastel-colored creams—pistachio green, strawberry pink, or rich chocolate. Technically, cannoli are Sicilian, but you’ll find plenty of them in Venice too, and they taste just as heavenly. The pistachio one was my favorite, though I admit I sampled more than one (for research purposes, of course)! 🙂

 

4. Venetian-Style Carbonara

Yes, carbonara is Roman by birth, but Venice does it justice too. I had a plate of creamy, rich carbonara that was so good I forgot for a moment where I was. Perfectly al dente pasta, silky egg-based sauce, and crispy pancetta—it’s one of those comforting dishes that works anywhere in Italy. If you’ve been walking Venice’s winding streets all day, this bowl will restore you.

5. Pizza – Thin, Crispy, and Irresistible

Venice may not be Naples, but the pizza here is still delicious. You’ll find pizzerias tucked away in quiet squares, where pizzas come thin, slightly charred, and topped with fresh local ingredients.

• My tip: order a simple margherita or a pizza topped with seasonal vegetables, cheese and olives, and let the flavors of Italy shine. Pair it with an Aperol Spritz for the ultimate casual Venetian dinner.
• Extra tip: Eating pizza in the most touristic spots doesn’t necessarily mean the pizza is bad — not at all! I actually had one of the best pizzas of my life near Rialto — yes, that iconic, super-touristy area of Venice. However, you can be assured that everything is incredibly fresh, as the pizzas are made non-stop to accommodate the large number of customers.

 

6. Tiramisu – Born in the Veneto

Did you know tiramisu was invented in the Veneto region? That makes Venice one of the best places to eat it. Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder—it’s rich, velvety, and a must-try. Every trattoria and pasticceria has its own version, so don’t stop at just one slice/pot.

7. Homemade Venetian Pastries

One morning, I walked into a small bakery and was greeted with the smell of buttery pastry, sugar, and coffee. Venice has countless little pasticcerie serving homemade treats: buttery cornetti, jam-filled croissants, and local specialties like zaleti (cornmeal cookies with raisins). If you’re lucky, you might also find bussolai, buttery ring-shaped cookies from nearby Burano. Perfect with a cappuccino before your day of exploring.

 

8. Sarde in Saor – Sweet and Sour Sardines

This is one of Venice’s most traditional dishes, dating back to the 14th century. Sardines are fried and then marinated with onions, vinegar, pine nuts, and raisins. It sounds unusual, but the combination of sweet and sour flavors is unforgettable. You’ll often find sarde in saor among the cicchetti offerings in bacari.

9. Risotto or Pasta al Nero di Seppia (Squid Ink Risotto/Pasta)

Venetians love seafood, and this dish proves it. Black as midnight but rich and flavorful, risotto or pasta al nero di seppia is made with squid ink, garlic, white wine, and tender calamari. It looks dramatic on the plate and tastes deeply of the sea. Don’t wear white when eating it!

10. Fritto Misto – Fried Seafood the Venetian Way

Crispy, golden, and addictive: fritto misto is a mix of lightly battered and fried seafood like calamari, shrimp, and small fish. In Venice, you can find it both in restaurants and served in paper cones as street food. Perfect for nibbling while strolling the canals.

 

11. Polenta with Seafood or Meat

Polenta is a Northern Italian staple, and in Venice it often accompanies seafood stews or meat dishes. Creamy, buttery, and filling, it’s the ultimate comfort food. I had it with cuttlefish once, and the pairing was pure magic.

 

12. Bigoli in Salsa

This is a simple but iconic Venetian pasta dish. Bigoli are thick, spaghetti-like noodles, usually served with a sauce of onions and anchovies. It’s humble, hearty, and one of those dishes that ties you straight to the traditions of Venetian families.

 

13. Tramezzini – Venetian Sandwiches

At first glance, tramezzini look like simple triangular sandwiches, but don’t be fooled. Venetian bars fill them generously with tuna, ham, egg, mozzarella, artichokes, or even truffle spreads. They’re cheap, tasty, and perfect when you need a quick snack between sightseeing.

14. Gelato – Italian Ice Cream at Its Finest

No trip to Italy is complete without gelato, and Venice has plenty of artisanal gelaterie. Flavors range from classic pistachio and stracciatella to seasonal fruits. My personal highlight? A scoop of pistachio gelato eaten on the steps by the Grand Canal as the sun set. Pure magic.

 

15. Spritz with Cicchetti – The Perfect Venetian Combo

Okay, this is technically a drink plus food, but it’s impossible to leave it out. A spritz—Aperol, Campari, or even Limoncello—served with a few cicchetti, is Venice in a glass and on a plate. Locals drink spritz at all hours of the day, and it’s the perfect way to feel part of Venetian life.

If you prefer white wine or some other cocktails, like Bellini, go for it, you will not regret it, I guarantee! 🙂

 

 

My Final Thoughts – Eating Your Way Through Venice, the 15 best things or even more

Venice may be known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it’s also one of the tastiest. From traditional seafood dishes like sarde in saor and squid ink risotto, to indulgent sweets like tiramisu and cannoli, the city is a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

My advice? Don’t over-plan your meals. Wander, peek into bacari, follow the locals, and let the city surprise you. Venice rewards curiosity—with food that’s as memorable as the canals themselves.

Read more about my beloved Bacaro- experience in Venice here:

Bacaro Venice: My Guide to the Best Venice Bacari and Cicchetti Experiences

 

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FAQs- What to eat in Venice

• What food is Venice famous for?

Venice is most famous for its seafood dishes, such as sarde in saor, squid ink risotto, and cicchetti (Venetian tapas). The city’s unique lagoon location makes fresh fish central to its cuisine.

• What should I eat first in Venice?

Start with cicchetti in a traditional bacaro. It’s the easiest and most authentic way to sample Venetian flavors while enjoying a spritz.

• Can you get pizza in Venice?

Yes, plenty! Although Venice isn’t as famous for pizza as Naples, you’ll find excellent thin-crust pizzas in local pizzerias.

• Is food in Venice expensive?

Food can be pricey in touristy areas, especially around Piazza San Marco. For better value, eat in bacari, side-street trattorias, or near the Rialto Market where locals go.

• What dessert should I try in Venice?

Definitely tiramisu (born in the Veneto region), plus local pastries like zaleti or bussolai. Cannoli are also popular and easy to find.

• Do I need to book restaurants in advance in Venice?

For popular spots, yes—especially at dinner. But many bacari and casual eateries don’t require reservations, making them great spontaneous options.