To get a real Italian experience in Venice, it’s always best to eat where the locals eat. It means that the menu will be written in Italian only and you’re expected to know what all items are on the menu are. You must also remember that Venice is a famous destination for Italians and foreigners. Once you see a crowd of Italian speaking people outside a restaurant, never assume that they are locals. Odds are, they are also tourists like you.

What You Should Know When Eating Out in Venice, Italy?

The golden rule is that you must avoid all of the places where the tourist menu is advertised and those with food pictures outside. It is also a warning sign if you see waiters in bow ties or who tout for the customers outside the door.

Another indicator is the prices of the wine. In average restaurants, expect to find a house wine listed by half-liter and quarter. Half-liter must cost only something around 5 Euros. It’s a red sign if they serve wine bottles at 20 Euros or higher than that.

Why Venice is a Great Place to Enjoy Italian Cuisines?

Even if Venice isn’t considered as one of the capitals of Italian cuisine, it’s impossible for travelers to miss a rewarding holiday experience. Having a good meal in a unique surrounding is definitely a memorable moment.

When it comes to types of food establishments, Venice isn’t different from the rest of Italy. Generally, a ristorante indicates an upscale establishment while trattoria is a more traditional and humble eatery, which serves simple filling dishes. On the other hand, a pizzeria is perfect for those who want to eat pizza and it’s not really a specialty in Venice.

Osteria or ostaria is a bit similar to trattoria. However, it focuses more on drinking. Instead of full meals you will have some wine along with a lighter snack or plate of food. Like osteria, bacaro in Venice offers you the chance to eat some food in less formal context. Busy Venetians often eat lightly and quickly, choosing snacks known as cicchetti from a display at a counter, then eating them seated on stools or standing.

In Venice, you’ll find lots of seafood. Polenta is a coarse ground cornmeal that is made into a mush-like porridge, which is a regional specialty, frequently served with meat, fish, gorgonzola cheese or mushrooms.

Seasonal specialties include raddichio and peas. Both of these are used in preparing risotto. Pasta isn’t as widely used as it is in some Italian regions. However, there are some usual recipes including bigoli in salsa. Some local dishes you could see on the menu are sarde in saor, carpaccio, seppie in nero, and castraure. Usually, desserts aren’t good in Venice. The choices may include tiramisu, panna cotta or dry burano cookies.

If you are adventurous enough to roam around, you won’t be disappointed. Venice has several food establishments that will surely make your travel experience more enjoyable and satisfying.