Dining

Dining in Venice can be quite an adventure since the Venetian consider it the greatest jest to deprive tourists of decent meals. A lot of restaurants serve cheap spaghetti and tomato sauce to unwary customers and in the process not only make a profit but also have a laugh at the expense of the customers. These tourist traps are mostly located around Cannaregio and San Marco. Although there are good dining establishments in this area, you'd do better to just stay away.

For the Italian, breakfast (colazione) is generally an on-the-run affair. A cappuccino and a croissant grabbed at the nearest coffee bar makes up for breakfast. Lunch or pranzo as it is better known in Venice is also quick, but a sit-down meal nevertheless. Most restaurants have a fixed menu for this meal, which is generally advertised along with a price list outside the restaurant. The staff at the eating-place will explain the menu to you, but sit down at your own risk if you don't understand what they say.

Restaurants in Venice are of four distinct types. The first are the Ristorantes or proper, fully functioning restaurants. Smaller versions of the aforesaid are called Trattoria and they have a limited menu as well as fewer people on the staff. Next come the osterias or wine bars that serve small meals and last but not the least there are the pizzerias. The meal itself is divided in to cicheti and antipasti, (snacks and starters), Primi Piatti (first course), Secondi Piatti (main course) and Dolci (dessert). A cover charge is included in the bill at most eating places in addition to a 10 - 15% service tax.

A very important thing about eating Italian cuisine is the acceptance of the fact that just because it's Italian, doesn't mean it should be covered with oodles of cheese. Don't embarrass yourself by asking for a sprinkling of Parmesan on a dish when the chef has considered it prudent not to place it.

Most restaurants close by 10:00 pm and so you have to catch an early meal if you want to eat anything at all.

Foreign cuisines are surprisingly absent in the city. Considering the tourist traps, it would be better to stay away from them even if such dishes were listed on the menu.

A. Top Restaurants

Harry's Bar

Location: Calle Vallaresso 1323

San Marco

Phone: 041 528 57 77

This is an award-winning, high-end restaurant in Venice that has been operational since 1931. It is the place people like Charlie Chaplin and Ernest Hemingway patronized. Be sure to try the in-house specialties like the Bellini cocktail.

Ristorante al Gazzettino

Location: San Marco 4971,

San Marco

Phone: 041 522 33 14

Open Day: Tuesday to Sunday

A moderately priced place that serves some excellent food. But the real attraction is its ambience, especially for those who can read Italian. This restaurant was the haunt of journalists and writers for the Il Gazzettino newspaper and the restaurant pays tribute to them by plastering the walls with pages of the paper.

Locanda Cipriani

Location: Piazza Santa Fosca 29,

Torcello

Open Days: lunch Wednesday to Monday & dinner on Saturday

Phone: 041 73 01 50

A very posh place that caters to tourists with a taste for fine Italian cuisine. A great selection of exotic dishes from all around Italy can be had here. It is advisable to make prior reservations.

Trattoria dal Pampo

Location: Calle Gen Chinotto,

Sant'Elena

Open Days: Saturday to Thursday

Phone: 041 520 84 19

This great value restaurant is located in the quietest neighborhood of Venice. Whether you wish to enjoy wine and snacks or a good meal, this garden restaurant fits just right.