In Venice for the 57th Venice Biennale and in need of the perfect dinner reservation? Whitewaller Venice, out now, can guide you to the city’s best bars and restaurants, and is there to provide recommendations along the way. Below, we’re sharing our top picks for where to have a a bite to eat, and a nightcap, too.
Harry’s Bar
In 1931, Giuseppe Cipriani opened Harry’s Bar at the end of an alleyway. His intention was not to have guests wander by, but go out of their way to get there. Visited by kings, queens, and Hollywood legends, the bar was denoted a national landmark in 2001 by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs, and has all the while offered a delicious menu full of specials and classics, run by Giuseppe’s son Arrigo. The establishment is an intimate gathering spot for industry insiders and locals alike, and the ambiance embodies that of the relaxed and social Venetian heritage. Rather than just a bar or a restaurant, Harry’s Bar is a frame of mind, and a celebration of the atmosphere, conversations, and company within its space.
Club del Doge Restaurant. Courtesy of Club del Doge Restaurant.
Whitewaller recommends: Fegato alla Veneziana.
AMO
AMO, the Alajmo family’s newest restaurant, is located inside of T Fondaco dei Tedeschi—Venice’s first luxury department store, operated by DFS. During the day, the coffee shop offers pastries and sweets, and for lunch and at night, guests are greeted with dim light and custom-made dark leather furniture in what seems to be the city’s most intimate hidden gem.
Acqua Pazza. Courtesy of Acqua Pazza.
Whitewaller recommends: The Alajmo’s classic Bolognese ragù and potato “cappuccino.”
La Calcina
Inside The Hotel La Calcina is its restaurant, La Calcina, which offers traditional Venetian cuisine and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant also features a full-service bar, welcoming for aperitifs, cocktails with seasonal fruits, tea, coffee, and snacks like homemade cakes and fruit salads.
Whitewaller recommends: Enjoying your meal on the panoramic terrace on the Giudecca Canal.
AMO. Courtesy of AMO.
Ristorante Quadri
Ristorante Quadri is a quintessential seasonal restaurant, with a menu changing religiously to include the freshest ingredients available. Open separately for lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves Italian classics with modern twists in a lavish setting overlooking St. Mark’s Square.
Whitewaller recommends: The tasting menu.
AMO.Courtesy of AMO.
Acqua Pazza
Serving Amalfitan seafood cuisine in the pristine setting of Campo Sant’Angelo, Acqua Pazza is an enchanting eatery. Campania wines complement the famous Neapolitan pizza, and all mozzarella, tomatoes, oil, and pastas are imported from the Amalfi Coast. Men must wear trousers at dinner.
Whitewaller recommends: Schiaffoni di Gragnano alla granseola.
Club del Doge Restaurant.Courtesy of Club del Doge Restaurant.
Antiche Carampane
Antiche Carampane is a seafood-focused trattoria with a cozy atmosphere. Next to the Rialto fish market, the family-run establishment is decorated with photos, and guests typically spend a few hours dining and relaxing over cuisine and conversation.
Whitewaller recommends: Making a reservation—it’s essential.
De Pisis.Courtesy of De Pisis.
Club del Doge Restaurant
Located in The Gritti Palace, Club del Doge Restaurant is one of the most celebrated in Venice. Here flavors of fresh and seasonal ingredients from the local territory combine with innovative preparations and intriguing plays of consistency for a tasting experience with infinite facets, and Grand Canal views to match.
Whitewaller recommends: The risotto carnaroli of the day.
De Pisis.Courtesy of De Pisis.
Danieli Bistro at Hotel Danieli
An informal gathering place overlooking Venice, Danieli Bistro is a true celebration of Italian excellence. Sommelier selected wines, handcrafted beers, and soft drinks are all made in Italy, matching a culinary experience that balances Italian tradition and international influences, fine Mediterranean and innovative ingredients.
Whitewaller recommends: Cicchetti in an intimate atmosphere overlooking Venice.
La Calcina.Courtesy of La Calcina.
Riva d’Acqua
At The Westin Europa & Regina, guests will find Riva d’Acqua, a restaurant set on the Grand Canal’s most beautiful stretch with an inebriating culinary concept. Nutrient-rich ingredients combine in creative preparations for an innovative rediscovery of the lagoon city’s culinary traditions.
Whitewaller recommends: A holistic dining experience at its Floating Table.
Vino Vero
A popular wine bar dedicated to natural and biodynamic wines, Vino Vero has over 600 bottles mainly from small producers in Italy, France, and Spain. Located on a backwater canal in Cannaregio, the standing-room-only bar offers extensive knowledge on wine and the many wonderful regions it comes from.
Whitewaller recommends: Trying one of their many delicious chicchettis.
Hostaria da Franz
Known for its fish dishes, Hostaria da Franz is an elegant restaurant for visitors and locals alike. With delicious homemade pastas and Mediterranean dishes, the establishment also offers gluten-free options—a true rarity in Venice.
Whitewaller recommends: Asking owner Maurizio for his recommendation.
CoVino
CoVino is a small, intimate establishment where reservations are necessary due to its living-room-sized dining area. With gluten-free options in addition to its delicious meat dishes, the restaurant also offers vegetarian dishes alongside its scrumptious Italian classics.
Whitewaller recommends: Venetian-style saor of seasonal vegetables, gold onion, white corn polenta, and marinated fresh Adriatic fish of the day.
De Pisis
Located in Hotel Bauer Palazzo, near San Marco, is De Pisis—a beautiful restaurant on the canal, with a terrace to take in the breathtaking view of the Santa Maria Della Salute. The elegant atmosphere is complemented by the culinary culture of Venetian and Mediterranean essences.
Whitewaller recommends: The salt crust baked fish of the day.
Be sure and pick up a copy of Whitewaller Venice, out now.
