A Taste of Venice

Venice is an incredible city - unique and enticing. But we're not talking about the canals, the gondolas, the palaces or the museums. We're talking about the food! Since the days when the Most Serene Republic ruled the seas, it became a culinary capital, bringing in a wealth of flavors and spices from the Orient and Mediterranean worlds. It blends the traditions of northern and eastern Europe with the normal everyday peasant fare of Italy, with a dash of exotic spice thrown in as a reminder of its glorious days as the center of the seafaring world.

Rule Number One for the food tour: Pass on the plethora of tourist restaurants. If it has pictures of the dishes or the menu translated into five languages, don't set food inside!

Rule Number Two: Don't order plain old pasta with red sauce, spaghetti alla carbonara, or other "national" dishes. Go for the regional specialties that you don't find everywhere else.

Rule Number Three: You should try cicheti (chee-KE-tee) at least once. They're the Venetian version of tapas, little nibbles with a glass of wine that can be a light meal or an appetizer.

If you can handle these regulations, you're ready to embark on a tasty journey through the lagoon city!

The Osteria Circuit

An osteria is a traditional tavern; a down-home kind of place that serves authentic food at reasonable prices. They're popular with the locals, so that's where we'll start our gastronomic adventures in Venice.

Osteria Ca d'Oro. Also known as La Vedova (the widow) it's tiny, brusque, and open late. Famous for the meatballs and fish dishes, they're also noted for cicheti and cheap wine by the carafe.

Osteria Da Codroma. Old world atmosphere, bohemian clientele, and no nonsense fare mark this place that's been in business for more than 100 years.

Enoiteca Osteria La Mascareta. Open for dinner only, it's famous for its owner, a colorful character full of enthusiasm. Venetian specialties like various risottos and guazzetti (a fish stew).

Osteria da Fiore. Traditional dishes with a modern twist made with seasonal produce. A locals' favorite for twenty years.

Osteria Corta Sconta. The name describes it: hidden courtyard. Tucked away, it's considered one of the best seafood spots in the city.

Ostaria Antico Molo. Small, welcoming and cute, they serve a variety of cicheti as well as full meals at reasonable prices.

The Trinity of Cafes

To drink in history, you need to go no further than Piazza San Marco, where you'll find a trio of coffee houses that ooze atmosphere as well as history.

Caffe Florian. The grandmother of them all, Florian is the oldest cafe in Italy. Open since 1720, it's decked out in velvets, mirrors, and and gilding in true Venetian style.

Caffe Lavena. Established in 1750, it attracted an intellectual crowd in its warm, wood-adorned interior. Order a Spritz and feel like a noble Venetian for an hour.

Caffe Quadri. Classic and cosmopolitan, this opulent eatery has been around since the late 1700s with wide windows onto the famous piazza.

Make it to the Market

A foodie's visit to Venice isn't complete without a trip to the Rialto Market. This public market has been providing food to Venetians since 1097 (yes, you read that correctly!) Arrive early to watch the barges arrive and unload fresh vegetables and fruits that are sold along the canal in the shadow of the famous Rialto Bridge. Meander through the pescheria (fish market), and get a gander at the oriental spices and other exotic goods for sale at the stalls along the way.