Best Italian Restaurants in Venice
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Felix Trattoria
Handmade pasta crafted in a visible, temperature-controlled laboratorio.
Notable Picks
8.8
Evan Funke’s pasta temple centers a glass-walled laboratorio, turning out regional Italian shapes with taut textures and deep sauces. Reservations are coveted; couples come for handmade pastas, an Italian-leaning wine list, and low-lit buzz.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Pappardelle Ragù, Sfincione
What Makes it Special: Handmade pasta crafted in a visible, temperature-controlled laboratorio.
#2
Barrique
8.6
Chef Antonio Murè’s townhouse restaurant leans romantic, with Northern-leaning pastas, tableside warmth, and a serious cellar. It’s a quieter, candlelit setting tailored to conversation and lingering courses.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliolini al Tartufo, Red Beet Tagliolini with Quail Ragù, Tiramisù
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven pastas in a charming 1900s house with intimate rooms.
#3
Gjelina
8.4
Since 2008, this produce-forward spot has paired wood-fired pizzas with seasonal vegetables in an industrial-chic space. Go early for a more relaxed date and crisp, charred pies with simply dressed market sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom Pizza, Guanciale Pizza, Seasonal Vegetables
What Makes it Special: Long-running, seasonal wood-fired program with Venice energy.
#4
Ospi Venice
8.3
Jackson Kalb and Melissa Saka’s beach-adjacent Italian focuses on cracker-thin pizza tonda, vodka rigatoni, and a lively, modern room. It’s a flexible date: share a pie and a cocktail, or build a fuller pasta-forward meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vodka Rigatoni, Margherita Pizza Tonda, Fritti
What Makes it Special: Southern-leaning pasta and pizza program two blocks from the beach.
8
Gianbattista “Gianba” Vinzoni’s coastal Italian spot, newly reopened on Rose Ave, brings Ligurian touches like focaccia and seafood pastas to a cozy indoor-outdoor setting. It’s a lower-key date with polished service and thoughtful GF options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Tagliatelle, Branzino Crudo, Focaccia
What Makes it Special: Coastal Ligurian menu with housemade pastas and GF care.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Casual, family-run Italian with straightforward pies, pastas, and salads near the Venice Sign. It’s a practical choice for families who want easy counter-service ordering and swift ticket times before or after the beach.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Spaghetti and meatballs, Garlic knots
What Makes it Special: Straightforward pies and pastas a block from the Venice Sign.