Osteria Trefanti is an italian restaurant in Santa Croce, Venice.
Osteria Trefanti on the Rio Marin in Santa Croce is the ten-table osteria where chef Umberto Slongo re-elaborates lagoon recipes with oriental spices.
Editorially verified May 31, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Lagoon fish crudo with citrus, Bigoli in salsa, Spice-rubbed Adriatic fish of the day
Must order: Whatever the daily catch is, paired from the natural-wine list selected by front-of-house Diego.
Tip: Two seatings only at 19:00 and 21:00, Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations essential.
Address: Fondamenta dei Garzotti 888, Santa Croce, 30135 Venezia VE, Venice
Osteria Bancogiro on Campo San Giacometto in San Polo at the foot of Rialto is the Grand Canal terrace bistro with a downstairs bacaro and a dining room.
Signature: Tagliata di tonno, Sarde in saor, Crab and ricotta ravioli
Order: Sarde in saor at the bacaro counter, then ravioli with crab and ricotta upstairs on the canal.
Tip: Lower-floor cicchetti are walk-in. Book the upstairs dining room with Grand Canal table a week ahead. Closed Mondays.
Trattoria al Gatto Nero on Burano is the 1965 Bovo family room now run by Massimiliano Bovo, the canonical lagoon-fish lunch on the colourful fishing island.
Signature: Risotto di go, Bigoli with cuttlefish, Mixed grilled fish
Order: Risotto di go, bigoli al nero di seppia, the mixed grilled fish.
Tip: Book two weeks ahead. Ferry 12 from Fondamente Nove takes 45 minutes. Closed Mondays.
CoVino on Calle del Pestrin in Venice's Castello is the 12-seat modern bistro with a Slow Food Presidia carte and a daily-changing five-course tasting menu.
Signature: Five-course Presidia tasting, Lagoon-fish small plates, Natural-wine pairing
Order: The five-course tasting menu, the natural-wine pairing.
Tip: 12 seats total. Email a week ahead for booking. Closed Wed-Thu in some weeks; confirm with the email response.
Cantina Do Spade in San Polo near Rialto is one of the oldest bacari in Venice, with a stand-up cicchetti counter and a small sit-down room for the bigger.
Signature: Fried moeche in season, Sarde in saor, Polpette al sugo
Order: Sarde in saor at the counter, then a primo of bigoli al ragu di pesce in the dining room.
Tip: Combines bacaro counter and table service. Book the dining room for groups of three plus; walk-in works for the bar.
Vini da Gigio on Calle Stua in Venice's Cannaregio is the Lazzari family's canal-side trattoria since 1981, the canonical traditional Venetian dining room.
Signature: Bigoli in salsa, Fegato alla veneziana, Calf liver with onions
Order: Bigoli in salsa, fegato alla veneziana, the daily fritto misto.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The 1,200-label cellar leans heavily on Friuli whites. Book a week ahead.
Trattoria Bar Pontini on Rio Terra San Leonardo in Cannaregio is the neighbourhood lunchroom locals fill at noon, the canonical no-bookings Venetian set.
Signature: Spaghetti al nero di seppia, Risotto al radicchio, Bigoli in salsa
Order: Spaghetti al nero di seppia, risotto al radicchio in autumn, the daily fritto misto.
Tip: Walk-in only. Lunchtime sets at €14 (primo + secondo + acqua) run Monday to Friday.
