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 dishes: Bigoli in salsa, Fegato alla veneziana, Calf liver with onions
Must 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.
Address: Calle Stua Cannaregio 3628A, 30121 Venezia VE, Venice
Trattoria Bar Pontini on Rio Terra San Leonardo in Cannaregio is the neighbourhood lunchroom locals fill at noon, the canonical no-bookings Venetian set lunch.
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 EUR 14 (primo + secondo + acqua) run Monday to Friday.
Osteria Anice Stellato on Fondamenta de la Sensa in Venice's Cannaregio is the canal-side modern Venetian room with outdoor tables on the rio in summer.
Signature: Bigoli in salsa, Marinated anchovies, Fish ravioli
Order: Bigoli in salsa, marinated anchovies, the daily ravioli.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Book outdoor terrace through their email or the listing site.
Trattoria Bar Pontini on Rio Terra San Leonardo in Cannaregio is the neighbourhood lunchroom locals fill at noon, the canonical no-bookings Venetian set lunch.
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 EUR 14 (primo + secondo + acqua) run Monday to Friday.
Trattoria alla Madonna near Rialto in San Polo is the 1954 lunchroom with 200 seats that turn twice a day, the canonical Venetian fish trattoria for the budget end of mid-range.
Signature: Sarde in saor, Spaghetti vongole, Fritto misto
Order: Sarde in saor, spaghetti vongole, fegato alla veneziana.
Tip: Walk-in only. Arrive 12:00 for lunch or 19:30 for dinner. Closed Wednesdays.
Osteria La Zucca in Venice's Santa Croce is the 35-seat canal-side room with a vegetable-forward Venetian carte and a handful of meat plates, since the 1980s.
Signature: Pumpkin and ricotta flan, Vegetable lasagna, Beef tagliata
Order: Pumpkin and ricotta flan, vegetable lasagna, the seasonal side board.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Book the canal-side tables (12 covers) specifically when you reserve.
Osteria Anice Stellato on Fondamenta de la Sensa in Venice's Cannaregio is the canal-side modern Venetian room with outdoor tables on the rio in summer.
Signature: Bigoli in salsa, Marinated anchovies, Fish ravioli
Order: Bigoli in salsa, marinated anchovies, the daily ravioli.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Book outdoor terrace through their email or the listing site.
Osteria Vecio Fritolin in Venice's Santa Croce since the 19th century is the modern continuation of the historic fritolin (fried-fish kiosk), now with a sit-down room.
Signature: Cartoccio di fritto misto, Sarde in saor, Spaghetti alle vongole
Order: Cartoccio di pesce fritto from the takeaway window, then the bigoli in salsa inside.
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue. Lunch set at EUR 35 includes wine. Walk-in for the cartoccio window; book the dining room.
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 upstairs.
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.
