A paper cone or platter of mixed deep-fried lagoon fish: schie, calamari, prawns, sole, sometimes whitebait. The canonical Venetian fish supper.

Fritto misto della laguna is the canonical Venetian fish supper, served as a sit-down platter at trattorias or as a paper cone at street-food counters like Acqua e Mais near Campo San Polo, where the scartosso tradition continues. The mix varies by season and morning catch: schie in summer, moeche in spring, calamari and prawns year-round, plus the occasional whitebait and sole. The fish is dredged in flour only, never breaded, and fried in olive oil to a pale gold. Best served immediately with lemon and a glass of Soave.

5 editor picks for Fritto misto della laguna in Venice, ranked by editorial score. All Venice signature dishes · Fritto misto della laguna across every city.

Trattoria Corte Sconta ★ 4.7

€€€ItalianCastello

Trattoria Corte Sconta in Venice's Castello is the courtyard seafood room that locals and chefs in town quietly book first, the canonical hidden-courtyard.

OrderAntipasto misto, spaghetti vongole, granseola when in season.

TipBook three weeks ahead. The pergola courtyard is the seat to ask for in summer. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Antiche Carampane ★ 4.6

€€€ItalianSan Polo

Antiche Carampane in Venice's San Polo is the 1983 family-run seafood trattoria the Rialto fishmongers send friends to, the room with the no-tourist-menu.

OrderSpaghetti with vongole, fritto misto della laguna, sarde in saor.

TipBook a fortnight ahead. Closed Sundays and Mondays. The dining room has 10 tables, so flexibility on date is more useful than time.

Trattoria al Gatto Nero ★ 4.6

€€€ItalianLagoon Islands

Trattoria al Gatto Nero on Burano is the 1965-founded Bovo family room run by Massimiliano Bovo, the canonical lagoon-fish lunch on the colourful fishing.

OrderRisotto di go, bigoli al nero di seppia, the mixed grilled fish from the lagoon.

TipBook two weeks ahead online. Ferry 12 from Fondamente Nove takes 45 minutes. Closed Mondays.

Acqua e Mais ★ 4.3

€Italian

Acqua e Mais on Campiello dei Meloni near Campo San Polo is the street-food window serving Venetian fritto misto in the traditional scartosso (paper cone).

OrderScartosso paper cone of fried lagoon fish

TipOrder the small mixed cone of calamari and shrimp with a slice of grilled polenta. Walk-up window only, stand and eat in the campiello.

Trattoria alla Madonna ★ 4.2

€€ItalianSan Polo

Trattoria alla Madonna in Venice near the Rialto is the 1954-founded room with a turnover that fills 200 seats twice a day, the canonical Venetian fish.

OrderSarde in saor, spaghetti vongole, fegato alla veneziana.

TipWalk-in only. Arrive at 12:00 for lunch or 19:30 for dinner. Closed Wednesdays. Two waves through the dining room every service.

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

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