The northern sestiere along Fondamenta della Misericordia and Fondamenta degli Ormesini, the locals' aperitivo strip with Vino Vero, Al Timon and the Jewish Ghetto kitchens of Gam Gam.
Osteria Anice Stellato in Venice's Cannaregio is the canal-side modern Venetian seafood room on Fondamenta de la Sensa, with outdoor tables along the rio.
Signature: Bigoli in salsa, Marinated anchovies, Fish ravioli
Order: Bigoli in salsa, marinated anchovies, the daily ravioli.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Book outdoor terrace on the rio in summer through their email or the dishcult listing.
Vini da Gigio in Venice's Cannaregio is the Lazzari family's canal-side trattoria, a Slow Food-listed family room running the canonical Venetian carte.
Signature: Bigoli in salsa, Fegato alla veneziana, Branzino al sale
Order: Bigoli in salsa, fegato alla veneziana, branzino in salt crust.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The wine cellar runs to 1,200 labels. Book a week ahead online or by phone.
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.
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.
Algiubagio runs a centuries old bar at Fondamenta Nuove 5039 in Cannaregio, with a wide lagoon facing terrace inaugurated in 2009, chef Daniele Zennaro.
Tip: The terrace is the seat in summer; the inside room takes over from November to March. Sit for a sunset spritz at 19:00 to catch the light on San Michele before the dinner crowd lands.
Al Timon anchors the Cannaregio aperitivo strip on Fondamenta degli Ormesini, with a tight inside counter, sidewalk tables on the fondamenta and two wooden.
Tip: The boats are the seat to get on a summer night; they fill by 19:30. Natural wine list by the glass, cicchetti at the counter, no reservation.
Vino Vero opened on Fondamenta della Misericordia in Cannaregio in 2014 with one of the deepest natural wine lists in Italy, a tight cicchetti bar.
Tip: Ask for a Friulano or Soave off the natural list; the by the glass rotation is the deal. The fondamenta outside is the room past 22:00 in summer.