The eastern sestiere stretching to the Arsenale and the Biennale gardens, home to Trattoria Corte Sconta, Alle Testiere, CoVino and Local, the canonical lagoon-fish trattoria belt.
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.
Signature: Antipasto misto di pesce crudo, Spaghetti with clams, Granseola
Order: Antipasto misto, spaghetti vongole, granseola when in season.
Tip: Book three weeks ahead. The pergola courtyard is the seat to ask for in summer. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Osteria alle Testiere in Venice's Castello is the 22-seat room with two seatings, run by Bruno Gavagnin and Luca di Vita on Calle del Mondo Novo since 1993.
Signature: Gnocchetti with calamari, Branzino in crosta di sale, Marinated anchovies
Order: Gnocchetti with calamari and cinnamon, branzino in salt crust, the salty antipasti.
Tip: Two seatings only: 12:30 + 13:30 for lunch, 19:15 + 21:30 for dinner. Book at least a fortnight ahead through their online form.
Local in Venice's Castello is the 1-Michelin-star room run by Salvatore Sodano and Benedetta Fullin near the Greek quarter, serving 7 and 9-course tasting.
Signature: Tasting menu of lagoon ingredients, Sea urchin, Risotto
Order: The 9-course tasting menu, the wine pairing from the 1000-label cellar.
Tip: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday lunch. Book a fortnight ahead online. The wine pairing is the move; their cellar leans heavily on Friulian whites.
CoVino in Venice's Castello is the 12-seat modern bistro with a Slow Food Presidia carte and an ever-changing five-course tasting menu, all paired.
Signature: Tasting menu with wine pairing, Lagoon fish small plates, Slow Food Presidia ingredients
Order: The five-course tasting menu, the natural-wine pairing.
Tip: 12 seats total. Book a week ahead by email or through the website. Set five-course menu only at dinner.
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.
Bar Dandolo sits among marble columns and Murano chandeliers on the ground floor of the fourteenth century Palazzo Dandolo at the Hotel Danieli.
Tip: Cocktails run around twenty euros; the early aperitivo slot from 18:00 is the calmest window. Afternoon tea service runs 15:00-18:00 if you want the room without the bar tab.