The quieter western sestiere by the Tolentini, with La Zucca's vegetable-forward kitchen and Bacareto Da Lele, the canal-side morning bacaro the students fill on the church steps.
Osteria La Zucca in Venice's Santa Croce is the 35-seat canal-side room that built its reputation on a vegetable-forward Venetian carte, with a handful of meat plates.
Signature: Pumpkin flan with ricotta, Vegetable lasagna, Beef tagliata
Order: Pumpkin and ricotta flan, vegetable lasagna, the daily vegetable side board.
Tip: Book a week ahead by phone. Closed Sundays. The canal-side tables fit only 12 covers; ask specifically when you book.
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 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.