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.
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 Trefanti on the Rio Marin in Santa Croce is the ten-table osteria where chef Umberto Slongo re-elaborates lagoon recipes with oriental spices.
Signature: Lagoon fish crudo with citrus, Bigoli in salsa, Spice-rubbed Adriatic fish of the day
Order: Whatever the daily catch is, paired from the natural-wine list selected by front-of-house Diego.
Tip: Two seatings only at 19:00 and 21:00, Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations essential.