The 10 Best Restaurants Near St. Mark’s Square Venice in 2023
Brandon Shaw
Looking for a great place to eat near St. Mark’s Square? Be warned, this area is riddled with touristy restaurants. However, there are a few hidden gems if you know where to look. We asked our local guides in Venice to share their favorite spots so you can enjoy quality food in this popular area. Here are the best restaurants near St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
Pro Tip: Planning what to eat on your trip to Venice? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our comprehensive guide to Venice for more planning resources, our top Venice tours for a memorable trip, and how to see Venice in a day.
Top 10 Places to Eat and Drink Near St. Mark’s Square in Venice
St. Mark’s square is probably one of the most famous piazzas in the world, which automatically makes it one of the most touristy spots on the planet. Everyone has heard of the cup of coffee that costs $20—that’s a real thing, but there’s definitely more to dining near St. Marks’ Square than that.
Since nobody likes tourist traps (myself included), we asked our local Venetian guides to put together a list of their favorite places in this part of town. You’ll find a wide variety of places to eat from fine dining overlooking the Grand Canal to historic cicchetteria.
If you love travel and food, we’re certain you’ll enjoy going on our Venice local food tours. They’re a fun way to get to know a new city, try local cuisine, and meet like-minded people! Here are the best restaurants near St. Mark’s Square. Buon appetito!
€€€€ | Historic | Breakfast | Great Views | Prime Location
Caffé Florian is one of our top picks for breakfast, featured in our video on how to see Venice in a day. It’s one of the city’s most historic cafés, dating back to 1720. The price per cappuccino may make you gasp at around €15, but you’re paying for more than coffee.
When you take a seat at this café, you’ll enjoy epic views of St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica. It’s a prime Venice location! From April to October, you’ll be treated to a “café-concert” by the in-house orchestra playing a variety of pieces from classical and modern music.
From the location to the splendid interior decor, the history, and the cultural sophistication of Caffé Florian, this is the spot to enjoy Venice with a bit of luxury.
€€ | Neopolitan Pizza | Family Friendly | Outdoor Seating
I know what you are going to say: Neopolitan pizza in Venice? Remember that Naples invented the pizza, so when you find a good Neopolitan pizzeria, never pass it up. You need to trust me on this one.
Enjoy an easy lunch or dinner in this very spacious restaurant, just two minutes from St. Mark’s Square. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, which is perfect for families.
The menu offers a big variety of Italian classics from lasagna to pizza, as well as original Neapolitan pizza. That makes it the best pizza place near St. Mark’s Square. The chefs offer gluten-free pizza and other special dietary options. Rossopomodoro also has another location inside Venice’s train station.
The ultimate tour of Venice. You’ll get skip-the-line access to the most important buildings in Venice, plus a gondola ride, and private transportation to the islands of Murano and Burano. It’s a full day of touring that will make for the best memories in Venice ever.
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Venice Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio District
People who say Venice is too touristy have not done enough research. Cannaregio is an amazing break from the crowds, and our food tour is the most authentic way to experience it. Taste cicchetti and other Venetian specialties including wine. You’ll leave with a full stomach and a love for Venetian food!
€€€€ | Fine Dining | Terrace | Epic Grand Canal Views
If you’re looking for a place to eat on a gorgeous terrace with unforgettable views of the Canal Grande, this is the spot. Just a few minutes from St. Mark’s Square, you’ll enjoy a viewpoint of both Punta della Dogana, where sea customs had been charged for decades, and the Santa Maria Salute church, one of the architectural masterpieces of the Floating City.
The world-class dishes, excellent service, and picture-perfect views come at a price. A complete lunch or dinner starts at €150+ per person. If you’re looking for a gourmet experience on Venice’s Canal Grande, it may well be worth it. This is also a great place for a romantic meal or a special celebration.
€€ | Outdoor Seating | Wide Selection of Wine | Broad Menu
This streetside restaurant just a 4-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square is located in the neighborhood of Castello. It’s a true gem, offering simple but high-quality dishes from all 20 regions in Italy at a reasonable price.
Their à la carte menu lists refreshing antipasti, main course pasta dishes, vegetarian options, second-course meat and fish dishes, and creamy desserts. Relax and enjoy their food outside on their streetside terrace or indoors next to the real brick oven together with a glass of wine, chosen from their wide selection of local and Italian wines.
€€ | Wine Bar | Venetian Comfort Food | Great Atmosphere
Osteria Enoteca San Marco is one of our go-to spots. While you can drink wine in pretty much any establishment in Venice, an enoteca will give you that local feel. Many enoteca’s started off as just straight-up wine bars. Then, over time, they started serving food, which makes sense. Good wine is naturally well accompanied by good food.
Here, they have the best of both worlds. So, you can walk in and just have a glass of wine with a snack at the bar. Or, you can have a sit-down meal and enjoy one of their classic dishes like spaghetti with tiger prawns or roasted lamb. This is a great place to enjoy Venetian comfort food paired with the perfect wine.
Cantina Do Spade is a historic cicchetteria established in 1448. If you’re looking to try Venice’s famous cicchetti (small plates or finger food, often seafood), this place comes highly recommended.
Enjoy a variety of traditional small dishes washed down with an ombra (glass of red wine) for a true Venetian experience. Featured in our video on how to see Venice in a day, come to Cantina Do Spade for a snack and a short break as you explore Venice. Try the anchovy and mozzarella cicchetti for a bite of heaven.
Osteria Ae Sconte might be a little hard to find and a bit of a walk from the craziness, but that’s usually a good thing. It’s a popular restaurant with locals and it’s a great place to come when you’re in the mood for seafood. Their dishes are made using local Venetian recipes.
For a more romantic setting, request to be seated in the courtyard. Their risottos are particularly good, so if you’re a fan, give that a try. Go for the seafood or mushroom risotto.
Only have a day in Venice and want to explore the best places? You’ll love this tour that includes skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace so you don’t waste time! Not to mention, you’ll wander through the Cannaregio district and learn about Rialto Bridge before floating through the canals on your own gondola.
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Venice Local Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio
People who say Venice is too touristy have not done enough research. Cannaregio is an amazing break from the crowds and our food tour is the most authentic way to experience it. Taste cicchetti and other Venetian specialties with wine. You’ll leave with a full stomach!
It may not look like much from the outside, but this historic restaurant has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1720. Enjoy high-class local cuisine on the idyllic Teatro Fenice square, home to the city’s most important opera house La Fenice.
Specialties in this restaurant include the black truffle pasta and the celery and coriander fish soup. A quick 5-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square, Antico Martini offers guests a high-end dining experience with a unique and romantic atmosphere on a lovely piazza.
On the busy street of Calle Larga XXII Marzo, right next to fashion boutiques, galleries, and cocktail bars, you’ll find another historic restaurant. La Caravella is within 5 minutes’ walking distance of St. Mark’s Square and perfect for a stop after a shopping trip in the affluent area, famous for luxury retail and jewelry.
You’ll find all the Italian classics at this unassuming restaurant but refined to the next level. Expect authentic Venetian and Italian dishes and quality service. To find this restaurant, lookout for a wrought iron sign in the shape of a sailing ship.
€€€ | Cocktail Bar | Fun Atmosphere | Unique Decor
If you’re looking for Venice’s nightlife, this is a fun place to enjoy a few drinks after dinner. At Bra’s Bar, hang out and have a cocktail or two handcrafted by their mixologists.
You’ll find very few places with this kind of decor—hundreds of bras hanging from the ceiling! Service is super friendly and you’re sure to have a good time and a few laughs.
Despite the size of this little island, there are endless hotel options to choose from. We’ve picked the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay in whether you prefer Italian luxury or quiet serenity—or both!
Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.
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