Venetian
Smart
Da Fiore. Mara’s 1-Mich-starred no-fuss seafood gives it top table status, drawing the well-heeled from near n’ far. Cosy, carriage-like with polite staff, but no prices on gals’ menus. Calle del Scaleter / SP 2202 / 041 721308 / lunch & dinner Tue-sat / closed 3 weeks Dec-jan, 3 weeks Aug / book way ahead / dafiore.net
La Caravella. It’s ship ahoy at this intimate, candle-lit cabin complete with helm and capstan, plus summer garden, popular with lovers, groups and a more mature crowd. Via XXII Marzo / SM 2399 / 041 5208901 / restaurantlacaravella.com
La Colomba. Picasso and co. line the walls and slick suits and visitors fill the chairs for old world fare and ace vino. Piscina di Frezzaria / SM 1665 / 041 5221175 / closed Wed
Al Covo. Tuscamerican hubby n’ wife locavores go wild with the seasons in this bucolic nook well-liked by statesiders. Campiello de la Pescaria / Castello 3968 / 041 5223812 / lunch & dinner / closed Wed-thu, 4 weeks Dec-jan / ristorantealcovo.com
Antiche Carampane. In-the-know epicures love that this simple timber trat is hard to find and that there’s ‘no pizza, no menù turistico’, just plenty of flip-fresh aquatic life. Rio Terà Carampane / SP 1911 / 041 5240165 / lunch & dinner Tue-sat / closed 10 days Jan, 3 weeks Aug / antichecarampane.com
Algiubagio. Rustic red brick and velvet Venetian romance on the water, with a divine summer terrace and vast cellar. F.ta Nuove / Cannaregio 5039 / 041 5236084 / lunch & dinner Wed-mon / closed 2 weeks Jan / algiubagio.net
Fiaschetteria Toscana. Elle Décor won’t feature it any time soon, but this institution is loved for its sophisty food. Salizada S. Giovanni Grisostomo / Cannaregio 5719 / 041 5285281 / closed Tue, lunch Wed, late July-late Aug / fiaschetteriatoscana.it
Osteria L’orto dei Mori. Chic, earthy hideaway that spills onto the local square in clement weather, and takes classic dishes to a new level. Don’t miss the divine choc desserts. Campo dei Mori / Cannaregio 3386 / 041 5243677 / closed Tue / osteriaortodeimori.com
Vini Da Gigio. Convivial wood n’ cream nabe bacaro serving market-fresh classics. Try the signature masorin (duck). F.ta S. Felice / Cannaregio 3628/a / 041 5285140 / lunch & dinner Wedsun / closed 3 weeks Jan, 3 weeks Aug / vinidagigio.com