The 7 Best Brunches in Venice

Nothing says vacation quite like a lazy morning followed by a late breakfast. If this is your preferred way to start the day, you might be interested to discover some of the best spots for brunch in Venice that I’ve taken a liking to during my last few visits.

Brunch isn’t exactly a prominent feature on my Venice food tours, but I have to admit, I didn’t give the city’s midday offerings enough credit. Some gorgeous brunch spots are scattered across the city in places like San Marco and the Grand Canal, where the vaporetto‌s are, many of which boast menus that blend local and international dishes.

When you’re craving freshly baked Italian pastries or a stack of fluffy pancakes, these Venice brunch joints will hit the spot.

Fluffy Brunch

Photo credit: Fluffy Brunch

Who’d have thought you’d find Japanese-style fluffy pancakes in the center of Venice near the Rialto Bridge? Thanks to one of the best restaurants in San Polo, Fluffy Brunch, you can do just that!

The decor here is as bright and colorful as their menu items. Though I tend to prefer more old-school interiors, I couldn’t help but be charmed by the flower-clad ceilings, funky wallpaper, and shiny green tiles.

Their English menu has plenty of brunch staples like omelets, burgers, and salads, but most people, myself included, flock here for their signature pancakes. They’re thick like American pancakes but have the most divine cloud-like consistency.

There were a bunch of different flavors, and I, of course, had to try the tiramisu version. While the pancakes were light and airy, the rich coffee cream, spongy ladyfingers, and bitter cocoa powder made the dish feel so rich and extravagant.

Fluffy Brunch (€€) – C. del Cappeller, 1586, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm.

Brunch Cafe

Photo credit: Brunch Cafe

San Polo is home to a couple of bustling joints for brunch in Venice, and the aptly named Brunch Cafe is one such spot that’s a big hit with locals and visitors.

This place was more compact than I initially thought, so I imagine it’s pretty tricky for anyone traveling in large groups. Nonetheless, its small size makes its brightly colored brick walls, fairy lights, and pastel features even more alluring.

They might be best known for their pancakes, but I was keen to try their French toast. I took the waitress’ suggestion and went for the berry option, but I’m curious to try the bacon and egg alternative next time I stop by.

Sometimes, French toast can be overly sweet. In this case, the tartness of the fresh raspberries and blueberries toned down the saccharine nature of the slightly chewy bread and icing sugar dust, ensuring the ideal balance of flavors.

Brunch Cafe (€€) – Calle de la Madoneta, 1457, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Niki Bar

Photo credit: Niki Bar

Situated in the heart of Venice on the outer edge of the San Polo neighborhood, Niki Bar is a fabulous option if you’re looking for a low-key dining experience with some seriously good food.

This homely hidden gem of an eatery feels like an extension of someone’s house. The quaint pink and white indoor area was almost full when I got here, but thankfully, there was plenty of space in the matching, flower-filled terrace out back.

From the warmth of the staff to the generous portions I noticed other diners receiving, I had a great feeling about this place. After I tried their hearty serving of scrambled eggs with crispy bacon, I knew I was right.

Often, all it takes is the simplest of dishes done right to tide me over until my next meal, and this was just what I needed. The strips of savory, smokey bacon, buttery scrambled eggs, and lightly toasted bread together made for the ultimate comfort meal.

Niki Bar (€€) – Calle del Traghetto Vecchio, 2883, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, Saturday from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and every Sunday from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Panini e Vini da Babbo

Photo credit: Panini e Vini da Babbo

You can’t go wrong with a panini at any time of day in Venice, but they make for a solid Sunday brunch when you’re looking for a quick and filling meal. Panini e Vini da Babbo is my first choice if I’m in the Dorsoduro area.

This spot is as authentically Italian as they come, with its pint-sized indoor area and casual outdoor patio. I’ve yet to try their cicchetti, but they have plenty of these Venetian snacking plates if you’re looking for a different type of brunch. They’ve also got some delightful croissants on the menu.

Each type of sandwich is named after a different area in Venice, and as it happens, the Dorsoduro option has become my favorite. It comes packed full of bacon, arugula, tomato, and taleggio cheese.

The quality of the ciabatta bread is what sets this place apart, as it’s always so warm and crunchy with a doughy interior. There’s a lovely mixture of flavors from the fillings, as the fruity taleggio and zingy tomato soften the umami notes of the bacon and the peppery arugula.

Panini e Vini da Babbo (€€) – Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3059, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Brunch Republic 

Photo credit: Brunch Republic

Brunch Republic now has a plethora of branches all over Italy, but this Mestre eatery was the original location.

Whenever I picture a quintessential brunch spot, a nice place like Brunch Republic always springs to mind. Inside, there’s clean white tiling, an abundance of green plants, and a mix of wooden and industrial-style furniture.

They’ve also got the perfect brunch menu to match, made up of waffles, salads, pancakes, and poached egg-topped toasts. However, it’d been years since I’d tucked into a Mexican-inspired breakfast burrito, so this was an easy choice for me as soon as I noticed it on the menu!

The tortilla looked fit to burst when it arrived, and it was filled with essentials like creamy scrambled eggs, salty sausage meat, and nutty avocado. My favorite components, though, were the soft, spicy nduja and the refreshing and zesty pico de gallo.

Brunch Republic (€€) – Viale Giuseppe Garibaldi, 7D, 30173 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 am and every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:00 am.

Crepes House by PePe

Photo credit: Crepes House by PePe

Cannaregio‘s much-loved creperie, Crepes House by PePe, might just be the finest place in the city for brunch on the go.

It’s a tiny, seat-free eatery that’s easy to spot, given the long lines regularly forming outside and the quirky rainbow interior. Crepes House has become especially popular as they have a ton of gluten-free and vegan options, so it’s an excellent choice for anyone with dietary requirements.

Both sweet and savory fillings are available here, but I tend to prefer the former when it comes to crepes. Each option sounded better than the last, and it took me around ten minutes to settle on the apple, hazelnut, and dark chocolate crepe.

There was something so delicious about the sourness of apple slices and bitter dark chocolate with the sweet, crunchy hazelnuts. Each bite of these thin, mild-flavored crepes had elements of each topping, making the entire meal so satisfying from start to finish.

Crepes House by PePe (€) – Fondamenta S. Giobbe, 548/B, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed every Wednesday.

La Lista Venezia

Photo credit: La Lista Venezia

La Lista Venezia is a beloved restaurant in Venice’s Cannaregio neighborhood. They’re open all day long, but so far, I’ve only made it here in time to avail of their brunch options, which was certainly enough to turn me into a returning customer.

This place was buzzing when I got there, but the quick turnover of tables meant I didn’t have to wait long to get a seat inside. Once I sat down, I was able to appreciate the mix of contemporary and old-world features that made this place feel so inviting.

Unfortunately, I arrived a little too early to try their famous ricotta-stuffed pizza crust, but the salmon and avocado toast more than made up for it. The silky texture and subtle fishy taste of salmon was a tasty match for the mellow, velvety avocado and toasted bread.

Even though this place is best known for its beers, they had some great white wines, roses, and brunch cocktails on the menu, too. I went for a timeless brunch drink: a mimosa made from a clean, citrussy prosecco and a helping of freshly squeezed orange juice.

La Lista Venezia (€€) – Rio Terà Lista di Spagna, 225/A, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 8:00 am to 12:00 am.

Conclusion

Going for brunch in Venice isn’t something most of us typically envision ourselves doing during a trip to the Floating City. Yet sometimes, the likes of avocado toast or shakshuka are precisely the kind of dishes we long for after days of dishes like seafood pasta and creamy risotto in the osterias and trattorias!