If it’s a fine dining experience you’re after, I think the plethora of Michelin-star restaurants in Venice will be right up your street. At present, the greater Venice area is home to over a dozen establishments that have made their way into the Michelin Guide!
In reality, it’s hard work to have a poor dining experience in Venice, but as you may know from my Venice food tours, some spots just go the extra mile. This certainly rings true for these top-quality eateries, nestled everywhere, from the lively streets of San Polo to the quiet corners of Cannaregio.
Throughout this article, I’ll take you through my favorite Michelin-starred restaurants in Venice and their extraordinary eats.
Ristorante Glam
Photo credit: Ristorante Glam
Ristorante Glam is currently the only spot in the city with two Michelin stars to its name. Considering it’s among the best restaurants in the region, it’s fitting that it’s situated in the oh-so-swanky Palazzo Venart, a luxury hotel in San Polo.
It’s one of esteemed-chef Enrico Bartolini’s most popular eateries, though Donato Ascani is the resident chef in this particular establishment.
This dining area is vintage and elegant, with tasteful modern touches like expansive windows and polished tiling. My favorite part, however, was the view of the hotel’s quaint courtyard filled with colorful flowers and ornate stone sculptures.
There were two distinct tasting menus, and I decided to go for the lagoon-inspired option as it focused more on local dishes and delicacies. Of the seven sensational courses, the roast pigeon was undoubtedly the stand-out dish for me.
Succulent chunks of mild, nutty pigeon meat were presented alongside tender, subtly spicy friggitello peppers. A sprinkling of mustard seeds gave the dish a bitter undertone. The sommelier suggested a Brunello and its high acidity and herby notes complemented the dish beautifully.
Ristorante Glam (€€€€) – Calle Tron, 1961, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Closed every Monday and Tuesday, open every Wednesday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Ristorante Quadri
Photo credit: Ristorante Quadri
Ristorante Quadri is probably one of the best-known Michelin-star restaurants in Venice. It’s also super easy to spot, as it’s located in Piazza San Marco, otherwise known as St. Mark’s Square.
Chef Max Alajmo is the man behind this beloved eatery. At Ristorante Quadri, Silvio Giavedoni and Sergio Preziosa are the chefs executing his vision of modern takes on Venetian classics.
I’m not sure what’s more striking about this place: the unbeatable views over the bustling piazza below or the opulent retro decor inside. There’s something about the gold chandeliers and patterned wallpapers that feels so lavish yet inviting.
I made a lunch reservation and selected the two-course option. The waiter explained that I could pick dishes from the three tasting menus, which was harder than anticipated! Ultimately, I went for the tuna carpaccio and burrata ravioli, which I had with a glass of fiano filled with almond and honey hues.
Up first was the carpaccio, which was made up of perfectly pink, lightly salted tuna slices wrapped around buttery caviar. It was soon followed by the ravioli. Inside was soft, milky burrata, while the pasta pockets were topped with sweet baby shrimp, delicate cuttlefish, and tangy tomatoes.
Ristorante Quadri (€€€€) – P.za San Marco, 123, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy – Closed every Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday to Friday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Il Ridotto Restaurant
Photo credit: Il Ridotto Restaurant
A short stroll from Saint Mark’s Basilica is Il Ridotto Restaurant, a sublime Venetian restaurant in Hotel Tiepolo with just nine tables inside. With that in mind, bookings here are a must.
Chef Gianni Bonaccorsi is at the helm, and his dishes fuse seasonal produce with innovation. I was too late making my reservation for an evening slot, but I was fortunate enough to secure a table at lunch. This meant I could sample the tapas-style midday menu.
Something I really appreciated about Il Ridotto was its simplicity. Neutral colors, red brick walls, and muted lightning created a sophisticated ambiance without taking any focus from the food.
Although I was most looking forward to the artichoke-based salad, the sea urchin spaghetti turned out to be the highlight. Mixed in with the fresh, chewy squid ink pasta was smooth, briny sea urchin. Both components had refined flavors enhanced by the smokey bell pepper sauce.
Thanks to the sommelier’s advice, I washed this spaghetti down with a glass of Donnafugata Brut. The sparkling wine’s vibrant, lemon-like flavors gave the dish a little zest, yet it wasn’t overbearing.
Il Ridotto Restaurant (€€€€) – Campiello, Campo Santi Filippo e Giacomo, 4509, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday and Friday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm and from 6:45 pm to 9:45 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:45 pm to 9:45 pm, closed every Wednesday.
Osteria Da Fiore
Photo credit: Osteria Da Fiore
Osteria Da Fiore in San Polo is a must-visit Michelin-star restaurant in Venice if you’re looking for authentic but inventive regional cuisine.
Mara Martin is the mastermind behind Osteria Da Fiore. She takes inspiration from Venice’s location as a meeting point of unique cultures and has crafted a menu that’s earned her a well-deserved Michelin star.
The decor is somewhere between traditional and contemporary. On the one hand, I spotted old-school wooden features and textured wallpaper. Yet, at the same time, there were stylish leather seats and pristine white linen.
As soon as I decided on the filet of sole, the sommelier arrived at the table and ran through some of his picks from the wine list with me. He recommended a citrusy, lightweight pinot grigio, which is always a winner for white fish.
I couldn’t wait to tuck into this immaculately presented sole, which came with zingy tomatoes, velvety potatoes, and mildly bitter olives. This mix of punchy and subtle flavors worked a treat with the sole, as they mirrored the contrast between the softly sweet fish and its savory basil garnish.
Osteria Da Fiore (€€€€) – S. Polo, 2202, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday from 7:00 pm to 10:15 pm, Saturday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Sunday.
Local
Photo credit: Local
I found out about Local after a friend tipped me off about this ultra-cool Michelin-starred eatery in Castello.
With award-winning chef Salvatore Sodano in the kitchen and acclaimed sommelier Manuel Trevisan taking care of the wine, I had a feeling I’d be in for a treat here.
The space itself is simply superb, from the washed-out turquoise walls and rustic wooden finishes to the laid back, effortlessly chic vibe. When paired with the accommodating staff, it’s pretty tough not to be charmed by this place.
Local takes cicchetti to another level, transforming these Venetian snacking plates into imaginative dishes using local ingredients. After savoring nine of these appetizer-style dishes, the chocolate and brown butter dessert left a particularly lasting impression on me.
On top of the silky brown butter ice cream with addictive toasted caramel flavors were a thin, crispy layer of rich chocolate and a refreshing samphire coulis. As if this dessert couldn’t get any better, it was teamed with Brachetto d’Acqui, a bouncy, berry-like sparkling red.
Local (€€€€) – Salizzada dei Greci, 3303, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Thursday and Sunday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Venissa
Photo credit: Venissa
Far from the banks of the Grand Canal and the bustling Rialto area is Venissa, a fine dining eatery on the island of Mazzorbo. Chefs Chiara Pavan and Francesco Brutto’s commitment to sustainable practices in creating their delightful menu has earned them a green Michelin star.
This water-side establishment is as picture-perfect as they come, with a stunning farmhouse interior and a scenic patio area. As much as I wanted to dine al fresco, I couldn’t resist the pull of the air conditioning inside after spending the day in the sun!
Every single dish at Venissa was outstanding, but it’s not often that the starter turns out to be my favorite. However, the sardines in raspberry saor here had me wishing I’d visited this incredible restaurant sooner.
Fried sardines are a staple in Venice, but the addition of tart raspberries to the traditional blend of punchy onions and creamy pine nuts was amazing. They gave the dish a contemporary edge and elevated the gentle flavors of the crunchy batter and flaky flesh.
This appetizer was a delight, made even more delicious with the Sardinian Vermentino’s oily mouthfeel and bright minerality.
Venissa (€€€€) – Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 3, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday and from Thursday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Conclusion
Michelin-star restaurants in Venice are plentiful, but these are the eateries I consistently recommend to fellow foodies. If you’ve got a special occasion coming up during your visit or simply want to treat yourself to an exquisite meal, these are spots you need to check out.