The 7 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Venice

Access to lush Italian agriculture and their centuries-old embrace of other cultures means that Venice is home to a surprising number of vegetarian-friendly restaurants. From fine dining restaurants like Ristorante La Zucca to restaurants offering honest Mediterranean fare like Frary’s, no Venice food tour would be complete without a stop at one of the following vegetarian restaurants.

La Tecia Vegana

Photo credit: La Tecia Vegana

La Tecia Vegana in Venice’s Dorsoduro district is conveniently close to Campo Santa Margherita. The location makes it a secret gem for quality plant-based food that’s away from the parts of the city with the highest tourist density.

The ambiance at La Tecia Vegana is laid back. The wooden furniture and warm lighting give it a rustic vibe, with just the right amount of old-world charm. The staff is very friendly and attentive, which adds to the relaxed feel of the dining room.

The menu centers on creative plant-based and gluten-free versions of classical Italian dishes that will appeal to both vegetarians and vegans. Some of the more popular dishes on the menu include vegan lasagna, and seitan scaloppine with lemon sauce, and vegan ravioli.

However, I think the true gem on their menu is the vegan tiramisu. The chocolate sings with multiple notes from sweet to semi-sweet and bitter. Playing perfectly off the robust earthiness of the coffee component.

La Tecia Vegana (€€€) – Calle dei Secchi, 2104, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Tuesday to Friday from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Saturday lunch service is from 12:30 to 2:30 PM with dinner from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Ristorante La Zucca

Photo credit: Ristorante La Zucca

Located on a quiet canal near Venice’s Santa Croce district Ristorante La Zucca offers some of the most creative vegetarian cuisine in the city. So much so that it’s even popular with non-vegetarian foodies who want to explore the culinary potential of plant-based cuisine.

The interior décor has a rustic yet refined charm with classical wooden beams and modern furniture. I also really love the large windows overlooking the canal, which let in just the right amount of natural light while really giving you the visual feel that you’re having a vegetarian meal in Venice.

The menu at Ristorante La Zucca focuses on seasonal vegetables and locally sourced ingredients. This means it can change daily. Yet their most popular signature dishes include the vegan-friendly pumpkin flan, vegetarian ravioli, and pasta tossed with fresh vegetables.

On my last visit, they had a take on courgette parmesan as the daily special. The locally-sourced Costa Romanesco zucchini were exceptionally tender with a depth you can only get from freshly picked. The stuffed zucchini blossoms I had as an appetizer ended up being the perfect lead-in for the main course.

Ristorante La Zucca (€€€) – Sestiere Santa Croce 1762, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Monday through Saturday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM.

Frary’s

Photo credit: Frary’s

Frary’s Restaurant in Venice is conveniently located near the bustling Campo Santa Margherita. This makes it a great spot for exploring the vibrant local shops and attractions, before enjoying some of Frary’s vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.  

The atmosphere in Frary’s is charming with just the right touches of rustic décor, complete with wooden beams. The cozy seating creates a sense of intimacy, which makes it a great place to enjoy a vegetarian meal with someone special. They also have an outdoor seating area that’s great for people watching.

Frary’s menu features excellent vegetarian options for veggie lovers such as pasta primavera and a seasonal roasted vegetable platter. However, my favorite here is their vegetable risotto.

They manage to replicate the rich, creaminess of a traditional risotto, which is hard to do using vegetable stock. I suspect their secret is adding just the right amount of nooch (nutritional yeast) to create a vegan-style cheesiness.  

Frary’s (€€€) – Fondamenta Frari, 2558, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day for lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, with dinner from 6:00 to 11:00 PM. Takeaway and delivery are available from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot

 

Photo credit: Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot

Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot in Venice’s Cannaregio district is a delightful fusion of a bookstore and bistro café. In the evening, it also doubles as a wine bar offering an exceptional selection of organic wines that pair nicely with their cicchetti appetizers.

The interior ambiance of Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot is warm and the bookshelves lining the walls give it a slight air of intellectualism. They almost beg you to pull one out and enjoy a good read. There’s also a comfortable outdoor seating area where guests can sit along the canal to take in the views of Venetian life passing by.

Sullaluna’s menu offers a modest range of vegetarian-friendly dishes. The organic crostini are a favorite, with various toppings including local cheeses and seasonal vegetables. They have vegan crostini, and gluten-free options as well as non-dairy milk and soy milk.

On my more recent visit, I started off with a vegetarian cicchetti-tasting course. It was a glorious selection of small bites highlighting local seasonal vegetables.

One plate of blistered cherry tomatoes with olive oil and garlic crostini really stuck in my memory. Each sweet cherry tomato burst in my mouth with a bright, tangy flavor that cut perfectly through the richness of the peppery olive oil.

Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot (€€) – Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2535, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 9:00 am to 11:00 PM.

Pizzeria L’Angelo

Photo credit: Pizzeria L’Angelo

Located in the bustling San Marco district of Venice, Pizzeria L’Angelo is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. It is also close to major landmarks like Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge making it a convenient place to enjoy a vegetarian pizza while exploring Venice’s iconic sights.

The casual ambiance is welcoming, with the kind of simple decor of a classic Italian pizzeria. Its rustic wooden tables and warm atmosphere are authentic and unpretentious. However, there’s only a small amount of available seating. Ultimately, Pizzeria L’Angelo is probably better suited for a quick bite, rather than a slow relaxing pizza experience.

Pizzeria L’Angelo’s menu includes several vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. Including several pizzas that cater to meat-free diets, like their vegetarian Margherita and veg-topped pizzas. If you’re a vegan, you can even request pizza without cheese and only plant-based toppings.

A while back I picked up a Margherita pie from Pizzeria L’Angelo to takeaway. I was impressed by the sweetness and depth of the tomato sauce which was very reminiscent of San Marzano tomatoes. The leftover pizza was also very good cold.

Pizzeria L’Angelo (€€) – Calle de la Mandola, 3711, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy – Open Monday from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM.

Ristorante Libanese – Gibran

Photo credit: Ristorante Libanese – Gibran

Located in the San Polo district of Venice, Ristorante Libanese-Gibran offers a cozy, authentic Lebanese dining experience, with many vegetarian dishes on the menu. It’s near classic Venetian attractions such as the Rialto Bridge, and other historic parts of the city.

Gibran’s ambiance is warm with the kind of welcoming vibe you find at a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants. The décor is largely Lebanese with classic artwork that reflects the heritage of the restaurant. There’s a modest indoor dining area with a few outside tables.

The vegetarian portion of the menu has several appealing options, including hummus, tabbouleh, and falafel. They also have a wonderfully flavorful mezze platter that allows you to sample the full spectrum of Lebanese flavors.

I would also note that they are happy to cater to other dietary needs. Many of their vegetarian dishes can be easily customized to suit vegan preferences.

The last time I visited Gibran there was a chill in the air, and Shorbat Adas was the soup of the day. It was a lovely vegetarian take on classic lentil soup. It was nicely spiced with cumin and coriander which I found perfectly warming on such a chilly day.

Ristorante Libanese – Gibran (€€) – Calle del Cafetier, 6645, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Suso

Photo credit: Suso

Suso Gelatoteca is just steps away from the iconic Piazza San Marco, in the heart of Venice. Not only is this gelateria a great stop for tourists to find a cool treat, but it also offers a wide range of vegan gelato flavors.

With clean lines and bright lighting, the atmosphere at Suso is vibrant and inviting. They have a lot of the colorful gelato displays you expect to find at a gelateria, with just the right amount of rustic charm.

The vegan gelato options at Suso are made with fresh fruit and all-natural organic ingredients. They also have a full spectrum of refreshing vegan-friendly sorbets in classic flavors like lemon and raspberry, which provide a fruity and refreshing experience without dairy.

My favorite thing to order at Suso is the stracciatella. It has the rich, refreshing, creaminess of a classic Italian gelato. I found the chocolate ribbons to have an impressive depth of flavor and just the right amount of semi-sweet bitterness to cut the richness of the gelato.

Suso Gelatoteca (€) – Sotoportego de la Bissa, 5453, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM.

Conclusion

Of course, there are too many great vegetarian restaurants in Venice to mention in one single article. From Indian restaurants in the Misericordia, and Dorsoduro, to the Orient Experience in the Cannaregio, there are tons of international vegetarian flavors to explore.

So, whether you’re staying in at a hotel near San Polo or in Mestre, there’s sure to be a vegetarian restaurant or two worth adding to your next Venice food tour.