The 6 Best Family Restaurants in Venice

Venice’s romantic, mystical nature would lead you to believe it’s a destination best suited to couples and grown-up travelers. While it certainly appeals to each of those groups, it’s also an incredibly welcoming spot for little visitors, with a bunch of family-friendly restaurants.

I’ve noticed many people on my Venice food tours mention how taken aback they were by how popular the city is among families. The assortment of eateries here means youngsters can dabble in Italian food while enjoying some home comforts if they’re a little less adventurous!

These are my top choices for Venice’s family restaurants that are sure to keep both big and small foodies content.

Rio Novo

Photo credit: Rio Novo

Lying where Santa Croce meets Dorsoduro, Rio Novo is a spot that’s sure to appeal to adults and kids alike. It’s just a quick walk from the train station and the nearest vaporetto dock, making it an ideal place to grab a bite to eat when your legs start to tire.

I’ve always found this place to have such a wholesome family vibe. Better still, it’s got a scenic outdoor seating area along the edge of the canal, and that’s all before mentioning its great food and stellar wine list.

When I met up with some friends of mine and their family, the pizzas and lasagnas seemed to be a big hit with the youngsters. My buddy and I split the two-person seafood risotto, which came topped with prawns, clams, and mussels.

The flavors of the mild, firm prawns, minerally clams, and buttery mussels seeped into every bite of the rice, which was creamy with a subtle chewiness. I finished the meal with some tiramisu, and its sugary cream filling and bittersweet tones were the perfect finish to an exquisite meal.

Rio Novo (€€) – Santa Croce, 278, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Al Grill

Al Grill in San Polo is a steakhouse serving up meat-heavy Italian food. It’s close to busy spots like the Rialto Market and plenty of gelato shops that are sure to be popular among the little ones!

The cozy, relaxed atmosphere here made it a lovely spot for a family-style meal. Between the attentive staff and the warm, rustic furnishings, my friends and their kids felt right at home.

While the chicken dishes went down a treat with the children, most of us adults were keen to try the bistecca alla fiorentina, Florence’s famously large and delectable steak. We decided to pair this legendary cut of beef with a glass of wine each, and I opted for the smooth and savory chianti.

This was one of the finest Florentine steaks I’ve tried outside of Tuscany. Each piece of meat was tender and juicy, and adding spicy pepper and nutty garlic enhanced the meat’s robust flavors. We also added some fries, which soaked up the meaty juices beautifully.

Al Grill (€€) – Calle del Tentor, 2097, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm, closed every Tuesday.

Osteria Bancogiro

Osteria Bancogiro is less than a 30-second walk from the Rialto Bridge. It’s situated right alongside the canal, overlooking Cannaregio across the water, but it’s also close to a small square where you can take your kids if they need a little run-around.

The indoor dining area is quite elegant and ambient, making it more suited to families with older children. However, there’s ample space outside on the terrace that’s better suited to younger families, which is where I sat with my friends and their kids.

This wine bar is better known for its cicchetti, but the menu is also full of local specialties and Italian staples. We opted for some plates to share, my favorite of which was the parma ham with burrata and fresh tomatoes.

I loved how the flavors and textures of the salty yet sweet ham contrasted with the soft, milky burrata and its silky consistency. On the side were slices of refreshing tomatoes, giving this appetizer some bright, zesty notes.

Osteria Bancogiro (€€) – Campo San Giacometto, Ponte di Rialto, 122, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:00 am.

1000 Gourmet Venezia

Photo credit: 1000 Gourmet Venezia

If there’s one type of Venice family restaurant that’s always a safe bet, it’s a pizzeria. There’s no shortage of pizza spots in the city, but I’m particularly fond of 1000 Gourmet Venezia near Piazza San Marco.

I’d spent an afternoon with some friends and their families exploring the Doge’s Palace when we decided to grab some food in 1000 Gourmet’s lively dining room. We were lucky to get a table here, as this casual and contemporary eatery was packed full of families with both younger and older kids.

This place specializes in Neapolitan pizza, and the menu features a mix of classic and creative options. I decided to go for one of the diavola, which seemed as popular at our table with the kids as it was with the adults!

The sharp bite from the salami was hot but not overpowering, giving the floral fior di latte and tangy tomato sauce some punch. I firmly believe the crust can make or break a pizza, and in this case, it certainly made it, with its soft and chewy center but gently crisped edges.

1000 Gourmet Venezia (€€) – C. Specchieri, 475, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Osteria Al Portego

Photo credit: Osteria Al Portego

Osteria Al Portego is among the best restaurants for an authentic dining experience, yet it also offers some tasty kid-friendly dishes. I came across this street food-style spot in Castello a few years back and have been recommending it ever since.

They’ve got a low-key vibe, nice staff, and a diverse menu. Their quaint, traditional dining area is a fantastic place to take a breather if you and your kids have spent the day sightseeing in the Venetian sunshine.

We initially came here for the cicchetti, but after seeing how delicious the lasagna order by the kids, I had to get one for myself. It was a challenge to finish after tucking into a few tapas-style plates, but it was most definitely worth making some room for!

The layers of rich, meaty ragu, sumptuous béchamel sauce, and fresh pasta were heavenly and perfectly proportioned. As fantastic as the cicchetti were, this is the dish I’ll be returning here for.

Osteria Al Portego (€€) – Calle de la Malvasia, 6014, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Osteria Al Duomo

Photo credit: Osteria Al Duomo

Osteria Al Duomo is my top pick for Venice family restaurants in Murano, with its extensive menu and laid-back setting.

The picturesque courtyard area is super family-friendly, offering plenty of shade and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like an escape from the crowded streets.

I almost went for a pizza, as most of the younger diners at our table did, but instead chose the pistachio pesto with spaghetti and prawns. It appeared to be one of their most ordered dishes, so I was curious to try it out.

Classic pesto is a sauce I’ll never get sick of, but I love how using pistachios gives it a hint of sweetness without distracting from the earthy basil and umami parmesan. This sauce clung to every piece of al dente spaghetti and elevated the prawn’s delicate, salty flavors.

Osteria Al Duomo (€€) – Fondamenta Andrea Navagero, 20/21, 30141 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every Monday to Wednesday and from Friday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, closed every Thursday.

Conclusion

Finding somewhere you and your kids are happy to dine is often an arduous task. In the City of Canals, this isn’t quite as much of an issue as this line-up of Venice family restaurants is not only exceptional but continuously expanding.