Venice offers myriad gastronomic attractions, with seafood, fish and vegetables grown on the islands of the lagoon featured prominently in their cuisine. World-famous cocktails (the Bellini and the Spritz both trace their origins to Venice) and local wines (hello, Prosecco) pour freely, with breathtaking views accompanying every sip. To get around the tourist traps, feel free to wander away from the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco to explore the larger, less-crowded areas of Dorsoduro, Cannaregio or Castello.
Best restaurant splurge in Venice
Oro restaurant, Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel
Located inside the glam, luxurious Hotel Cipriani, on the island of Giudecca in the Venetian Lagoon, Oro offers fine dining at its best. Under chef Riccardo Canella (formerly of Noma), the restaurant has earned a Michelin star thanks to its imaginative eight-course menu, which highlights local ingredients such as fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea. Not staying on the island? Take the Cipriani’s water taxi from a private pier near the Piazza San Marco.
belmond.com
Most unique place to visit in Venice
Ca’ Select
You haven’t had a real Spritz until you’ve had a Venetian Spritz. Select Aperitivo, the main ingredient of the original Venetian Spritz, has recently opened its first brand house, Ca’ Select, in a former industrial laboratory in the Cannaregio district. The refined space was designed by Marcante-Testa architects and is a study of Venetian makers and materials manufacturers. Enjoy your Spritz at a steel bar covered with fused glass plates typical of the Murano style, and be sure to admire the terrazzo floor, which is enriched with inlays of red glass and blue sodalite marble – elements chosen to complement Select’s elegant brand colours.
caselect.selectaperitivo.it
Best wine bar in Venice
Vino Vero
Also located in the historic Cannaregio district, this wine bar opened its doors in 2014, becoming the first space in Venice dedicated to natural wine. It also serves up arguably the best cicchetti in the city, incorporating many local ingredients. Just don’t think about ordering a Spritz here – it’s proudly off the menu.
vinovero.wine
Best rooftop restaurant in Venice
Restaurant Terrazza Danieli
The rooftop terrace of the historic Hotel Danieli is the best spot in Venice to enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner. Panoramic views of the lagoon, the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute are an added delight.
hoteldanieli.com
Best outdoor patio in Venice
Arts Bar
The Arts Bar at The St. Regis Venice serves creative cocktails inspired by – no surprise – the arts. Every cocktail has a “story” and is served in a specially created hand-blown glass. Order the Venetian Cobbler, watch it arrive in a cloud of green-tea smoke and savour it while the sun sets over the Grand Canal.
artsbarvenice.com
Best boutique hotel in Venice
Ca’ di Dio
Located at the entrance to the Arsenal district, Ca’ di Dio is an unassuming five-star gem. The rather austere-looking building, a former monastery and hostel that dates back to the 13th century, has an imposing facade that belies the chic interiors. A discreet entryway, reached via water taxi or gondola, leads to a bright hall overlooking a courtyard. The lobby is sleekly decorated, with sinuous velvet couches and Murano-glass light fixtures. But the magic comes when you ascend the marble-clad stairs to your scrupulously appointed guest room; try to book one of the rooms that have a spectacular view of the lagoon. Before you head out for the evening, make sure to stop at the Alchemia Bar – rated one of the best hotel bars in Venice – or a Venetian Spritz.
