Restaurants in Veneto: Top 10

What are the best restaurants in Veneto?

Before viewing some of them, let's see together the characteristics of Venetian cuisine.

With its centuries-old history, the city of Venice is a culinary master. Take an evening stroll in this beautiful Italian metropolis and follow me as I show you how to prepare some classic dishes such as spaghetti alle vongole orrisani with fresh clams in an olive oil sauce topped with shucked oysters right at your table!
Venetian people are known not only for their love of food, but also for entertaining, so they can appreciate fine wines while dining on exquisite desserts from nearby patisseries such as Grommini's, serving deliciously rich cannoli since 1876…

Intense and delicate flavors are the basis of Venetian cuisine, which find their roots in the history and geographical conformation of the territory. The main products that characterize the typical dishes are rice, polenta, cod.

The flavor profiles of Venetian cuisine are a study in contrasts. On the one hand there are the rich, heavy dishes that were common in royal courts and churches across Europe centuries ago – think pasta with a thick tomato sauce or lasagna bubbling under golden layers of cheese; these will fill your stomach but leave little room for anything else.

The rice comes from the Arab regions with which the Republic of Venice was in commercial contact. In the plains of the Veronese area, the "vialone" quality began to be cultivated, with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), with a particular flavor coming from the alkaline soil in which it grows. Among the dishes related to rice, we find "Risi e Bisi" and "Risi e Fegadini".

Restaurants in Veneto

Polenta is, above all, the representative dish of Veneto, symbol of the popular tradition of this region. Its yellow color comes from corn flour, which arrived in Europe thanks to maritime trade. There is also white polenta, typical of Polesine and the areas between Padua and Venice. The "Wooden Tajer" is the typical wooden cutting board used to rest the polenta, as it absorbs the humidity and conserves the heat.

Cod comes from the northern seas. "Cod Vicentina style" can be prepared in different variations, using milk or potatoes, but the only thing that cannot be changed is its cooking which takes about 2 hours.

Restaurants in Veneto

Another product of the Venetian gastronomy is radicchio: the typical purple-coloured vegetable appreciated for its bitter taste, coming from the Treviso area with the PGI mark of origin.

The only pasta truly typical of this region is "Bigoli", thick spaghetti, made using a hand-operated press.

Restaurants in Veneto

Not to be forgotten are the typical dishes such as "sardines in saor", i.e. fried fish seasoned with raisins, vinegar, pine nuts and toasted onions, and "oca in onto", where the meat is marinated in garlic, oil, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Among the desserts we should mention the "zaletti alla veneziana", whose name recalls the color of the yellow flour used for the preparation or the shape of the rooster which is made with the pasta. Another very popular dessert are the "Golosessi" skewers, prepared with dried figs, walnuts and apricots dipped in caramelized sugar and then skewered one by one into wooden sticks.

The Venetian cuisine can only be tasted on site, thus guaranteeing uniqueness and authenticity.

Among the various productions of this territory, one of the main ones is that of wine.Among the most precious we find Amarone, Bardolino, Valpicella and Soave.

The Veneto can boast one of the most precious sparkling wines, the Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, and in particular the Cartizze.

No less important is the production of grappa, grape distillates prepared according to ancient recipes, which have reached high levels of quality and are sold all over the world.

Among the places where you can taste the various typical products, we offer you the selection of 10 restaurants in Veneto, among the best in the region:

• The "Calandre" in Rubano, can count on the guidance of the Ajamo brothers, respectively expert chef and sommelier of the cellar always stocked with the best Italian and French wines.

• The "Desco", located in the historic center of Verona, founded and managed by Elia Rizzo and his family, in a prestigious ancient building.
• The "Peca" of Vicenza, whose name means trace, imprint in the Vicenza dialect. Led by the Portinari brothers, their menus range from fresh pasta, fish and meat.

• Restaurant "Perbellini" with a refined cuisine, where flavors and raw materials of the highest quality are the colors of the Chef's palette. The Perbellini family's passion for wines is the perfect complement to the dishes.
• The Antica Osteria Cera, in Lughetto, boasts two Michelin stars. Lovers of pure fish will find the satisfaction sought in traditional recipes focused on the quality of the product.

Restaurants in Veneto

• The "Locanda San Lorenzo", is located in the province of Belluno, and was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Osvaldo dal Farra. Run by Chef Renzo and his young team it has received a Michelin star. The cellar has 800 labels selected from the various Italian and foreign excellences.
• "At Capriolo", a Michelin star restaurant you can find top quality products, finesse in the preparations, distinct flavors and consistency in the creation of the dishes.

• The restaurant "Aga" in San Vito di Cadore, where you can find technique, avant-garde and originality. Few tables to better spoil your guests with more sophisticated proposals.
• The "Feva" restaurant boasts a cuisine that respects the territory, influenced by the seasons, which revalues poor ingredients and traditional recipes. Here you will find mastery of the world of wines, the art and elegance of serving in the dining room.

• The "Ridotto Restaurant" is a small gourmet restaurant with only 9 tables, which was founded in 2006 thanks to the passion of Chef Gianni Bonaccorsi. The proposed cuisine is anchored to the products of the sea and the land. The dishes offered are researched and change according to the season.

All you have to do is choose which cuisine to try based on your tastes. These are some of the best restaurants in Veneto. We are sure that none of these restaurants will disappoint you.