The insider’s guide to eating out in Venice

Fish and seafood dominate the menus of Venice as they have for centuries. But there’s much more besides. Sergio Torcellan, concierge at the Hotel Flora, is our guide to good eating in the city which gave the world the table fork and hasn’t looked back.

€1 = 79p

Ai Mercanti        San Marco 4346/a Calle dei Fuseri
Creative cooking and understated elegance in a small square near St Mark’s. Except for the spaghetti, the pasta is home-made, as are the deserts. Recent example: iced zabaglione with port and melon. Splash out on the six-course menu at €80. contact: +39 041-523 8269 aimercanti.com
Al Paradiso Calle del Paradiso San Polo 767
Authentic taste of Venice. Try the Seppie con polenta (cuttlefish with polenta), Fegato alla Veneziana (calf¹s liver with onion and white wine), or Pappardelle ai frutti di mare (wide strips of pasta, with seafood). 
About €60 pp with wine. contact: +39 041-523 4910 cortealparadiso.comTrattoria GiorgioneVia Garibaldi 1533, Castello
Traditional seafood off the tourist trail. Try the Pasticcio di pesce - rather like a fish lasagna. Owner Lucio Bisutto is liable to get out his guitar and serenade guests on the terrace.
Three courses with house wine, about €45 pp. contact: +39 041-522 8727Trattoria da PaoloCampo Arsenale 2387/89, Castello
Opposite the imposing main entrance to the Arsenale. Mostly fish and seafood, but also pasta and meat dishes. Try the Spaghetti della casa with seafood and scampi. Great home-made cakes. About €40 pp for three courses and wine. contact: +39 041-521 0660Osteria ai PescatoriPiazza Galuppi 371, Burano
Cross to Burano for excellent seafood in this 200 year old restaurant: try the moeche fritti, fried baby crabs from the Burano lagoon. Come in winter for local game. Set menus at €50 or €70, with wine. Tables outside with canal view. Vaporetti around the clock.
contact: +39 041-730 650 ·