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Exploring Venice as a Vegetarian

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Exploring Venice as a Vegetarian

It is not easy to find vegetarian restaurants in Venice amidst all the seafood, pizzas, cicchetis and gnocchi. But We like a challenge here at BonAppetour, so we have dug up the best vegetarian restaurants to satisfy all your veggie needs.

1. La Zucca

 

With a rating of 4.5 on Tripadvisor, La Zucca is easily one of the best restaurants that offers vegetarian food. You can start your meal with a Tagliatelle with tomatoes and eggplant from its ever changing menu and finish with mouthwatering strawberries and cream topped with chocolate sauce. If your companion isn't a vegetarian and would love a fix of meat, there is also the choice of a juicy duck thigh with apples.

2. Bar Rialto da Lollo 

This is the place that you need to go to for breakfast if you are in Venice. Bar Rialto da Lollo has the best tramezzini (sandwiches with white bread). Located near the Rialto Bridge, it is the perfect place to start your day of adventure. It has a wide array of sandwiches with very affordable prices of around 2 euros. Not to mention the serving size is huge too.

3. Bone Robe

 

In a cozy cafe setting, each order is cooked on the spot. With fresh and seasonal ingredients, their food is healthy and hearty. Their handsome chef is an added bonus. *wink wink*

4. Le Spighe

This is one of raved-about vegetarian places to eat. Le Spighe is not solely a restaurant. It is mainly a health food store that also sells vegetarian foods. You can choose from the dishes on display which changes everyday according to what the chef cooks. It is priced based on weight. If you have a specific allergy, don't be afraid to tell the chef so that you can work out which is the best dish for you.

5. Walter's Cooking Class

Why eat out when you can customize and learn to whip up your own venice-inspired vegetarian concoction using the freshest ingredients right off the market. Walter, a professional tour guide, chef and blogger, can take you on a tour of the local Venetian markets, choose the best vegetables and teach you how to make your own gourmet vegetarian meal. Doesn't that sound fantastic?

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Eat Like A Local In Venice: 5 Places Without Tourist Traps

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One of most common things that will happen when you are travelling is that you end up in a ridiculously expensive restaurant after being ushered in by an overly enthusiastic waiter. Experienced travelers will tell you to avoid such tourist traps with menus that are in more than 3 languages and with blatant picture displays. But where do you find best non touristy places to eat like a true Venice local?

While some of the Venetian restaurants might have accumulated a bad reputation for themselves as having exorbitant prices, we want to introduce to you some of the places where locals eat to get a taste of good, authentic local food without burning a hole in your pocket (or falling into a tourist trap!).

1. Trattoria Alla Rampa

Castello, 1135, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy (Via Garibaldi)

Telephone: +39 041 528 5365

Lunch only, closed on Sunday

Located in a working-class neighbourhood, Trattoria Alla Rampa is a popular lunch spot for the residents who live in this neighborhood. Their wallet-friendly “worker’s menu”, which consists of pasta, main course, wine and coffee, is excellent value for €13. And it probably explains why they are always packed with locals for lunch. At 1pm, the menu switches to offering home-styled Venetian dishes. Dishes can include veal scaloppini (similar to a veal cutlet),  risi e bisi (Venetian rice and peas) and squid ink pasta. Pasta costs €10 and main dishes around €14.

2. Venetian fish cooked by a true Venice seaman, Massimo

The reviews on his page to book speak for themselves and you cannot get more local than enjoy a freshly cooked fish in a Venetian’s own home. Venice’s widely popular home-chef and seaman Massimo offers the freshest seafood cuisine and guarantees a taste of the 7 seas with his meal in an ancient home in central Venice. Feel free to check him out here.

3.Osteria Al Portego

Castello San Lio, 6014, 30122 Venezia, Italy

+39 041 522 9038

When you are in venice, you definitely need to try out their cichetti, which are small snacks or side dishes typically served in bacari or also know as cichetti bars in Venice. Osteria Al Portego has a wide selection of cichetti such as fried stuffed zucchini flowers and bread with baccalà (dried salted cod). If you are in for a drink, join them for their happy hour and choose from their large selection of wines.

4. Ristorante Dalla Marisa

Cannaregio, 652, 30171 Venezia, Italy

+39 041 720211

Given its appearance, this restaurant might not attract your attention but it sure did catch the eyes of editors at Jamie Oliver’s travel magazine. This intimate, cozy restaurant does not have an a la carte menu but instead offer dishes that change daily, depending on what ingredients are available. If you are up for good seafood and would happily go where locals would go, then you are at the right place.

5. Osteria da Alberto

osteria-da-alberto

Calle Giacinto Gallina – Cannaregio, 5401, 30121 Venezia, Italy
+39 041 523 8153

Located between Campo San Giovanni e Paolo and the Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Osteria da Alberto is a local’s favourite, especially around lunchtime. They serve authentic and classic Venetian cuisines such as risotto and spaghetti with squid ink. Their daily specials menu is ever changing based on the season and what the chef can find in the local seafood market, so you can be sure that everything is fresh. Go in, grab a table and let them surprise you.

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Must-Try Foods in Venice

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Must-Try Foods in Venice

You may be visiting Venice for the renowned Carnival of Venice, or just traversing her beautiful grounds for sight-seeing. For the best local dishes you may also like to dine with the locals and get a taste of the true Venetian culinary experience.

Either way, don’t leave this city without having a taste of these Venetian classics. Finding the best Venice food is easier than you imagine and some of these popular dishes of the Venetian cuisine give you a great taste of the traditional Italian food:

1. Sarde in Saor

The sarde in saor is a classic Italian antipasto that you absolutely have to try. This dish of sweet and sour sardines are cooked in a tangy sauce containing an eclectic mix of ingredients, such as onions, pine nuts, and raisins.

Fried sardines are commonly used, but the dish tastes just as good when the fish is broiled.

2. Squid Ink Risotto or Pasta

Do not let the unattractive appearances of squid ink dishes fool you into thinking that these dishes are unappetising. Savour a mouthful of a squid ink risotto dish, and you will be charmed – the sweetness of the risotto rice, the salty tastes of fresh seafood and the briny flavors of the squid ink all blend well together.

Simply garnished with a sprinkle of spring onion, the dish is completed and served.

3. Bigoli in Salsa

A signature dish of Venice, the bigoli in salsa is made with whole wheat bigoli pasta, onions, and salt-cured fish. Traditionally, sardines was used in the preparation of this dish, but the anchovy is more commonly used today.

4. Fegato alla Veneziana 

Calf liver may be the main ingredient in the Fegato alla Veneziana, but do not be put off by this dish, for it wins over diners who are not fans of the liver. Cooked with stewed onions, the pungent tastes of the liver are masked by the sweet flavours of the onions. Tender and tasty, this is a classic dish not to be missed.

5. Moleche

A seasonal Venetian treat consumed during spring and autumn, moleche are soft shell crabs from the lagoon in Venice. The males and female crabs shed their shells during springtime, while only the males molt during the autumn months.

Timing is crucial when it comes to managing the molting process, for there is a short duration of about five to six hours before the crabs form a new shell that hardens after contact with water. This seafood delicacy yields a soft and tender bite, and is usually eaten fried, in a salad and served with polenta or mashed potatoes.

6. Folpeti

Must-Try Foods in Venice

Folpeti is a dish of baby octopus simmered in a broth with olive oil and lemon juice. It is used as a filling for sandwiches and seasoned with additional lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

7. Baccala Mantecato

Also known as polenta with dry cod mousse, baccala mantecato is usually served on a piece of baguette or a slice of grilled polenta. The mousse is prepared by drying and salting the cod, before soaking the fish in water to remove the salt. The cod is then poached and blended into a smooth, mousse-like consistency.

8.Tramezzini

Perfect as a breakfast or snack, tramezzini are triangular sandwiches made with white bread without crusts. Fillings such as tuna, olives and prosciutto are popular options, but a plethora of ingredients can be used to create different variations of this snack.

9. Bellini

Originating from Venice, this well-loved cocktail was created by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harry’s Bar. The concoction contains a mixture of Prosecco sparkling wine and peach puree. In the original recipe, a dash of cherry or raspberry juice was added to give the drink a pretty pink hue.

A tip for budget travelers: try the Bellini at other bars, for a small glass of this cocktail can easily cost over €20 at Harry’s.

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Don’t just read all about these Venetian delights – have a taste of these treats in the homes of the locals in Venice!

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