Restaurants
Restaurants can be hit or miss in Venice. You really have to watch for tell-tale signs of bad restaurants. The reason the food offered can be so bad is largely due to tourism. Since they cater to the unsuspecting tourist they don't need to build up a rapport because there really is no repeat business.
Restuarant Tips
- Beware of places where patrons try to drag you in to eat.
- Use a guide. The Lonely Planet or Frommers work well.
- Look for travel guide stickers in the windows from guides like those mentioned above.
- Beware of menus translated into many languages...Especially English. If you are trying to use the language this is a chance to challenge yourself since the probability of ordering in english being successful will be lower.
- Find a place off the beaten path.
- Find a place where most of the customers are locals. I've seen this suggested in other guides but how do you know who is a local? This is really the most difficult thing to distinguish. I suppose if there is a lot of english spoken you may want to steer clear.
Tips to save money
- If staying in a hotel try to get one that includes breakfast. This may not necessarily save you money but it will be very convenient and save you time and hassle, which is worth the price I think.
- Buy a lunch from a grocery store like SMA(supermarket chain). There is one in Campo Margherita. For two people we spent 6 euro which included bread, cheese, water, desert(mars bar) and fruit. This is much less than buying at a restaurant.
- Be aware of the cover charge. It applies to each member of your party. The most expensive cover we ran into was 5 euro. Sometimes this includes bread and sometimes not.
- Get gelato instead of a restaurant dessert. These are much more expensive, but if you're sick of ice cream by all means get that chocolate cake. I did and don't regret it even though my stomach would say otherwise.
Ice Cream Tips(Gelato!)
- Il Doge...Il Doge...Il Doge...This is the best place I found. There is one in Campo Margherita.