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The 10 Best Restaurants In San Polo, Venice

Sandro Lazarri /
Sandro Lazarri / | © Culture Trip

A neighbourhood with a mix of tourist sights and residential areas, San Polo is the home of the Rialto Market, thereby providing restaurants in the area with the freshest ingredients. Here is a list of restaurants that you can’t miss if you’re looking to get a taste of fresh Venetian seafood.

Da Fiore

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
Located in an old Venetian taverna, Da Fiore is full of history, and has become one of the most well-known restaurants in Venice. Diners can try a menu full of original recipes, and a mix of modern and traditional dishes such as bass in balsamic vinegar or moleche. Everyone who visits this Michelin-starred restaurant is sure to leave satisfied.

Trattoria Antiche Carampane

Restaurant, Italian

A warm and intimate setting, Antiche Carampane seeks to provide a familial ambiance to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. The restaurant is a favorite with politicians and media personalities and features a classic menu with a variety of different pasta and seafood options. Guests can dine under the stars on the outdoor terrace and are always provided with fast and friendly service.

Antica Birraria La Corte

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
A rustic restaurant, Antica Birraria La Corte used to be a brewery, and today guests can still indulge in an excellent draft beer with their meal. With a view of the canal and a delicious menu, this restaurant is popular with the locals. Diners can try a variety of different pizzas as well as grilled scallops, beef carpaccio and vongole pasta.

Muro Frari

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
Overlooking Rio Tera, guests at Muro Frari have a beautiful view of one of Venice’s many cathedrals. In addition to the view, the restaurant has a warm atmosphere, brought about by the dark wood, brick and mosaic decor. The menu offers a vast selection of draft beers as well as Italian and foreign wines to pair with any dish, making for a well-rounded meal.

Al Merca

Bar, Food Kiosk, Market, Wine Bar, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip

This tiny bar near Rialto market is packed full with tiny sandwiches, meatballs, tramezzini and other such nibbles. People love to hang out in the campo here, so get something delicious and sit amongst the buzzing crowd.

Antico Forno

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
Antico Forno With a range of thin and thick crust pizzas, Antico Forno is the place to go for quick pizza on the go without sacrificing taste. The restaurant is squeezed between two other stores and can be easy to miss, but the search is worth it and the staff are very friendly. The venue has a loyal following of customers from around the world.

All'Arco

Bar, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Sandro Lazarri / Culture Trip
Just off the Rialto Market, the Rialto daytime bar, All’Arco, is a truly authentic place to enjoy a glass of wine or spritz during the day. Aside from a tiny two-person table on the street in front of the bar, All’Arco offers standing space only. White and red wine are the drinks of choice with an excellent selection of Italian wines, mostly front small vineyards and individual producers in the north-east of the country. All’Arco is a great place to experience local culture and mingle with Venetians.

Ristorante Al Paradiso

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
Ristorante Al Paradiso Originally part of a convent, Ristorante Al Paradiso features a beautiful wooden beamed dining room and veranda. The servers are happy to serve Venetian specialties such as grilled fish, swordfish carpaccio, and mussel and seafood pasta, and with a location away from the bustling streets, this is an excellent spot to sit back and truly enjoy the city at night.

Antico Giardinetto

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
Antico Giardinetto An elegant family-run restaurant located near Rialto Fish Market, Antico Giardinetto is the perfect place to go to find fresh seafood dishes. The warm and homey atmosphere makes an evening out romantic, and each dish of homemade pasta is prepared with care. After the meal, be sure to try on their delicious desserts for a complete taste of Italy.

La Porta d'Acqua

Restaurant, Italian

San Polo Central Area-Venice-Italy
© Culture Trip
La Porta d’Acqua A historic setting complete with frescoes, La Porta d’Acqua is the place to go for lovers of Renaissance history and art. The restaurant offers a menu of Mediterranean and Southern Italian cuisine, providing a break from the many seafood restaurants in the city. All the dishes are seasonal and there is gluten-free pasta on request, so no one has to miss out on the popular Italian staple.

About the author

Riley is a recent graduate from the George Washington University with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Communication, and currently lives outside Philadelphia. An aspiring travel writer and editor, she has a passion for learning about cultures and loves food, rock climbing and cycling.

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