Venice

Nabbing one of the eight tables at this tiny, cramped restaurant near the Santa Maria Formosa church is a major coup. — Concierge

This tiny up-market restaurant is always an experience, with engaging chef Gianni Bonaccorsi involving his customers in all his creative angst. — Time Out

"Divine fish and seafood", "simply and elegantly prepared", comes "highly recommended" at this "intimate" Castello "gem" run by a Texan pastry chef. — Zagat

An osteria in name only, this restaurant has an elegant ambience, with two romantic tables overlooking the canal. — Michelin Guide

If you're in the mood for more varied and slightly exotic dishes, prepared with a lightness of touch, this is the place to go. — Michelin Guide

Well-heeled tourists and visiting celebrities have been coming to Harry's Bar, a Venice institution, since Giuseppe Cipriani opened it right on the St. Mark's waterfront in 1931. — Travel + Leisure

Be-suited waiters serve cappuccino on silver trays, lovers canoodle in plush banquettes and the orchestra strikes up as the sunset illuminates San Marco’s mosaics. — Lonely Planet

It's worth the "trek" to San Polo to experience this little "treasure" dishing out "seriously good" Venetian cooking. — Zagat

This classy inn is managed by young professionals who serve seafood and traditional dishes, but they also offer some interesting culinary innovations. — Michelin Guide

Possibly the best bang for your buck in San Marco, this elegant trattoria with its rustic-chic decor serves superlative Venetian dishes. — Lonely Planet

Huge and historic Burano restaurant, whose refined fish and seafood dishes have no lack of local devotees – the fish-broth risotto is famous. — Rough Guide

Carlo Pistacchi whips up delicious gelato completely from scratch, and is endlessly experimenting with imaginative flavors. — Fodor's

In this well-known fish restaurant in the Rialto area, waiters dash around loaded with platters of traditional seafood, such as delicate granceola (spider crab) and seppie in nero. — DK Eyewitness

Now run by the Alajmo family - renowned restaurant owners from Padua - the Quadri is one of Venice's 'gastronomic monuments'. — Michelin Guide

"Charming", "cozy" family-run trattoria "a bit off the beaten path" in Cannaregio offering "superior" Venetian cuisine backed by an "intriguing" wine list. — Zagat

This romantic taverna overlooks the Grand Canal from a small, charming piazza, and while the a la carte options can be pricey, the secret is to time your visit for the buffets. — Frommer's

The Giudecca is a strange island, with a jolly resident community of tough old boat builders and dreadlocked types seemingly untouched by the tourism of Venice proper. — Concierge

Perhaps the most beguiling view in Venice is from this enticing osteria, right opposite the Squero di San Trovaso. — Frommer's

Paesanos with a hankering for "old, historic recipes" "cooked skillfully" frequent this Venetian "close to San Marco" where they can also sample vino from a large list. — Zagat

The pan-Italian menu reflects the origins of its owners—one Venetian, one Roman, and one from Bari in the deep south. — Concierge