Being in a foreign city trying to find a good, honest restaurant can be tough. Of course there are some countries where it feels like anything you eat will be delicious, but still, I do argue that finding a cosy, fine restaurant with a decent price-quality ratio is not an easy task! Or is it just me and the years of living in Paris that have turned me obsessed about food…
Anyway, I am hereby going to list typical, bistrot-type Venetians restaurants that we came across during our visits in late 2011 and early 2014. This is by no means a comprehensive list (and in no particular order either!), but hopefully gives some idea to other travelers searching beyond the usual and the most touristic recommendations. Some restaurants we obviously liked more than others, so follow your feeling (or ask me for more details)!
1. Osteria da Alberto (http://www.osteriadaalberto.it/) near the hospital. Address: Calle Giacinto Gallina, Cannaregio. 
We visited this restaurant for lunch in 2011 and again in 2014. The prices have gone up a bit (normal), but it is still very reasonable and in our top three. 
+ Honest and delicious home-cooking with fresh ingredients (including octopus!) in a lovely setting
+ Friendly, professional service
+ Perfect for watching locals (English and French spoken)
+ Excellent and very affordable house wine by carafe
+ Heavenly house dessert
2. Osteria Ai 40 Ladroni (http://www.ristorantivenezia.net/osteriai40ladroni.htm) in the north-western part of Canareggio. Address: Fondamenta della Sensa 3253, Cannareggio. 
+ Delicious cuttlefish in ink served with polenta
+ Many seafood options
+ Tables in the lovely garden/courtyard
– Service was not the friendliest and in fact a bit odd…
3. Osteria alla Bifora. Address: Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro. 
+ Very romantic, candles on the table
+ Open late
– Grilled vegetables very bland. Food in general not the tastiest I have had in Venice…
– Wine only by bottle and fairly expensive
4. Osteria Ai 4 Feri. Address: Calle Lunga, Dorsoduro. 
+ Lovely atmosphere
+ Full of locals
+ The best cuttlefish spaghetti I have had in Venice
+ Excellent house wine by carafe
+ Heavenly house dessert
5. Pizzeria Ai Sportivi. Address: Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro. 
+ Good enough pizza
– Seems a bit too touristic…
6. Trattoria Ca D’Oro (also known as Alla Vedova). Address: Calle del Pistor 3912, Cannareggio.
+ Sarde in Saor (sweet and sour sardines) very good
– Extremely long wait
– Unfriendly service
– Disappointing dishes
– Atmosphere looks warm but does not feel like cosy
Should you try any of these restaurants, please let me know what you think. Furthermore, do not forget to reveal your hidden and favorite pearl in Venice so that I can try it during my next visit….
pearlspotting 
Thank You very much for this informative post with lovely photos. We have not been in Venice and I must remember Your post.
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Happy to hear you liked it! I am going to write one more post about Venice, kind of putting everything together, so stay tuned 🙂
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I forget to mention that we’ll visit Paris next May during one week. I will be celebrating the 70th anniversary then. 🙂
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Welcome! If you need help re: hotel etc, let me know. And I can send some restaurant recommendations, too, if you like. Birthday in Paris, sounds good!
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Thank You for Your very kind offer. We love Paris and I have visited there about 30 times. Now it is time for good reason to stay longer. Last time we were there 10 years ago. My trips to Paris have been buying books. I have about 1500 books in French and I have read them thrice. Now the fourth tour is going. To read all of them takes about 10 years.
Why Paris and French. My children, son and daughter, passed their school in Lysée franco-finlandais d’Helsinki and I thought that I must also learn French. Well, maybe I have learned something since 1975.
We booked our holiday from eBookers and we had two criterions:1. Good breakfast. 2. Wi-Fi in room.
All the best to You and Yours.
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Hello and thanks for taking time to respond!
Wow. You are “vanha konkari” as to what comes to Paris 🙂
Do you have a special focus, interest when you buy books? How many are you planning to buy this time?
Since you have been to Paris so many times, maybe you have already reserved a table at your favorite restaurant to celebrate you birthday? (sorry, I am too curious, but always interested in hearing what people like in Paris…)
Have a lovely week ahead and take care.
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You are seriously living a dream! Looking forward to following along, hope you don’t mind. I have Paris on my bucket list… I will get there!
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Hello and thanks for your kind words 🙂 Appreciated!!
My life is not a dream every day but I try to make the best of it. Also something that I think comes with age… 😉
Hope you make it to Paris soon!
PS Living in South Korea? Very interesting cuisine you have there.
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Love your positiveness! Yes, South Korea defiantly isn’t Europe… but like you i make the best of my days too. I enjoy it, for the most part. Lots of fermented foods here.
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There are quite a few Sth Korean restaurants in Paris but I have not been to any for a while. If by any chance you know a good one here, I’d love to hear about it. Thanks.
Ps How long has it been in Sth Korea now for you two?
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Its been over three for the Mr. and almost three for me. I am not familiar with anything in Paris… however you cannot go wrong with a bibimbop dish. Veggies and rice sometimes topped with an egg.
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Hello again 🙂 May I ask, how much longer will you live there?
I hear many people comparing Sth Korea to Finland (my country of origin) so I am interested in visiting it one day.
We had a favorite Korean restaurant called Bada in Paris and then it closed down. Every time we walk by a Korean restaurant, we look inside to see if our Bada has returned 😉 But yes, cannot go wrong with bibimbop!
Have a lovely weekend.
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