Lido is the 12-kilometers-wide strip of land and sand that acts as a barrier between the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. This thin, narrow, and long island is part of Venice and is mainly known worldwide for its Film Festival, which is held there every year.
The island has been inhabited since ancient times, but it became famous in the 1920s when poets, writers, and other well-known people found their haunt there. Therefore, you can today enjoy magnificent Art Nouveau villas, elegant grand hotels, and historic bathing establishments.
Tourists love to visit Lido because it is much less crowded than the main Venice island. The crowds come only for the Film Festival, while this sandy island is very peaceful the rest of the year. If you find yourself on Lido island, sooner or later, you will look for some restaurants to have lunch or dinner. Here are the best restaurants in Lido Venice:
(This article contains 5 restaurants in Lido Venice, which are best in our subjective opinion. The order of the restaurants is not related to the quality they offer. Every restaurant has its pros and cons, so choose one based on your personal preferences.)
Trattoria Andri
Trattoria Andri is a cute family-run restaurant tucked away on a side street overlooking a canal. However, still only a few minutes walk from the main street in Lido di Venezia.
It offers a small outside eating area and a much larger, beautifully decorated interior for its guests. Stepping inside, you will be amazed by the artwork adorning the walls and quirky Murano glasses and jugs.
But the best thing about this restaurant is definitely its food. The restaurant offers delicious, traditional, fresh dishes at a reasonable cost, especially compared to most Venice prices. There is predominantly seafood on the menu, but you will also find other classic Italian and Venetian dishes like pasta and meat food.
Keep in mind that the restaurant is always fully booked, so reservations in advance are essential. Also, you will find many locals there, which is always a good sign that you are at the right place.
Worth mentioning is that the owners and servers are very friendly and prompt, and it feels like they love being hosts and offering a wonderful evening to their guests. According to that, they will serve you free homemade grappa after your meal, an alcoholic beverage made from the skins of wine grapes.
Trattoria Andri is located in Via Lepanto 21, 650 meters (0.4 miles) away from the Vaporetto stop on Lido. It is open every day except Monday from 7:00 PM (19:00 hours) to 10:00 PM (22:00 hours), while on Sunday, you can also visit it between 12:00 PM (12:00 hours) and 2:30 PM (14:30 hours).
- Location: Via Lepanto 21
- Website: RistranteAndri.eatbu.com
- Distance: 650 meters (0.4 miles) from the Vaporetto stop
- Phone: +39 041 526 5482
La Tavernetta
La Tavernetta is a small restaurant with just a few indoor tables close to the famous hotel Excelsior. It is a quaint restaurant set nicely on a covered patio with vines and flowers to add to the ambiance.
The restaurant offers first-class dining in an informal, relaxed atmosphere, so you can expect high-end, well-cooked, and stylish food. Prices are very reasonable for the quality you get, and the quantity of food is pretty sufficient.
The menu is very innovative and inspired by different Italian regions, mostly Tuscan and Venetian cuisine. Therefore, you will find mostly seafood, pasta, and meat dishes on the menu. There is also a great wine selection, and the staff is very knowledgeable about pairing wines with the food, so do not hesitate to seek suggestions.
This restaurant is very popular with tourists and locals, especially during the summer season and film festivals, so reservations are highly recommended. La Tavernetta is located in Via Morosini 4, which is 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) far from the Vaporetto stop on Lido. It is open every day from 12:30 PM (12:30 hours) to 2:00 PM (14:00 hours) and from 7:00 PM (19:00 hours) until 10:00 PM (22:00 hours).
- Location: Via Morosini 4
- Website: LaTavernettaLido.com
- Distance: 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from the Vaporetto stop
- Phone: +39 041 526 1417
Ristorante Al Cavaliere
Ristorante Al Cavaliere is an excellent restaurant located a short walk from the Vaporetto station. The restaurant has a sitting area at the front, a reasonable-sized indoor, and a cozy yet fancy garden area with a fountain and plenty of shade. It is perfect for families with little kids because there is also a small playground for children.
Ristorante Al Cavaliere offers a classic Italian menu with gluten-free and vegan options. It is a nice place if you want to eat delicious pizza or pasta. Because of its position, the prices are not the cheapest but entirely in line with the quality. The staff is very attentive, kind, and always ready to help.
Overall, this restaurant is a typical Italian place where you can eat delicious, simple meals and have a great time. Ristorante Al Cavaliere is located in Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta 57/A, 450 meters (0.3 miles) away from the Vaporetto stop on Lido. It is open every day from 11:00 AM (11:00 hours) to 11:00 PM (23:00 hours).
- Location: Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta 57/A
- Website: AlCavaliere.business.site
- Distance: 450 meters (0.3 miles) from the Vaporetto stop
- Phone: +39 041 276 0373
La Cantinita
If you are looking for something other than pizza, pasta, and seafood, don’t miss out on this little gem. La Cantinita is a small family-run place located off the tourist path and the only Mexican restaurant on the island. It offers authentic Mexican and Italian dishes, which are fresh, well-cooked, and mouth-watering.
Especially good are homemade tacos, tortillas, and salsa made of high-quality ingredients. Besides, you can order delicious burgers, fries, pizzas, and calzone. The restaurant also has a wide variety of beers, wines, and cocktails, which is perfect for those who wanna hang out with their friends for the night.
Keep in mind that portions are really big, so if you are hungry, choose this restaurant. Prices are the same as everywhere in Venice, a little bit higher than in other Italian cities. The staff is very polite, and the whole atmosphere is warm, charming, and fun. La Cantinita is located in Via Sandro Gallo 82, around 1.4 kilometers (0.8 miles) far from the Vaporetto stop on Lido. It is open every day except Monday from 7:00 PM (19:00 hours) to 10:30 PM (22:30 hours).
- Location: Via Sandro Gallo 82
- Website: La-Cantinita-Mexican-Restaurant.business.site
- Distance: 1.4 kilometers (0.8 miles) from the Vaporetto stop
- Phone: +39 345 509 7457
Gera Ora
Gera Ora is a small restaurant owned by a father and son in the center of the busiest street on Lido. It offers traditional Venetian cuisine with fancy presentations. Therefore, you can mostly order delicious seafood and pasta dishes.
The menu isn’t huge, which is a positive sign that the food is always freshly cooked. This charming restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating area, modern decor, great drink choices, and a cozy atmosphere.
Given the location and the food quality, the prices are average for the main street on Lido but slightly more expensive than in restaurants in hidden lanes. Keep in mind that many restaurants in Lido are only open for dinner, so Gera Ora is a really good choice for lunch. The staff is very welcoming, and you will feel like you are at home. Gera Ora is located in Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta 63/B, which is 600 meters (0.4 miles) away from the Vaporetto stop on Lido. It is open every day from 11:00 AM (11:00 hours) until 10:30 PM (22:30 hours).
- Location: Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta 63/B
- Website: none
- Distance: 600 meters (0.4 miles) from the Vaporetto stop
- Phone: +39 041 268 6139
Where to find the best restaurants in Lido Venice?
Although less crowded than the main island of Venice, Lido is still a popular tourist destination, so there are many tourist traps. The best restaurants are usually located in hidden lanes and off-beaten paths. However, there are some excellent restaurants in the center of Lido, but you can only recognize them if you have previously read some reviews.
The main cuisine on this lovely island is seafood, so if you plan to eat that, be sure to have a freshly cooked meal. Otherwise, you can get food poisoning, so knowing where you are eating is essential.
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