Bellinis and baby octopus: where to eat and drink during the Venice Biennale

Top restaurants

ANTICO MARTINI

Campo Teatro Fenice, San Marco 2007

Located near La Fenice Opera House, this traditional Venetian restaurant serves delicious seafood platters and some of the city’s best risotto.

OSTERIA ALLE TESTIERE

Calle del Mondo Novo, Castello 5801

Arguably one of the best places for fish and shellfish, expect simple dishes, imaginatively plated, accompanied by great service and excellent wines.

OSTARIA BOCCADORO

Campo Widmann, Cannaregio 5405/a

Chef Luciano Orlandi’s passion for cooking centres around natural flavours and fresh seafood from the Rialto market. Dine in the elegant dining room or on the terrace.

OSTERIA DI SANTA MARINA

Campo Santa Marina, Castello 5911

A warm, welcoming restaurant with al fresco dining during the summer, offering a tasty combination of traditional and innovative recipes.

DA FIORE

Calle del Scaleter, San Polo 2202

One of the most famous restaurants in Venice, Da Fiore’s high-end service and delicious traditional dishes have earned it a Michelin star.

Smaller restaurants

VECIO FRITOLIN

Calle della Regina, Santa Croce 2262

This restaurant serving traditional Venetian cuisine is not far from the Rialto fish market. The menu is creative and light, serving only the highest quality local produce.

OSTERIA MOCENIGO

Salizada San Stae, San Polo 1919

Located near the Ca’ Pesaro museum, this casual restaurant serves authentic Venetian cuisine.

OSTERIA AL VECIO FORNO

Calle dei Albanesi, Dorsoduro 3924

This eatery specialises in Neapolitan pizza, pasta and fish.

CURATOR’S TIP One of our favourite pasticcerie [pastry shops] is Rosa Salva. A favourite place for a fancy dinner is Da Fiore, run by the Martin family and one of only eight Michelin-starred restaurants in Venice. An added bonus is that it has a no-shorts, no-tank top policy. Another place we love, which is more casual, is Trattoria Corte Sconta: nothing beats sitting in its vine-covered courtyard and eating the best fresh grilled fish in town—Sam Bardaouil, co-curator, UAE pavilion

Top bars

AMO CAFÉ

Inside the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, San Marco 5556

A must-visit destination for lovers of Italian coffee, this café serves a traditional fried Venetian snack of the day, as well as cakes and macarons, gourmet sandwiches and pizzas.

BAR DANDOLO

Calle Seconda de la Fava, Castello 4196

Nestled amid marble columns, award-winning Bar Dandolo is a charming setting for afternoon tea or velvet-capped cappuccino and classic snacks. Guests can enjoy live piano music in the evenings and sample barman Roberto Naccari’s renowned cocktail menu.

CAFFÈ FLORIAN

Piazza San Marco, San Marco 57

Set under the arcades in Piazza San Marco, Caffè Florian opened in 1720 and is Europe’s oldest cafe. Drop by for coffee, afternoon tea or an apéritif and discover a special part of Venice’s history.

BAR LONGHI

Campiello Traghetto, San Marco 2467

Set against a backdrop of etched Venetian mirrors and 18th-century paintings, Bar Longhi serves some of the best bellini, negroni and martini cocktails in Venice—and has an outstanding soufflé menu. Its outdoor terrace is home to the Riva Lounge, featuring barman Cristiano Luciani’s unique cocktails and the finest selection of champagne.

HARRY’S BAR

Calle Vallaresso, San Marco 1323

Renowned for its bellini cocktails, the waterfront bar was designated a national landmark in 2001 by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs.

….and the art world suggests

DIRECTOR’S TIP: To relax, I go to the terrace at the Bauer. Behind the Salute is the restaurant Lineadombra, with a spectacular view of the Giudecca canal—great for lunch or dinner. The buffet at Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca is a worthy investment in one’s self—Richard Armstrong, director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation

ARTIST’S TIP: My favourite restaurant is Osteria alle Testiere, but it’s so small that you need to reserve months in advance. For a quick lunch, I’ll go to Al Mascaron. The cicchetti snacks are good; the baby octopus is delicious—Christian Marclay

• For more information on Hotel Danieli, visit www.hoteldanieli.com