15 Delicious Dishes to Savor in Venice

Numerous European cruises on Dinogo® start and conclude in Venice. So before you set sail from Venice, embrace the local culture and dine like a Venetian. Unlike many other Italian regions, red sauces, pasta, and pizza are not the stars of Venice's culinary scene.

Instead, the local cuisine often highlights seafood sourced from the Venetian Lagoon and vegetables cultivated on nearby islands, including corn, white asparagus, and violet artichokes. Many traditional dishes also reflect Venice's rich maritime heritage.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 must-try dishes in Venice so you can bypass the research and dive straight into the enjoyment!

1. Castaure (Violet Artichoke Buds)

Castaure is a delightful gem to indulge in during your Mediterranean cruise. It is the tender first bud of a violet artichoke, distinctively purple and cultivated on the Venetian island of Sant’Erasmo. This vegetable is harvested while still delicate and boiled, resulting in such a soft texture that it can be enjoyed without peeling.

2. Moleche (Soft Shell Crabs)

Moleche are another unique seafood delight found in the Venetian Lagoon. These small green crabs shed their shells during the spring and autumn, growing new ones within mere hours. When caught at the perfect moment, they are exceptionally tender and delicious. Venetians often serve them in fried preparations, inventive salads, and fragrant stews.

3. Polenta e schie

If you’re not familiar with polenta, it’s a dish made from boiled cornmeal, typically grilled or baked afterward. Schie, pronounced like 'she', refers to a specific type of shrimp that is exclusive to the Venetian Lagoon. In the dish polenta e schie, the shrimp are first cooked and then flavored with garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper, before being served over polenta.

Historically, this dish was a staple in the diet of Venetian peasants. Today, it has become less affordable and less accessible due to declining shrimp populations. If you’re fortunate enough to find polenta e schie and enjoy seafood, it’s a must-try dish during your culinary adventures in Venice.

4. Sarde in Saor (Sweet and Sour Sardines)

For the more adventurous eater, Sarde in Saor is a captivating dish to sample in Venice. Often served as an appetizer or antipasto, it features fried sardine fillets that have been marinated in a mixture of onions, vinegar, pine nuts, and raisins.

During the Middle Ages, Venetian sailors and fishermen devised this flavorful combination as a method for preserving fish. Today, thanks to modern refrigeration, fish preservation is less critical. Nevertheless, this dish continues to be cherished by both locals and visitors for its delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors.

5. Baccala Mantecato (Fish Mousse)

If you're a seafood lover, you'll likely enjoy baccala mantecato. This dish is rooted in an age-old technique for preserving fish. The process involves soaking dried cod and then poaching it for several hours until it becomes tender and the bones disintegrate. The result is a velvety mousse seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Some variations also incorporate parsley and garlic. This creamy delicacy is typically served on slices of bread.

6. Fritto Misto (Fried Seafood)

Here’s a dish that will resonate with many travelers on European cruises. It’s the Venetian take on fried fish, featuring a mix of local favorites like shrimp, fish balls, calamari, and occasionally anchovies. These ingredients are coated in batter and deep-fried. You might wonder, what is calamari? It’s simply the Italian term for fried squid.

7. Risotto al Nero di Sepia (Rice with Squid Ink)

Risotto al nero di sepia is an eye-catching dish that remains a beloved choice among both Venetians and visitors. It consists of rice, squid, wine, tomato, onion, and a squid ink sauce. The ink gives the rice a rich black hue, which might deter some, but many people enjoy its unique briny flavor, so be bold and give it a try!

8. Risi e Bisi (Peas and Rice)

You can savor this traditional Venetian dish even if seafood isn’t your favorite. It features a delightful mix of rice, peas, pancetta, onions, and pea-shell broth. According to legend, the Doge of Venice would stand outside his palace, greeting his subjects with a plate of Risi e Bisi, encouraging them to enjoy this rice dish.

This practice turned Risi e Bisi into a symbolic meal for locals to enjoy on April 25th, St. Mark’s Day. Today, it’s available almost every day of the year in nearly every Venetian restaurant.

9. Confetti Candy

Confetti is a delightful Venetian confection that is as visually appealing as it is delicious. It consists of sugar-coated almonds and comes in a variety of colors, often symbolizing significant events. Venetians typically gift this candy to family and friends during celebrations.

For example, a couple getting married might distribute white confetti, while silver confetti is shared for a 25th anniversary, pink or blue for welcoming a newborn, and red confetti for a university graduation. Confetti candy is a charming and tasty treat to enjoy in Venice, even if there’s no special occasion—just a craving for a snack!

10. Buranelli (Sweet Biscuits)

Craving something sweet? A delightful activity in Venice is visiting a local bakery or café to pick up some Buranelli. These tasty pastries are named after the Venetian island of Burano, where they were first created. In the past, Venetian sailors often took them on long journeys for a quick snack.

Originally, Buranelli were round, but today many are shaped like the letter S, making them perfect for dipping into coffee or mulled wine.

11. Venetian Coffee

Venetian cafés have long excelled at brewing exceptional espresso drinks. In fact, the very first coffee house in Europe opened its doors in Venice in 1683.

Similar to many other European cities, Venice has embraced the charming tradition of caffe sospeso, or “suspended coffee.” This practice allows you to pay for two cups of coffee at the café, leaving extra money with the barista to provide coffee for a stranger who comes in after you and may not have the means to pay.

12. Frittelle (Raisin Pastries)

If you find yourself in Venice during the Dinogo season, be sure to try frittelle. These delightful sweet fritters are crafted from a mixture of flour, eggs, butter, sugar, milk, raisins, and pine nuts. The batter is shaped into balls, deep-fried in oil, and dusted with sugar. Traditionally, this sweet treat is enjoyed as part of the vibrant pre-Lenten celebrations in Venice.

13. Tramezzino (Triangular Sandwiches)

Sandwiches are enjoyed in various forms around the globe, but the Venetian twist is known as tramezzino. These sandwiches consist of two triangular slices of white bread filled with a variety of creative ingredients. Popular fillings include mozzarella with tomatoes, prosciutto with artichokes, or shredded radishes paired with soft cheese and olives. Mangia!

14. Venetian Wine

The Venetian region boasts an ideal climate for cultivating grapes that yield exceptional white and red wines. If you’re enjoying seafood during your Venetian cruise, consider a white wine like Soave, or try a more local option such as Venissa or Orto di Venezia. A sparkling white like Prosecco is also a delightful choice.

For heartier dishes, you may prefer a red wine like Amarone or Valpolicella.

You might also want to consider purchasing bottles of these wines to bring home as gifts for your friends. You can take sealed bottles of wine back with you on your Dinogo cruise ship, as long as they are completely sealed when you board.

15. Wine Spritzers

Venetian wine spritzers have become incredibly popular as pre-dinner drinks in local restaurants. There are numerous variations, but many feature Prosecco, soda water, a bitter liqueur, and an olive.

Other spritzers incorporate a variety of fruity flavors. A world-renowned type of spritz created in Venice is the Bellini, which is a delightful blend of Prosecco and peach puree.

When cruising with Dinogo, Venice is right at your fingertips! Take the chance to savor delicious seafood and exquisite wines. Alternatively, expand your palate by trying unique local dishes like fritole or sarde in saor. Once you're satisfied, make sure to explore the city of Venice! Whatever you choose, you’re bound to have a wonderful time in this ancient city.