The 8 top Restaurants in Venice

The Italians take their cuisine very seriously and Venice restaurants are widely regarded as some of the best in the country.
Risotto and bigoli pasta are classic dishes to try here, along with seafood, which is a big feature of the Venetian diet. Ranging from fresh sardines to crab, shrimp and cuttlefish, the fish and seafood offering is rich and varied. The best restaurants source this seafood locally from the Lagoon, so your catch will always be fresh. On top of this, Venice is celebrated for its traditional cookies, cakes and desserts such as Tiramisu, so it’s well worth leaving some room for each restaurant’s sweet plates. To try this exceptional produce and local recipes at their best, follow our Passion4Luxury guide to the best restaurants in Venice.

OSTERIA BOCCADORO

CUISINE: VENETIAN SEAFOOD AND PASTA

Style / Ambiance: A typical Venetian restaurant, located away from the tourist trail in a quiet Venetian square, the Osteria offers traditional Venetian dishes using only fresh fish, homemade pasta, vegetables and local ingredients, giving diners the chance to savor the authentic and natural flavors. This is easily one of the best places to eat in Venice.

It is also equipped with an excellent wine cellar and the resident sommelier will happily advise you. The atmosphere of the restaurant is simple and elegant, and there is a small private dining room for business lunches or more intimate gatherings. The restaurant has played host to many famous people, including former Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi and the Secretary of the Treasury, Tommaso Padoa Schioppa.

boccadorovenezia.it

LOCANDA CIPRIANI

CUISINE: ITALIAN

Style / Ambiance: Located on historic Torcello island, Locanda Cirpriani is just 30 minutes from the center of Venice, and despite not being in the city center is still regarded as one of the best places to eat in Venice.

Since it opened in 1938, the restaurant has attracted an elite clientele including Ernest Hemingway, Paul Newman and Queen Elizabeth II. It is still owned and run by the Cipriani family and specializes in rustic, traditional cuisine, such as the John Dory fillet which is cooked according to Carla Cipriani’s recipe. The three indoor dining rooms, outdoor terrace and garden can all be booked for special events and customized according to guests’ requirements.

locandacipriani.com

ANTICHE CARAMPANE

CUISINE: VENETIAN

Style / Ambiance: One of the city’s oldest trattorias, located near the Rialto Bridge, Antiche Carampane serves an authentic menu with traditional cooking, fresh wild fish, handmade sweets and biscuits.

In the last few years VIP guests have included: Yoko Ono, Bill Murray, Monica Bellucci, Natalie Portman, Salma Hayek, Audrey Tatou, Timothy Dalton, Brian Ferry and many Italian actors and international politicians.

antichecarampane.com

L’ALCOVA RESTAURANT

CUISINE: ITALIAN

Style / Ambiance: With its splendid panoramic terrace next to the Grand Canal, L’Alcova Restaurant (at the Casagredo Hotel) is the perfect setting to watch all the action on the Venetian waterway and one of the most romantic restaurants in Venice.

Open all year round, L’Alcova is an exclusive and intimate restaurant with Chef Klostermaier preparing refined natural dishes characterized by rich tastes and great personality. He has a strong ‘Natural Flavors’ philosophy, providing a fresh twist on traditional Venetian cuisine.

casagredohotel.com/ristorante-lalcova

OSTERIA ALLE TESTIERE

CUISINE: ITALIAN

Style / Ambiance: Located right in the heart of Venice, a few steps from Saint Mark’s and the Rialto Bridge, Osteria Alle Testiere is a very popular romantic restaurant with only nine tables.

Luca, the sommelier, and Bruno, the chef, offer the best of the daily fish market – no bolognese, no pizza – just the catch of the day. Listed in the Michelin Guide since 1997, l’Osteria alle Testiere has become a haven for artists during Art Biennale and the Film Festival, partly because of its ‘secret’ location away from the paparazzi. Osteria Alle Testiere is open for lunch and dinner; closed Sunday and Monday.

osterialletestiere.it

MIRAI

CUISINE: SUSHI

Style / Ambiance: Setting the standard for Japanese dining establishments in Venice, the alchemy of flavors at the Mirai is thanks to the creativity and talent of top sushi chef Norio Nishibori, who has created exquisite dishes for the restaurant.

In Japan, ‘sushi’ refers to a wide range of dishes, not only fish-based, but all using rice as a staple element, and prepared according to rigid and complicated rules. The Mirai uses fish of the highest quality and freshness and for this reason the fixed menu always gives way to the specialty of the day.

miraivenice.com

ANTICO MARTINI

CUISINE: VENETIAN

Style / Ambiance: Cuisine at the Antico Martini offers diners the choice of fresh fish, such as king prawns and scampi, or traditional meats like Venetian-style liver (fegato alla Venezian) accompanied by fresh seasonal vegetables.

The first course embodies the delicacy of Venetian cooking with an array of flavors and colors. The desserts here are worth savoring with a wide choice of pastries, cakes and confectionery. Located close to the Fenice Theatre, Antico Martini it is an ideal pre-theater restaurant. Dine in the enchanting private courtyard, the terrace facing the square or in one of the three elegant dining rooms.

anticomartini.com

RISTORANTE DA FIORE

CUISINE: ITALIAN

Style / Ambiance: Dine on classic dishes interpreted in a modern and lighter way. Offering specialist seafood, emphasis here is on fish caught in a local harbor and nearby.

The elegant restaurant offers delicious gastronomic dishes characterized by a prominent use of the best first seasonal fruits and vegetables. Much relished are the entrees of raw fish and the vast and selected cakes choice.

Among the most famous dishes are the bass in balsamic vinegar and the tunny-fish with rosemary flavor, the risotto and the “molecche” (typical Venetian food), which are the favorites of demanding gourmets.

dafiore.net/restaurant

TOP 4 LUXURY DESTINATIONS IN THAILAND

Thailand, known as the “Land of Smiles” is one of the most visited countries in Southeast Asia.
This paradise-like country boasts strong cultural background with diverse natural attractions from beautiful islands, stunning white beaches, mountains and so much more. Below are some of the best places to go to if you want a lavish travel experience in Thailand.

1. PHUKET 

When most people think about Thailand, they think of the majestic beaches, the spectacular sunsets, and the warmest hospitality of locals – and Phuket perfectly emulates this popular Thai image.

Thailand’s largest island and the country’s most popular destination, Phuket is the perfect epitome of an island paradise. If you want the most epic luxury accommodation you can ever dream of, chances are, you’ll find it in Phuket. Ultra luxurious 5-star hotels & resorts, ocean view penthouses, and private luxury villas with breathtaking views of Phuket’s  coastline – all you have to do is choose one. Some of the popular luxury hotels & resorts in Phuket are Kata Rocks, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, Banyan Tree, & The Naka Island. The Six Senses in Koh Yao Noi, a 30-min boat ride from Phuket is further a resort to experience. There’s also no shortage of luxury private villa accommodations located in some of the richest areas of Phuket like Surin & Kamala on the west coast, and Cape Yamu on the east coast. You can then have the most relaxing and most enjoyable vacation you can ever have.

The most popular beach of Phuket is Patong Beach, where hundreds of people can be seen every day, as well as several luxury hotels in walking distance. For the more cosmopolitan appeal where the high-end crowd goes, the Surin Beach is an excellent choice. Between Patong & Surin, you will find Kamal Beach where the ever famous Millionaire’s Mile is located dotted with ultra-luxurious accommodations and luxury homes.

The star attraction of Phuket is hands down, the Andaman Sea, with its breathtaking sunsets, turquoise color waters. It has abundant offerings of islands that range from party paradises to secluded private beaches that offer everything for every kind of tourist. Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, and the Phang Nga Bay are the top islands to see for their unforgettable beauty.

Aside from the fantastic beaches, Phuket also contains Buddhist temples that are worth a visit. There are temples over a hundred years old and Wats built with elaborate architectural features that are simply not to miss.

2. KOH SAMUI

Thailand’s 2nd most popular island, Koh Samui is a 228-square kilometer island on the eastern coast and a 45-minute plane ride from Bangkok. Known for its natural beauty and white sandy beaches, the choices for luxury accommodation on the island are equally as majestic as that in Phuket. You can choose to rent a beachfront or hilltop private villas or choose among Koh Samui’s best luxury hotels & resorts including the Four Seasons Resort, Celadon Villa, Banyan Tree, Conrad & The Six Senses Samuibeing some of the top choices while there many other chic and hip alternative accommodations offered in different areas and beaches on the island.

Koh Samui is also dubbed as the country’s spa capital, with spas offering holistic health programs, weight loss, detox, healing, new-age therapies, and Asian beauty secrets as services. Yoga resorts also abound on the island.

For some authentic Muay Thai, the stadiums at Chaweng or Phetcha Buncha are the best places to learn the ancient martial art.

For the best nightlife, Nikki Beach Club is the place to be on the island while the Ark Bar at Chaweng Beach also being a favorite of tourists. There are many other clubs, bars and restaurants found in Chaweng Beach, which is the most famous beach in Koh Samui.

3. BANGKOK

Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and the largest city. The most developed city in the country, it offers a unique blend of skyscrapers, grand temples, and diverse city lifestyle that mold its distinct identity.

When talking about luxury accommodation, Bangkok offers a sizeable amount of 5-star hotels that offer world-class amenities and services such as the Sofitel Bangkok, Shangrila, Sukhothai,  Hotel Muse, and the Banyan Tree Bangkok.

For shopping, the Siam Paragon, Gaysorn, & the Central Embassy are just a few of the best places to find some of the world’s top brands and luxury goods. If you are up for some adventure shopping (in a not quite luxurious place), the Chatuchak Market boasts of over 8000 stalls spread over a 35-acre area, offering every imaginable merchandise.

The floating markets are a great must if you fancy fresh produce. Vegetables, fruits, and local food are prepared on open grills atop small boats.

Contrary to what most people believe, Bangkok is actually a family and kid-friendly city – with plenty of family-friendly activities that can fill any family vacation’s itinerary. The Dusit Zoo, the Snake Farm in Silom, and the Thai puppet show at the Astra theater are fantastic places to visit for both adults and kids.

With two international airports, plenty of public transportation options, getting to and getting around Bangkok will never be a problem.

4. CHIANG MAI

Thailand’s unofficial “2nd city,” Chaing Mai has a distinct identity of its own that’s separate from the metropolitan atmosphere of Bangkok and far from the tropical beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui.

Chiang Mai is located in the northern part of Thailand and situated on the mountains, where majestic hills and mountains offer spectacular backdrops to the best luxury hotels that dot the city. The Dhara Dhevi, 137 Pillars, Anantara, and Four Seasons Chiang Mai are some of the highest rated luxury hotels in the City.

Since the cost of living in the city is far less compared to Bangkok and Phuket, tourists can get more for their money when traveling or staying in Chiang Mai.

Exciting activities include ziplining at Asia’s longest zipline, river kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, Muay Thai lessons, rock climbing, and mountain climbing.

The city is also known for its large number of Buddhist temples – there are over 300 in the city, with the Wat Chiang Man being the oldest, the most well-known, and the most visited.


Why visit Thailand