You can say a lot of wonderful things about Venice: it’s hauntingly beautiful, always exciting, and full of surprises. Weirdly enough, you can describe street food in Venice in the exact same way.
We couldn’t miss our chance to share the best mobile bites in Venice. Here’s our selection of the most unmissable street food experiences in the city!
Scartosso De Pesse Frito: Classic Venice Street Food
Fried fish in a paper cone, or scartosso de pesse frito, couldn’t be something more rooted in Venetian traditions.
Although a list of the best street food in Venice couldn’t exist without it, the perfect scartosso isn’t so easy to find: it must have that delicate balance between the crunchiness of the crust and the softness of the fish.
Not all fried fish falls within this description. But to make sure you’ll find the perfect scartosso, we’ve decided to reveal to you the only two places where culinary prowess can create works of art:
- Frito-Inn (Campo San Leonardo, 1587): a minuscule place where rings of fried squid and shrimps are a must.
- Acqua e Mais (Campiello dei Meloni, 1411-1412): proudly traditional, you’ll find fried fish, vegetables, & more.
Insider’s Tip: Scartosso de pesser frito, spoken outside of Venice, is a local dialect. Using this term elsewhere might not be understood, unless you happen to meet a fellow Venetian.
Cicchetti: The best street food in Venice
Question: What are bite-sized delights perfect for holding in your hand?
Answer: Cicchetti in Venice.
It doesn’t matter if they’re fish or meat, if they’re fried or not, or if they’re served with or without bread. As long as you drink something with them, you’re bound to call them cicchetti.
Cicchetti are served in their own temples, called bacari. Scattered all around the city, these old traditional taverns are the places where true Venetians meet their friends and unwind after a long day at work. Try an authentic local experience by hopping from one bacaro to another, and never stop at the first one!
Mozzarella in Carrozza: A hand-held delight
Mozzarella in carrozza is a slice of mozzarella and a little anchovy in sandwich bread, battered and fried. And it has gained all Venetian respect as one of the most incredible street foods in Venice.
This recipe traveled from one seaside town to another: born in Naples, it was adopted by Venice. But the original version misses the fundamental detail of the anchovy, which makes all the flavors dance in harmony as if on a carousel.
You can find the best mozzarella in carrozza in Rosticceria Gislon (Calle de la Bissa, 5424/a). But, if you want to take an even greater risk, you should also trust El Sberlefo (Calle S. Pantalon, 3757) for adding its own twist to the tradition: a slice of ham instead of the anchovy.
Gelato: A sweet treat (& beloved street food in Venice)
The creamy, cold pleasure of a true gelato, could you even think about something more delightfully sweet? During the warm days of summer, a cool gelato can give you that extra energy to go the extra mile (quite literally) and keep sightseeing.
There are so many places for a great gelato in Venice, whether you’d want a cup or a cone. But remember: to the complete and authentic experience, indulge your sweet tooth and put some whipped cream on top!
Chinese dumplings
The link between Venice and the Far East has always been strong. It’s no coincidence that Marco Polo, the first European explorer to arrive in China, came from Venice. You can see this connection in the fine arts, architecture, and even among the students. Did you know that the University of Venice is one of the best places in Italy to study Chinese languages?
But there isn’t a better way to prove this bond than food. Enjoy the experience of being carried to the Far East with just one bite! The best place to have Chinese dumplings is Ravioleria Venezia. But don’t stop at just dumplings, try also their amazing bao zi.
Aperol Spritz in Venice
Although not technically a food, it’s worth mentioning on this list of street food Venice for two reasons:
- In Italy, public drinking is allowed. So, in most places you can casually grab a drink and sip it as you saunter down the street.
- The Aperol Spritz cocktail, featuring Aperol as its main ingredient, was not founded in Venice but has become synonymous with the city’s culture.
Street food Venice advice
In Venice, you’ll encounter two types of people: those on a mission, swiftly navigating the city, and the dreamy wanderers, lost in the charm of their surroundings. If you identify with the latter but still crave a street food experience, opt for a quieter spot away from the bustling crowds in the heart of the city.
To avoid unwanted attention or scuffles in the street, also steer clear of sitting on bridge steps to ensure a calm moment to enjoy your Venice street food.
Update Notice: This post was updated on January 26, 2024.
Want to upgrade your experience by exploring Venice alongside an expert guide? Join our Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour to discover local secrets and sample more of the city’s best bites!
Eliana Ferrari doesn’t like to stay put. She’s traveled all around Europe, excited by every encounter with people, food, and art. How did she end up in Florence? She fell in love: with the magnificence of every corner, with Bolgheri wine, and with the famous Florentine wit (one Florentine’s in particular!).