No matter how near or far you are from home, a recommendation for a good restaurant or bar is always nice to have.  EATS is a collection of places that I’ve enjoyed during my travels.

Ristorante Pizzeria da Alvise
I’m starting with this place because it was my favorite meal in Venice.  On a cold and rainy, we sought refuge inside its cozy interior with wood details and nautical knick-knacks, maps and other bits and bobs on the walls.  In warm weather, da Alvise also has outdoor seating with a prime view overlooking the lagoon along Fondamente Nove.  Its owner is both a chef and a rower, so it would make senses that Ristorante Pizzeria da Alvise prides itself in a variety of traditional dishes that express a love for both the sea and season, with many ingredients sourced from the nearby waters and Rialto Market.  I chose da Alvise because of its diverse menu, in particular because I’m the member of my party who is unfortunately not a seafood eater.

The restaurant filled up quickly with a mix of what seemed to be visitors and local families.  Our table along the wall next to the kitchen was the perfect spot to survey all of the action.  When it came time to order we started with an insalata mista and a half liter of house white wine.  My husband, confronted with the most difficult task of making a selection, went with the frittura di calamari, which turned out to be a treasure trove of fried bits from the sea.  This was the point in our trip that I was starting to crave meat, so took a break from pasta and pizza and instead ordered petto di pollo, delicious thin grilled chicken that was served alongside grilled zucchini and eggplant (my son who is also not a fan of seafood enjoyed his spaghetti pomodoro).  These were the perfect choices for each of us, and we all thoroughly loved this experience from start to finish, which came in the form of café and tiramisu.

Ristorante Pizzeria da Alvise, Fondamente Nove, 5045/A, +39 041 520 1515, ristorantedaalvise.com

Birraria La Corte
You’ll find Birraria La Corte tucked away in the corner of Campo San Polo in the heart of the San Polo district.  While we visited on a cold and rainy night, I can only imagine how wonderful it would be in warmer weather with tables spilling out onto the campo.  The restaurant and pizzeria is a bit more upscale with a limited menu with fewer options to choose from.  It was a Friday during Lent so naturally we chose a couple of pizzas, the Dogaressa, which most closely resembled that of a Margherita, and the Marinara, which was topped with salty anchovies.  Granted these were among the simplest items to choose from on the restaurant’s menu that features a variety of dishes that each uniquely elevate familiar classics with a nod to the local territory.  Nonetheless, we enjoyed the pizzas and even more so the cocktails that accompanied our meal.   Birraria is a good option to consider if you’re looking for something a bit more contemporary with less tourists.  Definitely make reservations as the restaurant was completely full and those who showed up without a booking were turned away.

Birraria La Corte, Campo San Polo, +39 041 275 0570, birrarialacorte.it

Gelateria Nico
This lovely little gelateria and cafe has been operating along the waterfront in Dorsoduro since 1937.  It’s famous for its sweet treats like the Gianduiotto, chocolate heaven topped with whipped cream, but has a broad menu of drinks and small bites to choose from.  Location is everything, making it a great spot to stop for a gelato or afternoon spritz, whether you prefer to sit for a while to relax and people watch, or take your ice cream with you to continue on your stroll.

Gelateria Nico, Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 922, +39 041 522 5293, gelaterianico.com

Aciugheta
On our first day in Venice we arrived to cold and wet weather and were desperately in need of a good pizza to combat our jet lag.  While our first choice fell through due to “computer issues” that wouldn’t allow the restaurant to take orders, we regrouped to find another non-touristy option near St. Mark’s.  I had come across Aciugheta a number of times in my research as a family-friendly spot so we headed there.  At the edge of a small campo, we found the trattoria to be relatively empty so were easily able to grab a table.  With roots tracing back to the early 1900s we had high hopes that Aciugheta would be a good reliable place for cicchetti, pizza and wine, including lots of seafood-based options and the restaurant’s trademark anchovies.  While the menu was broad, our Margherita and Diavolo pizzas left us a bit underwhelmed.  Had we opted for other options, we may have had a different opinion, but were grateful that the restaurant was there to help us out in a pinch.

Aciugheta, Campo Santi Filippo e Giacomo, 4359, +390 41 522 4292, aciugheta.com