Eating out in Venice can be expensive, especially in the touristy cafes and restaurants around San Marco. Good areas to hunt for more authentic, well-priced restaurants are around the Rialto market, the Ghetto area of Cannaregio and in parts of Dorsoduro. So choose a hotel within striking distance of these areas. But also, hotel restaurants, chosen wisely, can be less of a touristy rip-off. We have eaten our way around Venice - tough task - to bring you a selection of the best Venice hotels for foodies.

Not surprisingly, given its watery location, Venice specialises in fish and seafood. This low-lying hinterland of the Veneto region, perfect for rice-growing, also makes risotto a popular dish, especially combined with seafood. Pork, polenta and - that most Italian of desserts - tiramisu, are also items for which to scour menus. The Veneto area is also a noteworthy vine-growing region; the wines to looks out for include Bardolino, Valpolicella and Soave.

8 of the Best Hotels in Venice for Foodies

For a Michelin star

If you’re looking for Michelin star, it has to be the family-run Metropole, overlooking the lagoon. A hotel filled with the owners’ fabulous array of antiques and collectables, and with bedrooms ranging from lavish to more traditional. The Michelin-starred Met restaurant is in a suitably grand dining room, hung with silks and gilt-framed portraits. There’s also a chic bar and shady garden.
Venissa, on Isola di Mazzorbo which is linked to Burano by a wooden bridge, is a restaurant-with-rooms and considered one of the finest dining rooms in Venice. Family-run, with its own kitchen garden, orchard and vineyard, rooms are simple, chic and minimalist.

On the islands

If you don’t mind being a boat-ride from the star attractions of Venice, consider the charming, small northern islands. Torcello - once more populous than Venice but now charmingly faded with two sublime churches - is home to Locanda Cipriani, a restaurant-with-rooms and part of the grand Cipriani hotel on Guidecca. Rooms are simple but elegant and the food surprisingly sophisticated.

For dinner overlooking the Grand Canal

Bauer Il Palazzo

In a superb position, overlooking the Grand Canal, the 14th-century Ca’ Sagredo Hotel has everything you would expect of a Venetian palazzo: frescoes, stucco work, gilded furniture and rich fabrics. The icing on the cake is its canal-side terrace for dining on regional specialities with a modern twist.

For lagoon views

The Hotel Londra Palace, on the Riva degli Schiavoni, has wonderful lagoon views plus sleek bedrooms with original artwork and Biedermeier furnishings. Tchaikovsky was so enchanted with the setting, he wrote his Fourth Symphony here. The elegant restaurant is known for its fine-dining food; on balmy evenings, eat on the terrace; excellent people-watching.

Eating in Venice is as much about the views as the food. Use our guide to the best Venice hotels for foodies to ensure you get the best of both. If there's nothing here to tickle your taste buds, check out all our Venice recommendations, or contact a friendly guru for advice.

8 of the Best Hotels in Venice for Foodies

Londra Palace Venezia

Venice (Castello)

With 100 windows overlooking the lagoon and the magical location, in the heart of Venice, you don't leave the city when you step inside:you enter a cultured, stylish, welcoming Venetian home.

City Style - A short stroll from San Marco, the elegant salon and private retreat, stylish pied à terre and gateway to the authentic Venice.
Writing a novel - Countless artists and authors have drawn inspiration from the hotel, including Tchaikovsky, who wrote his Fourth Symphony here.
Romantic Break - Sumptuous suites, spectacular views, chic dining and beds that are almost impossible to pull yourself out of
Sights nearby - 5 minutes walk to Piazza San Marco, as is the Doge’s Palace. 10 minutes walk from Rialto bridge and the main local attractions.

from AU$995 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Check availability on Expedia

Metropole

Venice (Castello)

The Beggiato family open their doors and antique collection to give guests Lagoon views, a luxurious stay and Michelin star dining. Rooms are unique with an eclectic mix of curios and collectables. Enjoy the rare Venetian garden, the memorable dining experience and the Oriental Bar. Romantic stay.

Local exploring - This couldn't be a more central location set overlooking the Bacino di San Marco lagoon and with St Mark's Square within sight!
Foodies - The Met Restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star and serves superb contemporary Italian dishes with a focus on local produce
Sights nearby - Steps away from the famous Plazza San Marco
Views - Choose a room with a lagoon view

from AU$754 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

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Locanda Cipriani

Venice (Torcello)

Homely yet sophisticated restaurant with rooms on magical Torcello, an outpost of the grand Cipriani. The rooms are simple yet elegant with balconies commanding views of the garden. Wonderful setting, quiet and secluded, serving unforgettable cuisine. A grown up hideaway.

Hideaway - Set on the most private and uninhabited Island in Venice, this is ideal for those looking for privacy and quiet.
Foodies - Famed for its Ventian food Locanda Cipriani provides wonderful food in an enchanting setting.
Sights nearby - Torcello holds one of the most impressive and interesting churches in the Venice area, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
Great walks - Explore the dense mosaic of islands and sandbanks emerging from the canal waters, the marshlands and the shallow canals.

from AU$324 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Ca’ Sagredo Hotel

Venice (Cannaregio)

Magnificent Venetian Palace right on the Grand Canal. Plush interiors and classic Venetian style welcome guests. L’Alcova Restaurant offers panoramic canal views, wine from various Italian regions and fantastic food. Impossibly romantic.

Honeymoons - This hotel drips in splendour and opulent romance — think frescoed ballrooms, palatial suites, elegant drapes & orginal artwork
Foodies - The trendy and effortlessly elegant L’Alcova restaurant serves up regional specialities with a modern twist
Sights nearby - Nestled between Ca DOro and the Rialto Bridge you're not more than a short walk or boat ride to Venice's main attractions
Local markets - The ancient Rialto Market happens just across from the hotel, a spectacle for all the senses and well worth a visit

from AU$481 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

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Venissa

Venice (Isola di Mazzorbo)

A charming and chic restaurant with rooms, set on two acres of vineyard, on an idyllic island. A gastronomic delight, off the beaten track, a half-hour boat ride from downtown Venice. Rooms are simple and elegant with beamed ceilings and clean design. A foodies haven - perfect for a couples break.

Hideaway - A perfect escape for those discerning travellers who would rather a rustic chic retreat to five star glitz and crowds
Romantic Break - With atmospheric suites, fine dining, and wine tasting excursions - this is an idyllic choice for a romantic break
Foodies - The Michelin star restaurant focuses on local produce and is undeniably one of Venice's best
Great walks - Take an evening stroll around Mazzorbo, the views are sensational as the sun goes down on the lagoon

from AU$372 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Check availability on Expedia

8 of the Best Hotels in Venice for Foodies

8 of the Best Hotels in Venice for Foodies

For a Michelin star

On the islands

For dinner overlooking the Grand Canal

For lagoon views

8 of the Best Hotels in Venice for Foodies

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