10 Best Cheap Restaurants in Venice with Tasty Italian Food

Venice may be famous for its gondola rides, historic canals, and stunning architecture, but when it comes to food, many travelers assume it's all overpriced tourist traps. That’s not entirely wrong—some restaurants charge a premium for mediocre dishes.

But after exploring the city's backstreets, I’ve found that affordable restaurants in Venice do exist, offering authentic flavors without breaking the bank.

In this guide, I’ll reveal the best cheap restaurants in Venice, where you can enjoy everything from traditional cicchetti (Venetian tapas) to hearty plates of fresh pasta for under €15. Whether you're craving a budget-friendly seafood meal or a slice of authentic Venetian pizza, I’ve got you covered. I’ve personally visited these spots, checked their quality, and made sure they’re not just cheap—but also delicious and well-loved by locals.

Many of these hidden gem eateries are tucked away from the crowded Piazza San Marco and Rialto Bridge, where inflated prices are common. Instead, I’ll guide you to authentic osterias, trattorias, and bacari, where you can dine like a true Venetian without overspending. Plus, I’ll share insider tips on where to find cheap eats in Venice, from markets to late-night snack spots.

Let’s dive into the best budget restaurants in Venice—so you can eat well and avoid tourist traps without emptying your wallet.

Where to eat cheap and delicious in Venice

Throughout the post you will learn what a cicchetto is , you will discover iconic places where you will rub shoulders with authentic Venetians, we will tell you where to try the best pizza in Venice and a few ideas for eating more, without spending a lot of money.

THE BEST Tapas in Venice (Updated March 2025) - Tripadvisor

If you need a hand figuring out what to order, here we detail everything you need to know about Venetian gastronomy . And here's a mini spoiler with our favorite typical foods:

Sarde in saor: sardines marinated in vinegar, onion, pine nuts and raisins.
Risotto with cuttlefish ink: risotto prepared with cuttlefish ink which gives the dish a dark colour and a distinctive flavour.
Fegato alla veneziana: calf's liver cooked with onions and often served with polenta.
Baccalà mantecato: cod (dried and salted) prepared with oil, garlic, parsley and sometimes milk to make it creamy, often spread on toast.
Bigoli in salsa: fresh pasta similar to spaghetti served with a sauce made from anchovies, onion and olive oil.
Risi e bisi: a delicacy prepared with rice, peas and often with bacon.
Polenta e schie: polenta (cooked cornmeal) served with “ schie ,” small fried lagoon shrimp.

Also remember these little things:

Don't blindly trust tourist menus : drinks are often not included and are extremely expensive. Also, going to Venice and eating "cotoletta alla milanese" or "pasta con ragù alla bolognese" is a mistake! The local cuisine is rich and delicious.
Beware of the “coperto” : Italian restaurants charge a “coperto” for bread and cutlery. Pay attention to how much it costs: it shouldn’t cost more than 1.5-2.5€.
Stay away from tourist sites : obviously, if you eat in St. Mark's Square you will be screwed!
And finally, don't miss our essential tips for traveling to Venice.

restaurants where to eat in venice

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1. Bacareto da Lele, a must-eat place in Venice

This little bar is a Venice institution : it is visited by students, tourists and Venetians alike and everyone agrees… it’s really cool! For us, it’s one of the best places to have a drink and eat in Venice as you’ll feel like a Venetian 🙂

The house wine is cheap and their famous panini (small sandwiches) cost a euro, so don't hesitate: grab a few and go eat them on the street, next to the canal.

Price: with 5€ you eat and drink
Where: Campo dei Tolentini 183

2. To the Archive

This is one of the many places where you can fully immerse yourself in the Venetian culture of cicchetti . And, unlike many other bacari, it also has seating 🙂

What are cicchetti ? As we mentioned before, they are a kind of tapas/pintxos made with tasty, local ingredients. In the osteria you can find many types such as meatballs, tuna, cod, eggplant… mozzarella in carrozza, fried courgette flowers, various sandwiches, crostini with buttered codfish , with smoked swordfish…

⭐ If you like the cicchetti roll, check out our post on the best bacari in Venice

Note: if you are very hungry, we do not recommend this type of place, they are more designed for snacking while you drink a glass of wine (or two) but the experience is one of the most authentic in the city: in other words, going to Venice without going for 'cicchetti' would be like going to Granada without going for tapas: unacceptable!

Price: Spritz €4.5, cicchetti €2.5
Where: Fondamenta Frari

Archive bar

3. Dal Moro's

If you're craving pasta (and you want it tasty and cheap) look no further than dal Moro's! The place works like this: you choose the type of pasta you prefer (fettuccine, fusilli, penne...) and the type of sauce . There are vegetarian options (like four cheeses, pesto or zucchini, curry, cream, pepper, cheese, tomato and garlic) and regular options (like pork, tomato, butter, onion and pepper).

After a few minutes, your pasta is served in a cardboard box (the same ones used in noodle shops, so to speak). The portions are generous and the quality is good (all the pasta is fresh and the sauces are made on the premises). The only downside is that there is no place to sit inside the place, but hey… you're in Venice: who wants to sit inside?!

At one time it was a leading place but due to the fame of the place some copies have appeared, make sure you go to the right one 🙂

Prices: 7-10€ approx.
Where: Casseleria Street, 5324.

4. Rossopomodoro

On our last visit we went to eat here and what a success! This place is a tribute to true Neapolitan pizza: light as a cloud, fresh ingredients that seem to have just arrived from an Italian garden and a spacious and beautiful atmosphere where it is a pleasure to sit down and eat.

We ordered a margherita and a capricciosa and both were delicious. There are also first courses on the menu, but the truth is that the queen of the house is the pizza: don't hesitate to enjoy it!

There are two locations, one near San Marcos and another at the station. We went to the first one.

Prices: 15-20€/person
Where: Calle Larga S. Marco, 404/408

Pizzeria Rossopomodoro

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5. Trattoria da Mimmo

This is one of those places in danger of extinction in Venice: if not, tell me where to find another restaurant that offers a good daily menu for €13.5 (IT IS NO LONGER HERE) . The best thing is that you can try some typical Venetian dishes such as pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans), cod alla vicentina or sarde in saor (sardines marinated in vinegar, caramelized onions and raisins).

It really is one of the best restaurants to eat in Venice and I hope it continues to maintain those prices and quality.

Update : ohhh, we have just been informed that they NO LONGER have a daily menu, what a shame!

Prices: 15-20€
Where: Rio Terá S. Leonardo 1372

6. Gislon Rosticceria

Rosticceria Gislon is one of those hidden places that you have to discover in Venice. Here you won't find fancy dishes, but you will find the best of traditional Venetian food . Their specialty is cod with polenta, a classic that you can't miss! Everything is made with fresh, quality ingredients, perfect if you're looking for something homemade and tasty to replenish your energy after a day of walking around the city.

Many locals and workers stop by here to buy takeaway food, and many others stay for aperitivo , especially Aperol Spritz and mozzarella in carrozza (with anchovy).

Prices: 10-20€.
Where: Bissa Street, 5424/a

Rosticceria Gislon

7. Fried Land

Fried Land is another great option if you want to grab a bite to eat on the go. They have takeaway pasta dishes and salads, but the star of this place is… the fried food! For less than €10 you get a cone with squid, shrimp and fried fish (all made to order).

As always, we recommend eating it sitting on a bench near a canal, it's the best 🙂 and don't forget a cold beer!

Prices: 8-10€.
Where: Cannaregio Calle Fiori 2287

8. Pizzeria Antico Forno, to eat one of the best pizzas in Venice

There are some cheaper pizzerias but this is definitely one of the best in Venice.

There is an option to eat pizza by the slice (3-4€) or to eat a whole pizza (Margherita, Sausage, Ham and Mushrooms, Four Cheeses, Zucchini and Brie Calzone…). Our advice is to take a whole pizza and take it somewhere where you can sit and eat. An unforgettable experience. Please note that you cannot eat or drink sitting on curbs, stairs, the ground, etc… but if you find a bench to sit on, that's great.

Prices: 6-12€.
Where: Rugheta del Ravano, 970/973.

9. Crepes House by PePe (Antiguo Cocaeta)

The crepes here are one of the best street food options in Venice if you're tired of pizza and focaccia. Here you can indulge in many types of sweet and savoury crepes and choose your toppings (we recommend the speck, a kind of delicious smoked ham and smoked provolone or the classic but always delicious nutella one or if you want to try something unique we recommend the ricotta, fig jam and honey one.

You can also try a 100% Venetian crepe, such as the one with soppressa vicentina and asiago cheese. The place is small (there are only about 5 chairs) but you can buy your crepes and eat them on a bench you find in a square.

Prices: 4-9€.
Where: Fondamenta S. Giobbe, 548a

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10. Cannaregio Tower

If you are one of those who cannot spend the day without a good cup of coffee , then you have to make room for Torrefazione Cannaregio on your list of places to visit in Venice.

This little spot is a paradise for coffee lovers, and even more so if you like specialty coffee . What makes it even more special is that the coffee is roasted on site , meaning you can enjoy a super-fresh cup, with all the flavor and intensity you deserve.

And for lunch? A pistachio croissant! Delicious 🙂

Prices: 5-6€ for breakfast.
Where: Fondamenta dei Ormesini

specialty coffee in Venice

Map of restaurants where to eat in Venice

Here is an interactive map so you can locate the restaurants where you can eat cheaply in Venice

More places to eat cheap in Venice

We leave you with a few more ideas, with places we visited during our numerous visits to the city and others that friends and readers have recommended to us:

Bar alla Toletta , with a very local atmosphere, where you can have a glass of wine and try one or more tramezzini (white bread sandwiches filled with a variety of ingredients). Price: 3-4€.
Al Mercá, one of our trusted places, is very close to Rialto and whenever we go we order an Aperol spritz and a couple of montaditos.
Trattoria da'a Marisa , a restaurant with a homemade daily menu for €20. Recommended by a friend.
Bacarando in Corte dell'orso , one of our favorite bacari. With quality cicchetti and lots of variety.
Da Luca and Fred , where you can eat both cicchetti and find a daily menu for €14.50 with spaghetti alle vongole and fried fish.

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Have you been to Venice? Did you eat well? Did you spend a fortune or did you find a place with cheap, home-cooked food? We hope you liked our post about restaurants where to eat in Venice and that you enjoy an unforgettable trip to this unique island-city.

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