​While visiting Venice a must see is the daily Fish Market about two hundred yards west of the Rialto Bridge. Every morning, other than Sunday, local fish mongers set up their stalls with eye catching fish from the Adriatic Sea. If you are there early, say 8:00 - 9:00am, you will spot local restauranteurs making their menu purchases. Piles of shrimp, mussels and prawns are laid out on beds of ice. Large sea bass, flounders and squid sit nearby ready for the saucepan.

​

Just adjacent to the fish market is Wenice. It is one of the local tapa-like bars that serve small bites and beverages. You will see the local fishermen here or locals for a standup snack. It is open late and is great spot to solemnize the day with a glass of Amaro. 

 

Another tapa-style bar is All’ Arco. Featured by Stanley Tucci, here is another place favored by locals and tourists alike. For a bakery for danish in the morning or pizza throughout the day head over to Farini. They make everything on the premise and you can watch the bakers working the dough and dressing the pizzas through nearby windows. 

 

Head down  for fun window shopping. We often stop at the Amorino for their variety of gelato, lovingly sculpted for your dish or cone. Our favorite flavor is there chocolate chip called Strachetelli. There are many craftsmen store and our favorite is Damocle. It is a local printer who makes small editions of books and journals. 

 

Our hidden gem is Osteria Ai 4 Feri Storti. This is an amazing off the beaten track find that has outdoor seating as well as cozy interior confines. I wrote about it in my Venice blog and it is one of our all time favorite eating spots. It is a family shop with almost al locals.

 

Like any Italian city there are a thousand eateries ready to be discovered. If you have an hour or two, amble over to the San Polo neighborhood and sample the foods and finds listed above.