Hostaria da Franz

We did not have reservations here, but we got there when it opened and they were able to squeeze us in. The attention to details by this family-run establishment, starting with the service, followed by each perfectly prepared dish, made the entire dinner a wonderful experience from start to finish. It is not a typical Italian menu, but a small selection of dishes, focusing on local seafood prepared in an innovative way. We began with sardines and cod appetizer, full of flavor, both pickled and sweet. We shared the risotto made with a local fish called “gò”. The dish was presented and explained how best to eat it in order to experience the flavors the way the chef intended. It was outstanding. Our main courses were also fantastic, fresh seafood dishes also expertly prepared. The desserts were visually stunning. We had the white chocolate “egg” with passion fruit center, along with the Gorgonzola cheesecake. The creativity and presentation of these two desserts, combined with the flavors were out of this world. Da Franz was excellent! Definitely make a reservation here if you like to try new, wonderful dishes, where they clearly pay attention to every detail to ensure you have a perfect dinner experience.

What an excellent experience! Will definitely dine here again next time we are in Venice. A refreshing dive into traditional dishes and local premium ingredients with a subtle and very well balanced twist of modernity. Good wine selection and well versed staff. The chef's palate is commendable and the skillful personnel on the floor rendered this dining experience one of the top ones in the good memories of this wonderful and magical city. Highly recommend.

This was an excellent dining experience. The staff were very friendly and professional, kindly offering numerous recommendations that enhanced the dining experience. The restaurant’s environment was superb, the wine menu was extensive, the pricing was reasonable, and it was the best meal I had in Venice, you have to try once if you are in Venice.

Wonderful Osteria which we came across by accident and were extremely lucky to find a table. The tasting menu was exquisite with beautifully paired wines. The sommelier was fabulous amd explained each wine and dish wonderfully. An amazing dining experience not to be forgotten.

I can't say enough good things about this place. We happened to walk by the night before and decided to make a reservation for the following evening — and I’m so glad we did. This is true Venetian cuisine, and the experience is designed around ordering a starter, a pasta, and a main course. We were a group of five, and although we were initially a bit hesitant about some of the dishes, every single plate we ordered was delicious. We tried the octopus, calamari, gnocchi, the spaghetti (surprisingly fantastic), and the asado beef, among other things — all beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Maurizio, the owner, was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. He took his time to explain the menu and offer thoughtful recommendations. His son was also very welcoming and clearly passionate about wine, offering expert suggestions that complemented the food perfectly. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience. It's definitely a bit of a splurge, but absolutely worth it. So glad we stumbled upon this place — I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I’m in Venice.

Wonderful place, very friendly owners and refined classical Venetian Cuisine on a top level. The interior seems a bit old fashioned, but becomes absolutely lovely after the first sight. We love this place and will come back annually. Wines are priced very fairly and there are some hidden gems in the wine list! Thank you for such a lovely evening - what an experience!

Highly recommended - One of our favorites in Venice. Authentic, perfectly served and prepared dishes. Warm and welcoming service. Very good wine selection and recommendations. Best price to quality value.

Best canele ever! Everything is fresh and great. We had shrimp and octopus as starters. The main dishes were scallop pasta and fried fish with eggplant. They were all super good.

Had one of the best meals of our trip tonight. This is saying a lot given the incredible meals we have eaten thus far. One of our favorites was the Spaghetti creamed with smoked butter and sardines garum (which may sound different but I guaranty you it was insane). Our other favorite was the Asado beef with mais cream and bbq carrot and the homemade bread. Also the desserts. Basically everything. . The service was impeccable too and the general vibe was perfect. If you are ever in Venice, Italy, you MUST check it out.

My wife and I loved this restaurant. A quiet but sophisticated vibe, and the food is amazing! Seriously good food. The pasta I had here was the best I have ever had, and I have consumed some pasta. Well done.

My girlfriend and I celebrated our one year here while on vacation in Venice. We made a late reservation and were the last people left in the restaurant. We were served with tasty dishes until we left. I would recommend this establish and actually think it's relatively affordable (vacation standards). We finished up sub 200€ with drinks and 4 courses.

Michelin guide you let us down. Seems like a tourist trap. Staff is attentive and service great. However, food was not good. Overpriced, lacked flavor and substance. Worst meal we had in Italy in our two weeks of traveling and it was the first place we dined out. Disappointed.

This was the most amazing dinner experience we've probably ever had included fine dining in New York City and Los Angeles. This should be at least 1 Michelin star. Very underrated, seems like a gem that only the locals know. Service was impeccable - they even let me buy their last bottle of an extremely rare dessert wine. We had multiple courses of local seafood dishes unfamiliar to us, and each was recommended and completely outstanding. Even the desserts were absolutely to die for. If you eat anywhere in Venice, spend the money and eat here with Maurizio (and Luca!). It should be #1 in Venice! You won't regret it if you appreciate delicious food. -from 2 foodie Americans :)

We've been to Venice five times now, and Hostaria da Franz is the best of every place we've tried. Be comfortable with the fact there are no menus, just a daily run down of the best of locally-sourced food by the fantastic Maurizio. Be comfortable that no prices are quoted - even going all-out, our meal last night was a reasonable €200 or so. Genuinely excellent Venetian experience This was our third visit, but the first to the new, much easier to find, location. And it has become even better. Many reviews will tell you how fantastic the locally-sourced-only food is, or how welcoming host Maurizio is. Just know that the way it works is : no menu - Maurizio will run through what is good that day, but with no prices. We have seen a few Americans look a little uncomfortable with no menu to peruse, but this works so well. For Venice, the lack of prices is not a cause for concern. My wife and I had the full experience and the bill was around €200, which was around half that at Cip's Club, but da Franz was twice the experience. The restaurant is relaxed, dress is informal, they take cards. All in, this is easily the best restaurant we've found in Venice in 5 visits, and people do get advised to come by the concierge at The Danieli, so we aren't wrong...

If you are a foodie, you will love this restaurant - although I'll say that the owner, Mauricio makes it accessible for all. This is a seafood restaurant. We did multi course from appetizer, pasta, entree and dessert. Mauricio personally reviews the menu with each table and asks if you'd like to see an actual menu or he will explain the choices. We opted for the full on Mauricio special, sans menu. It is amazing food. The octopus was stunning, the pastas excellent and seafood amazing. I believe this restaurant is best experienced with listening to the wonderful choices and doing multi courses, in a slow dining fashion. We expected to pay 100 Euros per person and we ended up with less. You can absolutely pick and choose from the menu as you like.

Simply outstanding- the finest meal in Venice with the service to match. A hidden gem that is so unassuming until you are seated in the lovely dining room. Outdoor seating available as well. Each course was better than the last - calamari was the best ever and the octopus was equally as compelling. Highly suggest you arrange dinner plans here.

I'm staying in a 1-star hotel just steps away from this 5-star restaurant. Came because of the Yelp reviews (which were few, but very good.) Stayed for the incredible experience. I've eaten at many good restaurants and this was easily one of the best. Maurizio, the owner (and second generation restauranteur), not only greets you at the door, but presents today's (verbal) menu (no prices) to you. He's passionate about food and his restaurant. Everything is what's fresh, right now; somethings are are only available a few weeks out of the year. (Today it's Sicilian swordfish.) My experience began with a bottle of white Italian wine he recommended; something different than I'd ever had, but paired perfectly with what I ordered. At $33 euro I thought it was reasonably priced. Dinner began with a complimentary glass of Prosecco and then, a cuttlefish and polenta amuse bouche. Can't remember my appetizer course, but it was light and flavorful. Next was the shrimp spaghetti in a light tomato and avocado sauce with cilantro (which I generally dislike intensely, but was great here.) My main was sea bass, perfectly cooked. I never have this many courses, but am so glad I did this time. Portions were perfect and I kept wanting to experience one dish after another. Timing of each course was well-paced and service staff very attentive. Maurizio checked in often to see how I was enjoying things. Because the preceding were so good, I decided to have tiramisu for dessert. It's a cliche I've avoided in Italy until now, but I thought there was a good chance his would be special. I recounted this to Maurizio and asked if his was as good as his other courses. He said he felt sorry for the next place I ordered it. He was right. The flavors were perfect and the dish very light with a perfect hint of coffee and wonderful chocolate. A perfect end to a perfect meal. So good, I made a reservation to return in two days. Total cost $119euros; worth every cent. My only suggestion is to dim the lights to enhance the magic and romance of the room.

We went to dinner here because the hotel recommended it. It was the best food ever!! What made the experience over the top was the service, the owner/manager was polite, told us the whole menu, and checked on us constantly. I would go again in a heart beat...I miss Hostaria De Franz :(

Absolutely great. Food is excellent, service was impeccable and just a very good experience overall. Varied menu and just a very very good and relaxing place to have dinner at. Did not feel like a Venice restaurant at all. We brought our Border Collie and he was more than welcome since the guys at the restaurant both have dogs. Highly recommended.

Overall, I disappointed with the food. I would never recommend this restaurant. I don't like not having a menu and not knowing the prices. The portions were ridiculously small, presentation was pretty but the main course was 4 bites and lots of bones. Pasta with clams were good. Shrimp cake was all breading. When I explained this to Maurico all he did was shrug his shoulders and say that is how they prepare the food. That is not how I would expect a restaurant of this reputation to react. Disappointing experience.

Having eaten many acclaimed restaurants, we found this place to be excellent. The attention to detail by the owner,Massimo was superb. The food was well executed. Compared to other Venezia restaurants, which seem to be overpriced, the food was appropriately priced. From the antipasti, primo and secondi selections, all were locally sourced and fresh. Wine pairings blended very well with each course, and the bottle selection was fantastic. In a tourist location, you would never know it based on my experience.

We had such a wonderful evening! Maurizio, the owner was charming and made our evening magical, we hope to come back soon!

That was an exceptional experience. The owner of this place greets you when you enter. Does not matter if you have or not have reservations, you will be accommodated, taken care of, and up to a outstanding culinary treat! Every bite of food we eat, and every sip of wine and beer were sensational! The service is impossible to bit. Will always recommend it to all friends who travel to Venice as a great opportunity to experience Venetian hospitality, and gourmet food and drinks.

Without a doubt, by far, my best culinary experience in my life, and I am 61. Fantastic food and amazing service and ambiance. I am in no way connected to this restaurant (we are visiting from Florida), and I am used to good food and service. But, truly, this dining experience will be one I remember forever. Bravo!!!!

Dont miss!!! One of the most incredible meals. He did an incredible job, completely trusted the menu and food and every bite was sensational. The wine was amazing. They truly go above and beyond in details and it did not go unnoticed. Will always return to here. Maurizio was amazing. Dont miss. And with ordering great wine and all the food we wanted the meal was still only around $150. Definitely will return.

Sensational. Away from the clatter of Venice on a quiet street shared with a few other nice places Da Franz seems hidden and unpopular. We walked in a bit concerned because the entryway was empty and were greeted by the warm & passionate owner. Here is a man proud of the food and with good reason. Everything is fresh and creatively prepared. The old classic dishes are well executed with subtle improvements and there are exciting but not pretentious options too. Expansive wine list and realistic prices. Friendly and efficient servers.