Osteria alle Testiere

Super funny, friendly and entertaining waiters! Also very accommodating, helpful and knowledgeable about their craft! They made me a whole beautiful vegan pasta dish off the menu, that was superb! My non vegan companions were also very happy :) thanks for the delicious meal in a warm and homey space! You can tell they cook with love, passion and knowledge. It was a pleasure to watch the experts at their craft

Osteria alle Testiere has quickly become our favorite restaurant in Venice. For pescatarians like us, it's truly the best place you could visit in this magical city. The restaurant is small and cozy, so reservations are a must. You're greeted by a wonderful team that makes you feel so welcome. The quality of the food and the attention to detail in every dish is outstanding. The ingredients are incredibly fresh, with the menu based on the daily catch and vegetables from their own garden. The dessert selection is also superb and we'll definitely be back!

Just book a table here... you will not be disappointed. Everything from the razor clams to the wine and service was absolutely world class. Its small and intimate and feels old world. I cannot recommend this restaurant any higher.

This restaurant is simple but exquisite. Had a recommendation from a friend and booked way ahead (literally 3 months ahead!) as we’d heard such good things and didn’t want to be disappointed for our one night in Venice. The restaurant is incredibly compact, probs max 10 tables, which gives a charming and attentive atmosphere, matched by the utterly wonderful staff. Many people tried to get a table by walking in, but were turned away, so we definitely felt very lucky indeed to have reserved in advance. As an apologetically English speaking tourist, it was lovely that the restaurant was full of a mix of both locals and international guests. The waiters were equally kind and attentive to all clientele (sometimes I feel like you can get a raw deal/ cold shoulder as a tourist…but not in this place). The atmosphere was very relaxed and incredibly pleasant. The menu is perfect: a good range, but not overwhelming, with a carefully selected range of fresh seafood and seasonal dishes. We had scallops (insane!), mussels, tuna ravioli, and turbot. Everything was exceptionally seasoned and well presented. The attention to detail in the sauces was particularly note worthy. We finished with a tiramisu (criminal not to) which we both agreed was the best we’d ever eaten. To be honest my only regret is that we couldn’t just order the whole menu: looking at other guests’ meals/tables it seemed that every dish would have been divine. The only tiny area for improvement might be a more extensive alcohol-free drinks list. The wine list was extensive but for non-drinkers there were just a couple of choices. That defo isn’t anything to cry about, though; bottom line is this restaurant is fabulous and provides a relaxed, authentically Italian experience. Make a reservation now, and tell your friends…(or maybe don’t, cos then it’ll get too busy…)

We were recommended Osteria alle Testiere by friends who visit often, and it was the highlight of our trip to Venice & Verona. The food was outstanding and the hospitality from Luca and his team was warm and welcoming. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch trying lots of local seafood (including oysters, clams, scallops, fish, pasta alongside exceptional veg) with excellent wine, followed by a tiramisu and coffee. Their menu changes daily based on the best ingredients available and so they say that because of this, all of their dishes are recommended - we’d have to agree! This is a gem of a restaurant. To ensure you don’t miss out, we’d highly recommend booking well in advance due to the small restaurant size.

Very intimate and sophisticated restaurant, yet the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Every thing we had was well balanced with amazing distinct flavors. It's a great way to enjoy authentic venetian meals.

A very popular and rather famous Osteria that used to not even have an electronic reservation system. Alas, times have changed )) The food is quite expensive but if you are into very fresh seafood, it is one of the better places to go enjoy the catch of the day. The scallops were nice with a bit of citrus and micro green fanciness. The razor clams were impeccable and I love ordering them here. Bo hole was very nice and classy. The gnocchi had a bit too much cinnamon for me but very tasty nonetheless. The St Jacques fresh and simple. The pistachio cake excellent and homey, the way I prefer it. It’s a tiny place and you should not plan to easily get a table here. I would come here with a partner and never with kids but I’m sure kids will feel fine here as well. Centrally located, beautiful and honest place that I quite enjoy year after year.

We booked a table for lunch a couple of months before our trip to Venice. The food here is amazing. Delicious and fresh. You can't go wrong with any of the items on the menu. Tuna tataki was wonderful as were all of our mains. It's a small place which is why it's booked out well in advance. If you like your seafood, then definitely come here. It's not cheap but it's worth it.

What an adventure walking through the narrow 'calle's' of the Grand Canal to get here. You walk in to an intimate and nicely decorated place. I spent a couple of hours in this inviting dining establishment which felt more like dining among friends and family. I felt very comfortable among the very friendly staff. Near the end of dinner, I'd made nice conversation with the staff and other diners, and could've continued for longer. The food was amazing as expected. I started out with the Sword fish tartare which was very fresh and delectable. Then I had the Sea bream fillet with white wine, Ligurian black olives and Pantelleria capers, again, delicious and flavorful. I finished with the Crema rosada (Venetian crème caramel). Of course the house white wine accompanied my meal and to top it off, Grapa Grapa! This is a very nice place.

Wonderful and amazing food. The seafood is great. As is everything else. Wonderful service and ambiance. Go and savor being in Venice.

Tucked away on Calle del Mondo Novo, more so currently than usual as a result of construction scaffolds, Osteria alle Testiere is a rare find in Venice thanks to a focus of daily catch and a complete lack of touristy flare. Best seen as a Bacaro, just ten tables and a small kitchen despite the extensive Wine list, guests visiting at lunch or dinner will find simple wood tables and beige linens while the lack of decorations puts focus on Food, Beverage and conversation. Prone to seasonal Produce in addition to Shellfish, an opening volley of Baccala atop grilled Cornmeal simple yet faultless, Pastas run €26 and include traditional Spaghetti with Clams alongside Ravioli laced with Bitter Greens offset by creamy Crab Sauce. More provocative by way of tender Dumplings served with Squid in their Ink perfumed by Cinnamon Dessert offers a variety of choices, though those in the know won't think twice before ordering tender Pistachio Cake crowned by a scoop of housemade Gelato.

This 20 seat restaurant is exceptional. Seafood is abundant in Venice but few places provide such mastery of the ingredients. I would save room for dessert. We tried four of the 8 dessert options and the table was delighted despite claiming they were full before ordering! My favorite was the razor clams; perfectly cleaned, cooked to right texture, served simply with olive oil and lemon. Truly exceptional. Go with your intuition and try anything on the menu.

Osteria alle Testiere was an amazing experience! We made reservations a month ahead for this tiny but lovely restaurant. Reservations are a must! You would almost miss the restaurant from the outside, but when you enter, there's a welcoming ambiance that settles you in for a delicious meal. The waitstaff and co-owner were very kind and helpful with the menu. We had the Pilgrim Scallops, Gnochetti with Calamari and Cinnamon scent, the Spaghetti with clams, the John Dory Fillets with citrus and spices, and the vegetable side. Everything was so fresh- they only use locally caught seafood and locally grown vegetables! Each dish is prepared individually to order, so you're eating it right at its peak. The pilgrim scallops with lemon and peppermint was probably my favorite item. The balance of flavors was perfect and the peppermint was a surprising but delicious addition. The citrus and spice sauce with the John Dory fillets was also amazing. The gnochetti were soft little pillows with an intriguing but delicious cinnamon sauce. I also thoroughly enjoyed the classic Spaghetti with clams. I would definitely return if I make it back to Venice!

Tucked away, a short walk from Compo Santa Maria Formosa, this place is just about perfect. It is exquisitely small and the clientele is predominantly locals with a smattering of visitors who read the great reviews. The food is fresh, unpretentious and superbly executed. Service was impeccable and at the same time warm. I will visit again on my next trip to the city.

Osteria alle Testiere in Venice is an absolute gem! The cozy atmosphere, impeccable service, and mouthwatering seafood dishes make it a must-visit. From the fresh ingredients to the expertly crafted flavors, every bite is a delight. Definitely a top choice for a memorable dining experience in Venice!

My wife and I had dinner at Osteria alle Testiere on a recent trip to Venice. We made reservations which were definitively needed because the restaurant was completely filled up after opening. We started with the Grilled Scallops with Artichoke Heart. The scallops were super tender and meaty and the artichoke was tender. For our entrees we decided to split two pasta dishes: Garden Pumpkin and Ricotta Ravioli with Monk Fish Cheeks and the Spaghetti with "Bevarasse" Clams. The ravioli was savory and filled with creamy ricotta and sweet pumpkin and paired with tender fish. The spaghetti was nicely al dente and buttery and mixed with briny tender clams. For dessert we split the Almond and Orange Marmalade Pie which was warm and flakey with a rich almond flavor and topped with a cool orange sorbet.

A place away from the tourist area. Shows you that the art of culinary is alive in Venezia. Recommended by a sales manager, when I asked where do you go for locals and intimate cozy... She told us with no disappointment.... We also made friends with another couple from Hawaii and both agreed that this place is special. We enjoyed our time there from 7:30 to 11:30 with no pressure from the restaurant!! Bravo!! A place to enjoy really fabulous foods!!!

Outstanding. Authentic Venetian cuisine focusing on the bounty of the Lagoon and Adriatic. Everything purchased daily from the Mercato di Rialto and simply prepared to preserve the natural flavors. Needless to say, the menu changes daily. This 22 seat family owned and run osteria delivers in spades. Perfectly cooked, tender, sweet razor clams, candy like, barely cooked through scallops in shell, beautifully caramelized sautéed baby squid and briny but sweet , plump sepia all gently seasoned and finished with copious amounts of peppery EVOO, fresh lemon juice and zest, and some fresh parsley for vegetal brightness. Dive into each plate with your fingers slurp where you can, savor the freshness and flavor, then mop the remaining seafood juices and EVOO emulsion up the bread! It doesn't stop there, the bacccala mantecato (whipped Venetian salt cod on grilled polenta) is outstanding. The dish is one of the most recognized in Venetian cuisine is perfectly prepared. Stunningly rich with olive oil. A hint of briny, pond like aroma and umami finish. Natural sweetness is accentuated by the polenta. A simple and rich treat. Etiquette Tip: Do not squeeze any lemon on your seafood even if a slice is offered on the dish. It is an insult the chef and the restaurant. Extremely well chosen wines from the Veneto region. Very fair prices (30€ - 50€). Go with whatever they recommend. You won't go wrong. Service is very friendly and classically Italian. You feel like you belong and are dining at someone's home. Some English spoken but lead with Italian. Reservations at least a month prior REQUIRED for lunch and dinner. One seating. Card accepted. It has it all, food, ambiance, service, and delivers a truly memorable experience. Exceptional.

What a gem in the heart of Venice! We were recommended by our boutique hotel to this typical Venetian restaurant tucked away on a tiny side street. But let me just say nothing about the experience at Luca's establishment is typical-it is quite special! There are about 8 tables in what can fairly be described as a hole in the wall. When you enter, the counter and kitchen are essentially front and center in the right corner. There is a wine fridge to the left and tables packed together. If you don't have a reservation or aren't a regular patron of Luca's, I would not expect to be seated for hours. We arrived in Venice that morning and walked to Testiere for a scheduled lunch. Luca is one of the owners who works the front of the house. His longtime restaurant partner is in the kitchen. We started with the razor clams and gazpacho which were both excellent. Then some house made vegetables and a gorgeous whole fish. We also enjoyed a super refreshing bottle of the Inama Soave we have come to love. It turns out that Inama is not far from Venice in northern Italy and the reserve we had was really fantastic... this particular reserve wine isn't widely distributed and we enjoyed every last drop. Luca treats every patron whether a local or a tourist as family. Perhaps that is why it is so darn tricky to get a table here. If you can snag one though you will really enjoy. We can't wait to come back.

Excellent place for a splurge in Venice! Great service, very knowledgeable about wines! The seafood is fantastic. Just be aware that the majority of clientele will be tourists, and some will be particularly obnoxious. While dining, I encountered possibly the most obnoxious tourist during my visit to Venice: an American named Jonathan. He spoke super loudly, gave terrible unsolicited recommendations to the diners around him, and obnoxiously ordered the last available dessert item (just when another cover was about to order it). He then proceeded to rudely dunk on them by telling them more than a dozen times (I was counting) that he stole their dessert. Fellow tourist: don't be a Jonathan.

pretty good food i like the free extras they give u like the appetizer and the dessert shots

Wow!! We got so lucky.. we walked by and there was a table open but they had a private party of 26 in an hour that was going to take up the whole restaurant. They allowed us the last sitting for the night before the private party and we weren't disappointed. Service was top notch - the owner came out to recommend dishes and wine, they were quick and friendly.. definitely beats most of the service in other places we've tried. We heard them say the next available reservation was 2 weeks out, so book early!! They get full quick! As for the food, again wow!!! They only serve the freshest seafood they pulled from the markets that day so the specials and what's available vary. We had the crudo Scampi and they were fresh and sweet! Seafood in Venice is a must! The grilled prawns were fantastic as well, if you don't do raw.. the grilled flavor was enough to bring out the flavors of the prawns - simple but so delicious! We also had the fish of the day, a Swordfish Ragu Ravioli and the Gnochetti with baby Calamari and Cinnamon scents. We loved both pasta dishes. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente and the flavors - just wow! What combinations!! I thought the fish was a little on the light side in flavors and the soft shell crab was a bit greasy.. they were our least favorite dishes we ordered but everything else just blew our minds. This place was one of the best places we've eaten in Italy. Service and food just top notch. The tiramisu was the best and so was the panna cotta! I would eat here over and over again if I could!

Wow! This place is magnificent! If it is not your first time in Venice, or you have done your research, you know firsthand that Venice is filled to the brim with vultures contending to be purveyors of fine food. Osteria alle Testiere is without a doubt authentically Venetian. From the moment you step foot in the close quarters, you are immersed in a true Venetian experience. Your senses are overcome with gladness. Place yourself in the hands of your cameriere, and you will not be disappointed. Indulge in a gastronomic journey, starting with an appetizer crafted from the ocean's most exquisite offerings. Relish in a meticulously curated entrée, where every ingredient tells a story of quality and refinement. Sip on a selection of the finest wines, each a masterpiece in its own right, carefully chosen to enhance and purify your palate. Finally, surrender to the sheer decadence of a dessert menu that promises to tantalize and delight your senses. Throughout this epicurean experience, immerse yourself fully in the present moment, for this establishment is not just a meal, but a memory etched into the very essence of your epicurean soul! 10/10!

Absolutely amazing. From the atmosphere to the staff, to the food. The food was delicious, we had recommendations from the owner, he also suggested a wine which paired with everything we had. I recommend this restaurant, we had the most wonderful experience.

This restaurant with only 7 tables serves some of the most creative and delicious seafood to be found anywhere in the world. Luca, the chef/owner offers a gracious welcome and will design a menu geared to your tastes and the seafood which is available that day. We come to Venice in the fall every year. Alle Testiere is always number 1 on our list of restaurants to enjoy and we are always grateful to have a reservation

Based on reviews, we chose to go here. They had just returned from holiday and were able to get in that night. Otherwise, it sounds as if we never would have received a reservation on the day we called. The place is small and nicely done. The service is great. The food is good. It definitely was not the best meal that I had in Italy but a solid meal. The shrimp and prawns were very tender - they were really good! My husband and I shared the seafood sampler. It was good and cooked nicely. He had the prawns and I had the gnochhetti with the mini calamari. I like calamari but didn't really care for them. They were so small they didnt add much to the dish and had a little crunch to them. I think that it is likely that they are so small that the beaks aren't removed. The sauce was great. The sauce that the prawns were in was quite tasty. I also ordered the grilled veggies to go as a side. We shared a chocolate cake (melting choc cake? was possibly the name). It was good, not great. Good meal. One issue is that the bill was incorrect. We were charged for 2 desserts (we only had one) and we were charged for 2 grilled vegetables. I ordered the grilled vegetables for me and not for both of us. It appears that the assumption was that it was for both and they doubled the amount provided - or at least that was the explanation provided. Either way, that was puzzling because I said that I would have the grilled vegetables when ordering and there are no other items that we were double charged for, even though we shared. In such a tiny place, it was awkward to have to question the bill and charges and I just paid the vegetable double charge, where it is something that I normally would have provided greater resistance on, if there was not a language barrier.

When I was looking up restaurants in Venice, this place seemed to get mentioned a lot. I emailed the restaurant weeks ahead to make dinner reservations. I definitely recommend making reservations, because the restaurant is pretty small. We ordered the steamed spider crab, potato gnochetti with small calamari, and sea bass. Everything was cooked well and delicious. The sea bass seemed to be a popular choice because we managed to get the last one of the night. We also had a side of salad to go with our dishes, and discovered balsamic vinegar from Modena. I'm not a huge fan of balsamic vinegar, but the ones from Modena are sweeter and made a plain salad taste delicious. We made sure to buy a bottle of balsamic vinegar before heading back to the states! Even though we were stuffed after the main courses, we ordered the pistachio flour cake for dessert. The cake was baked well and not overly sweet. Service was good and the entire staff was friendly. Even though most of the diners here were locals, the restaurant was accommodating to tourists. I'm glad I got to experience dinner here. Overall, the food was enjoyable but pricey.

Special dining experience. The food was exquisitely prepared, veggies and tuna were great. Pistachio desert w ice cream was fantastic as well. Ask for their wine suggestions as they do a great job of making recommendations. We went based upon Rick Steve's book and we're delighted. Recommend reservations as there are only 22 seats or get lucky like we did, show up at 6:30 and see if someone cancelled! Seating as at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

The restaurant was full of people and atmosphere. We walked in and were told we needed a reservation but to come back in half an hour and can get a table if someone doesn't show up. To our luck we got a table at a place that seems hard to even make a reservation. The food was quite good and very proportionate and filling. Each meal had a different and unique taste and didn't take very long to arrive at our table. A bit more pricey but not too bad. Would definitely come back.

Best meal in Italy. There I said it. Not the 3-Star Michelin, instead, this is the one that I will remember. 1) Make a reservation - yeah there aren't many people waiting outside, because the restaurant politely turns away all the people who try to walk in. With only about 20 seats and 2 seatings a night, you KNOW they have to be good. They have loyal customers - the table next to us was reserved for "regulars" who turned out to be an 80-something year-old couple who didn't even have to say anything, food just magically appeared. That's good service and business policy right there. 2) Do not eat ANYTHING within 6 hours of coming here. Strike that - 8 hours. 3) Order everything humanly possible on the menu that is seafood (which is most of the menu). Fresh, clean, refined but still comforting, seasoned to perfection. 4) Don't be afraid to order a second round of razor clams for dessert, like we did. 5) Then order dessert(s). 6) Be nice to the staff, because they are incredible. We definitely saved the best for last.

I made dinner reservation at this restaurant one month ahead. The earlier you book the more flexibility you have with choosing the date and time you want. We arrived for our 7.30 reservation at 7.00pm and there was already a line at the door. Dinner started off great. The staff were so very friendly. Had the spaghetti with clams, ravioli and the mixed seafood for two. The mixed seafood was my favorite part. During our meal, people kept walking in for dinner and were turned away as the restaurant can't accommodate walk-ins. The restaurant has a capacity to sit only 22 people. Overall a fine dining experience in Venice. The seafood tasted so fresh. I'm glad I discovered them prior to the trip and was able to get on their reservation list.

First of all, I would like to advise others that the map here is wrong. We followed this map to try and find the restaurant only to realize we were on the other side of the city. The actual address is Calle del Mondo Novo, 5801, 30122 Venezia. Alright on to the review. We were unsuccessful at making dinner reservations having mistakenly tried booking a table less than a week away when this tiny place normally fills up quickly. We settled for lunch. After getting completely lost and struggling to find the place (I would advise having google maps gps out as a guide), we finally found it and was presented with their daily menu that is consistently changing. We got one of every type of dish - we tried the hors d'oevres, first course, main course, and desserts. All of the seafood was tender and not super chewy which is an indication of freshness and skill by the chef. Their clam pasta was strong in the 'seafood taste' but some of their fishes were quite light. Their tiramisu was the bomb! We even purchased their cookbook at the end. Overall I would highly recommend this place to any seafood lovers out there because it's well prepared, tastes great and the fish is fresh! If you're not a fan of seafood, this isn't for you because this is pretty much all you'll be eating. That and you'll be having a pretty expensive meal that you won't be fully enjoying.

It's bizarre that this place has so many good reviews. Everything was ok, but not impressive, and not worth the 120 euros we dropped on dinner. The flavor profiles of all the dishes were very strange. We got their house speciality entree, which is a white fish with dill, star anise, pomegranate seeds, strawberries, and a few other ingredients. It was trying WAY too hard. The flavors didn't make any sense together. The fish was overcooked and chewy. It was sad, especially considering how tasty their raw seafood was. Everybody in the restaurant (including us) were American tourists. Every single person. It didn't feel like a piece of Italy. We both walked out thinking it would have been more appropriate on the Vegas strip next to the fake Eiffel tower. But the restaurant was both recommended by a tour guide and by Yelp, so it's up to you. Perhaps it just wasn't to our palate.

Cyndy's Bottom Line: Excellent service and well executed food with a good selection of wines. A small but well appointed osteria with good ambiance. Be sure to obtain a reservation. We stopped by to get a dinner reservation and it was booked solid. We were lucky to get the last lunch reservation for the next day. This is what we ate: 1. Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella and steamed scampi. Delicious, creamy mozzarella. Scampi is steamed perfectly. 2. Clams with ginger The delicate ginger broth is a delicious compliment to the clams. 3. Spaghetti with "bevarasse" clams Perfectly done pasta and clams. 4. Purple artichokes and ricotta ravioli with swordfish ragout. Tasty ragout stands out but does not overpower the artichokes and ricotta. 5. Steamed spider crab The spider crab is very sweet and the lemon dresses it well to enhance the flavor. A bottle of Alba Nora Falangina pairs well with this menu.

First and foremost, go for the tasting menu. This Michelin rated restaurant serves seafood and is very small so make a reservation in advance. I believe the menu changes quite frequently, could be daily but I'm not sure. This restaurant was a nice change to the usual trattoria in town and a good choice if you are looking for something a little nicer for a dinner option. Their razor clam preparation has to be hands down the best I've ever had and the gnochetti with zucchini and crab was on the spot as well. GREAT wine list (go for a ribolla)! Dessert was so-so but I was so full by that time that it didn't matter.

This was amazing! I had the scallops with orange and leeks. The best dish of the night. The scallops were tender and buttery with the hint of citrus. Sublime! Then I had the Prawns with lime rice. Also very good. The prawns were prepared perfectly and the rice was nice and al dente. The service was out of this world. They were all so friendly and very nice to accommodate our lack of ability to speak Italian. They have menus in English.

THe seafood platter itself is 5 stars. The rest of the dishes...well, we get damn good Italian in the U.S now. The crab salads on the seafood platter are the attraction. U just can't get anything like that in the states...at least not very easily. We had the seafood pasta--overly salty (like all of the seafood pasta in Venice, I guess it's a thing). We also ordered the swordfish and turbot. Sword fish was cooked perfectly, but missing salt. It was quite bland. The turbot is a hard pass. We didn't even finish it. Service here is superb. Mom and pop are quite attentive and friendly. Make sure to make reservations as its a tiny little restaurant that fills up very quickly!

Dinner Alle T included mixed seafood sample platter, spaghetti with clams, fish soup and grilled fish. The fish was the best I have had for some time. Tender throughout, well flavored, not burnt even though it was grilled. The Orata was perfect. and the monk fish was a true delight as it was so flavorful and the texture was exquisite. Also loved the baccala (salted cod) and and all other seafood included langoustine, scampi. It was a real treat! The quality of the food was excellent and over all a great experience. The total came to be about 130 Euros.

Exquisite, fresh cuisine. Ingredients procured daily and prepared to perfect standards. Very intimate setting. Lovely service staff. Reservations are a must!

The best meal we've had in Venice! I made lunch reservations at 1pm via email. Lunch reservations are smart since there are only 8-10 tables. Restaurant was filled by 2:00 and they had to turn away some customers. Dinner reservations are a must at least a month in advance- they have 2 seatings. The menu changes daily depending on what's available at the market. We started with a fresh salad with purple artichokes, shrimp, and strawberries. The pasta dishes were amazing- basil ricotta ravioli with tuna ragu and the gnochetti with eggplant and shrimp. We ended with the best tiramisu I ever ate! Service was top notch compared to all the restaurants we tried! *no cover and service charge not included

I think this might very well be the most overrated restaurant I've ever been to. So bland. With such glowing reviews, you wouldn't expect that every single dish would taste like seasoning more than anything else. And you're dead wrong if you assume this isn't a touristy restaurant - it's listed in Rick Steve's, Michelin, and tons of other guides and websites after all. I wonder if all the glowing reviews came from people who were swept up in the ambiance of eating in a cute restaurant in Venice that is so frequently recommended. In fact, quite a few of the 5 star reviews actually comment on how several dishes had problems or didn't taste good, so these five star reviews are clearly very forgiving of this restaurant's flaws. The €60 grilled fish and crustacean was fresh and grilled very well, but the monkfish and sole had no flavor, although the three prawns were quite sweet. The zucchini cream soup and scallops similarly had no taste, while the small gnocchetti with calamari also had no almost no taste, though the texture was nice. The most thrilling flavor in the octopus salad was the celery. Not joking. The cheese platter was good, but the cheese is obviously purchased from a supplier and doesn't really reflect the restaurant. Objectively speaking, this restaurant is no better than any average Italian restaurant with the sole exception that they really do know how to grill a fish properly (which is why this is a two star rating and not a one star). Maybe they're resting in their laurels. Try Antiche Carampane instead. The food was way more flavorful, and is actually in a quiet neighborhood where you're far more likely to be seated next to locals. Although no place in Venice will ever be tourist free. Sorry if I burst your bubble!

Trust your host if you can't make up your mind. You will not be disappointed. Wonderful staff, great vibe. So, so glad we were able to experience such a wonderful treat. Book reservation well in advance of your visit.

Second to none. Absolutely the must have at Venice. Make sure you call for reservation. The place is small and we have seen countless rejections when we were there. The people are super nice. Make sure you go there if you can, lunch or dinner.

After seeing the rave reviews on Yelp and Rick Steves, I booked this restaurant at least a month in advance. We had a 7:00 reservation. The place is tiny and only has about 8-10 tables. We ordered a half liter of the house red to start, which was tasty. Then, we ordered three dishes to share - steamed spider crab, gnochetti with scallops/peas, and tuna steaks with artichokes. After ordering, the waiter came back 3 min later to say they didn't have anymore spider crab, which was odd because we were the first table to sit down at the first seating. But anyways - then we ordered the mussels marinara instead. I would rate the dishes from best to worst just in that order - mussels, gnocchi, tuna. After the other great meals we had already had on our trip, this one just wasn't that exciting. Average tasting food. I don't think we'd come back on a second visit.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAVING MY ITALIAN TRIP! I came here after visiting Milan which provided me with nothing but disappointing Italian food. This was not only everything imagined Italian food should be, it was BETTER!! From the simple octopus salad to citrus/scallop infusion, every bite was artistically created and happily devoured! Everyday is a different menu because they only buy the freshest ingredients. Me and my travel companions wandered in this restaurant looking for lunch. Seeing the restaurant as empty, we grabbed a seat by the window. The owner wandered over and asked if we had reservations (which we did not) and proceeded to tell us that the restaurant will not be open for another 15 min (to our embarrassment). Instead of kicking us out, he looked through his appointment book, said there was room for us and allowed us to sit/wait while they got ready for lunch rush. When the restaurant officially opened, it was quickly flooded with other foodies. When we saw the menu, my mouth watered and I ordered soft shell crabs as a starter and ravioli as my main dish. It was hands down the best Italian meal I had all trip and on top of that, the service was beyond wonderful. I would of came back if I had more time in Venice. You will not be disappointed with this place!

If you're coming to Venice, book this restaurant now. Seriously, just book it. I was looking for a place in Venice to have a nice meal on our last night, and I contacted Osteria alle Testerie a few days before our trip. Luckily, they had reservations for the last night we were there, and I went ahead and booked it. Just so you know, it's a tiny restaurant. So you can't just walk in. In fact, we saw about five groups get turned away for dinner as they tried to walk in and there were no tables. It's a tiny restaurant. They only do two dinner seatings: 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm. They're all about seafood, and they go down to the market daily to find out what's fresh. And they base their menu for that night around that! We had a very light lunch so we could try a lot of things. For starters we shared a plate of oysters and razor clams. Get razor clams if they are on the menu. The razor clams are fantastic! (We even recommended them to another table that came in for the 9:30 seating, and they ordered them, and as we were leaving they said thanks for the recommendation. So GET RAZOR CLAMS.) The oysters were incredibly fresh and only served with a bit of salt water. I absolutely loved them. For pasta, we split the gnocchetti with scent of cinnamon and baby squid and the pumpkin ravioli with a tuna ragu. I had the ravioli first and my partner had the gnocchetti. When he had the gnocchetti, I think he didn't want to share, but when I gave him the ravioli, he was amazed at how tasty they were. The ragu (while made of fish) was so tasty and meaty and the ravioli were so well cooked and pumpkin-y. Outstanding. Both dishes were top notch. For the main we split the mixed grill for two. This was probably the most disappointing dish of the meal though. It was good, but not as amazing as the other dishes. If you like really fresh fish, it might be for you, but I'd recommend some of the other dishes, they looked much better at the table next to us. For these three courses, we had an amazing wine, as the wine list is absolutely fantastic. We split an order of cheese next which was a 24 month asiago cheese. The cheese was incredible. It was so crumbly and so tangy it kind of made my mouth numb. Just the type of cheese I like. Then we had dessert. We split (or I ate most of), a pistachio and almond cake and grape ice cream. The cake was so soft and delicious, and the ice cream was perfect. We split a bottle of red dessert wine that we liked so much we had to buy three more bottles to bring back in our suitcases. And we went for the cookbook too. Because why not? This place was hands down the second best meal we had in Italy. If I'm back in Venice, I know I'll be making another reservation to have another outstanding meal here.

My husband and I visited Venice for the first time. Found this place from Rick Steve's Italy Guide (2014). We had to make reservations since they only have 22 seats. They were pack for the next two nights and we accepted the slot that was open which was the next night at 7pm. Next reservation was at 10pm. During our dine in experience notice that a lot of people came in without reservations and were turned away. Man this must be a really popular place! We ordered the mixed grilled seafood, speghatti and clams, and mixed grilled seafood for two. Everything was so fresh and delicious. My husband and I were blown away. Not to mention the service was excellent. We were intimated going into a local non touristy type of restaurant but the Staff and the one guy with apron were very approachable and welcomed us. We had a very pleasant and positive experience. Our Italian was very limited to just Graci and Bonjourno. Guess I have to brush up on my Italian when I come back! For dessert we had the pistachio cake with ice cream. We never had anything like this in the States and it was very light and not so sweet. If I come back to Venice this is the place to go!

Best meal on trip so far and we haven't had a bad meal yet. Must order grilled Razor clams, gnocchi w tuna ragout. I wasn't a fan of soft shell crab ap which is Served cold but my husband liked it. Perfectly grilled sole. Assorted veg divine especially loved the carrots w fennel Seeds. Love the small space and friendly and helpful owner, Luca. Plan in advance and go!

We decided to have lunch here after reading about them on Rick Steve's Venezia guide. It was also a pleasant surprise to find out that they are on of the top 100 foodies restaurant. Let me just begin by saying it was some of the best fresh seafood I have ever had. The fact that our server kept referring to the place as a temple to seafood was definitely not an exaggeration. Finding the place was a bit challenging , mostly because we were new to Venezia and did not know our way around. The place is very Cosy with only space for about 20 people. But the ambiance is still relaxed and refined. The service was a bit slow but good. On asking we were recommended an excellent bottle of local classic red. The wine was very smooth and full bodied. Please see photos for the bottle. We plan to get some when we get back state side. The menu changes daily based on the catches of the day, so specific details of our food won't help much. Let me just say that nothing the four of us ordered was less than exceptional. Even the vegetarian friends in our group werre surprised how well done his dishes were. They do not have anything vegetarian on the menu, but were able to make some delicious vegetarian dishes from whatever fresh vegetables they had available. I would highly recommend this place if you want to have a memorable meal in Venice.

We had such a good meal here last Tuesday, we went back Thursday. They only do fish, and it is fantastic. Wine list focuses on region and everything we tried was great and well priced. The owner is also the headwaiter so everything is perfect.

Everything was delicious! It's extremely hard to find good non touristy traps in Venice and this goes beyond just non touristy, this place is good! The razor clams we ordered was simple but cooked to perfection.

This was hands down the best meal I had in Venice. I went to La Zucca which was a close second, but this meal was borderline life changing. I'm from San Francisco and have eaten some of the best food out there, and can say that this place knows how to cook a damn good meal. The space is a very small restaurant, with locals and waiters who speak in Italian, zero signs of tourist trap shenanigans that are rampant in Venice, just well prepared, extremely fresh seafood. They didn't have razor clams on the menu when I visited, so we ordered the caprese with prawns, mussels marinara, spaghetti with clams, shrimp ravioli, and panna cotta for dessert. The seafood in each dish was incredibly fresh and prepared very well. Each bite was clean and flavorful, highlighting the fresh ingredients. The dessert wasn't anything to write home about, but you eat here for the fresh seafood. If you're a foodie looking for a solid meal in Venice, you have to eat here.

Relied on strong reviews from yelp and made reservation in advanced. Food was solid but underwhelmed, definitely overpriced. They are playing strongly on American tourists which were the only visitors in the first seating when we visited. Overall, didn't meet my expectations, but wasn't disappointed as well.

Delicious white wine from Venice region, several fish items on the "BBQ" meaning grilled with oil and parsley and then filleted for us, we chose the swordfish, delicious spiny lobster ravioli, very good. We went at 9:30 and had some locals sitting next to us, one of them said "this is the old Venice, here, in this place."

Hmm, maybe the reviews on yelp made me expect too much but I thought this place was average. We ordered the seafood starter plate then got an array of entrees from fish, gnocchi and squid in squid ink with polenta and the definite best was the starter. Gnocchi was delicious but my squid dish, which I had the highest expectations for, was salty and I couldn't finish it. The fish was average, maybe food in Venice just doesn't mesh well with me. It's a very pretty restaurant and the server was very sweet.

Super b restaurant ! Staffs are really nice and foods are good. I am lucky enough to have the same day reservation for 4 people. I like the razor clams and soup the most. Make sure you will visit this restaurant when you come to Venice . This is not a fancy restaurant but you will enjoy eating here !

http://kennethtiongeats.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/venice-alle-testiere-alfredos-fresh-pasta-to-go/ In a recent trip to Venice, I had the fortune of trying two of the best meals I had in Europe. Alle Testiere, near San Mark's Square, offered an incredible lunch, one of the very best I've had on my Europe trip Gazpacho with Grilled Little Octopus (5/5) - Just crispy little octopus in a (hot) gazpacho with crisp carrots and cucumbers, and fresh tomato Potato Gnocchetti with small calamari and Cinnamon Scent (5/5) - Incredible sauce, cinnamon used prominently in a sauce that is savory, and tastes akin to tamarind, but isn't tamarind. Dessert - Chestnut pudding (4.5/5) It was the French lawyer and gastronomic philosopher Brillat-Savarin who quoted Charles Townsend Copeland as saying "To eat is human, to digest divine". I have rarely had a meal that sat better with me in the afterhours of that lunch. It's an extremely small and cozy place with 8 tables, but the place is a highly-recommended in my book. If you can, get the cookbook (19 Euros) as a souvenir to go with the Venetian masks.