Ristorante Da Ivo

"Venice's Best Splurge Meal “Ristorante da Ivo is where George Clooney famously likes to dine, but it’s still completely charming. It’s a tiny trattoria and very expensive, but the food is stunning. The kitchen is still family-run and it feels very local, not at all pretentious. You can get dressed up or go in jeans and a jumper. Do try the baccala, which is salted dried cod that’s been soaked in milk and whipped up with olive oil. It’s creamy and delicious.” — Skye McAlpine, cookbook author and Venice native. Read about more of McAlpine's Venice favorites here ."

https://www.vogue.com/article/how-george-and-amal-clooney-spending-summer-italy

@vogue

How George and Amal Clooney Do Date Night in Italy | Vogue

"The restaurant off of St. Mark’s Square serves classic Italian fare like spaghetti with clams, veal ossobucco, grilled prawns over rice, and gelato." - Vogue

https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-locals-guide-to-the-best-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-venice

Where Locals Eat in Venice - AFAR

"A tiny, family-run trattoria that, despite being pricey and a celebrity favorite, remains charming and unpretentious; the cooking is stunning and the baccala—salted dried cod soaked in milk and whipped with olive oil—is especially recommended for its creamy richness." - Ashlea Halpern

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-was-book-club-the-next-chapter-filmed

Guitar Master

Google

This restaurant has outstanding food but is a little on the expensive side. The service is pretty good but is made up for by the great vibe and food. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for delicious food. If you do end up here, I would definitely recommend the fried cuttlefish and lobster pasta.

Roberta Tomsik

Google

I am so grateful I was able to reserve a table at this gem! There is a reason so many return over and over. We were greeted with open arms when we arrived early for our reservation. What an extensive, beautiful wine list! We chose an incredible Gaja Barbaresco. The “welcome bruschetta” was stunning. The tiny peaches in truffle oil!!! Oh my Goodness! The specials of the day were plentiful and made it difficult to narrow down choices. We started with wonderful fresh raw oysters and octopus in tomato sauce. The whole sea bream and cuttle fish were perfectly prepared with gentle seasonings, not overpowering the freshness of the seafood. The atmosphere, so intimate! The staff, impeccable! Thank you Sebastiano for taking such good care of us! I even asked that he sign a book for me…not only did he sign it, but the entire restaurant staff signed as well! If I return to Venice, I will book my reservation here as soon as I book my flight! Again, many thanks!

Rico Fernandez

Google

Recommended to me by a friend, certainly did not disappoint. Exquisite takes on traditional Venetian dishes. Everything of the finest quality. Layers of flavour were present and delicious. Beautiful house Amarone & Brunello.

DrLeona TheToothfairy

Google

Quaint and simple. However the food was nothing short of outstanding. Everything was super fresh and delicious. I really felt like I was in Italy eating traditional food. Service was also excellent and prompt!

Google

Our 5 th time since 2021 … We love the service, food, ambiance of this great Italian restaurant. Many Thanks for the excellent experience … its great as always never less always more…especially many thanks to our wait staff Mr. Rashid and all the Da Ivo team for a memorable night…

Phillip Strickland

Google

Great atmosphere and great food! Small dining room so make a reservation. Nice specials also. If you can, arrive by boat/gondola for the full experience

Loy Garcia

Google

I made my reservation way in advance. As I started reading reviews, I was nervous about keeping it. I decided we should keep it as the good reviews and return visit reviews were more compelling than the negative. Let me just say we had an excellent experience!! The service by everyone was excellent and attentive! The food was very good and the experience was as advertised. The menu was pricey, but I felt that for the experience, it was worth it. I would recommend this place for anyone who asks. If you are on a budget, this is not the place for you.

Sean K

Google

This spot in Venice is everything you want in an authentic Italian dining experience. It’s cozy, tucked away, and full of charm. The food is incredible—think fresh pasta, perfectly cooked seafood, and rich, flavorful sauces. The service is warm and makes you feel like part of the family. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just enjoying a meal in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this place hits all the right notes. A true Venetian gem.

Jack C.

Yelp

Fantastic service and great environment. Arrive by water taxi. At the end of the day, the food is decent, not excellent, and the prices are outrageous. It's worth going if you feel like spending a lot of money, but don't go expecting to be blown away by the food, especially at the price. Don't get me wrong; if the food matched the price, I would have no problem paying. $1200.00 for five people is not that expensive. But the food doesn't match the price. Tourist trap for sure! But if you're having fun and blowing money on vacation, why not?

Jane B.

Yelp

This is a must visit restaurant in Venice. Every dish was exceptional and the staff run the small location with ease. From the house bread and superb olive oil to the deep wine list, I loved it. I enjoyed a special - seafood lasagna and it was superb. Squid ink pasta, delicate seafood, super yum! For starters baby artichoke and crab salad - wow!

Maggie J.

Yelp

Yuuuuum. We ate here on a Tuesday night while on vacation in Venice. We were not able to use the water entry to the restaurant because of high tides but it was a pretty quick walk from the square. The restaurant itself has a cozy casual vibe and the service was very attentive. I got the burrata caprese and pasta with tomato and eggplant. The caprese was super simple but one of the best that I have ever had and the pasta was al dente perfection. My husband got the truffle pasta and the osso bucco and was equally as pleased. They capped of the end of the meal with tiny ice cream filled chocolates that were a delightful treat! Definitely make reservations and do not miss this restaurant!

Natasha K.

Yelp

The best meal we had while in Venice (but also most expensive). Reservation is highly recommended. This cozy restaurant seats, maybe, 40 guests at a time. The service staff was professional and yet friendly. And the food... Wow. Amazing. My husband especially loved his order of the osso buco.

Marilyn K.

Yelp

It was incredibly exciting to enter this restaurant from the water! What a special experience. It is a tiny, cozy restaurant inside. You are so close to others that you feel that they hear all of your conversation! While I remember the food being fine, I honestly can't remember anything standing out incredibly. And given the prices, that makes me sad. The service was snooty. I remember the managers arguing with us about our reservation, and we had confirmation of that reservation in writing. Still, they argued. I don't think that I would recommend this place to others or return. Perhaps we ordered the wrong items that were not memorable.

Sheri M.

Yelp

Restaurant Da Ivo is a world-famous Italian restaurant located on a canal in the San Marco neighborhood of Venice. It is owned and operated by the charismatic Giovanni Fracassi, whose restaurant is small, intimate, and elegant. We had appetizers of octopus and beef carpaccio, spaghetti bottarga, and paccheri pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes followed by the Bistecca Florentine. The food was prepared to perfection and delicious. Highly recommended. Reservations required.

Mrs F.

Yelp

Fantastic. Very good food. Great ambience - very authentic. Wonderful daily specials & menu, great wine list. Staff are very attentive. Expensive but a wonderful experience. Definitely need a reservation.

Roland G.

Yelp

Food was ok. Not great , service not so good waiters lazy, resturant also was dirty. Location in the city great

David L.

Yelp

We had a very simple Meal of clams then pasta. Nothing fancy, just simple done perfectly. Without question the best clams and the best pasta I've ever had!

Wendy J.

Yelp

From the soup ...to the dessert, the food was excellent ! The setting was perfect. The service was uncomfortable and disappointing. As the only woman of color in the restaurant at the time, I was treated with less attention and clearly not given the same service as other guest dining during my visit. This was the only experience of this type during my stay in Venice. " DA IVO " It's 2018, time to Embrace all people, Not just those that look like you!

Darryl O.

Yelp

This is a gem of a restaurant tucked away in a corner of San Marco. A little hard to find (we actually tried to enter through the kitchen!) it is well worth the effort. Cozy and attended mainly by locals, this restaurant is the authentically Italian! We ordered the standard spaghetti vongole, a big order of langoustines and wine. We were very, very happy! A great meal. Next time we'll have the tartufo pasta, the mantis shrimp and the crab filled zucchini blossoms. Can't wait!

Jimmy H.

Yelp

This is my favorite restaurant in Venice. Was here the first time 12 years ago and luckily found it again on this trip with the kids. Every dish was delicious. Kids loved the Florentine steak and the truffle pasta.

Amanda S.

Yelp

I spent one night in Venice with my boyfriend. A friend said this was a must try place that even George Clooney had his bachelor party dinner here. Haha We absolutely loved everything about this adorable restaurant that's located on a romantic canal. The atmosphere and service was amazing. We had our best meal here on our two week stay in Italy. I will definitely make it a point to come back here. For anyone looking for suggestions the shrimp risotto was perfection.

Samuel A.

Yelp

This place is simply incredible in every way. If the life changingly delicious food wasn't enough, the staff makes it a truly unforgettable experience. We ordered 6 dishes in total and each was amazing, but the spinach tortellini takes the gold metal. Worth coming to Venice just for the meal.

Christine D.

Yelp

Food was amazing! A must when visiting Rome. Getting a table is a bit tricky. I found that getting in for lunch was a bit easier.. just arrive EXACTLY when they open (1230pm for lunch).

Bridgit N.

Yelp

Excellent Italian in a very intimate setting.... We arrived here on a water taxi which was very unique and fun and I would highly recommend if your hotel is accessible by water. The food was excellent. The wine was excellent and the service very good. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Mark O.

Yelp

I got recommended to go to this restaurant by a local and he wasn't kidding. The food is just superb; lovingly prepared and full of taste. We went with a selection of the specials of the day and we were very impressed. The wine list is wide and covers a good range. Just don't worry about the prices - when in Venice treat yourself !

Lisa Marie G.

Yelp

Delicious :) My husband and I had a wonderful time here! Truffle pasta was delicious! The service was excellent and the ambience was fabulous! Not to mention the couples siting next to us were friendly and we had lovely conversations :)

Natasha D.

Yelp

Fantastico. We return 22 years and crawl out the window into Gondola with Glennie

Marc U.

Yelp

Don't go here if you're cheap or don't appreciate great service. The food is top notch, but as good as the good is the quality of the wait staff is better. If there was a hall of fame for those in the hospitality trade the crew here would be enshrined there. It was a pleasure to watch the professionalism and skill of the four man team. The food was exceptional. We had portabello mushrooms, truffle pasta, risotto and Tuscan steak. All excellent. But the quality of the servers was perhaps the finest I've ever.

Sanjay H.

Yelp

I returned to Ristorante Da Ivo during a trip this month for my wedding and we had my bachelor party here with a group of 12. As always, the restaurant did an impeccable job, and was unphased by a large group of 12 hungry men. The service was stellar, the food as always, had a wide range of choices ranging from authentic venetian, to options to satisfy a few vegetarians in our group. While this is one of George Clooney's favorite restaurants in Venice, the owner, Giovanni Fracassi, and his staff,s attention to every detail, and hospitality make every guest feel like George Clooney!

Judy J.

Yelp

Best Service. Best Food. One of the most memorable dining experiences ever. If in Venice, this is a must go to dinner. Make a reservation. The owners come out and discuss the menu with you. They ask questions about your particular tastes. Absolutely charming..

Mista H.

Yelp

Simply the best meal I had in Italy. Even though their service I a little even for European siesta style, the food & atmosphere more than make up for it. Would come back for sure...when I had more time.

Vittorio M.

Yelp

Davvero eccezionale, una esperienza da non perdere!

Dylan R.

Yelp

Went for lunch after reading incredible reviews. Got there just as they opened so no wait for a table for two. Had the spinach and ricotta tortellini, which was absolutely delicious, but at $25 for the dish was pretty overpriced. Would recommend for a fine dining experience.

Luke H.

Yelp

After we spend +260 Euro on our meals, the waiter lied and says gratuity is not included in the charge when the bill clearly states that it is. For a place that takes itself as seriously as this place does and charges the prices it charges, it's laughable that they resort to low class tourist trap antics like lying about gratuity. The food is mediocre and this place owes its good reviews to the fact that Clooney and (judging by the pics on the walls) other celebs apparently ate there at some point in time. Do not be fooled, this place is nothing special in the food, ambience and service departments. Avoid this place, Venice has so many places with better food and more integrity.

Jamie P.

Yelp

Truly wonderful meal, out of a group of 8, the best restaurant in Venice, after 6 nights of dinners and lunches. Everyones dish was wonderful, however the atmosphere is so great, that the food could have been mediocre and still been a special night. Although we mostly ordered off the menu, the specials are what they try to focus on. We had ZUchini Blossoms stuffed with crab, Burratta, grilled porcini mushrooms and frutti di mare to start, all wonderful, for main courses our entire table almost ordered their special of the house the pasta pasaeano, however I order the vongole, which was the best i have had in venice and maybe anywhere. This is a MUST if you come to Venice. It is inside but on a canal, so Gondola's literally row by all meal, it is almost to picturesque.

G S.

Yelp

We had a very bad experience and I relay it so that those who want to eat at da Ivo with small children are warned. I booked by e-mail, in Italian, for 5 adults and an 18 month old child. I specifically asked da Ivo to tell me if they had a problem with our bringing a child. They said "va bene" (ok). The day of the reservation, when our hotel (up market) concierge called to re-confirm, da Ivo said we could have our reservation but we would be squashed in. I told the concierge it sounded as though we would not be welcome so I thought we should cancel if we wouldn't be charged for doing so. The concierge called da Ivo and then called me back and said we would not be charged to cancel and, in any event, despite da Ivo having confirmed a table for our group at 7.15pm, da Ivo had, in fact, had us down for 'mezzo giorno'. So we cancelled. We were subsequently charged $293.50. Needless to say, we will never recommend this restaurant - I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world and have never been treated like this. I wonder if da Ivo would have had the same attitude had they known that a high profile guest was in our party ?

Jocelyne D.

Yelp

Fabulous. Book ahead. Not a tourist trap. Wonderful food. Fabulous atmosphere and friendly involved owner. Gracie per una no due ceni merveliose

@cntraveler

Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, and Co. Take a Trip Across Italy in ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’

"Ristorante Da Ivo in Venice is amazing—you can arrive or leave by gondola to their side door."

https://www.vogue.com/article/how-george-and-amal-clooney-spending-summer-italy

@vogue

How George and Amal Clooney Do Date Night in Italy | Vogue

"The restaurant off of St. Mark’s Square serves classic Italian fare like spaghetti with clams, veal ossobucco, grilled prawns over rice, and gelato." - Vogue

https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-locals-guide-to-the-best-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-venice

Where Locals Eat in Venice - AFAR