Ristorante Riviera

A lovely restaurant by the water with a truly charming atmosphere — perfect for a romantic date or a quiet evening with friends. The grilled seafood appetizer was an absolute highlight — fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. And just when we thought the meal couldn’t get any better, they brought out a tiramisu that completely stole the show. It was simply divine! My friend loved it, and we both agreed this was one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve had in Venice. Highly recommended! 🌊🍷✨

Everything was spectacular. The food, the ambiance, the service, everything was great. We shared the oysters, caprese salad, and had the seafood pasta and spaghetti con fongoli. Everything was spectacular and not a bite left on our plates. We also had an insane sunset view that I’ve never seen before and they said they have this type of view every night. We had a nice romantic dinner and we were so thankful to our server Tao who made our dinner and night so special.

We had, as a family, booked a table at this restaurant just a few hours before arriving after my father had asked our gondolier the best restaurants for eating seafood and he recommended it, and got to dine outside during sunset until nighttime. The view was lovely, and the food was incredible. Staff was friendly and attentive during our time at the table, making sure our experience there was good, even as we tried to make arrangements to celebrate my brother’s birthday with a cake. Hands down the best eating experience we’ve had so far during our trip in Europe. Their seafood was really fresh (my mother really enjoyed it and said it reminded her of the seafood back at her homeland) and their cheesecake was delicious. We all thought it was worth it and recommend it!

We had our final Venetian lunch at Ristorante Riviera, an elegant slow-food seafood restaurant perched directly on the Zattere promenade. Our table was practically touching the water, with the Giudecca Canal stretching in front of us. As we sipped Friulano and people-watched, ships, gondolas, and ferries glided past. The setting was unforgettable. The food was just as impressive. We started with the raw seafood selection, each bite fresh and delicately flavored, and the scampi tartare, which was beautifully balanced. For mains, the spaghetti alle vongole was outstanding. It was perfectly al dente pasta, briny and sweet clams, and a sauce that clung just enough to capture the sea in every forkful. The grilled Adriatic fish was another highlight, cooked simply but with precision to let the flavors of the fresh catch shine. The staff were knowledgeable and warm, helping us pair our dishes with a crisp Friulano that complemented the seafood perfectly. Their wine program is serious, and if you ask, they’ll recommend thoughtful regional pairings. The Lugana and Friulano are particularly excellent with the menu. One of the best meals of our trip, and an absolute must if you want seafood with a view in Venice!

The best dining experience I had in Venice. Booked online the day before for a table of 4. Every dish was fine and delicious. Fish was very fresh and the tiramisu was so special. View was perfect. It’s a bit further from our hotel but we enjoyed spending the evening away from the crowd. General Manager was super friendly and chatty, we felt very welcomed and we enjoyed his company very much. He was also very knowledgeable when we asked for wine recommendations. Highly recommended and I will come back when I return to Venice.

The Best Restaurant in Venice! This place is absolutely unique – the true essence of Italian cuisine and the magical spirit of Venice. From the very moment you arrive, you can feel the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food is simply delicious – fresh, full of flavor, and prepared with great attention to detail. Every dish is a small masterpiece – from classic Italian pastas, to fresh fish and seafood, and desserts that simply melt in your mouth. It’s the kind of cuisine that delights you and makes you want to return again and again. The view is breathtaking – the tables are set right by the water, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Venice in its most enchanting form. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two, as well as for gatherings with family or friends. The staff are extremely kind, friendly, and professional. What makes it even more special is that they remember their guests! Every time we return, we are greeted with smiles and warmth, which makes us feel like visiting old friends. This restaurant is truly a gem of Venice. Every meal here is a special experience, full of flavor, joy, and Italian passion for food. It’s definitely worth a visit – once you try it, you’ll want to come back again. E&K

While in Venice, we tried this restaurant which was close to our hotel. It has relatively small space inside but very large are for outside seating next to the canal, The menu had enough choices for adults and children. The service was friendly but slow. Good was delicious.

Romantic water front dining without the pretense. The entire staff and especially Andre were always there ensuring we had everything we needed. Fish was served Venetian style and the chef put his skills to good use creating a tiramisu masterpiece. Celebrate your anniversary or just the day in this magical place by the water.

We really enjoyed this restaurant, which looks over the water. It has outdoor seating, but we opted for an inside table. Everything about this restaurant contributed to the finale of our last night in Italy, after a two-week trip. Although a bit on the expensive side, the plating, quality of the food, selection, and service were excellent. We were served an excellent selection of bread and then we split a mixed salad. What I really like about Italy, and this was certainly true at this restaurant, is the creativity, freshness, and ingredients that go into their mixed salads. This is so different than the "house salads" that we are used to in the US. I ordered a seafood dish, Paccheri allo Scoglio, which is a combination of clams, mussels, shrimp, and a crayfish in a tomato-based sauce. Paccheri is a larage, tube-shaped pasta. It was presented beautifully, the seafood was fresh, the pasta was done perfectly, and its overall taste was excellent. My wife had Cacio e Pepe, which translates to Cheese and Pepper. It is a traditional Roman dish consisting of a creamy sauce made primarily with Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper, on a Venetian pasta called Bigoli, that's essentially very thick spaghetti. She also ordered a very good Chianti.