Ristorante Wistèria

We had a superb evening at Wistèria. If you’ve read a few online takes suggesting the food is “whacky” or veers into shock value, rest easy: this is imaginative Venetian cooking that stays coherent and delicious. The tasting menu riffs on local tradition with contemporary technique, aiming for contrast and harmony rather than gimmicks—and that’s exactly how it eats. Two dishes deserve special mention. First, the red mullet—beautifully handled and deeply flavorful—was the standout of the night. Second, the truffle/hazelnut/mushroom dessert was one of the most unique (and successful) endings I’ve had anywhere: flavors you wouldn’t normally expect in dessert, woven into something elegant rather than odd for odd’s sake. Service was top-notch: attentive, friendly, and genuinely funny, with every course and technique clearly explained in English. The sommelier guided us to an excellent bottle that paired across the full Serendipity menu; if you prefer, there are curated wine pairings for the 6- or 8-course menus, and wines by the glass as well. The setting matches the cooking. Wistèria sits on a quiet canal in central San Polo, an easy walk from major sights yet blissfully calm; the room includes thoughtful Venetian touches (think Murano glass accents) and feels distinctive to place rather than generic “fine dining.” In short: a Michelin-starred restaurant that earns the star not with theatrics but with clarity of flavor, craft, and hospitality. Book it for a special night in Venice—I’d happily return.

My second year coming. It was the best meal of the year 2024 and they knocked it out of the park again. This year I came with 2 kids 8/12 and the team did better than my best hopes. They fed the kids quickly and with a care most restaurants can’t do for even there regulars. Out of 10 it was a 15. Things they didn’t have on the menu were crafted and brought for them Now for the adults meals amazing every bit was carefully crafted to be a complete dish in ways few can do for a single dish

Wonderful dining experience. It was a great choice to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant felt elegant, and the indoor dining space felt intimate. Staff were friendly and welcoming. We had Serendipity 8 instead of 6, as we felt the former had more interesting dishes included, although an 8-course meal usually is a bit too much food. Dishes were creative and beautifully presented. If I have to choose, fruits in the sea and autumn lasagna were my favorites.

We had the most spectacular meal here during our visit to Venice. Exceptional service and artistry. The staff was incredibly accommodating of my husband’s gluten allergy and modified his entire meal without compromising the beauty and specialness of each dish. With the eight course meal with the wine pairing, our experience at Wisteria proved to be a culinary and winery tour of the region not to be missed.

Amazingly unique and creative blend of local and exotic ingredients. We had the 8 course menu with a superior wine pairing. If you are in Venice and want to try something amazing, go to Wisteria.

We went to the restaurant at our 30th anniversary. So we were expecting some special. And it was special evening. The food was great, spaghetti was exeptional, but risotto literally blown our minds. Heads down for Chef. On top of the great food, the wine pairing was spit on. Great job of the sommelier. In my opinion highly recommended restaurant.

⭐️ (2 out of 5) – A Dinner None of Us Will Ever Forget — for All the Wrong Reasons We dined at Restorante Wisteria in Venice for what was meant to be a special evening celebrating our 19th anniversary. The service and attentiveness of the staff were Michelin star level — polished, professional, and gracious. Unfortunately, the food itself was absolutely not Michelin star quality. Two of the courses were downright disgusting ( Wood Pigeon and Tripe). . One guest took a single sip of the tripe dish — something we’ve enjoyed elsewhere — and immediately said, “I can’t take another bite.” Within hours, she became violently ill and was later treated for food poisoning, leaving her sick for two days with severe diarrhea. All the other guests suffered fro gastrointestinal issues over the following days (edited), while we didn't have the reaction that the other did, we all felt like the dishes were compromised. Another course, the wood pigeon, was barely edible - foul tasting (no pun) gamey, and unpleasant. One out of four guest finished that course. We know fine dining; we had several Michelin-star meals during our 16-day trip through Italy, and this was by far the worst. What was supposed to be a romantic, memorable dinner nearly ruined our trip, grounding us for 48 hours and forcing us to cancel a planned excursion to the Dolomites. To their credit, the wine pairing was excellent, but that was the only redeeming element of an otherwise disastrous meal. Wisteria has the service of a Michelin restaurant — but the food quality and execution don’t belong anywhere near one. This culinary experience was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

The food was fresh and of high quality, which I truly appreciated. The ingredients were clearly chosen with care, and the dishes were well-prepared. However, I found myself missing the "wow" factor that I have come to expect from Michelin-starred establishments. The creativity and boldness in flavor that typically set these restaurants apart were somewhat lacking here. Additionally, the dessert was a bit disappointing. It didn't quite match the high standards set by the rest of the meal and left me wanting more in terms of taste and presentation. While the dining experience was enjoyable, I believe there's room for improvement to truly elevate it to the Michelin star level. Overall, a good meal but not quite the extraordinary experience I anticipated.

Avant-garde Venetian. Spectacular setting with just a few tables. Excellent tasting menu. Ate lunch here. In terms of a time commitment, much less of a commitment than two-star restaurant Glam.

Everything was super amazing. Every dish was delicious, beautiful, and some were even fun! Service was beyond impeccable. Pricey but definitely worth it!!

A very late review for my enjoyable lunch a couple months ago at this beautiful Venitian restaurant. Only one small disturbance as I was being seated: the servers were forced to deal with a rude American tourist at the next table. This "Karen" was quickly calmed and moved to another table by the efficient staff. I was hoping they would have tossed such a disrespectful patron into the Rio de la Frescada. No such luck. But the plates were excellent, especially the rabbit lasagna. A couple of the selections, however, may have been a bit much. Such as the amuse bouche in 7 parts. And the "disco-music" dessert with gianduia (chocolate hazelnut paste) feuilletine with red fruits and almond sorbet was extremely good. I was not as big a fan of the "disco" part: the tiny flashing strobe-lights under the clear plate. In any case, I will have to return soon. 2022 10 02. M1.

Wisteria is marked by some beautiful wisteria on the outside - which I imagine make for an even more beautiful setting when it's in bloom. We weren't there for it but the garden is beautiful. More importantly the tasting menu is fantastic and they were mindful of a couple specific dislikes I had in serving us, which I appreciated. In addition to the fantastic small dishes we had, we were also particularly impressed by the dessert (fashioned after a Magritte painting) for the layers of textures and flavors.

Modern artful cuisine. Unlike any other in Venice and worth the visit. Especially if you are an adventurous eater. Staff are personal and passionate about what they do.