Behind a rather unassuming facade, in the corner of the busy campo San Felice, is hidden one of Venice's best-kept secrets, La Cantina is our favourite restaurant in Venice. Inside, the atmosphere is unpretentious and cosy, and the staff are extremely friendly, especially to the regulars who are greeted as old friends. The extensive and ever-changing wine list is chalked up on a board opposite the bar and showcases some of the best wines the region has to offer. If this should fail to impress, Francesco, head-chef and wine-lover, can unearth something special from his cavernous cellar.

However, it is the food which makes La Cantina so special. Exciting and delicious cicchetti are served up throughout the day, all made with the freshest and highest quality products to be found in the city. Bite-sized morsels of cured raw sea bass with lemongrass, or alto adige ham with local goats cheese and quails eggs served atop warm bread are just some examples of Francesco's creations. For those in need of something larger, La Cantina offers platters of cooked meats, including delicious black belly pork, lamb chops and sirloin steak, or fish, ranging from scallops and oysters to sea bass and the local delicacy from the lagoon, mantis shrimp. Any time of the day, La Cantina is the perfect place to escape the thronging streets and indulge in some of the most honest yet delicious food in Venice.

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Francesco Zorzetto

Lunch: 11.30am through until
Dinner: 10.30pm Mon-Sat

Visa, Master Card, American Express

• Alfresco dining
• Vegetarian menu