What to do in Venice in a day?
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Published on 2/27/24, modified on 9/23/26
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Inspiration and great deals for your next low-carbon trips
Reducing your environmental footprint while traveling also starts with what you eat. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or neither, you may want to cut meat out of your meals—without giving up the chance to discover local specialties.
Venice is a city built right on the water, so its cuisine features an abundance of fish, shellfish, and duck. But that’s not all. Fortunately, there are plenty of vegetarian options, and the city’s restaurants know how to showcase this diversity—and even reinterpret traditional specialties in vegan versions. Here are a few traditional vegetarian dishes: pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans), risi e bisi (rice with peas), pasta with radicchio and walnuts (radicchio, a purple cousin of endives, and walnuts)... Here’s our selection of great places to eat, ranging from street food to more upscale restaurants, from the most affordable to the most expensive.
The place is tiny and tucked away deep in the Cannaregio neighborhood, not far from Ca' Foscari University's economics campus. The specialty—whether you take it to go or eat it at a bar stool—is crepes, made with vegan batter, as are most of the fillings. For vegetarians, try the “Barese,” with smoked buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, mushrooms, almonds, and arugula. For vegans, the “Washington Vegan”—with peanut butter, roasted vegetables, almonds, raisins, and cabbage—is to die for. It’s not a typical Venetian recipe, but the experience itself is very local—as students from the nearby campus can attest.
Fondamenta S. Giobbe, 548/B
Hours vary by season; please check the Facebook page.
+39 345 307 3333
Crêpes House by Pepe
Imagine a club sandwich—but one that’s delicious, fluffy, and filled with high-quality ingredients. In Venice, it’s called a tramezzino (plural: tramezzini), and it’s served stuffed to the brim with filling, almost to the point of bursting. It’s the perfect late-morning snack—or even a convenient and affordable on-the-go lunch. At Ai Nomboli, the display case showcases a wide variety of flavors that change with the seasons, including plenty of vegetarian options: eggs and asparagus, melon and robbiola cheese (trust me), zucchini and cheese, mozzarella and tomatoes... In winter, they sometimes serve hot, inexpensive soups.
Calle dei Nomboli, 2717, C
Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
+39 0415230995
If you’re in the mood to relax in the sun for a healthy, delicious lunch or a comforting afternoon snack, head to the Fondamenta della Misericordia, a long waterfront lined with bar and restaurant terraces. One spot really stands out—it’s called Sullaluna: a bookstore dedicated to illustrated books for adults and children, where you can enjoy creamy cappuccinos or sparkling prosecco. As for the food, it’s fresh, vegetarian or vegan, and absolutely delicious: for an aperitif, try gorgonzola and fig open-faced sandwiches; for a main course, a vegan bean salad with seasonal vegetable pesto; and for dessert, a warm almond tart served with cream. You’ll leave with a full stomach—and sometimes, a book.
Fondamenta della Misericordia, 2535
+39 041722924
Daily, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sullaluna
You’ll have to venture off the beaten path to discover Tecia Vegana, located in the residential neighborhood of Santa Marta. Here, everything is vegan—from appetizers to desserts, including the wines. The menu changes every month: for lunch, you choose a single dish from two options (for example, in February 2024, lasagna or pad thai). For dinner, you pick a starter, a main course, and a side dish… you’ll usually find ravioli that’s to die for, filled with seasonal ingredients and served with cashews. For dessert, you can even try a raw cheesecake or a gluten-free tiramisu.
Calle dei Secchi, 2104
Tuesday–Saturday, lunch and dinner
+39 0415246244
In Italian, “zucca” means squash. Naturally, this cucurbit appears in quite a few dishes on the menu—which is mainly vegetarian—when it’s in season. Taking a spoonful of the Parmesan squash flan is an experience you’ll never forget. And for dessert, there’s a truly original squash and pistachio cake. In the summer, you’ll find gazpacho with balsamic vinegar ice cream, or tagliatelle with zucchini pesto, pecorino, and almonds. If you’re interested, don’t forget to make a reservation—it fills up fast.
Calle del Megio 1762
Mon–Sat, lunch and dinner
+39 0415241570
Osteria La Zucca
This elegant, traditional restaurant, located in a narrow street between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, had the great idea of offering its menu in three different versions. No, not fish on one side and meat on the other. But a daily special, a vegan menu, and a vegetarian menu. It’s really nice to have so many options in a traditional setting that doesn’t prioritize omnivorous cuisine over the others.
Calle dei Stagneri 5242
Tuesday at noon, Wednesday–Sunday at noon and in the evening
+39 0415285147
