Are you in Venice, with hungry kids, looking for a family-friendly place to eat?
Perhaps you’re still at home, and you’re plotting out your family’s Venetian itinerary.
Either way, let’s take a look at some tried and true options based on my travels to Venice with my family – from babies to elementary-age kids.
I’ll go over:
- My habits for feeding our family in Venice
- Foods your kids may want to try in Venice
- Places to eat with your kids in Venice, by category (cicchetti, sit-down meals, gelato, etc).
I’ve also included a map that you can pull up if you want to find something nearby.
Andiamo – let’s go!
What We Typically Do For Meals in Venice with Kids
- I usually avoid long sit-down meals because my boys get antsy. Instead, we look for quick lunches and dinners or takeaway options that we can eat in a park or playground.
- I also make sure I have plenty of snacks on hand in case we’re in a situation we can’t buy one (like on a vaporetto or waiting in a line).
- I try to avoid restaurants with easy access to the water if I’m traveling with kids.
Foods For Kids to Try in Venice
This isn’t a complete list, but here are some foods and dishes that work well for kids in Venice.
Cicchetti – Little bites, a bit like Spanish tapas. Great option for little ones because they can try foods without committing to a large portion. They’re also fun to eat.
Bussolà, buranelli, esse – Traditional Venetian cookies.
Tramezzini – Triangular sandwiches made with fluffy, white sandwich bread with crusts removed. Different options for fillings, like prosciutto, tuna, or mozzarella and tomatoes.
Gelato
Risotto or pasta al nero di seppia – Risotto (rice dish) or pasta with squid ink. Fun to try for kids, but know that it does stain so wear dark clothing if you have a lively eater.
Fritto misto – Mixed, fried seafood, sometimes in a takeaway paper cone. My kids love eating anything out of a cone.
Risi e bisi – Rice and peas, a great option for kids
Pizza
Good To Know: Tiramisù is a popular dessert in Venice, but keep in mind that it contains coffee and often a liqueur.
Map of Where to Eat in Venice with Kids
Cicchetti
Panini e Vini da Babbo – One of my favorite places for cicchetti with kids. The offerings aren’t huge, but there are enough options to satisfy little ones and you can sit at one of the outdoor tables and people-watch (it’s on a corner of a popular walkway) or let your kids play on the wide walkway (without worrying about water).
Good To Know: It’s less than 5-minutes walking from a lovely toy shop, C’era Una Volta (Calle S. Pantalon, 3739).
Bar All’Arco – A popular place for cicchetti as it’s been on travel and food shows. It lives up to the hype. All’Arco only has a couple of tables, so it’s not a good spot to bring a large family. I’d recommend it if you’ve got elementary age kids or teens.
Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso – This place also has dishes like pastas, but I prefer it for cicchetti. The display case is at a good height for kids to see and pick out what they want. It’s kind of dark inside, which can be nice and relaxing after being outside in the sun and heat or if your baby or toddler needs to nap. I’ve seen groups of local Venetians here celebrating heartily in the eve but it can be really quiet mid-day. Plenty of seating. You can bring a stroller in but you may need to park it away from your table. It’s tucked away, so be patient looking for it.
Good To Know: On my last visit, there was only one high-chair available in the entire place, so if you need more than one, this isn’t the place for you.
Pizza
Farini (multiple locations) – Pizza and focaccia by-the-slice. There are also other options like cornetti and pastries (good breakfast options). Toilets to change diapers, plenty of seating, but they’re high seats (unless you’re at a location with a few outdoor tables). My kids are also fans of the big cookies.
1000 Gourmet – Neopolitan-style pizza. Modern decor which feels out of place in Venice, but the pizza is excellent, there’s room for a stroller and it’s close to Piazza San Marco.
Rio Novo – Known more for seafood, but the pizza is a great option here. This place works well if you want to eat seafood, but your kids are in the mood for pizza. Your family can sit on the canal without stressing out, as there is a little fence between the tables and the canal.
Craving Pizza? Check out more pizza recommendations for Venice.
Fried Seafood Takeaway
Fried Land – This place is a little hole-in-the-wall, and it often has a long line (thanks, Instagram). Kids love the fried seafood in a cone. The servings are huge, so get one and ask for extra paper cones for another 1-2 kids.
Helpful Tip: If you want to sit while you eat, walk to Campo Santa Fosca, just 100 meters away. Heads up that it’s on a canal (if you have curious kids who may think of going for a swim).
Sit-Down Meals
Trattoria al Gazzettino – Family-friendly restaurant with a casual, warm atmosphere. Kids are welcome (high-chairs available), and there are options for seafood or meat lovers. There are also gluten-free pastas available. There’s plenty of space, and one part of the restaurant has a nice canal view.
Il Paradiso Perduto – Fun option for the family, on the canal or indoors. Canal tables are best for older kids (there’s no barrier between the tables and the water). Casual setting, plenty of seafood options, lively atmosphere. It gets crowded, so reservations are recommended. I love the vibe here – no stuffiness at all.
Rosso Pomodoro (multiple locations) – This is part of a chain, but it’s a good option if you’re traveling in Italy with kids. One of the locations is at the train station, so you have a place to eat either before you leave or if your group arrives hangry. Pasta and pizza are the focus.
Gelato
Suso Gelatoteca (multiple locations) – Suso has my gelato heart. Classic and creative flavors. Heads up that the shops are small and can get crowded.
Gelato Lovers: Check out more recommendations for Venice, Florence, and Rome.
Cookies
Panificio Pavan – This is my go-to for typical Venetian cookies to eat on the spot or to take away for gifts (or the train ride back to Florence). It’s in the gorgeous Campo S. Tomà, and you can eat them sitting on the base of the well in the middle of the campo. Don’t worry, the well is covered with bars.
Or, head to Burano, the true home of bussolà, buranelli, and esse. Read more about Visiting Burano with Kids.
You may want to check out
Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids
10 Day Itinerary Ideas for Italy with Kids
Italy with a Baby or Toddler
Packing List for Italy with Kids
Venice with Kids
Tips for Taking Your Kids on a Gondola in Venice
Tips for Your First Trip to Venice
