The best local dishes in Venice often consist of various seafood delicacies caught from the city's famous waterways and lagoon. Venetian cuisine also puts its own twist on Italian favorites such as risotto, lasagna and spaghetti.

While many associate Italy primarily with pizza, the "main" or most iconic food in Venice is actually Baccalà Mantecato. This is a creamy, whipped spread made from dried Atlantic cod (stockfish), olive oil, garlic, and parsley, traditionally served on top of grilled white polenta or crusty bread. Another quintessential Venetian culinary staple is Sarde in Saor, which consists of fried sardines marinated in a sweet-and-sour mixture of onions, vinegar, pine nuts, and raisins. For a casual dining experience, locals flock to small wine bars (bacari) for Cicchetti, the Venetian version of tapas. These bite-sized snacks range from small sandwiches (tramezzini) to fried meatballs and seafood skewers. Because of its location on the lagoon, Venetian cuisine is heavily dominated by seafood, and you will find that Risi e Bisi (rice and peas) and Bigoli in Salsa (thick pasta in an anchovy and onion sauce) are the true stars of the local menu.