La Colombina — Restaurant in Venice

La Colombina is an outstanding restaurant, lacking in pretension, conveniently located, well-run, and serving absolutely delicious authentic Venetian cuisine sourced from fresh local ingredients.

We had only a short stay in Venice on our recent two week trip through Italy, and wanted to find a nice restaurant to cap off our time in the city. Located in Canareggio, the restaurant is just off one of the main roads (a 10 minute walk directly from the train station)—but tucked away so as not to be thronged by passers-by.

We were impressed by the reviews, and truly, La Colombina delivers on those high expectations. We came a bit later in the evening and were seated immediately (this was a Tuesday night). We had originally intended to do the tasting menu but my husband was not sure he had the appetite for it, so we decided to order a la carte.

For our Primi piatti, I chose the gnocchi with crab and my husband selected a simple mixed salad. My gnocchi lived up to their name, being light and pillowy, and the crab was added with a light touch so as not to be overwhelming—but still a sufficient amount, the acidity of the tomato paired nicely with the richness of the potato in the gnocchi. The salad, as is often the case in Italy, was fantastic and fresh, and served with a delicious blend of balsamic and olive oil. Nothing particularly remarkable about it, but quality worth praising nonetheless.

Additionally we loved the rye bread, an atypical find in the restaurants we frequented during our trip.

Our secondi course really took the top spot, however. I ordered the squid stew with polenta, whereas my husband ordered the sea bass fillet with zucchini. The presentation of both dishes was fantastic, especially of the sea bass, with the (rather sizable) fillet being covered with the zucchini in a pattern to emulate scales.

The polenta for my dish was cubed and refired to add a crispy texture to the exterior creating a delightful mix of crispy and soft. The squid was among the most tender I have ever had in my life and both dishes were seasoned to perfection.

To cap it all off, we chose two desserts, the chocolate parfait and the lemon Bavarian. Both were just the right amount of sweet, with the chocolate parfait especially containing a deeply complex flavor that left us talking about it still as we walked back to our hotel.

I chose to partake in the 3-glass wine pairings offered by the restaurant, and each wine selected was excellent, a perfect match for the course and a unique and delicious flavor. The service we received throughout the meal was excellent, the staff were thoughtful and knowledgeable about all of the dishes and the wine served.

I cannot say enough about how thrilled we were about our experience here. We know we will have to return to La Colombina again next time we find ourselves in Venice—and hope that it comes again soon so that we get to experience this fantastic...

Really wonderful place that we couldn't believe was not packed on a Friday night in July. Food, service and ambiance all get five stars from me. From the reservation process to paying the bill, La Columbina knows how to operate a high end restaurant. The restaurant is in an alley off of Strada Nuevo in Cannaregio and has a spacious little courtyard to itself for Al fresco dining without the hot sun in the summertime.

Staff was well dressed, service oriented and all spoke English well. I believe the owner came out to help with our order as I had let her know that we had food allergies in our party when making the reservation weeks prior. The kitchen did more than make us confident they could handle it, they made custom dishes for my son (including a special loaf of bread that was free of his allergens - dairy and nuts). They even allowed the rest of us to order the tasting menu at our table (when they usually only allow tasting menus for the whole table). I have found Venetian restaurants to be accommodating to food allergies, but this was above and beyond.

We had the Mare (seafood) menu. The food was simply outstanding. Every dish was prepared and presented with care from the amuse bouche (chilled tomato soup) to the tiramisu for dessert. The scallop au gratin, squid ink risotto, gnocchi with crab sauce, and seabass wrapped in zucchini were all delicious. I want to have that gnocchi again already! They elevated traditional Venetian specialties without going over the top. I will say that the portions were a little large for a five course menu. All the dishes appeared to be full sized, which made it a LOT to finish all of them. That's a first world problem though!

They offer wine pairings at very fair prices - including Coravin stored premium wines by the glass. I wanted a very local wine and purchased a bottle instead of doing pairings.

La Columbina happened to be a five minute walk from my accommodations, but it's worth a visit no matter where you are staying in Venice (or even as a reason to go). I still cannot believe how fair the pricing was for the tasting menu (66€ for five courses that would have been close to 95€ a la carte). For an experience this good, you owe it to yourself to visit this restaurant. I visited another highly recommended and widely publicized restaurant in Venice east of St Mark’s Square. This place was significantly better. They certainly deserve their long-standing Michelin recognition. I cannot recommend this...

Nestled in a quaint and picturesque hidden courtyard, La Colombina delivers a dining experience that's nothing short of enchanting. This Michelin star gem in the heart of Italy is a sanctuary for lovers of fine cuisine, where the ambiance is as memorable as the food. The restaurant's deeply romantic atmosphere, complemented by the intimate setting, sets the stage for an unforgettable evening.

From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The knowledgeable staff guided us through our dining journey with grace and expertise, ensuring every detail was perfect. Their passion for excellence is evident in every interaction, enhancing the overall experience.

We indulged in the seafood tasting menu, which was a masterclass in culinary artistry. Each course was a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, showcasing the freshest ingredients and innovative techniques. The scallop au gratin, seasoned with Sicilian oranges, was a delightful start, its delicate sweetness perfectly balanced. The traditional black squid ink rice, paired with red prawns adorned with gold leaf, was both visually stunning and bursting with rich, umami flavors.

The sautéd crab with rosemary gnocchi was a standout, offering a comforting yet sophisticated dish that highlighted the natural sweetness of the crab. The sea bass, artfully dressed in zucchini scales, was a testament to the chef's skill, each bite tender and flavorful. We concluded our meal with a deconstructed tiramisu, a playful and exquisite interpretation of the classic dessert that left us craving more.

La Colombina's succulent wine selections further elevated our experience, each glass thoughtfully chosen to complement the flavors of our meal. This dining experience is a testament to the culinary excellence that defines La Colombina, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a truly romantic and...