Ristorante Caffè Saraceno — Restaurant in Venice

Café Saraceno in Venice, Italy, provided an unforgettable dining experience that perfectly blended authentic Venetian charm with exceptional hospitality. Nestled in the vibrant San Polo district, the restaurant’s ambiance was warm and inviting, with a picturesque view of the canal that added a magical touch to our meal. The menu showcased a delightful array of traditional Venetian dishes, each prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From the perfectly cooked seafood pasta to the creamy tiramisu, every bite was a testament to the kitchen’s dedication to culinary excellence, making it a standout destination in the heart of Venice. Our waiter, Massimo, elevated the experience to an extraordinary level with his gracious and welcoming demeanor. From the moment we were seated, he greeted us with genuine warmth, making us feel like honored guests in his home. Massimo’s knowledge of the menu was impressive, as he patiently guided us through the offerings, recommending dishes and local wines that paired beautifully. His enthusiasm for Venetian cuisine was infectious, and his attentive yet unobtrusive service ensured we felt cared for throughout the meal. His personal touch, like sharing stories about the restaurant’s history and the inspiration behind certain dishes, made the evening truly memorable. The overall experience at Café Saraceno was nothing short of exceptional, thanks in large part to Massimo’s outstanding service and the restaurant’s commitment to quality. The combination of delicious food, a charming atmosphere, and impeccable hospitality made it a highlight of our time in Venice. Whether it was Massimo’s thoughtful recommendations or the way he checked in just enough to ensure everything was perfect, the service felt personal and heartfelt. We left feeling not only satisfied but eager to return, and I’d highly recommend Café Saraceno to anyone seeking an authentic and warm Venetian...

In 3 words: DO NOT GO. I am not a full or an idiot person to understand that food quality does not match with good location. I did not expect the opposite. All went wrong from the very beginning. They have a 'tourist menu' which is written cleverly in small 'just inside'. Once we sit down in the terrace, we ordered a Valpolicella wine bottle. We tried in Verona day before and it was superb. The one we had here was more expensive (€ 35) and much much mich worse quality. It seems was a different wine . I requested just a glass of tap water (just a glass) and the waiter said it has to be mineral or sparkling as they don't give tap water (we already ordered a bottle of wine....). He was not helpful, not friendly at all and with thuggish/pimping attitude. We went then for main dishes rather than the 'tourist menu' (it looks like they don't want tourist outside). My gnocchi were overcooked and the portion quite small (again I don't expect high quality food but I cool better and I am a terrible cook). Carbonara from my partner was ok. They gave us bread without asking. I asked if was for free and they said yes (when I am aware they charge for it...). Another thing to mention, a new waiter gave us the cheese for the past and he Was doing it fine but a senior waiter came and took over and speaking out loud badly and it was embarrassed for the new guy. When I went to toilet all young waiters were friendly and smiles and very professionals. However, the senior ones were thuggish. This is my first negative comment of a restaurant /outlet. This means it was such a negative...

We were looking forward to dining at Ristorante Caffè Saraceno, with stunning views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge. This place is expensive, but I booked it based off an excellent review I’d read on Instagram and the fact this restaurant has 4.5 stars on Google reviews so thought it would be a lovely treat!

How wrong I was. We were left nothing but disappointed and in hindsight I should have paid more attention to the poor reviews and trusted the Trip Adviser reviews over Google and chosen somewhere else. On Trip Adviser they score 3.7, and 85 out of 282 reviews said this restaurant was terrible or poor.

I ordered the Grilled Beef Fillet with oven-baked potatoes and mixed salad (€44) and grilled vegetables (€12) on the side. My boyfriend ordered the Parppadelle with Bolognaise sauce (£22).

My beef was so fatty and chewy and was difficult to cut without a steak knife. The parts which weren’t fatty, tasted really good, but for the price I would have expected the highest quality of beef. I also wasn’t keen on the grilled vegetables.

The Bolognaise was average, lacked flavour and the potion was small.

Being situated on the waterfront, this place looked to specialise in seafood and didn’t appear to have pizzas available on the menu from what we could see.

I took a risk with this place, but unfortunately it didn’t pay off. I was left so disappointed, ripped off and just wanted to leave the restaurant as soon as possible 😞

Avoid...