Trattoria Da Gigi — Restaurant in Venice

This restaurant is one of the biggest scams we’ve ever encountered during our trip to Italy and in all of Europe.

When we first saw the restaurant, there was a man attempting to pull customers in. We wanted to look at the menu and told him we were just browsing. He insisted on discussing every menu item we looked at and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He attempted to pull us in despite telling him no, using strategies and telling us about the restaurant’s “spectacular” garden, which was really just a room with leaves covering the ceiling. Eventually, we gave in and decided to give it a try which was one of the biggest mistakes we ever made.

They gave us a table with air conditioning inside. However, the door to the garden was left open. We were bitten by several mosquitoes all over our bodies and one of them even landed on our food.

The food itself was okay but not impressive. We ordered some risotto, a calzone, and a mix of seafood. Unfortunately, the waiters were hovering the entire time we were trying to eat. They were pacing around our table and staring at us while we ate. It was an uncomfortable experience, and we weren’t able to enjoy our food because of their invasive behavior.

In addition to everything else, they completely scammed us on prices and lacked proper customer transparency. We asked for a plate of mixed seafood and we were charged €69 despite them not telling us the price prior to ordering. This brought our total to around €127 for three people instead of the approximate €90 we paid for in almost every other restaurant in Italy. They scammed us around €40. This left us feeling disappointed and upset with the behavior of the staff and waiters. They showed no respect for us and used the fact that we were American to trick us into paying more money. Also, the standard coperto charge in Italy is €2-3 per person, sometimes €4. We were three people, meaning the total coperto should have been approximately €9-12. However, they used the fact that our bill was already extremely high to charge us a 12% coperto, adding an extra €13.56 to our bill. Overall, they scammed us more than €40, showing their lack of respect for tourists and their lack of hesitation to abuse their power as a business. We were left outraged and disappointed by their behavior.

Beware of scammers who pose as businesses and save yourself the time, money, and experience of coming to this restaurant.

Update after response: The only thing that’s embarrassing is your treatment of customers and...

An actual tourist trap. I visited this trattoria with 2 of my friends. Only good thing about it was the service. The food was not what it was supposed to be. We got an amatriciana, a carbonara and cacio e pepe (which was not in the menu). All three of them were far from authentic. Specifically the carbonara and the cacio e pepe were primarily made with heavy cream. Then the carbonara and the amatriciana had some kind of meat which was for sure not guanciale. Now, the biggest problem was with the Cacio e Pepe, which as I stated above it was not included in the catalogue but instead we asked if they could make one and they said yes. When they brought us the bill we saw that we were charged 22 euros for the cacio e pepe, which was insane as the most expensive pasta in the catalogue were those with shrimps that costed 20 euros, so less than the cacio e pepe. To be noted, generally in the rest of Italy cacio e Pepe is one of the cheapest pasta. When I confronted the waiter about it he told me he didn’t know what to tell me. So essentially they charged us whatever they wanted because the dish was not included...

A Hidden Gem in Venezia with GLUTEN FREE options!

Nestled in one of Venezia’s charming alleys, this restaurant is a true gem for anyone seeking an authentic Italian dining experience. From the moment you walk in, the warm, welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff make you feel right at home. Specially Luca and Alberto

The menu features a delightful variety of Venetian classics, from fresh seafood risottos to perfectly cooked pasta dishes and also includes Gluten free options. Everything was rich in flavor and cooked to perfection. The gluten free option were also delicious and well appreciated.

For dessert, the tiramisu was an absolute dream – creamy, balanced, and just the right amount of sweetness. Pair it with an espresso or a glass of their house wine for the perfect ending to your meal. The prices were reasonable given the quality and portion sizes, especially considering the prime location.

If you’re in Venezia and want to escape the tourist traps, this restaurant is a must-visit. Exceptional food, impeccable service, and a true taste of Venetian culture – I’ll definitely...