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What could go wrong in a place that was featured on one of Anthony Bourdain's many travel episodes and recommended by a new fave travel blogger, Sebastian Messinger? Nothing. This is a small (22 seats) place with one lunch seating and two dinner seatings. Reservations are required and with good reason. The menu changes daily based primarily on the fresh catch available at the Rialto Market (and others?). The dishes are absolutely amazingly fresh from the seafood (Adriatic oysters, scallops and langoustine) to organically grown vegetables and herbs from the house garden. The Zabaglione was one of the best desserts I have ever had. The wine choice was a 2019 Brunello di Montalcino that took half an hour to open up but was stellar with the meal when it did. Owner Luca di Vita is extremely personable and welcoming. Amazing restaurant.
Probably the best meal I had the two weeks I was in Italy. Allowed the restaurant to choose my meal so I never knew what was coming out. I don't think it would have mattered because everything was amazing. Pricey but well worth it. If it's good enough for Meryl Streep and Serena Williams then I guess it's good enough for me!
Tucked away on Calle del Mondo Novo, more so currently than usual as a result of construction scaffolds, Osteria alle Testiere is a rare find in Venice thanks to a focus of daily catch and a complete lack of touristy flare. Best seen as a Bacaro, just ten tables and a small kitchen despite the extensive Wine list, guests visiting at lunch or dinner will find simple wood tables and beige linens while the lack of decorations puts focus on Food, Beverage and conversation. Prone to seasonal Produce in addition to Shellfish, an opening volley of Baccala atop grilled Cornmeal simple yet faultless, Pastas run €26 and include traditional Spaghetti with Clams alongside Ravioli laced with Bitter Greens offset by creamy Crab Sauce. More provocative by way of tender Dumplings served with Squid in their Ink perfumed by Cinnamon Dessert offers a variety of choices, though those in the know won't think twice before ordering tender Pistachio Cake crowned by a scoop of housemade Gelato.
This 20 seat restaurant is exceptional. Seafood is abundant in Venice but few places provide such mastery of the ingredients. I would save room for dessert. We tried four of the 8 dessert options and the table was delighted despite claiming they were full before ordering! My favorite was the razor clams; perfectly cleaned, cooked to right texture, served simply with olive oil and lemon. Truly exceptional. Go with your intuition and try anything on the menu.
My wife and I had dinner at Osteria alle Testiere on a recent trip to Venice. We made reservations which were definitively needed because the restaurant was completely filled up after opening. We started with the Grilled Scallops with Artichoke Heart. The scallops were super tender and meaty and the artichoke was tender. For our entrees we decided to split two pasta dishes: Garden Pumpkin and Ricotta Ravioli with Monk Fish Cheeks and the Spaghetti with "Bevarasse" Clams. The ravioli was savory and filled with creamy ricotta and sweet pumpkin and paired with tender fish. The spaghetti was nicely al dente and buttery and mixed with briny tender clams. For dessert we split the Almond and Orange Marmalade Pie which was warm and flakey with a rich almond flavor and topped with a cool orange sorbet.
Osteria alle Testiere was an amazing experience! We made reservations a month ahead for this tiny but lovely restaurant. Reservations are a must! You would almost miss the restaurant from the outside, but when you enter, there's a welcoming ambiance that settles you in for a delicious meal. The waitstaff and co-owner were very kind and helpful with the menu. We had the Pilgrim Scallops, Gnochetti with Calamari and Cinnamon scent, the Spaghetti with clams, the John Dory Fillets with citrus and spices, and the vegetable side. Everything was so fresh- they only use locally caught seafood and locally grown vegetables! Each dish is prepared individually to order, so you're eating it right at its peak. The pilgrim scallops with lemon and peppermint was probably my favorite item. The balance of flavors was perfect and the peppermint was a surprising but delicious addition. The citrus and spice sauce with the John Dory fillets was also amazing. The gnochetti were soft little pillows with an intriguing but delicious cinnamon sauce. I also thoroughly enjoyed the classic Spaghetti with clams. I would definitely return if I make it back to Venice!
Outstanding. Authentic Venetian cuisine focusing on the bounty of the Lagoon and Adriatic. Everything purchased daily from the Mercato di Rialto and simply prepared to preserve the natural flavors. Needless to say, the menu changes daily. This 22 seat family owned and run osteria delivers in spades. Perfectly cooked, tender, sweet razor clams, candy like, barely cooked through scallops in shell, beautifully caramelized sautéed baby squid and briny but sweet , plump sepia all gently seasoned and finished with copious amounts of peppery EVOO, fresh lemon juice and zest, and some fresh parsley for vegetal brightness. Dive into each plate with your fingers slurp where you can, savor the freshness and flavor, then mop the remaining seafood juices and EVOO emulsion up the bread! It doesn't stop there, the bacccala mantecato (whipped Venetian salt cod on grilled polenta) is outstanding. The dish is one of the most recognized in Venetian cuisine is perfectly prepared. Stunningly rich with olive oil. A hint of briny, pond like aroma and umami finish. Natural sweetness is accentuated by the polenta. A simple and rich treat. Etiquette Tip: Do not squeeze any lemon on your seafood even if a slice is offered on the dish. It is an insult the chef and the restaurant. Extremely well chosen wines from the Veneto region. Very fair prices (30€ - 50€). Go with whatever they recommend. You won't go wrong. Service is very friendly and classically Italian. You feel like you belong and are dining at someone's home. Some English spoken but lead with Italian. Reservations at least a month prior REQUIRED for lunch and dinner. One seating. Card accepted. It has it all, food, ambiance, service, and delivers a truly memorable experience. Exceptional.
What a gem in the heart of Venice! We were recommended by our boutique hotel to this typical Venetian restaurant tucked away on a tiny side street. But let me just say nothing about the experience at Luca's establishment is typical-it is quite special! There are about 8 tables in what can fairly be described as a hole in the wall. When you enter, the counter and kitchen are essentially front and center in the right corner. There is a wine fridge to the left and tables packed together. If you don't have a reservation or aren't a regular patron of Luca's, I would not expect to be seated for hours. We arrived in Venice that morning and walked to Testiere for a scheduled lunch. Luca is one of the owners who works the front of the house. His longtime restaurant partner is in the kitchen. We started with the razor clams and gazpacho which were both excellent. Then some house made vegetables and a gorgeous whole fish. We also enjoyed a super refreshing bottle of the Inama Soave we have come to love. It turns out that Inama is not far from Venice in northern Italy and the reserve we had was really fantastic... this particular reserve wine isn't widely distributed and we enjoyed every last drop. Luca treats every patron whether a local or a tourist as family. Perhaps that is why it is so darn tricky to get a table here. If you can snag one though you will really enjoy. We can't wait to come back.
A place away from the tourist area. Shows you that the art of culinary is alive in Venezia. Recommended by a sales manager, when I asked where do you go for locals and intimate cozy... She told us with no disappointment.... We also made friends with another couple from Hawaii and both agreed that this place is special. We enjoyed our time there from 7:30 to 11:30 with no pressure from the restaurant!! Bravo!! A place to enjoy really fabulous foods!!!
Wow!! We got so lucky.. we walked by and there was a table open but they had a private party of 26 in an hour that was going to take up the whole restaurant. They allowed us the last sitting for the night before the private party and we weren't disappointed. Service was top notch - the owner came out to recommend dishes and wine, they were quick and friendly.. definitely beats most of the service in other places we've tried. We heard them say the next available reservation was 2 weeks out, so book early!! They get full quick! As for the food, again wow!!! They only serve the freshest seafood they pulled from the markets that day so the specials and what's available vary. We had the crudo Scampi and they were fresh and sweet! Seafood in Venice is a must! The grilled prawns were fantastic as well, if you don't do raw.. the grilled flavor was enough to bring out the flavors of the prawns - simple but so delicious! We also had the fish of the day, a Swordfish Ragu Ravioli and the Gnochetti with baby Calamari and Cinnamon scents. We loved both pasta dishes. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente and the flavors - just wow! What combinations!! I thought the fish was a little on the light side in flavors and the soft shell crab was a bit greasy.. they were our least favorite dishes we ordered but everything else just blew our minds. This place was one of the best places we've eaten in Italy. Service and food just top notch. The tiramisu was the best and so was the panna cotta! I would eat here over and over again if I could!
Based on reviews, we chose to go here. They had just returned from holiday and were able to get in that night. Otherwise, it sounds as if we never would have received a reservation on the day we called. The place is small and nicely done. The service is great. The food is good. It definitely was not the best meal that I had in Italy but a solid meal. The shrimp and prawns were very tender - they were really good! My husband and I shared the seafood sampler. It was good and cooked nicely. He had the prawns and I had the gnochhetti with the mini calamari. I like calamari but didn't really care for them. They were so small they didnt add much to the dish and had a little crunch to them. I think that it is likely that they are so small that the beaks aren't removed. The sauce was great. The sauce that the prawns were in was quite tasty. I also ordered the grilled veggies to go as a side. We shared a chocolate cake (melting choc cake? was possibly the name). It was good, not great. Good meal. One issue is that the bill was incorrect. We were charged for 2 desserts (we only had one) and we were charged for 2 grilled vegetables. I ordered the grilled vegetables for me and not for both of us. It appears that the assumption was that it was for both and they doubled the amount provided - or at least that was the explanation provided. Either way, that was puzzling because I said that I would have the grilled vegetables when ordering and there are no other items that we were double charged for, even though we shared. In such a tiny place, it was awkward to have to question the bill and charges and I just paid the vegetable double charge, where it is something that I normally would have provided greater resistance on, if there was not a language barrier.
2 months ago
I saw this restaurant on the Michelin Guide and then saw it pop up a couple of times on YouTube. I think one of the more notable things about this restaurant was that it has Meryl Streep's stamp of approval. Reservations for dinner were hard to come by, but I was able to slide into a 1:30pm time slot for lunch on a Thursday. What also stood out for me about Osterial alla Testiere was that they get fish fresh from The Rialto Market every morning. Whatever fish they find to their liking will be on the menu for that day. The restaurant was small and probably seated up to 20 people max at one time. That said, it felt very cozy and intimate, so much so we made friends with the couple at the neighboring table. The food was paced really well, and the servers were friendly and helpful. We started off with the octopus salad. A simple dish with the simplest, freshest ingredients. I don't think I've had avocado in all of Italy, so they were a real treat. For our first dish, we got the gnochetti with prawns. I've only had gnocchi once the entire trip, and this was by far the better one. My husband got sweet and sour prawns "besora" style. The sauce was very flavorful, and the shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked. My turbot dish was the star. Again, cooked simply with a flavor forward olive oil. Loved the bursts of flavor from the tomatoes and olives. Lastly, we had a side of fresh veggies from their garden including haricots verts, carrots, yellow squash, and a veggie that was like green chard. They were sauteed and well seasoned. I've been craving veggies during my trip, so I ate up the veggies like it was my job. read more
Venice... Venice.. Venice... How I can describe a culinary experience that go beyond expectation and at the same time simple and personalized service with great recommendations , great wine and in a very Venetian ambience.. "hard to find in the Venetian maze but, impossible to forget this culinary experience. " Be aware, You can easy way more than a month to get a reservation., but it's worth it.. read more
What an adventure walking through the narrow 'calle's' of the Grand Canal to get here. You walk in to an intimate and nicely decorated place. I spent a couple of hours in this inviting dining establishment which felt more like dining among friends and family. I felt very comfortable among the very friendly staff. Near the end of dinner, I'd made nice conversation with the staff and other diners, and could've continued for longer. The food was amazing as expected. I started out with the Sword fish tartare which was very fresh and delectable. Then I had the Sea bream fillet with white wine, Ligurian black olives and Pantelleria capers, again, delicious and flavorful. I finished with the Crema rosada (Venetian crème caramel). Of course the house white wine accompanied my meal and to top it off, Grapa Grapa! This is a very nice place. read more
What could go wrong in a place that was featured on one of Anthony Bourdain's many travel episodes and recommended by a new fave travel blogger, Sebastian Messinger? Nothing. This is a small (22 seats) place with one lunch seating and two dinner seatings. Reservations are required and with good reason. The menu changes daily based primarily on the fresh catch available at the Rialto Market (and others?). The dishes are absolutely amazingly fresh from the seafood (Adriatic oysters, scallops and langoustine) to organically grown vegetables and herbs from the house garden. The Zabaglione was one of the best desserts I have ever had. The wine choice was a 2019 Brunello di Montalcino that took half an hour to open up but was stellar with the meal when it did. Owner Luca di Vita is extremely personable and welcoming. Amazing restaurant. read more
1 year ago
Probably the best meal I had the two weeks I was in Italy. Allowed the restaurant to choose my meal so I never knew what was coming out. I don't think it would have mattered because everything was amazing. Pricey but well worth it. If it's good enough for Meryl Streep and Serena Williams then I guess it's good enough for me! read more
2 years ago
Tucked away on Calle del Mondo Novo, more so currently than usual as a result of construction scaffolds, Osteria alle Testiere is a rare find in Venice thanks to a focus of daily catch and a complete lack of touristy flare. Best seen as a Bacaro, just ten tables and a small kitchen despite the extensive Wine list, guests visiting at lunch or dinner will find simple wood tables and beige linens while the lack of decorations puts focus on Food, Beverage and conversation. Prone to seasonal Produce in addition to Shellfish, an opening volley of Baccala atop grilled Cornmeal simple yet faultless, Pastas run €26 and include traditional Spaghetti with Clams alongside Ravioli laced with Bitter Greens offset by creamy Crab Sauce. More provocative by way of tender Dumplings served with Squid in their Ink perfumed by Cinnamon Dessert offers a variety of choices, though those in the know won't think twice before ordering tender Pistachio Cake crowned by a scoop of housemade Gelato. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
This 20 seat restaurant is exceptional. Seafood is abundant in Venice but few places provide such mastery of the ingredients. I would save room for dessert. We tried four of the 8 dessert options and the table was delighted despite claiming they were full before ordering! My favorite was the razor clams; perfectly cleaned, cooked to right texture, served simply with olive oil and lemon. Truly exceptional. Go with your intuition and try anything on the menu. read more
4 years ago
My wife and I had dinner at Osteria alle Testiere on a recent trip to Venice. We made reservations which were definitively needed because the restaurant was completely filled up after opening. We started with the Grilled Scallops with Artichoke Heart. The scallops were super tender and meaty and the artichoke was tender. For our entrees we decided to split two pasta dishes: Garden Pumpkin and Ricotta Ravioli with Monk Fish Cheeks and the Spaghetti with "Bevarasse" Clams. The ravioli was savory and filled with creamy ricotta and sweet pumpkin and paired with tender fish. The spaghetti was nicely al dente and buttery and mixed with briny tender clams. For dessert we split the Almond and Orange Marmalade Pie which was warm and flakey with a rich almond flavor and topped with a cool orange sorbet. read more
Osteria alle Testiere was an amazing experience! We made reservations a month ahead for this tiny but lovely restaurant. Reservations are a must! You would almost miss the restaurant from the outside, but when you enter, there's a welcoming ambiance that settles you in for a delicious meal. The waitstaff and co-owner were very kind and helpful with the menu. We had the Pilgrim Scallops, Gnochetti with Calamari and Cinnamon scent, the Spaghetti with clams, the John Dory Fillets with citrus and spices, and the vegetable side. Everything was so fresh- they only use locally caught seafood and locally grown vegetables! Each dish is prepared individually to order, so you're eating it right at its peak. The pilgrim scallops with lemon and peppermint was probably my favorite item. The balance of flavors was perfect and the peppermint was a surprising but delicious addition. The citrus and spice sauce with the John Dory fillets was also amazing. The gnochetti were soft little pillows with an intriguing but delicious cinnamon sauce. I also thoroughly enjoyed the classic Spaghetti with clams. I would definitely return if I make it back to Venice! read more
Outstanding. Authentic Venetian cuisine focusing on the bounty of the Lagoon and Adriatic. Everything purchased daily from the Mercato di Rialto and simply prepared to preserve the natural flavors. Needless to say, the menu changes daily. This 22 seat family owned and run osteria delivers in spades. Perfectly cooked, tender, sweet razor clams, candy like, barely cooked through scallops in shell, beautifully caramelized sautéed baby squid and briny but sweet , plump sepia all gently seasoned and finished with copious amounts of peppery EVOO, fresh lemon juice and zest, and some fresh parsley for vegetal brightness. Dive into each plate with your fingers slurp where you can, savor the freshness and flavor, then mop the remaining seafood juices and EVOO emulsion up the bread! It doesn't stop there, the bacccala mantecato (whipped Venetian salt cod on grilled polenta) is outstanding. The dish is one of the most recognized in Venetian cuisine is perfectly prepared. Stunningly rich with olive oil. A hint of briny, pond like aroma and umami finish. Natural sweetness is accentuated by the polenta. A simple and rich treat. Etiquette Tip: Do not squeeze any lemon on your seafood even if a slice is offered on the dish. It is an insult the chef and the restaurant. Extremely well chosen wines from the Veneto region. Very fair prices (30€ - 50€). Go with whatever they recommend. You won't go wrong. Service is very friendly and classically Italian. You feel like you belong and are dining at someone's home. Some English spoken but lead with Italian. Reservations at least a month prior REQUIRED for lunch and dinner. One seating. Card accepted. It has it all, food, ambiance, service, and delivers a truly memorable experience. Exceptional. read more
What a gem in the heart of Venice! We were recommended by our boutique hotel to this typical Venetian restaurant tucked away on a tiny side street. But let me just say nothing about the experience at Luca's establishment is typical-it is quite special! There are about 8 tables in what can fairly be described as a hole in the wall. When you enter, the counter and kitchen are essentially front and center in the right corner. There is a wine fridge to the left and tables packed together. If you don't have a reservation or aren't a regular patron of Luca's, I would not expect to be seated for hours. We arrived in Venice that morning and walked to Testiere for a scheduled lunch. Luca is one of the owners who works the front of the house. His longtime restaurant partner is in the kitchen. We started with the razor clams and gazpacho which were both excellent. Then some house made vegetables and a gorgeous whole fish. We also enjoyed a super refreshing bottle of the Inama Soave we have come to love. It turns out that Inama is not far from Venice in northern Italy and the reserve we had was really fantastic... this particular reserve wine isn't widely distributed and we enjoyed every last drop. Luca treats every patron whether a local or a tourist as family. Perhaps that is why it is so darn tricky to get a table here. If you can snag one though you will really enjoy. We can't wait to come back. read more
4 years ago
A place away from the tourist area. Shows you that the art of culinary is alive in Venezia. Recommended by a sales manager, when I asked where do you go for locals and intimate cozy... She told us with no disappointment.... We also made friends with another couple from Hawaii and both agreed that this place is special. We enjoyed our time there from 7:30 to 11:30 with no pressure from the restaurant!! Bravo!! A place to enjoy really fabulous foods!!! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Wow!! We got so lucky.. we walked by and there was a table open but they had a private party of 26 in an hour that was going to take up the whole restaurant. They allowed us the last sitting for the night before the private party and we weren't disappointed. Service was top notch - the owner came out to recommend dishes and wine, they were quick and friendly.. definitely beats most of the service in other places we've tried. We heard them say the next available reservation was 2 weeks out, so book early!! They get full quick! As for the food, again wow!!! They only serve the freshest seafood they pulled from the markets that day so the specials and what's available vary. We had the crudo Scampi and they were fresh and sweet! Seafood in Venice is a must! The grilled prawns were fantastic as well, if you don't do raw.. the grilled flavor was enough to bring out the flavors of the prawns - simple but so delicious! We also had the fish of the day, a Swordfish Ragu Ravioli and the Gnochetti with baby Calamari and Cinnamon scents. We loved both pasta dishes. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente and the flavors - just wow! What combinations!! I thought the fish was a little on the light side in flavors and the soft shell crab was a bit greasy.. they were our least favorite dishes we ordered but everything else just blew our minds. This place was one of the best places we've eaten in Italy. Service and food just top notch. The tiramisu was the best and so was the panna cotta! I would eat here over and over again if I could! read more
3 years ago
Based on reviews, we chose to go here. They had just returned from holiday and were able to get in that night. Otherwise, it sounds as if we never would have received a reservation on the day we called. The place is small and nicely done. The service is great. The food is good. It definitely was not the best meal that I had in Italy but a solid meal. The shrimp and prawns were very tender - they were really good! My husband and I shared the seafood sampler. It was good and cooked nicely. He had the prawns and I had the gnochhetti with the mini calamari. I like calamari but didn't really care for them. They were so small they didnt add much to the dish and had a little crunch to them. I think that it is likely that they are so small that the beaks aren't removed. The sauce was great. The sauce that the prawns were in was quite tasty. I also ordered the grilled veggies to go as a side. We shared a chocolate cake (melting choc cake? was possibly the name). It was good, not great. Good meal. One issue is that the bill was incorrect. We were charged for 2 desserts (we only had one) and we were charged for 2 grilled vegetables. I ordered the grilled vegetables for me and not for both of us. It appears that the assumption was that it was for both and they doubled the amount provided - or at least that was the explanation provided. Either way, that was puzzling because I said that I would have the grilled vegetables when ordering and there are no other items that we were double charged for, even though we shared. In such a tiny place, it was awkward to have to question the bill and charges and I just paid the vegetable double charge, where it is something that I normally would have provided greater resistance on, if there was not a language barrier. read more
13 years ago
Best meal in Italy. There I said it. Not the 3-Star Michelin, instead, this is the one that I will remember. 1) Make a reservation - yeah there aren't many people waiting outside, because the restaurant politely turns away all the people who try to walk in. With only about 20 seats and 2 seatings a night, you KNOW they have to be good. They have loyal customers - the table next to us was reserved for "regulars" who turned out to be an 80-something year-old couple who didn't even have to say anything, food just magically appeared. That's good service and business policy right there. 2) Do not eat ANYTHING within 6 hours of coming here. Strike that - 8 hours. 3) Order everything humanly possible on the menu that is seafood (which is most of the menu). Fresh, clean, refined but still comforting, seasoned to perfection. 4) Don't be afraid to order a second round of razor clams for dessert, like we did. 5) Then order dessert(s). 6) Be nice to the staff, because they are incredible. We definitely saved the best for last. read more
12 years ago
First of all, I would like to advise others that the map here is wrong. We followed this map to try and find the restaurant only to realize we were on the other side of the city. The actual address is Calle del Mondo Novo, 5801, 30122 Venezia. Alright on to the review. We were unsuccessful at making dinner reservations having mistakenly tried booking a table less than a week away when this tiny place normally fills up quickly. We settled for lunch. After getting completely lost and struggling to find the place (I would advise having google maps gps out as a guide), we finally found it and was presented with their daily menu that is consistently changing. We got one of every type of dish - we tried the hors d'oevres, first course, main course, and desserts. All of the seafood was tender and not super chewy which is an indication of freshness and skill by the chef. Their clam pasta was strong in the 'seafood taste' but some of their fishes were quite light. Their tiramisu was the bomb! We even purchased their cookbook at the end. Overall I would highly recommend this place to any seafood lovers out there because it's well prepared, tastes great and the fish is fresh! If you're not a fan of seafood, this isn't for you because this is pretty much all you'll be eating. That and you'll be having a pretty expensive meal that you won't be fully enjoying. read more
12 years ago
Cyndy's Bottom Line: Excellent service and well executed food with a good selection of wines. A small but well appointed osteria with good ambiance. Be sure to obtain a reservation. We stopped by to get a dinner reservation and it was booked solid. We were lucky to get the last lunch reservation for the next day. This is what we ate: 1. Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella and steamed scampi. Delicious, creamy mozzarella. Scampi is steamed perfectly. 2. Clams with ginger The delicate ginger broth is a delicious compliment to the clams. 3. Spaghetti with "bevarasse" clams Perfectly done pasta and clams. 4. Purple artichokes and ricotta ravioli with swordfish ragout. Tasty ragout stands out but does not overpower the artichokes and ricotta. 5. Steamed spider crab The spider crab is very sweet and the lemon dresses it well to enhance the flavor. A bottle of Alba Nora Falangina pairs well with this menu. read more
First and foremost, go for the tasting menu. This Michelin rated restaurant serves seafood and is very small so make a reservation in advance. I believe the menu changes quite frequently, could be daily but I'm not sure. This restaurant was a nice change to the usual trattoria in town and a good choice if you are looking for something a little nicer for a dinner option. Their razor clam preparation has to be hands down the best I've ever had and the gnochetti with zucchini and crab was on the spot as well. GREAT wine list (go for a ribolla)! Dessert was so-so but I was so full by that time that it didn't matter. read more
Dinner Alle T included mixed seafood sample platter, spaghetti with clams, fish soup and grilled fish. The fish was the best I have had for some time. Tender throughout, well flavored, not burnt even though it was grilled. The Orata was perfect. and the monk fish was a true delight as it was so flavorful and the texture was exquisite. Also loved the baccala (salted cod) and and all other seafood included langoustine, scampi. It was a real treat! The quality of the food was excellent and over all a great experience. The total came to be about 130 Euros. read more
This restaurant with only 7 tables serves some of the most creative and delicious seafood to be found anywhere in the world. Luca, the chef/owner offers a gracious welcome and will design a menu geared to your tastes and the seafood which is available that day. We come to Venice in the fall every year. Alle Testiere is always number 1 on our list of restaurants to enjoy and we are always grateful to have a reservation read more
11 years ago
I made dinner reservation at this restaurant one month ahead. The earlier you book the more flexibility you have with choosing the date and time you want. We arrived for our 7.30 reservation at 7.00pm and there was already a line at the door. Dinner started off great. The staff were so very friendly. Had the spaghetti with clams, ravioli and the mixed seafood for two. The mixed seafood was my favorite part. During our meal, people kept walking in for dinner and were turned away as the restaurant can't accommodate walk-ins. The restaurant has a capacity to sit only 22 people. Overall a fine dining experience in Venice. The seafood tasted so fresh. I'm glad I discovered them prior to the trip and was able to get on their reservation list. read more
10 years ago
Special dining experience. The food was exquisitely prepared, veggies and tuna were great. Pistachio desert w ice cream was fantastic as well. Ask for their wine suggestions as they do a great job of making recommendations. We went based upon Rick Steve's book and we're delighted. Recommend reservations as there are only 22 seats or get lucky like we did, show up at 6:30 and see if someone cancelled! Seating as at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
The restaurant was full of people and atmosphere. We walked in and were told we needed a reservation but to come back in half an hour and can get a table if someone doesn't show up. To our luck we got a table at a place that seems hard to even make a reservation. The food was quite good and very proportionate and filling. Each meal had a different and unique taste and didn't take very long to arrive at our table. A bit more pricey but not too bad. Would definitely come back. read more
THe seafood platter itself is 5 stars. The rest of the dishes...well, we get damn good Italian in the U.S now. The crab salads on the seafood platter are the attraction. U just can't get anything like that in the states...at least not very easily. We had the seafood pasta--overly salty (like all of the seafood pasta in Venice, I guess it's a thing). We also ordered the swordfish and turbot. Sword fish was cooked perfectly, but missing salt. It was quite bland. The turbot is a hard pass. We didn't even finish it. Service here is superb. Mom and pop are quite attentive and friendly. Make sure to make reservations as its a tiny little restaurant that fills up very quickly! read more
3 years ago
9 years ago
11 years ago
After seeing the rave reviews on Yelp and Rick Steves, I booked this restaurant at least a month in advance. We had a 7:00 reservation. The place is tiny and only has about 8-10 tables. We ordered a half liter of the house red to start, which was tasty. Then, we ordered three dishes to share - steamed spider crab, gnochetti with scallops/peas, and tuna steaks with artichokes. After ordering, the waiter came back 3 min later to say they didn't have anymore spider crab, which was odd because we were the first table to sit down at the first seating. But anyways - then we ordered the mussels marinara instead. I would rate the dishes from best to worst just in that order - mussels, gnocchi, tuna. After the other great meals we had already had on our trip, this one just wasn't that exciting. Average tasting food. I don't think we'd come back on a second visit. read more
8 years ago
This was amazing! I had the scallops with orange and leeks. The best dish of the night. The scallops were tender and buttery with the hint of citrus. Sublime! Then I had the Prawns with lime rice. Also very good. The prawns were prepared perfectly and the rice was nice and al dente. The service was out of this world. They were all so friendly and very nice to accommodate our lack of ability to speak Italian. They have menus in English. read more
12 years ago
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More info about Osteria alle Testiere
Calle del Mondo Novo 5801
30122 Venezia
Italy
Directions
041 5227220
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http://www.osterialletestiere.it
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