While our beloved city may not be top of mind when it comes to Italian food destinations, let me tell you a little secret: you can still enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life right here! Don’t believe us? Just read on and discover how to avoid touristic traps in Venice.
The multilingual menu: Lost in Translation
When you’re in the heat of cooking and serving up a storm, the last thing you have time for is re-write your menu in several languages. While it may seem like a good idea to cater to tourists, it can quickly become a headache for busy restaurant staff. Keep it simple by offering menus in the local language and one other widely spoken language. Italian and English and let’s hope that every customer who walks through the door one of. Keep it simple, keep it local, and keep your sanity intact.
Laminated menus: Stale Choices
If your menu is laminated, it’s probably been there longer than the furniture. Who knows if those ingredients are fresh or if they’ve been sitting in the pantry since last summer? Printed menus on high-quality paper that can be easily replaced or updated. This will show you that they care about freshness and variety. Keep it fresh, keep it seasonal, and keep your customers coming back for more.
Menu photos: Picture this – Not!
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but when it comes to menus, it’s better to let the words do the talking. Photos can be deceiving, and they take away from the experience of imagining or remembering what the dish will look and taste like. Keep it classy, keep it simple, and let your menu speak for itself.
The guy outside: Beware of Sharks
When you’re walking down the street and someone tries to lure you into a restaurant, it’s like swimming with sharks. They’re just trying to catch their next meal ticket and avoid you to check the online reviews. Be polite but firm, trust your instincts, and choose a restaurant based on your own research and preferences.
No cover charge: The Catch-22 of Italian Cuisine
If you don’t see “coperto” on your bill in Italy, it’s like finding a unicorn. When it comes to cover charges, it’s best to be transparent. It’s a small charge per person, and it’s totally normal in the Italian food culture. If you advertise that you don’t have it, it will only make you appear dishonest to locals who are familiar with this practice. Keep it honest, keep it transparent, and keep your customers happy.
Service charge: To Tip or Not to Tip?
If your service charge is already included in the bill, it can feel like you’re being forced to tip. But tipping should be a voluntary act of gratitude, not a mandatory fee. Keep it fair, keep it honest, and let your customers decide how much to show their appreciation.
Lastly, regional cuisine should be respected and celebrated.
Don’t try to pass off a pizza or carbonara as a local delicacy in Venice or any other region. Keep it authentic, delicious, and true to the local culinary traditions.
Set menus: are they really worth it?
Unless you’re dining at a fancy restaurant and trying to save a buck by opting for a tasting menu, be wary of the set menu. It may seem like a good deal, but it could end up being a bloody trap. One of our guests recently found themselves paying €10 for a bottle of water because it wasn’t included in the bundle. Don’t fall into the set menu trap and end up with a wallet that’s lighter than your stomach.
Too easy to find: too hard to impress
When the location is top-notch, millions of tourists will walk on your door step organically. When you have tables along a quiet canal, along a main busy street or in a world-wide famous landmark, you don’t bother finding a right balance between fair prices and quality. You serve rubbish for a fist of peanuts or you go sky-high. No, thank you.
By avoiding these common practices, you may increase the chances to enjoy a truly authentic dining experience and avoid touristic traps in Venice. For more local recomandations, please visit our favourites dinner restaurants and lunch places.
