I recently ate at one of the most oddly located good restaurant in Venice. No, it’s not on some hidden alleyway next to a small canal like most of the other great restaurants. Instead, it’s located on the ground floor of a 3 star pensione on one of the most touristy stretches of the super touristy Riva degli Schiavoni.
But Luca Fullin, whose family runs the Pensione, has decided to turn the restaurant into one of the best in Venice. Focusing his attention on fresh local produce the menu features many ingredients from Slow Food’s Ark of Taste. The dishes are straightforward, and prepared simply to highlight the incredible attention to quality
During a recent visit we started with something that looked extremely simple, but was brilliant. The best anchovies imaginable, served two ways. Simply in olive oil and tossed in spicy hot sauce. In between the two a slab of butter and thin crispy slices of toasted bread.
The rest of the dinner was incredibly fresh fish, prepared to bring out the best qualities. Sardines were butterflied, breaded and fried, with a side dish of spicy sauce. Gamberi rossi – the freshest I’ve ever had – were served raw and nearly crawled off the plate.
The spaghetti with bottarga was a combination of chewy al dente spaghetti, with salty bottarga and the crunch of fresh bread crumbs. And finally grilled eel, which I’d never had before, was rich and moist, with the fatty skin crisp, salty and crunchy.
Since Luca’s main passion is wine, the list is full of surprises that you won’t find elsewhere in town. Lots of small producers, including natural and biodymanic wines.
I get so used to ending descriptions of Venetian restaurants with the words “hard to find, but worth it.” With its neon sign blaring from the facade of the hotel, the Wildner can’t be missed. Easy to find and good food? That’s a rare one in Venice. 
Ristorante Wildner
Riva degli Schiavoni
Venice
+39.041.5227463
Daily, lunch & dinner.
For more on dining in Venice download my app EAT VENICE, available on iTunes and for Android on Googleplay.
Awesome! On our list for settembre!!!
Right behind ya in OCTOBRE!!!!!!
Well I managed to walk by this place without even noticing it.
What does bottarga taste like? I’ve seen it on so many menus and thought about trying it but I’m always afraid I’ll hate it.
Hard to describe the taste of bottarga. Very fishy, that’s for sure, but also earthy at the same time, and rich without being oily.
Ohhhh…..That grilled eel. Love love love.
Been there, done that, and miss Venezia too much!! While living in Padova this location was a favorite of my wife and I. Visiting Venezia was akin to going for a Starbucks here in Alabama but so much more classy. Our fave eating spot was Locanda Montin BUT the WILDNER was also delizioso…pj
Elizabeth, heading to Venice with my college kids next week and looking for simple pasta/pizza trattorias. good ambiance/good food/moderate pricing. any ideas? All photos seem to be sardines, shrimp with heads, octopus….nothing looks appetizing. I want the kids to enjoy and not be creeped out by the food…. HELP!
Have you downloaded my app, Eat Venice? You’ll find a bunch of places there. While there is a lot of fish around, you’ll always be able to order simple pasta. There are several restaurants on my app that would fit the bill. Pizza is going to be hard (there just isn’t much good pizza in Venice) but if you stick to pasta you should be ok.
yes, i downloaded the app…but a challenge to view on a kindle….(maybe I am not as skilled on the kindle….but I read thru much last night. I really appreciated the moderate suggestions. As much as I love good food, i do prefer the trattorias in Italy to the ristarantes. Maybe it is the rustic ambiance and simpler”comfort” food.
Anyway, the kids are super excited to have some good Italian food, so I feel the pressure to do the research. 🙂
Thanks again for your legwork. I did notice you can put together food itineraries, is this true in venice too? Am tempted…….sent u an email…shelleybell…..
Thanks for downloading, and to be honest, I had no idea you could view the app on a kindle. And yes, I do prepare intineraries and look forward to hearing from you via email.
What about prices ? We?ll be soon in Venice but we can`t afford an expensive restaurante….
It’s on the expensive side, since it’s fish. About 50 Euros a person.