Ristorante Da Ivo

"Venice's Best Splurge Meal “Ristorante da Ivo is where George Clooney famously likes to dine, but it’s still completely charming. It’s a tiny trattoria and very expensive, but the food is stunning. The kitchen is still family-run and it feels very local, not at all pretentious. You can get dressed up or go in jeans and a jumper. Do try the baccala, which is salted dried cod that’s been soaked in milk and whipped up with olive oil. It’s creamy and delicious.” — Skye McAlpine, cookbook author and Venice native. Read about more of McAlpine's Venice favorites here ."

How George and Amal Clooney Do Date Night in Italy | Vogue

@vogue

"The restaurant off of St. Mark’s Square serves classic Italian fare like spaghetti with clams, veal ossobucco, grilled prawns over rice, and gelato." - Vogue

Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, and Co. Take a Trip Across Italy in ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’

Sean K

Google

This spot in Venice is everything you want in an authentic Italian dining experience. It’s cozy, tucked away, and full of charm. The food is incredible—think fresh pasta, perfectly cooked seafood, and rich, flavorful sauces. The service is warm and makes you feel like part of the family. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just enjoying a meal in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this place hits all the right notes. A true Venetian gem.

Andrea Spallanzani

Google

This is a true old school Italian restaurant. The ambience is wonderful. Service really impeccable. The selection of dish is great with a nice list of dish of the day. Portions are vere reasonable and the quality of the food is amazing. The walls are decorated with photos off all the many celebrities that dined here. A true gem and a must check when visiting Venice. Make reservations way in advance because at dinner gets sold out quickly.

Constanza Company

Google

We spent New Years Eve, and to be honest it was a big disappointment. When you pay 150€ per person, you expect the food to be extraordinarily delicious. Why George Clooney or other artists go there I do not understand. I’m very sorry because the team was very nice and kind… but this wasn’t worth the money!!! The special menu was “grande carte” and also “grande robbery”! The starters - min 45/50€ - lacked flavour, the pasta -min 50€ the plate - was “nice”, but nothing compared to the other mouth melting experiences we had at other restaurants in Venice - for literally half the price. If you want to waste your money just to see the pictures of the famous people hanging on the wall, be my guest. Maybe we should have ordered the 120€ truffle pasta?

Sean Fahey

Google

Whoever said the pasta w/ clams wasn’t good needs help. Hands down the best I’ve had. Food was outstanding. Also had the king crab and artichoke salad. It’s a small, cozy restaurant where the tables are a little on each other and the only dinner was 930. Get past it and enjoy it - absolutely worth it.

Danh Nguyen

Google

Highly rated, highly recommended and highly visited but sadly did not live up to our expectations. You will need to book as it was completely full and i doubt any walk ins would have been possible. It's a cosy little restaurant, very cute and it feels very upmarket with the servers fully suited. I somehow felt not as attended as other patrons. We were the second arrivals and the place did fill up quickly by everyone else who I guess had booked but did not feel well attended to at all. The waiters often overlooked us, and we were among the last to be shown the specials. My partner had the pasta and clams and she did enjoy it. However, she enjoyed other pasta dishes from other restaurants that were at least 10 euros cheaper. I had the sea bass from the specials list and was very disappointed. For 50 euros, i had expected more than just a fillet, 5 capers and some sauce. Not even any garnish. Definitely not worth the money. We were also charged 8 euros each for the coperto despite not touching the basket of bread at all - there was no oil and vinegar to accompany the bread, the least of what I would expect. So you are paying a lot for the prestige of dining here where celebs and diplomats have dined, but the quality of service and food did not make up for the high costs to do so. Very disappointed with this place.

Google

Very cozy and lovely restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the spider crab (€30) and the pasta with white truffles (€70). Both were tasty. There are a wide variety of options available. The menu has multi languages. Today’s specialties are on the blackboard and in Italian only, but the waiters would patiently explain item by item in English. I’m pleased that I took my friend’s advice to visit here. The restaurant closes by 2:30pm for lunch and reopens at 7pm. But booking for dinner is only available for 9:30pm onwards. Lunch time does work for me better.

laura brown

Google

A splurge but what an experience. Staff are kind and helpful. They make recommendations for how to build your meal and everything that came out was so unique and delicious.

Renee Lam-Whiteman

Google

Ristorante Da Ivo deserves a standing ovation when it comes to their delectable food. My favorite was the egg noodle with truffles. And the mussels were fantastic too. It’s no wonder that George Clooney had his rehearsal dinner here. The place is tiny, full of character and charm.

Natasha K.

Yelp

The best meal we had while in Venice (but also most expensive). Reservation is highly recommended. This cozy restaurant seats, maybe, 40 guests at a time. The service staff was professional and yet friendly. And the food... Wow. Amazing. My husband especially loved his order of the osso buco.

Jack C.

Yelp

Fantastic service and great environment. Arrive by water taxi. At the end of the day, the food is decent, not excellent, and the prices are outrageous. It's worth going if you feel like spending a lot of money, but don't go expecting to be blown away by the food, especially at the price. Don't get me wrong; if the food matched the price, I would have no problem paying. $1200.00 for five people is not that expensive. But the food doesn't match the price. Tourist trap for sure! But if you're having fun and blowing money on vacation, why not?

Jane B.

Yelp

This is a must visit restaurant in Venice. Every dish was exceptional and the staff run the small location with ease. From the house bread and superb olive oil to the deep wine list, I loved it. I enjoyed a special - seafood lasagna and it was superb. Squid ink pasta, delicate seafood, super yum! For starters baby artichoke and crab salad - wow!

Maggie J.

Yelp

Yuuuuum. We ate here on a Tuesday night while on vacation in Venice. We were not able to use the water entry to the restaurant because of high tides but it was a pretty quick walk from the square. The restaurant itself has a cozy casual vibe and the service was very attentive. I got the burrata caprese and pasta with tomato and eggplant. The caprese was super simple but one of the best that I have ever had and the pasta was al dente perfection. My husband got the truffle pasta and the osso bucco and was equally as pleased. They capped of the end of the meal with tiny ice cream filled chocolates that were a delightful treat! Definitely make reservations and do not miss this restaurant!

Dante C.

Yelp

Step into this truly elegant and sophisticated restaurant, where class meets comfort in perfect harmony. As you enter, you'll be greeted with a warm and inviting welcome that sets the tone for an exceptional dining experience. The service here is nothing short of excellent, with an attentive staff that goes above and beyond to ensure your every need is met. Their attention to detail is truly commendable, as they strive to create a dining experience that is tailored to your preferences and desires, leaving you thoroughly pleased and satisfied. Every aspect of this place exudes a sense of refinement, making it a haven for those seeking a memorable and delightful culinary journey. A visit to this restaurant promises to be a truly special occasion filled with exquisite tastes and impeccable service.

Marilyn K.

Yelp

It was incredibly exciting to enter this restaurant from the water! What a special experience. It is a tiny, cozy restaurant inside. You are so close to others that you feel that they hear all of your conversation! While I remember the food being fine, I honestly can't remember anything standing out incredibly. And given the prices, that makes me sad. The service was snooty. I remember the managers arguing with us about our reservation, and we had confirmation of that reservation in writing. Still, they argued. I don't think that I would recommend this place to others or return. Perhaps we ordered the wrong items that were not memorable.

Mrs F.

Yelp

Fantastic. Very good food. Great ambience - very authentic. Wonderful daily specials & menu, great wine list. Staff are very attentive. Expensive but a wonderful experience. Definitely need a reservation.

Sheri M.

Yelp

Restaurant Da Ivo is a world-famous Italian restaurant located on a canal in the San Marco neighborhood of Venice. It is owned and operated by the charismatic Giovanni Fracassi, whose restaurant is small, intimate, and elegant. We had appetizers of octopus and beef carpaccio, spaghetti bottarga, and paccheri pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes followed by the Bistecca Florentine. The food was prepared to perfection and delicious. Highly recommended. Reservations required.

Roland G.

Yelp

Food was ok. Not great , service not so good waiters lazy, resturant also was dirty. Location in the city great

David L.

Yelp

We had a very simple Meal of clams then pasta. Nothing fancy, just simple done perfectly. Without question the best clams and the best pasta I've ever had!

Wendy J.

Yelp

From the soup ...to the dessert, the food was excellent ! The setting was perfect. The service was uncomfortable and disappointing. As the only woman of color in the restaurant at the time, I was treated with less attention and clearly not given the same service as other guest dining during my visit. This was the only experience of this type during my stay in Venice. " DA IVO " It's 2018, time to Embrace all people, Not just those that look like you!

Darryl O.

Yelp

This is a gem of a restaurant tucked away in a corner of San Marco. A little hard to find (we actually tried to enter through the kitchen!) it is well worth the effort. Cozy and attended mainly by locals, this restaurant is the authentically Italian! We ordered the standard spaghetti vongole, a big order of langoustines and wine. We were very, very happy! A great meal. Next time we'll have the tartufo pasta, the mantis shrimp and the crab filled zucchini blossoms. Can't wait!

Jimmy H.

Yelp

This is my favorite restaurant in Venice. Was here the first time 12 years ago and luckily found it again on this trip with the kids. Every dish was delicious. Kids loved the Florentine steak and the truffle pasta.

Amanda S.

Yelp

I spent one night in Venice with my boyfriend. A friend said this was a must try place that even George Clooney had his bachelor party dinner here. Haha We absolutely loved everything about this adorable restaurant that's located on a romantic canal. The atmosphere and service was amazing. We had our best meal here on our two week stay in Italy. I will definitely make it a point to come back here. For anyone looking for suggestions the shrimp risotto was perfection.

Samuel A.

Yelp

This place is simply incredible in every way. If the life changingly delicious food wasn't enough, the staff makes it a truly unforgettable experience. We ordered 6 dishes in total and each was amazing, but the spinach tortellini takes the gold metal. Worth coming to Venice just for the meal.

Christine D.

Yelp

Food was amazing! A must when visiting Rome. Getting a table is a bit tricky. I found that getting in for lunch was a bit easier.. just arrive EXACTLY when they open (1230pm for lunch).

Bridgit N.

Yelp

Excellent Italian in a very intimate setting.... We arrived here on a water taxi which was very unique and fun and I would highly recommend if your hotel is accessible by water. The food was excellent. The wine was excellent and the service very good. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Mark O.

Yelp

I got recommended to go to this restaurant by a local and he wasn't kidding. The food is just superb; lovingly prepared and full of taste. We went with a selection of the specials of the day and we were very impressed. The wine list is wide and covers a good range. Just don't worry about the prices - when in Venice treat yourself !

Lisa Marie G.

Yelp

Delicious :) My husband and I had a wonderful time here! Truffle pasta was delicious! The service was excellent and the ambience was fabulous! Not to mention the couples siting next to us were friendly and we had lovely conversations :)

Marc U.

Yelp

Don't go here if you're cheap or don't appreciate great service. The food is top notch, but as good as the good is the quality of the wait staff is better. If there was a hall of fame for those in the hospitality trade the crew here would be enshrined there. It was a pleasure to watch the professionalism and skill of the four man team. The food was exceptional. We had portabello mushrooms, truffle pasta, risotto and Tuscan steak. All excellent. But the quality of the servers was perhaps the finest I've ever.

Natasha D.

Yelp

Fantastico. We return 22 years and crawl out the window into Gondola with Glennie

Sanjay H.

Yelp

I returned to Ristorante Da Ivo during a trip this month for my wedding and we had my bachelor party here with a group of 12. As always, the restaurant did an impeccable job, and was unphased by a large group of 12 hungry men. The service was stellar, the food as always, had a wide range of choices ranging from authentic venetian, to options to satisfy a few vegetarians in our group. While this is one of George Clooney's favorite restaurants in Venice, the owner, Giovanni Fracassi, and his staff,s attention to every detail, and hospitality make every guest feel like George Clooney!

Judy J.

Yelp

Best Service. Best Food. One of the most memorable dining experiences ever. If in Venice, this is a must go to dinner. Make a reservation. The owners come out and discuss the menu with you. They ask questions about your particular tastes. Absolutely charming..

Mista H.

Yelp

Simply the best meal I had in Italy. Even though their service I a little even for European siesta style, the food & atmosphere more than make up for it. Would come back for sure...when I had more time.

Vittorio M.

Yelp

Davvero eccezionale, una esperienza da non perdere!

Luke H.

Yelp

After we spend +260 Euro on our meals, the waiter lied and says gratuity is not included in the charge when the bill clearly states that it is. For a place that takes itself as seriously as this place does and charges the prices it charges, it's laughable that they resort to low class tourist trap antics like lying about gratuity. The food is mediocre and this place owes its good reviews to the fact that Clooney and (judging by the pics on the walls) other celebs apparently ate there at some point in time. Do not be fooled, this place is nothing special in the food, ambience and service departments. Avoid this place, Venice has so many places with better food and more integrity.

Dylan R.

Yelp

Went for lunch after reading incredible reviews. Got there just as they opened so no wait for a table for two. Had the spinach and ricotta tortellini, which was absolutely delicious, but at $25 for the dish was pretty overpriced. Would recommend for a fine dining experience.

G S.

Yelp

We had a very bad experience and I relay it so that those who want to eat at da Ivo with small children are warned. I booked by e-mail, in Italian, for 5 adults and an 18 month old child. I specifically asked da Ivo to tell me if they had a problem with our bringing a child. They said "va bene" (ok). The day of the reservation, when our hotel (up market) concierge called to re-confirm, da Ivo said we could have our reservation but we would be squashed in. I told the concierge it sounded as though we would not be welcome so I thought we should cancel if we wouldn't be charged for doing so. The concierge called da Ivo and then called me back and said we would not be charged to cancel and, in any event, despite da Ivo having confirmed a table for our group at 7.15pm, da Ivo had, in fact, had us down for 'mezzo giorno'. So we cancelled. We were subsequently charged $293.50. Needless to say, we will never recommend this restaurant - I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world and have never been treated like this. I wonder if da Ivo would have had the same attitude had they known that a high profile guest was in our party ?

Jamie P.

Yelp

Truly wonderful meal, out of a group of 8, the best restaurant in Venice, after 6 nights of dinners and lunches. Everyones dish was wonderful, however the atmosphere is so great, that the food could have been mediocre and still been a special night. Although we mostly ordered off the menu, the specials are what they try to focus on. We had ZUchini Blossoms stuffed with crab, Burratta, grilled porcini mushrooms and frutti di mare to start, all wonderful, for main courses our entire table almost ordered their special of the house the pasta pasaeano, however I order the vongole, which was the best i have had in venice and maybe anywhere. This is a MUST if you come to Venice. It is inside but on a canal, so Gondola's literally row by all meal, it is almost to picturesque.

Jocelyne D.

Yelp

Fabulous. Book ahead. Not a tourist trap. Wonderful food. Fabulous atmosphere and friendly involved owner. Gracie per una no due ceni merveliose

@cntraveler

"Ristorante Da Ivo in Venice is amazing—you can arrive or leave by gondola to their side door."

How George and Amal Clooney Do Date Night in Italy | Vogue

@vogue

"The restaurant off of St. Mark’s Square serves classic Italian fare like spaghetti with clams, veal ossobucco, grilled prawns over rice, and gelato." - Vogue