Venice Neighborhoods: Cannaregio
If I had to name my favorite sestiere, Cannaregio probably would be it. Why? It has everything! You might think, as you walk along Strada Nuova that this is such a touristic part of town. You’re right if you stay on the yellow brick road (Strada Nuova) that leads you from Piazzale Roma and the train station to Rialto and San Marco. But even along Strada Nuova you find delicious places for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and gelato.
For breakfast, go to one of the only places in Venice that roasts its coffee beans — Torrefazione Cannaregio. It’s right on Strada Nuova and will serve you one of the best coffees in Venice that also offers it at one of the cheapest prices you can find — 0.90 euro cents. They also have a small array of delicious brioche (try almond or chocolate!). This will get you started. We then recommend that you go learn a technique that you can learn only while you’re in Venice — voga alla veneta.
Row Venice is fantastic non-profit organization that offers lessons to visitors on how to row as the Venetians and gondoliers do — standing up, pushing — an oar. You spend a little bit of time in the canals and then head out into the laguna. After the 90 minute lesson you’ll be left in one of the best places to find lunch or a drink.
Cannaregio has some of the best wine bars of Venice. For lunch, we’d recommend Enoteca Da Roberto’s who offers traditional Venetian cuisine and a hand-picked wine list (we beg you, pick something from the region, you won’t regret it). You can also check out Al Timon, Vino Vero, and Paradiso Perduto for lunch. If you’re willing to hike a little bit further and want a heavier lunch, go to Da Marisa for traditional Venetian cuisine.
After lunch, we’d recommend you go check out the Venetian Jewish Ghetto which is currently celebrating its 500th anniversary. Learn about the history about the Ghetto from the many tours available offered by the certified guides of the museum and synagogue. Check out it’s unique architecture and beautiful campo.
Either way, after you make your way back to Cannaregio you should consider either checking out the places we recommended for lunch as they also offer delicious glasses of wine and small plates of cicchetti (Venetian tapas). If you’re more of a beer drinker, then we’d recommend heading Il Santo Bevitore (Saint Drinker) which offers a wide variety of small batch beers made in Italy. There is also La Cantina just five minutes from there so if you’re a wine drinker travelling with a beer drinker, maybe you can compromise and do one round between the two places! In addition, you should consider Da Alvise to eat with a gorgeous view of the laguna or Osteria da Rioba or Osteria Anice Stellato for an amazing dinner with great wine. Afterward, if you’re looking for an after dinner gelato or after rowing snack, check out Gelatone (“big gelato”) on Strada Nuova.
