Osteria Alle Testiere
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Osteria Alle Testiere
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN Guide
MICHELIN Guide: Good cooking
This restaurant, now one of the most popular bistros in Venice, started out as a typical Venetian “bacaro”. The cuisine focuses on traditional Mediterranean and Venetian dishes, including vegetables, many of which are grown in a kitchen garden on Sant'Erasmo island (Osti in Orto) – an initiative which sees a number of small restaurants coming together to grow and share produce. The menu changes in line with market availability. With just a few tables, booking well in advance is highly recommended.
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Features
CUISINES
Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, Healthy
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Location
Is this place primarily a deli?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:30 PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Thursday
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Friday
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Saturday
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Contribute
4.4
1,647 reviews
Excellent
1,101
Good
319
Average
128
Poor
56
Terrible
43
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RoddieH
20 contributions
Nov 2024 • family
As always the visit was exceptional - a real treat to return to enjoy what they do.
The produce that they use, and the obvious skills of the kitchen are of high quality - all backed up with warm friendly and helpful service.
The prices are at the higher end of the scale, but for this level of cuisine you have to pay more than some of the other options - it is worth it!
Note that if you want to get a table here you do need to book well in advance.
Written December 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
streghettalivorno
Province of Livorno8575 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
I had tried so many times in the past but it was always full. Perhaps because it was Tuesday night, I phoned and found a place after 5 minutes. Local frequented almost only by foreigners, which is usually not a good sign. But the grilling was really excellent, fresh fish and cooked perfectly. With a side dish and two glasses of wine, I spend 90€ in two, which is perhaps slightly high, but honestly the quality is worth it. Note of merit: there is no cover to pay
Automatically translated
Written March 18, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
Worthing26 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
Another hommage to Angela Hartnett TV show about eating out in Venice.
Book this restaurant WELL IN ADVANCE
3 couples at different tables were there due to the TV program/Times review
Very pleasurable experience in really quaint location deep in the old part of Venice (if you didn't know it was a restaurant there, you would walk past it!
Simply great authentic food with a wine list to die for (and help from the waiter to choose a Venetian region red (which was not expensive)
Clam Pasta (spaghetti alle vongole) was absolutely delicious.
Owner was really chatty and approachable, our waiter was a huge assett to the restaurant, nice cook book to buy as well!
Written February 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T2002
10 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
I cannot fathom how this restaurant earned a Michelin star, having a table directly next to a toilet. From start to finish, it felt like an overpriced tourist trap rather than a fine dining establishment. Not well seasoned dishes are apparent when the main is well cooked, but it doesnt make up for the rest of the meal poorly made. Considering the cost, the service and the decor as well as the main reason you are in the restaurant (the food) I would not recommend anyone who is looking for something special and understands flavours.
Written February 14, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathalie W
Geneva84 contributions
Mar 2025 • family
This restaurant is a joke in terms of prices and quantities served. I never seen so minuscule portions for a main course. An overpriced restaurant with very average wine sold at a high price. Left 100 eur at lunch for two and left hungry. Ridiculous !
Written March 7, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian C
1 contribution
May 2023 • couples
Booked for the late sitting 2 months ago and read reviews to arrive early as we were aware we would have to queue. Staff were very nice initially, and we thought the table was ours for the remainder of the evening. After an hour it became apparent the wine waiter was desperate to fit in another 2 covers. They were obviously trying to rush us cleared our table runner after our main course but we decided to sit firm and enjoy the remainder of our expensive (but lovely) wine. The desserts were dropped in front of us when we finally ordered and card machine thrust in front of without any words or time to verify the charges. We left in a hurry. Food was ok, but have eaten better the wine waiter was surly and rude.
Written May 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sidji
London4999 contributions
Feb 2025 • family
Had heard so much about this restaurant. Food reviews and celebrity endorsements everywhere. It’s a simple looking place so we expected the food to really pop.
Ordered starters, pastas and grilled fish, all of it was just ok with nothing outstanding and small portions with high prices attached.
Would have given two stars normally but the service was lovely with the manager(owner) and a waiter both circulating the small room and making an effort to insure every guest was attended to nicely. Oh yes and the pistachio cake was delicious.
Written February 20, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skippy50
Chichester922 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
We have eaten here twice before so made sure of getting a table by booking in March, and we are so glad that we did and were not disappointed.
If you want a fancy over-decorated restaurant full of tat then this isn’t for you since the room is small, simply decorated (with bed heads, hence the name), very clean and almost like eating at a friend’s. The price is not inexpensive but certainly no more than other restaurants in the area that serve comparable cuisine, and once again we had the best food of our three week tour.
We’re I to return to Venice and could only eat in one restaurant, Osteria Al Testiere would be our choice. Yes, the evening that we were there the restaurant had American and British diners, but there were also locals eating, which is always an excellent sign.
Thank you Bruno and Luca.
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Columbus92
Ipswich67 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
Small, charming and unpretentious this typical Venetian restaurant offers a selection of mainly fish dishes. The antipasti of clams was delicious and copious! Beautifully cooked turbot was a winner, too.
The service is excellent from cheerful and knowledgeable waiters and the very charming and cool patron keeps everything running smoothly.
Wine list is comprehensive and reasonable.
A very enjoyable experience and high quality food nicely prepared and presented!
Written March 19, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlotta P
Amsterdam285 contributions
Jul 2023 • friends
Already from the entrance, there was a welcoming atmosphere. The staff was incredibly courteous and attentive from the moment I stepped foot in the venue.
Even without a reservation, they managed to seat us for lunch.
The vast selection of dishes on the menu was a real delight for the eyes and the palate. The menu was updated every day, with local and fresh dishes!
The service was impeccable: the staff was available to provide detailed information on each dish and to satisfy our every request. Each course was served with care and precision, without ever making us wait too long.
Written August 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drbell
Sheffield94 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
Quite unassuming from outside. My wife and I arrived half an hour earlier than booked but were allowed in anyway. The place was empty but was heaving by the time we left. My starter was PHENOMINAL! Mediterranean Anchovies with loads of punchy flavours. Outstanding. My wife had scallops and enjoyed them. My main course was Tuna steak and it was lovely while my wife had Sole and didn’t leave a morsel of meat which fell off the bone and she really enjoyed it. We had three glasses of wine and had to wait ages for the third one - even after they apologised for the delay as they had forgotten what we had ordered. My cappuccino was cold. The price for two courses each with the drinks came to £129 which I feel was a bit pricey. Why? Well, the restaurant only has 20 tables so they are crammed in together so much so that when we were leaving we had to squeeze between two tables and knocked an item to the floor which was a bit embarrassing. I felt that the waiting staff were a little perfunctory which really needs to improve a bit. Overall though, very nice thank you.
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eternaloptimist815
Boston130 contributions
May 2024 • family
This was my first and best meal in Venice over 4 days. I had failed to get a resv online in advance, but walked by one morning and booked for lunch same day. Had a raw shrimp appetizer with some vegetables and the most amazing garlicky marmalade which I think they said was made with strawberries, though it looked orange. Texture of the shrimp was like the best sushi I've had, maybe better. For a primo I had pasta with squid and a cinnamon-inflected sauce. Maybe more interesting than delicious, but really fascinating. My daughter is veggie and they were super-accommodating, with excellent pesto pasta and a burrata appetizer for which they substituted excellent veg for the shrimp. Nothing to criticize except that the prices are commensurate with the quality, and I didn't love my spritz made with their house amaro. Matter of taste no doubt. Would work hard to get a res if returning to Venice.
Written May 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael U
Las Vegas49348 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
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.
Written March 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jdav1970
London178 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
I’m not sure I can add much to the already glowing reviews of this tiny and totally true to its principles restaurant tucked away down a side street in Venice. Mind you, a lot of the more interesting stuff is tucked down the side streets of Venice! It’s so small, we walked past it the first time, then noticed all the stickers adorning 1 of the doors, from all the guides and reviews that have been published, so in we went.
Immediately put at ease by the front of house team, we sat down in a corner and started looking through the menus. Advice was sought and given, especially over wine and the evening just flowed by. It was all so relaxed and congenial. The pictures (sort of) do justice to good the food was. Dessert made my partner appreciate Tiramisu for the first-time ever and when the bill arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t that bad, especially considering what we had just eaten and how much we’d get charged for that sort of quality in London!
A must if you enjoy food and are in Venice. Book early!
Written April 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gigi
New York City302 contributions
Oct 2022 • family
I am shocked how well reviewed this restaurant is and given the Michelin stickers and acclaim, I had incredibly high hopes. Bottomline is that the food here is subpar. The preparation of it is poor and I don’t understand how there can be any kind of gushing review about the food unless we were served something different. I love razor clams (or clams for that matter) and the clams had not at all been purged of sand. The clams aren’t that big so it was more like eating sand than clams and I tried to eat as much as I could but couldn’t do it. Finally I called the server who offered up some ridiculous explanation about how these clams live in sand (don’t all clams live in sand?). Has the chef not heard of sand purging? Strange. The broccoli soup w shrimp was bland and boring. Both pastas were over cooked (vongole and the gnocchi). Thankfully the clams in the vongole did not have sand (so they clearly know how to purge sand?). The gnocchi was so completely bloated I hated it. The cod purée with polenta is apparently a traditional dish and it would have been interesting had it not been so flavorless. A 150 euro dinner for two people should be higher quality cooking.
The worst part of it was that toward the end of the meal, two people from the kitchen came out to stare us down. Perhaps it was the complaint about the razor clams or the half eaten pasta dishes, but it was completely unprofessional. The owner should have prevented that kind of behavior from the kitchen staff. Are they so arrogant and presumptuous to think that everyone who comes to their restaurant should love their food and eat all of it? Are they so incapable of taking any kind of constructive feedback? What sort of information would they gain by staring down customers? If they had actually wanted insight, they should have asked if we had any kind of feedback about the food instead of looking at us like zoo animals.
No reason to go to a place like this especially with this kind of price tag. I’m from New York City and these are NYC prices. A hard sell.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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