During our three week visit to Venice, Florida, we enjoyed the local dining scene ranging from elevated waterfront seafood at the jetties to the charming, pink-hued comfort of “old Florida” bistros tucked along Miami Avenue.
Whether you are sipping a craft brew from a self-serve beer wall or sharing a decadent homemade muffin at a sidewalk café, every meal reflects the city’s unique blend of sophisticated Mediterranean architecture and relaxed coastal hospitality.
Below is a list of restaurants in Venice we tried, with favorites being Made In Italy, Food + Beer, Oak and Stone, and Blue Island Bistro.
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Lunch and Dinner Places in Venice
Brew Burgers
Brew Burger’s hand patted smash burger has been voted the best burger in Venice year after year. The burger joint, with its retro cool vibe, pet friendly outdoor seating, and an array of beer on tap, also serves soups, salads, and specialty sandwiches and sides. There is something for everyone at family-friendly eatery that has two locations.
Made In Italy
Located in the heart of downtown Venice, Florida, Made in Italy is a contemporary restaurant and martini bar specializing in authentic Italian cuisine, including wood-fired pizzas and daily homemade pastas.
The menu features a wide variety of traditional favorites and includes vegan and gluten-free options. Don’t miss the brie wrapped in prosciutto or the chicken picatta. Both were excellent. Allow extra time for parking in this popular area.
KOI Café
Koi Cafe is a cozy, family-run hidden gem in Venice, Florida, that brings authentic homestyle Vietnamese flavors and creative fusion surprises to the local dining scene. The menu is anchored by standout dishes like rich, 12-hour beef bone broth pho and crispy banh xeo crepes, perfectly paired with a diverse selection of refreshing beverages.
With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and attentive service, it offers a refreshing cultural escape for those seeking vibrant, healthy, and high-quality Asian cuisine.
Food + Beer
Food+Beer offers creative upscale bar food until 1 am. To complement its 16-tap craft beer program, the venue provides a vibrant sports bar atmosphere with a combination indoor-outdoor bar and a signature table-side service where home-cooked fries are served fresh in brown bags.
When I visited, the popular restaurant was packed with quite a wait time at 6 pm on a Monday, so arrive early! I had to take my birria tacos and bacon brussel sprouts to go as there wasn’t even a seat at the bar. Both dishes were rich and tasty.
Cabo Breeze Mexican Grill & Tiki Bar
Cabo Breeze Mexican Grill & Tiki Bar offers a distinct Latin fusion menu that pairs traditional Mexican staples with unique dishes like Peruvian ceviche and the massive Chuleta Kan Kan, a bone-in pork chop with a “mohawk” of crispy skin.
The family-owned restaurant, located in the Rialto Shopping Center, creates a vacation-like atmosphere with a large outdoor tiki bar that features a pet-friendly patio and live musical entertainment. Guests can enjoy an extensive drink program, all while taking advantage of a daily happy hour.
Pop’s Sunset Grill
Pop’s Sunset Grill remains a landmark “Old Florida” destination on the Intracoastal Waterway, famously greeting guests through a palm-thatched portal inscribed with the message, “Through these portals pass the world’s friendliest mortals”.
The sprawling venue features a multi-level, 4,000-square-foot Tiki structure that offers 180-degree water views and a courtyard with fire-pit tables where visitors can watch dolphins and manatees glide by daily. Beyond its atmosphere, the restaurant is renowned for its original Famous Grouper Reuben and the Original Urbanek’s Steamship Pot, a legacy dish from the property’s 1940s origins as a fish camp.
This restaurant is always busy with difficult parking, so plan accordingly and call ahead. Additionally, some of the seating is not quite as atmospheric as other sections. Be sure to specify where you want dine.
Dockside Waterfront Grill
Dockside Waterfront Grill serves as a premier “dock and dine” destination at the historic Fisherman’s Wharf Marina, featuring floating docks capable of accommodating vessels up to 100 feet for boaters entering from the nearby Venice Inlet.
The restaurant offers a quintessential “Old Florida” atmosphere centered around a massive tiki hut, where guests can enjoy live acoustic music and watch all the sports on the many TV’s. Don’t miss the tuna nachos, one of the most popular items on the menu.
Along with Pop’s Sunset Grill, some seating is better than other options if you want views of the water.
RoseBud’s Steak & Seafood
RoseBud’s Steak & Seafood is an iconic Venice destination that captures the timeless elegance of a classic American supper club, where white tablecloth service meets a warm, welcoming neighborhood vibe.
The menu is a celebration of culinary precision, showcasing everything from butter-tender prime rib and hand-cut steaks to sophisticated seafood dishes like their signature stuffed shrimp and fresh-caught local snapper.
With its dimly lit, intimate atmosphere and a reputation for unparalleled consistency, it remains the gold standard for locals celebrating life’s special milestones or seeking a truly refined dining experience.
We really enjoyed our meal here, and I regret that I forgot to snap a photo of my food!
Brunch in Venice
Abby’s On Miami
Abby’s on Miami is a charming, deco pink-and-white restaurant nestled in the heart of historic downtown Venice, serving classic and contemporary American comfort food seven days a week. This local gem is celebrated for its unique twists on favorites, such as the succulent pot roast grilled cheese on homemade sourdough and their famous pumpkin bread French toast.
Whether you are enjoying a quick coffee meetup or a full seafood dinner, the casual atmosphere and live piano music create an inviting, home-like experience for families and friends alike. If you can’t find a restaurant with last minute seating for a large party on a Saturday night, try Abby’s and order the savory chicken!
The Original Word of Mouth
The Original Word of Mouth in Venice is a bright and airy local favorite that brings a touch of nostalgic Americana to the Gulf Coast, greeting guests with an eclectic interior dotted with charming antiques.
This popular breakfast and lunch destination is renowned for its scratch-made culinary creativity, featuring standout items like their massive house-baked muffins, “fruit-covered” cinnamon roll French toast, and signature sourdough bread made on-site daily.
Whether you are sipping their specially brewed coffee at the welcoming breakfast bar or enjoying a meal on the scenic outdoor patio, the restaurant provides a warm, community-focused atmosphere that has made it a “must-stop” in Venice since opening its doors in 2016.
Art Garden Cafe
Art Garden Café is a hidden oasis in downtown Venice where culinary artistry meets a lush, botanical escape, allowing guests to dine surrounded by vibrant tropical greenery and local creative works.
The menu specializes in fresh, health-conscious fare with a sophisticated flair, featuring beautifully plated avocado toasts, gourmet salads, and artisanal coffees that are as visually stunning as the garden itself.
It serves as a tranquil sanctuary for the community, blending the peacefulness of an outdoor gallery with a refined cafe experience that nourishes both the body and the spirit.
When in the area, take a moment to admire all the works at the Venice Art Center, walk through the nearby Monty Andrews Arboreturm, the Old Betsy Museum and Venice Museum.
Oak & Stone
Oak & Stone is a high-energy New American tavern that redefines the casual dining experience through its signature pairing of artisanal, wood-fired pizzas and a massive self-serve “Beer Wall.”
This interactive destination invites guests to be their own bartenders, using RFID technology to pour ounces from a rotating selection of over 50 local craft brews and ciders. With its vibrant atmosphere and a menu featuring elevated comfort food—like their famous double-oven wings—it has become a premier gathering spot for sports fans and foodies across Florida.
This restaurant is located in the south of Venice and worth the drive. The upstairs patio atmosphere and unique pizzas with some of the best thin crust around are a real treat.
Blue Island Bistro
Blue Island Bistro is a charming Venice mainstay where Chef Alan Tushar blends creative culinary flair with the cozy, welcoming spirit of a neighborhood gathering spot. The menu transforms traditional breakfast and lunch into an art form, featuring inventive “
Benedicts with a twist,” scratch-made corned beef hash, and their famous, pillowy-soft housemade biscuits. With its breezy outdoor seating and a commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients, it offers a sophisticated yet unpretentious dining experience that captures the relaxed essence of Gulf Coast living.
The restaurant sources its ingredients from local places. You won’t regret ordering the cold brew coffee, the Loaded Bloody Mary, or the melt in your mouth pancakes.The pancakes were some of the best I have ever had. ETB
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