Italy: Venice: Where to Eat: Relaxed but Refined: Corte Sconta

Corte Sconta

Considered one of the best places to find truly excellent seafood in Venice, Corte Sconta is no longer a secret even though it is off-the-beaten path. The very simple facade may give you pause, but there’s a lovely outdoor garden, which is where to sit when the weather is fine. This lovely restaurant belongs to the Buona Accoglienza, an association dedicated to seasonal, regional cuisine (as do Antiche Carampane and Vini da Gigio). The small menu changes daily, depending on what’s fresh at the market, and entrées are all seafood-based; a specialty is squid ink spaghetti served with asparagus and cockles. Don’t miss a glass of the spumante della casa or the delicious homemade desserts. Corte Sconta is closed Sunday and Monday (the latter, the day when the Rialto fish market is shuttered as well).

Tip: Perfect location for lunch if you are visiting the Biennale, so don’t be surprised if you see art dealers or collectors from London and New York at adjoining tables.