Al Vecio Marangon

This place is a cozy but friendly family run restaurant. Our server was very nice despite our limited Italian. Menu has translations in five languages, I think Italian, English, French, German, maybe Russian? The food is good, obviously lots of fish, but the lasagna with meat sauce is also fantastic. I quite enjoyed the spaghetti with salmon, because the salmon is mixed in, not a slab on top. Sauce was some kind of cheese sauce, but was a good amount, not smothered in cheese. If we had more time in Venice, we would be back.

Looked this up on Unilocal and it seemed like a great option. Since it doesn’t take reservations (according to Unilocal) we walked over. There was a line — which seemed to bode well. Put in for a table for 2, and the staff clearly did not speak much English at this very small restaurant. There were two other couples ahead of us — and after a bit of listening, also English speakers. When a group of three Italians asked for a table, they were quickly whisked to an open table outside — skipping the non-​Italian speakers. We left in disgust — be warned.

The restaurant is not where it is on this map, we went looking for it and couldn’t find it. Luckily the next day we found it by accident and went in for dinner. The food was delicious! We had a first plate of pasta with seafood followed by the pork ribs served with veggies an polenta. The overall menu was limited but varied enough that there was something for everyone. A bottle of excellent wine completed the meal.

We couldn’t have been happier with this place. Seeing as how this was our first meal in Italy, we ordered an antipasto (piatto di frutti di mare assortiti — one order split 2 ways), a primo (Risotto ai frutti di mare — two person minimum), and a secondo of Branzino with a contorno of artichokes. We wolfed the seafood platter down. Smoked salmon, shrimps, anchovies, squid, langoustines, and some delightful blend of fromage, parsley, and some kind of seafood (forgot to ask what it was before it was inhaled). When the two plates of Rissoto were delivered we knew we were in for a treat; just too much of a treat. Neither one of us could finish either of our plates, and were seriously doubting we could eat another thing. Although our waiter could not speak much English, he indicated to us that he had not placed our final order, and would we like to cancel it. What a pleasant surprise. I was expecting to have to pay for the two courses that we ordered but were unable to eat, but were relieved to be let off the hook. The restaurant was less than 100 meters from the apartment where we were staying, down a tiny side street. We chose the restaurant based on the good reviews and the proximity to our lodgings, but I mapped the location and began walking towards it. GPS said I had arrived, but we could find no sign for a restaurant. Finally I looked at the doors of the shops, and there was the name of the restaurant printed on a sheet of paper from an inkjet printer. It’s not on the main drag, nice local folks making great food at reasonable prices (for Venice), and worth the walk.

Delicious food… small place with great atmosphere. No bad meal for the 5 of us. Definitely recommend.

This is a great restaurant a three blocks away from the tourist traps. Great homemade food, a limited menu, and friendly but efficient service. Just pick from the suggestions of the day and enjoy some of the best priced wine you have had in Venice.

This place is perfect. If you want an authentic Venetian meal go to this small hidden treasure. The menu is small, the wine is specific, but the specials that arrive to you handwritten are the gold of this establishment. Trust these fine people, they speak little English but are kind and knowledgable about the food that they take such great care in preparing. Check your smart phones for some Italian phrases to explain your gratitude for the meal that you will receive.

One of our favorite meals in Venice!
Al Vecio Marangon is tucked away from the main streets and tourist sights of Venice so it is easy to pass up this little hidden gem. The restaurant is near the Grand Canal in the Dorsodoro neighborhood. We stumbled by this restaurant in an attempt to escape the rain. I’m so glad we accidentally found this spot!
Everything tastes like it is made from scratch and I wouldn’t be surprised if the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation because the food was so authenticly delicious. My husband and I ordered a carafe of the house wine to share. (The house wine in Italy is delicious and costs less than a soda. There is no need to pay for the more expensive bottles when the house wine is delicious!)
I ordered a plate of proscuitto and melon and my husband ordered an Italian bean soup that was so hearty and delicious. Everything was super fresh and our meal was served with wonderful crusty bread. Our bill was very inexpensive. I wish we found this spot sooner!
I highly recommend dining at this spot if you are visiting Venice.