Discover Venice 2023-2024
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1512151
20 Discover Venice Dining off the island Allegro Bistro ($$) 1740 E. Venice Ave., Venice 941-484-1889 allegro-bistro.com The Valenti family's 27-year Venice institution has music and Italian home cooking. Angelo's Italian Market & Ristorante ($$) 850 Pinebrook Road, Venice 941-484-6864 angelositalianmarket.com Customers call it "magical" and "like being in New York." Outstanding quality and service belie strip mall location. Anita's Restaurant ($) 441 S. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis 941-485-3859 anitasfamilyrestaurant.com 1950s-style family favorite, serving home-style comfort food and daily specials. Asaro's Pizzeria Ristorante ($$) 2454 Laurel Road, Nokomis 941-485-5959 asarospizzeria.com Authentic Italian food from a Long Island Sicilian family; on- and off-site catering available. Baiyoke Thai Bistro ($$) 1829 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-408-8141 baiyokethaisushi.com Chef Paul Nattaporn brings 15 years of experience from the East Coast and Thailand to a menu of authentic Thai food and Japanese fusion in South Venice. Bob's Twist N' Shake ($) 420 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-485-5152 facebook.com/BobsTwistNShake/ Countless flavors, add-ins, yogurt, soft-serve, scoops and shakes. The Breakfast Cottage ($-$$) 2301 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis 941-313-9529 thebreakfastcottage.com Bright, light and cheery, with generous helpings of pancakes, omelets, Benedicts and more. BrewBurgers ($$) 370 Commercial Court, Venice 941-484-2337 brewburgers.com Bustling, low-frills outpost, found both on and off Island, featuring a range of specialty burgers, sandwiches and draft brews. Briandi's Restaurant ($$) briandisrestaurant.com 202 S. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis 941-488-9511 briandisrestaurant.com It may be small, but it's spectacular. Tiny Italian family eatery established in Buffalo in 1942; moved to Nokomis in 1989. British Open Pub ($$) 367 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice 941-492-9227 britishopenpub.com All the comfort of a British village pub, with the accents and the dishes to go with it, from bangers and mash to pasties, Wellingtons, burgers and chips. Café Evergreen ($-$$) 801 S. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis 941-412-4334 cafeevergreen.net Healthy food that looks beautiful and tastes great, in a historic Nokomis building. Captain Eddie's Seafood Restaurant ($$) 107 E. Colonia Lane, Nokomis 941-484-4372 captaineddiesseafood.com Laid-back fresh and fried seafood restaurant with onsite market. Chaz 51 Steakhouse ($$-$$$) 549 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Bird Bay Plaza Venice 941-484-6200 chaz51steakhouse.com Chef-owner Charles Amherst plates exquisite dinners, including the finest steaks in the area. Chicano's ($$) 1185 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice 941-497-5249 chicanosmexicanrestaurant.com Authentic Mexican and Mex-American food. Clever Monkey Craft Grill & Bar ($-$$) 1272 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey 941-786-1834 clevermonkeycraftgrill.com The Clever Monkey serves creative craft burgers, fall-off-the-bone ribs, pork belly BLTs, pastas and a complete range of entrees in a grill and sports bar with trivia. Dockside Waterfront Grill at Marker 4 ($$) 509 N. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-218-6418 Docksidewaterfrontgrill.com Lively outdoor dining under tiki huts, a seafood- focused American menu and daily happy hour. El Chipotle Latin Market & Inti Restaurant ($) 519 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-485-5046 facebook.com/people/Latin-Market-and- Restaurant/100063579758513/ Authentic Peruvian and Mexican cuisine tucked into the back of a Latin market in Bird Bay Plaza. Hidden gem, anyone? Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery & Pizza ($-$$) 750 U.S. 41 Bypass N, Venice 941-786-1300 joeydsfl.com Famous Chicago-style pizza served in Venice. Joy's Kouzine ($) 539 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-837-2158 facebook.com/JoysKouzine/ Exuberantly friendly Mediterranean café serving Italian, French, Albanian and Greek dishes, including French crepes for breakfast and baklava for dessert. La Botte Italian Bistro ($$) 533A U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice 941-220-7038 labottevenice.com Its name implies that "good things come in small packages," which couldn't be more true of the fine Italian cuisine offered at this family-owned treasure. Le Petit Jardin Café ($) 1500 E. Venice Ave., Suite 401, Venice 941-244- 3231 lepetitjardincafe.com French cuisine, including crepes, quiches, croissants and more. The Living Room ($$) 2357 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-244-2834 thelivingroomvenice.com Five-star family comfort-food recipes, from shepherd's pie to enchilada bake, in a quirky wine bar ambiance that feels like your favorite aunt's living room. Lucarelli's Italian Restaurant ($$- $$$) 1965 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-445-4755 lucarellisrestaurant.com Italian comfort food like Nonna used to make. A strip mall surprise with stellar cuisine and service. Mad Moe's Pub & Grill ($-$$) 106 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey 941-966-9700 madmoes.com Sports pub advertising itself as "the most exciting place in Osprey," with a solid pub menu and the "30-Day Club," awarding regulars a personalized nameplate on their barstool. Mama Maria's Pizzeria & Subs ($) 2085 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice 941-408-9226 facebook.com/people/Mama-Marias- Pizzeria/100063492103393/ Made-to-order Italian food, pizza and sandwiches. Dining key $ = inexpensive (under $10)* $$ = moderate ($11-$30)* $$$ = pricey (over $30)* *includes tips and beverage.