Al Giardinetto da Severino: a journey into Venetian tradition
In the heart of the Castello district in Venice, just a few steps from Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, lies the restaurant Al Giardinetto da Severino. Since the early 1900s, this historic restaurant has offered its guests an authentic Venetian culinary experience. Located in the 15th-century Palazzo Zorzi, the restaurant is a place where history and tradition meet in an enchanting setting. Al Giardinetto da Severino boasts a spacious internal garden where, during the warmer months, guests can dine in the shade of a centuries-old vineyard.
Every September, the garden hosts the harvest of a particularly appreciated sweet wine, a rare event in Venice’s historic center. The internal dining room, which originally served as a chapel for the Zorzi family, still retains its original architectural features, such as vaulted ceilings and a 16th- century frescoed fireplace. Managed with passion and professionalism by the Bastianello Parmesan family since 1949, the restaurant is listed among the “Historic Venues of Veneto.” Thanks to its charming location and the size of its internal courtyard, Al Giardinetto da Severino is the ideal place for special events such as wedding banquets, receptions, parties, and conferences.
The restaurant’s chefs offer traditional Venetian cuisine, simple and based on genuine products from the salt marshes, the lagoon islands, and the sea. Every dish is prepared in the old-fashioned way to enhance its taste and flavor. The menu includes a variety of Venetian classics such as “Granceola” (spider crab), “Sarde in saor” (sweet and sour sardines), “Baccalà mantecato” (creamed codfish), “Canocie” (mantis shrimp), and “Schie con polenta” (lagoon shrimp with polenta). First courses include “Risotto alla pescatora” (fisherman’s risotto), “Spaghetti al nero di seppia” (squid ink spaghetti), and “Spaghetti alle vongole veraci” (spaghetti with clams).
Main courses feature “Frittura mista” (mixed fried seafood) accompanied by “castraure” (small artichokes from the island of Sant’Erasmo), grilled or baked fish, and the savory “fegato alla veneziana” (Venetian-style liver). The dessert menu offers strictly homemade after-dinner treats, while the wine list presents a wide selection of white, red, and rosé wines from almost all regions of Italy, as well as a selection of Italian and French sparkling wines.
Al Giardinetto da Severino pays special attention to celiac customers, offering a specific gluten-free menu. Listed among the recommended establishments by the Italian Celiac Association (AIC), the restaurant scrupulously follows all procurement and processing procedures of raw materials to ensure the food safety of its guests. Come and discover the charm and tradition of Al Giardinetto da Severino!
Immersed in a historic and evocative location, with cuisine that celebrates the authentic flavors of Venice, every visit is an unforgettable journey into the heart of the lagoon city. Whether for a lunch in the shade of the vineyard, a romantic dinner, or a special event, Al Giardinetto da Severino will welcome you with warmth and professionalism, offering you a unique culinary experience. Book today and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of Venice.
