Hostaria Sant'Aponal

During my visit to Venice, this restaurant was located near my hotel. We would pass by on our way to tours or just walking around the neighborhood and would notice that they were always busy…that was a good sign. Finally, we decided to stop and have lunch, this was a great decision. The staff were friendly, the service was attentive and prompt. The food was flavorful and portions were a good amount. I recommend, and if you are able to get a walk-in seat without a wait consider yourself fortunate!

We had just one afternoon in Venice and two meals planned, a tight schedule, but if you’re like us and only have time for one sit-down lunch or dinner, make it this place. With a small, focused pasta menu, we ended up ordering three of the dishes, plus one gluten-free option, and were pleasantly surprised by the experience. The presentation was thoughtful and elegant (though we’ll admit, the duck dish wasn’t exactly the prettiest on the table). But what it may have lacked in looks, it more than made up for in flavor. Every bite was packed with richness, and the pasta itself was perfectly cooked,clearly made with care. The staff struck a wonderful balance between warm, personal service and knowledgeable guidance through the menu. We felt welcomed and well taken care of without it ever feeling too much. Price-wise, it wasn’t a budget meal, but for the quality we received, it was more than fair and we’d gladly make again. We’ll definitely be coming back.

Top quality dishes with fresh ingredients, really happy to choose this place for lunch in Venice. Great portions and normal prices for eating out in a square in Venice in high season. And the service was spot on as it was packed with people.

​I ordered the pasta with scampi, but what arrived was pasta with prawns. I'd specifically told the waiter I was allergic to prawns and raised the issue, but the head waitress insisted they were scampi, not prawns. After she left, a waiter came over and discreetly told me they were indeed prawns, suggesting I swap dishes with my partner. They didn't offer to change my meal at all. It was a truly awful experience, and it seems this restaurant doesn't take allergies seriously in the slightest.​I ordered the pasta with scampi, but what arrived was pasta with prawns. I'd specifically told the waiter I was allergic to prawns and raised the issue, but the head waitress insisted they were scampi, not prawns. After she left, a waiter came over and discreetly told me they were indeed prawns, suggesting I swap dishes with my partner. They didn't offer to change my meal at all. It was a truly awful experience, and it seems this restaurant doesn't take allergies seriously in the slightest.

We only managed to get into this place on our third attempt — even with trying to book in advance. The previous times, it was either fully overbooked or the kitchen had already closed. So naturally, our expectations were quite high — we were hoping for something truly special. In the end, though, it was one of those cases where the anticipation exceeded the actual experience. While the atmosphere was genuinely pleasant, the food didn’t stand out in any particular way. Even though we had a reservation, we were just given a makeshift table that was brought out and set up on the spot. I’d also say the prices are on the higher side for a place of this type. One thing that really surprised us: they served still water in a reused bottle — most likely just tap water — and charged €6 for it. That felt quite odd. Overall, it’s a nice spot, but we definitely expected more from it than what we actually got.