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What to Eat in Chioggia

- Discover Traditional Venetian Cuisine -

A culinary journey into the heart of the Venetian Lagoon

Are you wondering what to eat in Chioggia during your visit? This charming fishing town, often called Little Venice, offers much more than beautiful canals and seafront walks — it is a true destination for lovers of authentic Venetian cuisine. In Chioggia, every dish tells a story of the sea, the land, and centuries-old traditions. Local recipes are simple, seasonal, and made with fresh ingredients straight from the Adriatic and surrounding farmland.

Local Specialties

Fresh from the Sea and the Countryside

The Chioggia fish market is one of the most famous in Italy. Each morning, fishermen bring in the best of the day’s catch: Clams, mantis shrimp, cuttlefish, sole, and the prized moeche (soft-shell crabs), a rare and delicate Venetian specialty.

From the land, Chioggia offers equally delicious produce

Traditional Dishes You Must Try in Chioggia

Appetizers

Sarde in saor
Fried sardines marinated with onions, vinegar, raisins and pine nuts
Baccalà mantecato
Creamy codfish mousse served on toasted bread
Schile
Tiny local shrimp, often fried or served with polenta

Main courses – Pasta & Soups

Seafood risotto
Made with the daily catch from the lagoon
Bigoli in salsa
Thick spaghetti with onions and anchovy sauce
Broeto
A rustic fish broth, once a humble fishermen’s meal

Second courses – Fish & Shellfish

Bibarasse in cassopipa
Local clams in a traditional onion-based sauce
Fried moeche
Soft-shell crabs, crispy and tender
Cuttlefish stew with polenta
A comforting dish for all seasons

Desserts

Bissiole
Traditional biscuits, perfect with tea, milk or sweet wine
Smegiassa
A soft seasonal cake made with pumpkin and apples
Fried cream
A beloved local treat, ideal for a walk through town
Pair your meal with a glass of Prosecco, Raboso, or a Chardonnay from the Veneto region.
Where to Eat in Chioggia

Authentic Places, Timeless Flavours

Chioggia is full of traditional osterias, historic wine bars (bacari) and restaurants with lagoon views, where meals follow the rhythm of the sea. In Chioggia, food is not just about eating — it’s a way of discovering the soul of the city, its people, and its centuries-old heritage.

Recommended food experiences in Chioggia

Fish Market

Morning stroll through the Fish Market (Mercato al Minuto)

Lunch in a trattoria

Lunch in a family-run trattoria with a fresh daily menu

Sunset aperitivo

Sunset aperitivo with Venetian cicchetti and white wine