With one of the world’s most beautiful, interesting and culturally important cities on its shore, it’s no wonder the vast majority of visitors to Veneto head straight to Venice to take in its sights, its history and its atmosphere. Prices might be high and queues might be long, but sipping an espresso on St Mark’s Square or walking around the breathtaking Doge’s Palace are both life-affirming experiences that are well worth the time and money. There’s fantastic eating to be had, too – with small Venetian tapas-style plates known as cicchetti (or cicheti in the local dialect) on offer at the local bars and a plethora of Michelin-starred restauarnts to choose from, you can find some incredible examples of regional cooking – just watch out for the tourist traps.
Anyone planning a visit to Venice would be seriously missing out if they didn’t explore the rest of Veneto, however. Verona, to the west, was the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and rightly so – it’s awe-inspiring buildings and the nearby Lake Garda make an ideal setting for romance, and it’s where you’ll find some of the finest risotto in Italy. Vicenza is famous for its white asparagus, Asiago cheese and grappa, while Padua is home to incredible polenta dishes and Aperol. To the north, Belluno is a mountainous, alpine area full of robust, hearty dishes, while Treviso is known for its fertile soil, producing some of the finest vegetables in the country.
This makes Veneto one of the most culinary diverse and varied provinces in Italy, with fish, meat, vegetables and grains all given equal billing. So while Venice may capture the hearts of everyone who visits it, don’t assume the rest of Veneto pales in comparison – there’s a whole world of incredible food and drink to be discovered further inland. Take a look at our features and recipes below to learn more.
