Venissa Venice

Venissa is a Michelin-star restaurant located in Mazzorbo, a small island within the Venetian lagoon of Italy. The restaurant is run by talented chefs Chiara Pavan and Francesco Brutto. Their cooking philosophy is centred around the concept of cucina ambientale, which means “environmental cuisine”. This brilliant and admirable principle led to Venissa being awarded the prestigious Michelin Green Star. Further accolades include featuring on The World’s 50 Best’s commendable ‘Discovery’ list. Chefs Chiara Pavan and Francesco Brutto also received ‘Two Knives’ in the 2024 edition of The Best Chef; an award signifying world-class status.

What to Expect at Venissa Venice

Venissa Restaurant boasts a fantastic communal five-seater chef’s table experience, allowing a front-row opportunity to be immersed in the chefs’ creations. The restaurant offers a choice of a seven-course or ten-course tasting menu. The menu features vegetables and herbs grown in the kitchen garden on the grounds of the restaurant as well as an abundance of seafood. Invasive specifies of fish and plants are incorporated in dishes, in an effort to rebalance the lagoon’s ecosystem, restoring rich diversity of marine life and sea fauna. Food waste reduction is also cleverly embodied in the menu, with dishes showcasing commonly discarded plant and animal parts as well as ingenious use of stale products. Think delectable desserts creatively featuring left-over croissants and dry breads. Dishes are paired with, mostly, natural wines produced by lesser-known artisanal winemakers, in keeping with Venissa’s sustainability practices. Look forward to touring Venissa’s very own small ancient-walled vineyard and tasting the locally-renowned Dorona; a grape native to Venice, which resiles in the unique terroir and salty lagoon. If you prefer a more laid-back dining experience, the Venissa grounds are also home to their casual oesteria. The oesteria showcases affordable Venetian cuisine, crafted with the same guiding principle of sustainability.

Is Venissa Venice Worth Visiting?

Just a short stroll from Mazzorbo, lies the colourful island of Burrano. Casa Burano is a delightful boutique guesthouse with multiple accommodations scattered around Burano. It’s the hotel-extension of Venissa Restaurant offered by the same owners. Expect exquisite views, quaint footbridges, boutique lace stores and charming surroundings. Casa Burano comes highly recommended for an authentic experience; fortunately, without the tourist hordes. Moreover, Venissa also offers a boat service that transports guests from Venice or neighbouring islands to Mazzorbo Island. It’s a special addition to the already impressive Venissa experience. If you’re looking for an estimably unique tasting menu in a beautifully colourful setting, Venissa is must-visit. Chiara and Francesco are tangibly passionate about environmental sustainability; it’s evident in all aspects of the Venissa experience. 

You can find more information about Venissa Restaurant here and Casa Burano here.