Downtown Dining in Venice from Morning to Night

Venice, Florida's historic and charming downtown may date back to the 1920s, but its culinary scene is always evolving. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, there are all kinds of restaurants to tempt you at seemingly every turn—from cozy cafes and upscale eateries to late-night pubs and ice cream parlors. 

No matter the time of day, you can find something delicious to eat or drink in Historic Downtown Venice. So when it's time to refuel, here's where you should head.

Morning Meals

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Good thing there are lots of options here to start things off on the right foot.

Begin your morning at the Upper Crust Café & Bakery, a charming spot done up in shabby-chic style. Order a famous scone with Devonshire cream and a pot of tea, create your own omelet combination or grab a bag of pastries to-go on your way to Venice Beach.

Venice Island Coffee is a happening spot for caffeinated beverages as well as brunch varieties, sandwiches and wraps. Northerners love the Taylor Pork on a Jersey Roll. The Burgundy Square Cafe wins kudos for its relaxed coastal diner setup with an all-American menu of the ultimate breakfast comfort foods. Meanwhile, 

Or head to Mission Cafe & Coffee for delicious fruit smoothies, organic coffee drinks, specialty toasts and acai bowls. If coffee and a sweet treat is all you really need to get you going, grab a flavored iced latte or hot cup of joe at Seven Coffee & Pastries, serving up fresh roasted beans and artisanal pastries from a local bakery, as well as cheesecakes from Bar Harbor Cheesecake Company, right down the street. 

Let's Do Lunch

You may be in Florida, but several restaurants in downtown Venice bring a little foreign flair to the lunchtime dining experience.

The cozy and continental Ristorante San Marco offers a calming spot for a midday shopping break with a hit of authentic Italian cuisine. Opt for a lunch combination, which pairs soup and a mixed-greens salad with half of a panini or pasta dish. 

For a meal from a different part of the world, grab a table at Bushido. Sushi lovers head here for California and spicy tuna rolls or other specialty combinations. The lunch menu also features bento boxes and teriyaki and tempura dishes.

You can't miss ABBY's on Miami's colorful Art Deco building from the street. The quaint spot offers contemporary American cuisine, including fresh salads and gulf-caught seafood. It's a great spot to enjoy a meal or happy hour while people-watching from their sidewalk patio.

The pink-painted house with a flamingo mural by the front door is all the welcome you need for this quaint, homey bistro. Harbor Bistro & Lounge is the perfect spot to hole up with friends or family and enjoy an intimate, tasty meal and some classic cocktails. 

What's for Dinner?

Italian restaurants are well-represented in the downtown area—not surprising for a city named Venice. 

Try Cassariano Italian Eatery for upscale Northern Italian cuisine in an elegant setting, or Made in Italy for brick-oven pizza by the yard, available in all sorts of combinations. For something more casual, head to local institution Luna Ristorante, which serves gut-busting portions of old standards (think baked ziti, chicken parmigiana) in dining areas covered in sports memorabilia. Trattoria Da Mino's petite spot serves up pizzas by the pie or slice, rustic pasta dishes and enough tiramisu and cannoli for the whole table. Opt for the cozy outdoor seating on the sidewalk to watch the sunset. 

For a departure from Italian, check out Bodrum, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant hidden in the back of a small breezeway off Miami Avenue. Offering authentic Turkish and Greek cuisine, fill your craving of gyros, kebabs, saganaki and baklava in a chic setting by the sea. 

Cafe Venice Restaurant & Bar rates as a popular fine-dining spot for an occasion meal or a pre-theater dinner. The sophisticated but still approachable menu features global fare and an extensive wine list amid stone-walled arches and live music. 

Sweet for Dessert

For those seeking premium, homemade ice cream for an after-dinner sundae or coned treat, Venice Avenue Creamery is a must-visit. The family-owned creamery crafts fun flavors, including cookie butter and key lime pie, plus seasonal favorites like pumpkin and apple pie. 

Or step back in time at The Soda Fountain of Venice—first established in 1926 as an old-fashioned tobacco shop/drugstore with a soda jerk station. This charming spot now offers specialty ice cream sodas, egg creams and malts, all served in a vintage vibe that captures the essence of a bygone era. 

On the Late Side

Truth be told, Venice isn't exactly a late-night mecca. But there are a few spots where you can sip cocktails, enjoy casual fare and enjoy a little music and dancing after the sun has set. 

There's usually a lively scene until the wee hours at the Daiquiri Deck, where weekly evening events include live music, DJs, and "Bar Wars" beer pong and cornhole competitions. Its menu features raw bar offerings, sandwiches, lots of appetizers for snacking, and all kinds of flavors of its namesake drink.

Also on Venice Avenue, the Old Venice Pub is a longtime neighborhood hang, serving up Irish pub vibes with a Florida twist. Grab some buddies enjoy a few pints while watching sports on TV, or sign up for one of the trivia and poker nights. For another old-school downtown bar with an Irish theme, cruise over to TJ Carney's. You can catch local bands playing live music every single night, plus dancing and karaoke till 2am.

And when you wake up hungry the next morning after a spirited evening out, at least you'll have some ideas as to where to get breakfast.