Cantinone gia Schiavi Enoteca

Something of a cross between a wine shop, coffee shop and an osteria (tapas bar), this quaint little place is set in a picturesque canalside location.

Il Cantinone is a family concern. Father and sons serve coffee and wine over the long marble counter while mum (Sandra) dispenses her amazing food from behind the glass display refrigerator. Floor to ceiling shelves groan with probably the best selection of wines and spirits in Venice. These are sold by the bottle (to take out) and by the glass (a choice of a dozen or so, mostly from the Veneto region).

Both locals and tourists come by to stand and enjoy a quick glass of wine, or a coffee and a snack. Like theirs, your visit will be brief as there are no seats inside. There is a leaning table in the back room but Il Cantinone is best enjoyed people watching in the front with your drinks and plate of snacks resting under the shelves of wine. On sunny days patrons take their drinks outside and sit on the steps of the bridge over the canal.

Walking away from Il Cantinone towards the Grand Canal, on the opposite side you'll see what looks like a Swiss mountain cabin but is in fact a place where they make and repair gondolas.