
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
A beloved Venetian institution on Burano, renowned for its lagoon-fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and warm, family-run atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Trattoria Al Gatto Nero

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Venetian institution on Burano, renowned for its lagoon-fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and warm, family-run atmosphere.
"The best clam pasta we've ever had!"
Reservations are Essential
Book well in advance to secure a table, as walk-ins are often turned away.
Try Seasonal Specialties
Inquire about seasonal offerings like moeche (softshell crabs) during fall and spring.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Venetian Seafood
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Exceptional Seafood & Homemade Pasta
Savor lagoon-fresh seafood and expertly crafted homemade pasta, with signature dishes like risotto di gò and spider crab tagliolini.

Charming Family-Owned Atmosphere
Experience warm, attentive service in a long-standing, homey trattoria that feels like a family gathering. The blue facade is iconic.

Authentic Burano Island Charm
Located on the picturesque Burano island, the restaurant offers a true taste of Venetian heritage amidst colorful houses and canals.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations are Essential
Book well in advance to secure a table, as walk-ins are often turned away.
Try Seasonal Specialties
Inquire about seasonal offerings like moeche (softshell crabs) during fall and spring.
Consider the Special Menu
Opt for the special menu for a curated selection of the best seafood delicacies.
Embrace the Island Adventure
Take a water ferry to Burano island for a scenic journey to reach the restaurant.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations are Essential
Book well in advance to secure a table, as walk-ins are often turned away.
Try Seasonal Specialties
Inquire about seasonal offerings like moeche (softshell crabs) during fall and spring.
Consider the Special Menu
Opt for the special menu for a curated selection of the best seafood delicacies.
Embrace the Island Adventure
Take a water ferry to Burano island for a scenic journey to reach the restaurant.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is celebrated for its exceptional seafood and homemade pasta, with many hailing dishes like clam spaghetti and risotto di gò as unforgettable. The warm, family-run atmosphere and attentive service contribute to a memorable dining experience. While some find it pricey, the consensus is that the quality and authenticity make it a worthwhile splurge, especially when visiting Burano.
"The best eating experience in all ways I had in Italy. From the kind personalized service, to the atmosphere, the crockery, cutlery, all give an amazing vibe before even the food arrives. The food was just delectable. I had the spider crab tortellini. And it was divine. The paired wine suggested complimented it. It was extremely reasonable in cost also! I cannot recommend this treasure more - just make a reservation so you don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime experience."
Ruth Smoother
"The BEST clam pasta we’ve ever had.
The razor clam and scallop appetizer was delicious. Our server recommended the risotto to us which is only made a certain way on Bruno islands. A lot of menu items have a minimum 2 person order so the risotto was 60€ 😳 which was good but nothing of wow factor like the clam pasta was. If we could go back, we’d get the clam pasta and another pasta dish instead. You must make a reservation in advance or get lucky like us and go right off the water taxi to see if any reservations are left. Luckily we got one of the last walk-ins for lunch at 2pm. Total for an appetizer, the risotto for 2 and 1 clam pasta dish which we split was 170€."
Grace Li
"The clam pasta (vongle) dish was a standout and a must have. We had so many average to poor pasta dishes throughout Italy until we reached this place. The signature antipasto dish and mixed grilled fish plates were good. Manuel our server was excellent and made it a great experience."
Mary N
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended. Many visitors note that walk-ins are frequently turned away, so book in advance to guarantee a table.
Must-try dishes include risotto di gò, spaghetti alle vongole (clams), tagliolini with spider crab, and fritto misto (fried seafood).
Absolutely! The restaurant is known for its exceptional service and memorable meals, making it a perfect choice for celebrations.
During fall and spring, be sure to ask about seasonal specialties like moeche (softshell crabs).
The restaurant is located on Burano island, which is accessible by water ferry (vaporetto) from Venice.
Yes, the restaurant is noted for accommodating gluten-free dietary needs.
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It's not just the photogenic canalside location that marks out this long-running Burano trattoria from the competition. For half a century now they've fed everyone from the local postman to famous Burano resident Philippe Starck by selecting the freshest of the morning seafood catch and making perfect versions of local specialities like risotto con i gò (goby, a tasty Adriatic fish) or a fantastically light fritto misto (fried mixed seafood). The interior is charmingly unreconstructed, but in warm weather the few outside tables are the ones to book.
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Amid the Insta-friendly colourful houses of Burano island, and sitting plum on a wide canal, is the family-run Gatto Nero, which connects you directly with the lagoon’s living history. Owners-chefs Ruggero and Lucia Bovo, and their maître d’ son Massimo, preside over a laid-back place where the likes of Cruise and Clooney sit alongside the people who caught the fish on your plate. The risotto di gó – a small lagoon fish – is to-die-for creamy, and the homemade pasta with spider crab is worth the vaporetto (waterbus) ride from Venice alone.
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It’s always nice when a famous eatery is worth the hype, as I finally discovered when I had a chance to dine at this Burano landmark. We were guided through a menu of fresh-off-the-boat seafood, including their wonderfully delicate risotto de gò, a signature dish. If you visit in fall or spring, look for moeche, Venice’s softshell crabs.
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Trattoria al Gatto Nero—or the Black Cat—an institution on the brilliantly colored lagoon island of Burano, has been under the same management since 1965. It’s a wee bit stuck in time, and little has changed on chef Ruggero Bovo’s largely seafood menu in many years. But that’s why people come back.
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A friend recommended Trattoria Al Gatto Nero on Burano - where we will definitely spend a half day - any other suggestions very welcome!
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Al Gatta Nero-Fondamenta Giudecca 88, 30142 Burano Tel 39 041 730 120 http://gattonero.com It's not just the photogenic canalside location that marks out this long-running Burano trattoria. For half a century now they've fed everyone from the local postman to famous Burano resident Philippe Starck by selecting the best and the freshest of the morning seafood catch and using it to make perfect versions of local specialities like risotto con i gò ('gò' are gobies, a small but tasty Adriatic fish) or a fritto misto (mixed seafood fry-up) so light it could almost convert me to fried food. The interior is charmingly unreconstructed, but in warm weather the few outside tables are the ones to book.
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This celebrity darling on Burano is worth the nearly 40-minute vaporetto ride alone, and the mere sight of the island's magnificent colored houses and lace makers warrants the journey before you arrive at your destination. One of Venice's most storied restaurants, Trattoria al Ghatto Nero specializes in lagoon fish, ranging from scallops to razor clams to spider crab and more. Food pilgrims flock here in droves for the risotto di gò made with the deeply flavorful broth of goby, tiny lagoon-dwelling fish.
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To get to Trattoria al Gatto Nero (the black cat) hop on a vaporetto (nos. 9, 12 or N) to the colorful island of Burano — the lace-making capital of Italy. Well worth the trip across the Lagoon, al Gatto Nero is a family-owned and operated treasure that began as a simple inn after the end of World War II. In 1965, al Gatto Nero was purchased by Ruggero Bovo, who soon turned it into an island institution. The menu is fish-centric, although there's a wide array of pasta and vegetables in the mix.
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Located on the enchanting island of Burano, just a short boat ride from Venice lies a culinary treasure that delights locals and travelers alike. Trattoria al Gatto Nero, lovingly known as “The Black Cat,” is a family-owned restaurant that embodies this picturesque island’s vibrant spirit and rich culinary heritage. Established in 1965 by the talented Chef Ruggero Bovo, Trattoria al Gatto Nero continues to be a beacon of gastronomic excellence under his son, Massimiliano Bovo.
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Trattoria al Gatto Nero (Burano) – This long-standing, family-owned spot is a well-known address for fresh catches and homestyle pastas on the island of Burano. Simplicity is key here, allowing the lagoon’s fruits to shine in plates like crudità del giorno (raw fish of the day), tagliolini alla Grancevola (tagliolini with spider crab), and grigliata mista (mixed grilled fish). It’s well worth catching the traghetto out to the teensy island just to eat here.
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The menu at Al Covo is closely tied to the territory, with produce from local farmers and slow food presidiums. The dishes created by Chef Cesare have evolved from a mission to research, appreciate, defend and propose local products. The restaurant is tried and tested by locals so believe us when we say the bigoli (a wholewheat spaghetti served with a very simple anchovy and onion sauce) is the best thing on the menu.
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If you’re on the move in the lagoon, visit Locanda Cipriani in Torcello (closed for restoration through summer 2024), Trattoria alla Maddalena in Mazzorbo, Gatto Nero in Burano, and Da Celeste in Pellestrina. In Murano, Acquastanca is the only really outstanding restaurant, while Valmarana on Fondamenta Navagero is pretty solid. Also in Murano, the Murano Gelateria is good for a couple of scoops.
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Just like cuttlefish pasta, risotto di gò is a dish strongly rooted in its immediate surroundings. Gò (or ghiozzo in Italian) is the Venetian word for a small fish that comes from the lagoon. The fish are simmered in the broth for the risotto and, delicate as they are, they essentially dissolve into the broth, allowing the risotto to be infused with intense flavor but without any pieces of fish.
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Located on the island of Burano Trattoria Al Gatto Nero offers an elevated traditional Venetian dining experience. It’s also a visual feast, as the surrounding buildings are vibrantly colored houses and festooned with lacework details harkening back to Burano’s deep lace-making history. Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is also conveniently located near the Piazza Galuppi, and all of its quaint shops.
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This traditional trattoria on the colourful island of Burano features seafood fresh from the lagoon. Excellent value antipasto is so large it comes on several plates, almost a meal in itself with the likes of king scallops in a slightly spicy tomato sauce, steamed mantis prawns, baccalà of snapper and tiny grey prawns atop grilled squares of white polenta. Finish with excellent tiramisu.
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Everything is about love and passion for the traditional ways of cooking in the lagoon. While the rest of the city might have moved on, they refuse, they do things as they always have, with a perspective looking at the lagoon and what could be eaten from there. This restaurant located in Burano, is perhaps one of the most popular restaurants in all of Venice and must be visited.
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Trattoria is my top pick for eating on the island of Burano about a 1 hour boat ride from the mainland of Venice. Although quite a hike, this is one of the best restaurants in Venice for seafood prepared in the Venetian style on the water. Nestled between brightly painted colorful buildings on either side, Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is definitely a favorite in terms of atmosphere.
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In the west area of the island of Burano, on the edges of the channel, there is this small family-run trattoria. Inside it is cooked freshly caught fish and it is possible to taste seafood appetizers, raw fish, Buranella rice, homemade trenette with nephrops, pappardelle pasta with prawns and smoked cheese, grilled and fried fish, crustaceans. Excellent wine list.
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This unassuming little trattoria on the fishing island of Burano serves possibly the best traditional Venetian food in and around the archipelago. Go for a day trip and enjoy lagoon-fresh seafood and homemade pasta for lunch – the risotto di go looks very basic but is simply stunning. For lovers of whole fish, the sea bass acqua pazza is beautifully classic.
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Chef Ruggero took over the Gatto Nero in 1965 and his son Massimiliano is in charge of front of house. Ruggero’s signature dish is a simple risotto, but Angela believes it is the best risotto she has ever tasted. Fred joins Massimiliano on a fishing trip to catch the bony go fish that flavours the stock at the heart of the dish.
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€€ | Local cuisine | Seafood Address: Via Giudecca, 88, 30142 Phone: +39041730120 Website. Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is a culinary institution that has been delighting food enthusiasts for generations. With its charming blue facade and welcoming atmosphere, this long-standing trattoria is a beacon of authentic Italian cuisine.
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Take a ferry to the colourful island of Burano to visit Trattoria al Gatto Nero. This local favourite repeatedly finds its way onto lists of the very best places to eat in Venice, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a family-run restaurant with quite informal service, but it serves up some of the best food in the lagoon.
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There is no better place to eat fresh seafood than a fisherman’s village on an island in the Venetian Lagoon. Al Gato Nero is a Michelin starred restaurant, famous for its elegant simplicity, fresh seafood and local ingredients. To eat at Al Gato Nero, you will need to make a reservation well in advance.
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Insider Tip: For a delicious lunch, try Trattoria al Gatto Nero. They offer fresh seafood and homemade pasta, and the colorful setting is sure to be a hit with kids. The lace shops often have demonstrations, and some even offer small workshops where children can try their hand at lace-making.
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Last but certainly not least is the Trattoria Al Gatto Nero. Located on the island of Burano, this spot is perfect for resting your legs and filling your stomach after exploring the colourful island just off Venice. Click here to find out more about Burano and the best ways to get there.
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This little family-run trattoria serves the best homemade pasta. It’s so good that Jamie Oliver even mentioned them on his TV show!. It’s usually very busy so try to go a bit earlier if you want to get a table outside, or if you’re feeling organized, reserve a table in advance.
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The island of Burano makes a wonderful culinary excursion for its seafood restaurants, notably the “Black Cat,” which has been around since the 1940s. Signatures include Burano-style risotto (made with local ghiozzi, a small long-bodied fish from the lagoon), local turbot and…
Osteria Al Museo Burano; Trattoria al Gatto Nero; Riva Rosa Ristorante - Enoteca; devolved verb Osteria Al Museo Burano - Tripadvisor WebOsteria Al Museo Burano, Burano, Veneto, Italy. 931 likes · 2 talking about this · 1,148 were here. Traditional Venice Food Restaurant.
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This old inn on Burano island is perfect if you’re looking to taste a real home-cooked Venetian meal. With fresh seafood and pasta, you can’t go wrong. Start with the Tris di Crost Acei alla Griglia (a mix of grilled comb shells, razor clams and scallops).
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One of the more famous is Al Gatto Nero endorsed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. With great fame , comes great prices. I had initially wanted to make lunch reservations here but the website gave no indication of prices and the reviews mentioned expensive.
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Located on the picturesque island of Burano, Trattoria al Gatto Nero is one of the restaurants in Venice renowned for its handmade pasta and fresh seafood. It's also beautifully situated amidst the colorful houses this Venetian island is known for.
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They are known for making excellent seafood dishes, especially their signature dish – risotto ai gò, made with ghiozzi (a fish from the lagoon). We recommend booking ahead if traveling during the high season to make sure you will get a place.
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If you are looking for a place that covers all budgets there is the ‘Trattoria al Gato Nero’, whereas if you want to treat yourself to a finer dining experience, head to the Michelin-starred restaurant “Venissa” in Mazzorbo.
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One of our favorite restaurants is Trattoria Al Gatto Nero, where the fish is fresh and delicious. Don’t miss out on the pastas and desserts either – all dishes are made in-house, and the quality is evident.
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Kevin: "Very good Venice cake shop, the cakes are more distinctive, there are cakes similar to pies that are delicious, the bread platter is included in the service fee, a bit uneconomical, can not be eaten.
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Trattoria Al Gatto Nero: This is one of the most famous restaurants on the island, and it’s known for its delicious seafood dishes, including spaghetti with clams and a mixed seafood grill.
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Trattoria al Gatto Nero is home to one of Italy’s most impressive risotto dishes: Risotto alla Buranella. I enjoyed every single grain of this rice. ©Kevin Day/Opening a Bottle
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Via Giudecca, 88, 30142 Venezia VE, ItalyPhone: +39 041 730120 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Gillian Longworth McGuire (@gmcguireinrome)
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I had a wonderful meal at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero, a family run restaurant since 1965. Note that the restaurant has limited opening hours, mostly during lunch.
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We tasted the best of it at the Trattoria al Gatto Nero da Ruggero. Initially it opened in 1946 and is now owned by the Bovo family.
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Trattoria al Gatto Nero – It is one of the older establishments in Burano that serves fresh homemade pasta and delicious seafood.
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Try the iconic risotto di gò from the Trattoria al Gatto Nero, appeared on the popular BBC TV series ‘Remarkable Places to Eat’.
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In Burano, Trattoria al Gatto Nero offers a blend of traditional and modern Venetian cuisine with a charming island backdrop.
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If you want fresh seafood, Trattoria al Gatto Nero is a spot that was recommended to me by someone in Venice.
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