Antico Gatoleto: Experience Authentic Seafood Pizza in the Heart of Venice

We initially came in for change for the laundromat next-door however we were greeted with kindness by the owner and decided to eat lunch here. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted not just as a guest, but like family. The owners and servers radiated genuine kindness and hospitality that made the entire experience feel personal and unforgettable. What made the experience even more special was how welcoming and warm everyone was. They took time to explain the menu, share stories, and ensure every table felt appreciated. It wasn’t just a meal — it was a memory. The salmon gnocchi is to die for and I’m still thinking about their pizza bread and their authentic olive oil. If you’re in Venice and want more than just great Italian food — if you’re looking for heart, soul, and authentic hospitality — this place is a must. I’ll be dreaming about this dinner for a long time. 5 stars, without question.

A place recommended to us, which was worth the pointer. We ate here 3 evenings, as it was so good. Calzone and pizza are the best we had during our stay. Good wine, and a courtesy Limoncello on exit was a pleasant gesture. The only niggle we found was the Panna cotta, which had strawberry running through it (not on menu as such). It was still lovely but be aware, in case you a chasing a more traditional dessert. Staff were attentive and professional, and service is fast. Extremely busy every evening from 7pm, and jammed with locals, which is a testimony in itself. Reserve a table if arriving after 6:30pm, would be our advice.

This restaurant was our definite choice for a few evenings of our stay in Venice. Excellent food, thoughtfully balanced in flavour, combined with the very friendly staff, makes it a 10/10 choice in the area. The pleasant music and beautiful interior create a cosy ambience. Love it!!

With so many really exceptional and outstanding restaurants to choose from in the world, I'd kind of like to believe it says a quite a lot when somebody visits the same one more than once. We discovered such a place during my most recent journey to Venice, Italy. One of my new personal favorites and strong recommendations for anyone visiting Venice, Italy is Antico Pizzeria Gatoleto Ristorante. This really is a very pleasant hidden gem, with a warm, cozy, relaxed atmosphere and quite simply, just wonderful, outstanding authentic Italian dishes, especially pizza. Now I consider myself to be as close to a true pizza connaisseur as anyone possibly could be, and this place definitely didn't disappoint in any way. As perfect as a pizza and dining experience could be. Honestly, I've enjoyed pizza throughout the world and of course in Italy where it was first created, you'd expect it to be really great. Believe me, that's not always the case. However, Antico Gatoleto Ristorante is most definitely one of the best, and one of my new favorites. Two of the ones that I enjoyed the most are the Margherita and the Prosciutto & Fungi, both perfect in every way with a nice evenly cooked crust, the right amount of sauce, fresh mozzarella di bufala cheese, basil so fresh you'd think they grow it in the kitchen and picked it right off the plant, and all the other ingredients balanced with one another, with none overwhelming the others. Not overcooked to hide or mask poor ingredients, and layered correctly, it's really almost a shame to eat it. Almost. Seriously, I really considered having a second one during the second visit. It's really that good. This was followed by an equally perfect, almost sinful dessert. An off the charts sorbet that unexpectedly takes your taste in a complete opposite direction, it's as close to being addictive as any food can be. As with many great restaurants in Italy, the conclusion of the meal is a nice Lemoncello, one of the more potent liqueurs of Italy. A word of caution for those unaware; When overindulged, Lemoncello can easily become the source for some really, really bad decisions and very questionable choices..... I no longer drive in Venice, if that says anything. The waiters here are right on point for a culture and country where the profession is still revered as an art form by other professionals and those who appreciate a genuine culinary experience. In my opinion, a great waiter is nearly invisible while at the same time being always attentive, and never pushy in any way. In my experience, a great waiter actually encourages you to stay and enjoy, not run you off. When you do stop by Antico Gatoleto, be certain to ask for Somy Malek, a genuinely awesome and wonderful person and a professional who made our experience one of the most memorable ones during our journey this time. We're returning to both Italy and Spain this fall, bringing friends, and this is absolutely one of the places on the list that I'm going to share with them. A strong, strong recommendation for Antico Gatoleto Ristorante, and an even stronger recommendation for our new friend, Somy. You're on notice Somy, see you in October.... *I'm definitely not a food critic, but an explorer who just truly appreciates the art of an amazing culinary experience, price point be damned. When I thoroughly enjoy a great restaurant and dining experience , I'll gladly share it.

We were recommended to come here by our b&b host. The food was great and authentic, the prices were reasonable, the service was decent, and most of the other diners seemed to be Italian. The owner also offered us a free limoncello at the end of our meal which capped off a great dinner. It’s not easy to find authentic food for reasonable prices in Venice but you can find it here!

​⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding Hospitality and the Best Pizza in Venice! ​This place is a true Venetian gem! We arrived in November without a reservation, and the super friendly owner immediately found us a cozy table inside so we wouldn't have to sit out in the cold—truly excellent service. We had the best Margherita pizza ever, perfectly fresh Fritto Misto, and incredibly flavourful salmon gnocchi. The ingredients are unbelievably fresh, the prices are very accessible, and the warm, family-like hospitality from both the staff and the owner made the experience perfect. A must-visit!

Amazing pizzas and great atmosphere. Lots of locals in which is always a good sign. Great value and great service. Try to pop in to book to make sure get a table. Perfecto !

Blackened pasta was fantastic. Large nenu selections and Great pizzas too. Good vibe atmosphere.