Vegan in Venice

Being vegan in Venice is a lot easier than you might think. There is everything from Vegan pizza, pasta and lasagne to tiramisu and of course, vegan gelato. You just have to know where to look. These were some of my favourite spots to enjoy as a vegan in Venice.

La Tecia Vegana

If you’re looking for a great vegan dinner in Venice, La Tecia Vegana is the one to go for. Tucked a little out of the main tourist area in the Santa Marta neighbourhood, the twenty minute walk to get there takes you through beautiful parts of the city that you would otherwise never get to know. 

The menu is simple but full of Italian favourites that you will have been longing for so far; lasagne, ravioli, crepes, risotto, seitan and tempeh dishes, amongst many, many others. And just wait for the tiramisu dessert! The food has a great homemade feel and is so delicious that you will definitely not be going home hungry. Don’t leave Venice without trying this one.

Pizzeria L’Angelo

Pizzeria L’Angelo isn’t completely vegan, but it is very vegan friendly with around five vegan sandwiches and five vegan pizzas on the blackboard menu. The big pizza slices aren’t vegan, so you have to get a whole pizza but they come in different sizes and aren’t difficult to get through.

We went for the Sirio which was topped with vegan mozzarella, radicchio, lupine slices and mushrooms. The pizza’s are generously topped and the cheese is nicely creamy. The ‘meat’ slices were tasty but could have been baked into the pizza rather than balancing on top.

Pizzeria L’Angelo is a really popular spot in a busy little alley, close to St Mark’s Square. It is take-away only, but if you head over the bridge on the right, there’s a square that is filled with people tucking into their take-away food too.

Bella & Brava

What sets Bella & Brava apart from the rest of the pizzeria’s in Venice is it’s use of organic ingredients, ethically sourced products and a variety of vegan toppings.  Committed to being a part of the healthy revolution, Bella & Brava have tailored their dough recipe, lowered the cooking temperature and carefully selected toppings that allow them to maintain their delicious taste while creating healthy and nutritious pizzas. 

The six pizzas on the menu are created with four principles in mind: quality ingredients, healthy-eating, slow leavened bases and sustainability. We went for the Vegetariana, topped with tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes, peppers and tofu slices, and the Capricciosa, topped with tomato, artichokes, olives, capers, mushroom and tofu slices. Pizza’s are served in 100% recycled containers, wrapped in an information leaflet (made from a surplus algae harvested in the Venetian lagoon - beat that for sustainability!) explaining in great detail the philosophy of the restaurant as well as ingredient information for your particular pizza.

The pizza’s are nice and wholesome, and while it feels wrong to call a pizza healthy, there is something about the base that makes it feel slightly less naughty. Bella & Brava is, as it’s name suggests, a beautiful pizzeria, on a mission to revolutionise food and as you feel their passion, you hope that they are successful in their mission.

Gelato di Natura 

Along with many other things, Marco Polo is said to have introduced gelato to Venice after his odyssey to China. Gelato di Natura continues the experimentation with vegan versions of creamy gelato as well as gluten free cones. There are two flavours to choose from, the cherry vanilla and the dark chocolate.

SuSo Gelatoteca

Suso Gelatoteca is a cute little gelato shop, tucked away in a labyrinth of alleyways, would be quite difficult to find were it not that there is always a big queue coming out of the door. Using all natural ingredients and environmentally friendly products, they have great vegan options made with coconut milk as well as a water-based dark chocolate one.

Wine Bar Teamo

Wine Bar Teamo is a small wine bar in the heart of the city that offers a separate vegan menu as well as a gluten free menu. We came here hoping to taste their vegan lasagne, but unfortunately they closed for a few weeks during Carnaval. They also serve a vegan versions of other traditional Italian fare so this will definitely be one to try next time.