No other Italian chef has as many Michelin stars to his name as Enrico Bartolini. So it’s no surprise that his two-starred Venetian outpost, Ristorante Glam in Santa Croce, is one of the hardest places in town to get a table. The settings – the jungle-themed dining room and the courtyard beneath the old magnolia trees – are beautiful and the tasting menus showcase the best local produce. enricobartolini.net.

To eat at one of Venice’s most revered restaurants, hop on the ferry out to the island of Burano. At Trattoria al Gatto Nero, the Bovo family dishes up the freshest catch from local fishermen, thanks to relationships built up over 60 years. When it’s available, the must-order is the traditional Burano risotto da go, simmered for six hours. gattonero.com.

What tapas is to Barcelona, cichetti is to Venice. You can try these small bites, served before noon or during aperitivo hour, just about anywhere but at Venice’s oldest wine bar – the Cantino Do Mori by the Rialto Bridge, trading since 1462 – they come with an excellent selection of wines and plenty of atmosphere. 429 Calle Do Mori, Venice.

If you want a blowout meal while in Venice, Ristorante Quadri is the place to go. The building is a landmark on Piazza San Marco: the ground-floor Gran Caffe Quadri dates back to 1775, while the upstairs restaurant opened in 1830. The interiors are gorgeous, the kitchen is currently overseen by acclaimed chef Max Alajmo, part of Italy’s most famous food family, and the location can’t be beaten. alajmo.it

It’s no surprise that one of Venice’s most stylish hotels, Il Palazzo Experimental, is also home to one of its most stylish eateries. With its plush banquettes, its cheery striped cushions and its Gothic arched windows, Ristorante Adriatica is a great choice for aperitivo – or stay on and enjoy a plate of sensational pasta. palazzoexperimental.com

Sometimes it’s about keeping it simple: rubbing shoulders with locals, tucking into Venetian classics. That’s when it’s time to head for Osteria da Alberto. This family-run Cannaregio tavern, tucked between Campo San Giovanni e Paolo and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, has been delivering simple pleasures for over 100 years. osteriadaalberto.it.

Venice tends to turn in early but Osteria alla Bifora in the Campo Santa Margherita is an exception, serving up meat and cheese platters, croquettes and more until late in the evening. The jovial Franco, who runs the bar with his sister Mirella, is a local legend. facebook.com/p/Osteria-Alla-Bifora-Pagina-Autentica

It is not just the ingredients that are local at Ristorante Local. The interiors were created by local artisans, from the tables and chairs to the terrazzo floor inlaid with thousands of glass beads. Michelin-starred chef Salvatore Sodano’s seven- and nine-course tasting menus that feature contemporary takes on Venetian classics. ristorantelocal.com

After a long day sightseeing, sometimes all you want is a piping-hot pizza. Over at Oke Zatteri, you can choose from more than 40 flavours, as well as a range of bases including options made with spelt or gluten-free flour. The pasta is great, as are the salads, and the sunset view over the Guidecca Canal is the piece de resistance. okevenezia.com/en/i-locali

At first glance there is nothing to distinguish this cosy trattoria from dozens of others around town. It’s not what’s on the compact menu that sets Anice Stellato apart from the rest, however; it’s the flair with which it is executed. Try the delightfully non-greasy fritto misto and you will understand why it is worth the trip to this far-flung corner of town. osterianicestellato.com.