Rio Novo
Savor authentic Venetian seafood and pizza at this charming canal-side spot. Enjoy a 4.6-star dining experience with exquisite dishes and impeccable service. Reserve your table!
Casual venue featuring seafood, pasta & pizzas, plus terrace dining with canal views.
About Rio Novo
Nestled along a picturesque Venetian canal, this restaurant offers a delightful dining experience for those seeking fresh, authentic flavors. With an impressive 4.6/5 rating from over 5,000 diners, it's clear this establishment excels. Patrons rave about the exquisite seafood, with particular praise for the shrimp spaghetti and branzino, alongside a "must-try" tiramisu described as light and satisfying. The atmosphere is enhanced by its canal-side seating, providing a truly romantic setting. Impeccable service is a consistent highlight, with staff noted for their attentiveness, even accommodating requests to move diners closer to the water. The $$ price range makes it an accessible yet special option for enjoying Venetian cuisine.
Restaurant Analysis
Restaurant Characteristics
This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.
Price Range (Moderate)
Moderate pricing ($$) - Mid-range restaurants with good value
Meal Time (dinner)
This restaurant primarily serves dinner. Based on opening hours.
Group Size (Groups Welcome)
Welcomes large groups and families. Great for group dining.
Atmosphere (Outdoor)
Al fresco dining with outdoor seating
Dining Style (Flexible)
Flexible options. Reservations available but not required.
Features & Amenities
This restaurant offers: Outdoor Seating, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Coffee, Family Friendly, Groups Welcome, Reservations
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Why Travelers Love Rio Novo
Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.
Visiting Venice for the first time and saw this place because we wanted to have fresh seafood by the canal— dream accomplished! HIGHLY recommend the shrimp spaghetti and branzino. And the tiramisu is a MUST, so light, fluffy, and satisfying. service was impeccable, even going so far as to move us to a table closer to the water!! Free limoncello for digestion at the end sealed the deal. we will definitely be back our next trip :) Not sure if Venice isn’t known for pasta dishes or what, but I had gnocchi with meat sauce and my husband had the Lasagne. Both had the same sauce, and it reminded me of Chef Boyardee sauce. Would rate 0 stars if I could. Not good at all. So disappointing while in Italy for vacation. Totally wasted a meal! And I’m really not hard to please, I swear. Edit, they did give us our entire meal for no charge, we felt bad, because the cheese plate was nice and the wine was good. Service was also good but with much insistence to pay they still refused to take any money . I’m guessing they saw my review that I left as I sat at the table I came here after reading google reviews. Ordered what everyone did- spaghetti in squid 🦑 ink sauce, grilled fish with salad and wine. Like everywhere else water comes in bottle €4. Wine 🍷 is €5. I’m surprised the 12% service charge was added already to my bill. I ate at the restaurant next to it and other fancy restaurants in Italy and there’s no service charge even for my big group. The mains are €3-5 cheaper just steps away. The food and service was good but the mandatory service charge left me with a bad taste. ( while we tip a lot more than that in Canada and USA, the practice is not common in Europe).
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Opening Hours
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Recent Reviews
Nitin D.
November 2, 2025
Visiting Venice for the first time and saw this place because we wanted to have fresh seafood by the canal— dream accomplished! HIGHLY recommend the shrimp spaghetti and branzino. And the tiramisu is a MUST, so light, fluffy, and satisfying. service was impeccable, even going so far as to move us to a table closer to the water!! Free limoncello for digestion at the end sealed the deal. we will definitely be back our next trip :)
Erin M.
September 25, 2025
Not sure if Venice isn’t known for pasta dishes or what, but I had gnocchi with meat sauce and my husband had the Lasagne. Both had the same sauce, and it reminded me of Chef Boyardee sauce. Would rate 0 stars if I could. Not good at all. So disappointing while in Italy for vacation. Totally wasted a meal! And I’m really not hard to please, I swear. Edit, they did give us our entire meal for no charge, we felt bad, because the cheese plate was nice and the wine was good. Service was also good but with much insistence to pay they still refused to take any money . I’m guessing they saw my review that I left as I sat at the table
Emanuel L.
September 9, 2025
I came here after reading google reviews. Ordered what everyone did- spaghetti in squid 🦑 ink sauce, grilled fish with salad and wine. Like everywhere else water comes in bottle €4. Wine 🍷 is €5. I’m surprised the 12% service charge was added already to my bill. I ate at the restaurant next to it and other fancy restaurants in Italy and there’s no service charge even for my big group. The mains are €3-5 cheaper just steps away. The food and service was good but the mandatory service charge left me with a bad taste. ( while we tip a lot more than that in Canada and USA, the practice is not common in Europe).
Stephanie H.
October 10, 2025
Best food experience overall in Italy! 👌🏻 From the moment we walked in, the food and the entire service were top notch! Big thanks to our server Max for turning this dinner into a highlight of our trip to Italy! 🇮🇹 couldn’t recommend this place enough! Stay far away from the tourist traps in the center of Venice and come here!!!
Gurv
June 26, 2025
The food was decent. Not bad, but nothing blew me away either. The service was really great, and the view is fantastic. A bunch of online lists will tell you to hit this spot for a good patio, but there are actually a ton of restaurants in Venice with similar views and patios. Food is defo better at some of them.
What to Expect
Features and amenities that make Rio Novo special
Outdoor Seating
Cocktails
Beer
Wine
Coffee
Family Friendly
Groups Welcome
Reservations
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you visit
Payment Options
Accessibility
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Plan Your Venice Trip
From transportation to stays, we help you build a complete itinerary around this must-visit restaurant in Venice.
Transportation Tips
Vaporetto (water buses) and water taxis for canal transportation. Walking is perfect for exploring the historic center, and gondolas for romantic experiences.
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Where to Stay
Find the perfect accommodation for your Venice adventure. From luxury beachfront resorts to boutique hideaways, we highlight the best basecamps for food lovers.
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