Restaurant in Venice, Italy
Lagoon-Island Fine Dining
Acquerello sits on the Isola di San Clemente in the Venetian lagoon, reached by private boat — making it one of the most physically distinct dining settings in the city. Book for special occasions when the island remove is part of the point. Easy to secure a table, but confirm pricing and menu format directly before visiting, as detailed data is limited.
The most common mistake visitors make is assuming Acquerello is just another hotel dining room — the kind of place you fall into because it's convenient rather than because it's worth seeking out. Set on the Isola di San Clemente, a private island in the Venetian lagoon, this restaurant demands intention to reach, and that separation from the mainland crowds is precisely its argument. If you are looking for a celebratory dinner in Venice that offers genuine remove from the tourist circuit, Acquerello earns serious consideration. If you want something within walking distance of the Rialto, look elsewhere.
The setting is the first thing you notice: arriving by private boat across the lagoon, with the San Clemente Palace hotel's restored 12th-century monastery complex coming into view, is a genuinely different opening to a dinner than any restaurant accessible on foot in Venice can offer. For a special occasion, that visual arrival is part of the experience, not incidental to it. The room itself follows the character of the building: historic bones, composed atmosphere, and a sense that the evening is meant to be unhurried.
Because verified data on cuisine type, chef, pricing, and menu is not available in Pearl's database for Acquerello at time of publication, we recommend confirming current format, tasting menu options, and pricing directly before booking. What the setting and positioning make clear is that this operates in the higher end of Venice's dining tier, alongside venues like Ristorante Quadri and Glam Restaurant by Enrico Bartolini, rather than the mid-range trattoria category.
If you are planning more than one meal at a high level in Venice, treat Acquerello as your destination special-occasion booking and pair it with a more accessible alternative for your second meal. For a contrast in register, Local offers modern Italian cooking at the €€€€ tier within the city proper, while Oro Restaurant provides Italian contemporary cooking with a different hotel-dining context. For a third visit framed around something more neighbourhood-rooted, the Venetian seafood focus of Wistèria makes a logical counterpoint to the island setting of Acquerello.
Italy's broader fine-dining circuit — including Dal Pescatore in Runate, Uliassi in Senigallia, and Piazza Duomo in Alba , shows that the country's leading restaurants tend to reward diners who engage with their specific local identity. Acquerello's lagoon-island setting is a version of that specificity: the place only makes sense where it is.
Booking difficulty is rated Easy. The island location means access is via hotel boat transfer from Venice, so factor in transfer time when planning your evening. Guests staying at the San Clemente Palace will have the most direct access; outside guests should confirm boat arrangements in advance. For context on Venice's broader dining and hotel scene, see Pearl's full Venice restaurants guide, Venice hotels guide, and Venice bars guide.
Practical quick reference: Booking difficulty , Easy. Access , private island, hotel boat required. Leading for , special occasions, couples, business dinners. Confirm pricing and menu format directly before booking.
| Venue | Price | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquerello Restaurant | Easy | — | |
| Local | €€€€ | Unknown | — |
| Ristorante Quadri | €€€€ | Unknown | — |
| Osteria alle Testiere | €€€ | Unknown | — |
| Al Covo | €€€ | Unknown | — |
| Corte Sconta | €€€ | Unknown | — |
Comparing your options in Venice for this tier.
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