GIARDIN Food & Art Oasis

What a gorgeous place. Beautiful inside and outside, with a lovely secluded garden on one end and a row of fragrant lindens on the other. Right next to the Biennale Gardens so excellent location too away from the hustle and bustle of San Marco. Delightful friendly staff (thank you for the chat Umberto!) and absolutely delicious dishes with fresh seafood. Very reasonably priced for the location and quality. What more can one ask for?

After all the walking around Venice, Giardin was exactly what we were looking for: a peaceful spot away from the crowds with excellent food and a beautiful atmosphere. If the weather allows, definitely ask for a table in the back garden. It really feels like a hidden oasis in Venice and makes for a very relaxing meal. As parents, we especially appreciated the small play corner for children. It's such a thoughtful addition and meant our kids could play safely while we actually had time to enjoy our meal... something that is quite hard to find. The food was very good across the board. We started with the Venetian antipasto, which was a great introduction to local flavors. For the main, the pasta with ragù di mare, full of seafood and well balanced, followed by the fried fish platter, which was light, crispy, and so flavorfull. of course a little cake (thay have very good cakes there) to close the great meal. This is a great find. also close to the binennale, Sant'Elena island is a little outside the main turistic circus, so it is perfect to escape the busiest parts of Venice for a meal.

A wonderful place just outside the Biennale site at Giardini on Sant'Elena. We were able to have an excellent late lunch since they wisely keep the kitchen open until 2:30 pm. The atmosphere is lovely, the food great, and service very friendly. We had two great antipasti, two wonderful risottos, a nice bottle of wine and split a dessert. It wasn't very economical (70€ a person), but we ordered the most expensive things on the menu. (Other clients were there enjoying the atmosphere with just pastry and coffee at that hour.) The raw fish platter was super fresh. The seafood risotto was one of the best we have had in a long time (and we live here in Venice!!) There are also many vegetarian options on the menu. The desserts are handmade by the owners. A very pleasant surprise to find this new place, now a obligatory stop after touring the Biennale!

We chose GIARDIN Food & Art Oasis for breakfast because it is conveniently located just across from the quieter rear entrance of the 2026 Biennale. Before visiting, I noticed the overwhelmingly positive reviews and, to be honest, that usually makes me a little sceptical. In this case, however, the praise was completely justified! From the moment you arrive, it feels as if someone has poured their heart into making a dream come true. There is genuine care and attention in every detail. Fresh flowers on the tables create a welcoming atmosphere, and the service is warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly without ever feeling forced. The real surprise is the garden at the back: a small oasis of greenery and tranquillity, tucked away from the bustle of Venice. It is the kind of place where you find yourself wanting to linger over another coffee rather than rushing off to the next destination. GIARDIN was one of the highlights of our Biennale visit. We are already looking forward to coming back next year. Highly recommended.

Stunning setting near the park. Beautiful indoor and outdoor seating. We stopped for a spritz+beer and also enjoyed the most delicious vegetable and seafood dish that was recommended by the owner. Outstanding quality of food. Very friendly service. Can’t wait to return!