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Venezia

1799 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone: (510) 849-4681
Fax: (510) 849-3104

Ratings & Reviews Summary for Venezia

What Users are Saying:

  • Prompt seating
  • Make reservations
  • Romantic
  • Good for kids
  • Good for groups
5 Star Rating
 
(12 reviews)
4 Star Rating
 
(6 reviews)
3 Star Rating
 
(0 reviews)
2 Star Rating
 
(1 reviews)
1 Star Rating
 
(1 reviews)

User Reviews for Venezia

Citysearch (12), Judy's Book (1), Trip Advisor (1), Dine.com (6), All (20)

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/09/2008 Posted by BerkeleyFan

I have lived in the bay area for a long time, and this is by far the best italian. Going to school here everyone would go in to North Beach, but why make such a long trip when Berkeley has way better italian. Always great service and awesome food!!!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/26/2007 Posted by laurelana

Great Italian food, very nice comfortable place. Nice wine list. People are nice at the restaurant I go with my friend and we have a nice dinner. You should try sometime, you will like it!

Pros: Nice place,nice place to watch people, good food!

Cons: I don't know

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/09/2007 Posted by kkfgeo

Caesar Salad: excellent Entrees: excellent Dessert: excellent Service: excellent Ambiance: excellent Price: Reasonable What else can I say?

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/07/2006 Posted by polland

Our last couple of trips to Venezia have been disappointing. The service is uneven. The last time we went to Venezia, the server got our orders wrong, disappeared for long stretches of time, and was less than pleasant. The menu hasn't changed in years, and the quality of the dishes seems to have deteriorated. We have been eating at Venezia periodically over the past 20 years, but I don't think we will be going back.

Pros: pleasant ambience

Cons: uneven service, overpriced

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/09/2006 Posted by rickmlnto

We recently had a large party of 15 people and the service was efficient and pleasant. That day the jalepeno soup was delicious. Other dishes like the Malfatti con Funghi drew rave reviews, and some friends even commented that it was the best Italian food they've had in the Bay area.

Pros: Food, Value

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/05/2006 Posted by hezmodo

The pasta carbonara, malfati con funghi, and pasta puttanesca are our all-time favorites. the osso bucco w/ polenta is awesome. In fact, the polenta with a little gorgonzola on top, which they are happy to provide, is delicious all on it's own. There's always a great steak on the menu, coooked to perfection. I once wished they'd rotate the menu, but when they started making changes, I was really worried. Thank God they kept the staples, as mentioned above! The drinks are stellar -- I'm partial to their mean long island iced tea and great martinis -- but all drinks are good, and reasonably priced. The manager is a gem; he remembers us after serving us once, years ago, and never fails to recognize and greet us. It's this kind of friendly service, neighborly attitude and good, well-priced food that brings us back in over and over, for almost 20 years now. Oh, and did I mention the panna cotta? I love it so much, I always have an order to go, even if I have no room for dessert.

Pros: Delicious food, good prices, stiff drinks -- and overall GREAT SERVICE from kitchen to service.

Cons: Can get loud, crowded and hot. Peak hours can mean you sit way too close to other diners.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/13/2006 Posted by Andreotti

Venezia is always a favorite. We love, love, love their Pasta Carbonara and their Malfatti con funghi. The ambiance is always great and they even take reservations. We brought my Italian grandmother there and the chef came out to talk about Italy with her, very personal. The prices are reasonable. Other mentionables... love the martinis there and the Solitude Chardonnay.

Pros: Food, Ambiance, Price

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/18/2006 Posted by brendon

Some of the best Italian I've had... everything that we've tried has been nothing short of fantastic. The decor is exceptionally well done, they really went all out. Service has always been very good, although things do move at a slower pace (which is more befitting of its prices). One of my favorite places in Berkeley.

Pros: Food, Ambience, Service

Cons: None

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/12/2005 Posted by bobby1980

Venezia is a great place to go with a group for dinner. The portions are large, the food is delicious and the service is friendly and efficient.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/12/2003 Posted by versailles79

This place is a great value. The food is delicious, and the menu is exciting. The staff is extremely friendly and the atmosphere is casual. It is a great place to hang out with friends or even bring family and kids. But do not mistaken this place for a family restaurant - the food quality is very good and at very decent prices... For garlic lovers out there, you've got to try their Ceszar salad... their antipasto and fried calamari is also a killer... I've tried ALL (really!!!) the dishes on their menu, and I did not find anything that I did not like.

Pros: Value, Food, Taste, Easy going atmosphere

Cons: no reservation wait

Editor's Review

East Bay Italian staple serves up pastas and salads along with chicken and beef entrees in a piazza-themed space.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

The Extras

Private dining room can accommodate parties of up to 25.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Parking

  • Street

Hours

  • Mon-Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm
  • Tue-Fri 11am-2pm
  • Fri 5:30pm-10pm
  • Sat 5pm-10pm
  • Sun 5pm-9:30pm

Cuisines

  • Italian

Payment Types

  • Discover
  • Visa
  • Diners Club
  • MasterCard
  • American Express

Meal Price

  • $$$

Amenities

  • Notable Wine List
  • Catering
  • Online Reservations
  • Romantic Dining

Recognition for Venezia

2006 Audience Winner - Italian Food
2005 Audience Winner - Italian Food

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