http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33965 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33965 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25570
It has no official sign – we only found out its real name after talking to the exceedingly friendly owners, Mauro and Massimo. Their English is limited but it’s possible to get by without having Italian.

It’s a tiny place with a shutter front which, when open, houses an appetizing display of bulging calzone and pizza slices. Calzone are around three Euros and pizzas start from four Euros.
Both are very generous; with a thin, crispy crust and delightfully herby and flavourful tomato sauce.

The place is tiny with no seating so everything is to take away. Buy a soda while Massimo prepares your pizza to order before your eyes; in the light summer months you could just take it across the bridge into the campo to enjoy.

There are no official business hours (whenever the guys feel like opening up!) but it’s usually open every day except Wednesdays.

Undoubtedly some of the best (and cheapest) pizza in Venice. I’ll definitely be going back next time I visit the city, as much to chat to the lovely owners as to sample the mouth-watering fare.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22436 But Cip Ciap is great if you want a quick bite on the run. You can buy by the slice or a whole pizza. I totally recommend the calzone con prosciutto.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22436 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21249
If you go down any backstreet you will find little shops like no others in the world. Small bars, restaurants, that only the locals know about - and you can see why they haven't told anyone - some of the nicest food I have ever tasted was in these backstreets.

Also, don't buy a map- just let your senses take you wherever. Get lost in the Venice Backstreets.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21249 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21207 There are no tables here and no waiter service, so simply go up to the counter of the little dark bar, choose your wine, choose some snacks and enjoy a taste of real Venice. Don't expect service with a smile but do expect to feel part of the real city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21207 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19361
To be honest, we saw the queue and for a while we thought of not going in, but we waited (not for long, the service is very quick, maybe too quick) and the place was great. Fantastic food, good prices and a lot of locals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19361 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19080
I've been told since that it's a chain but it's not like places in England. The dishes are simple but tasty and my pasta was cooked fresh to order while I watched.

The salad was also good quality and (another surprise!) we had a reasonably priced beer to accompany it too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19080 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19077
The food was interesting - as well as the usual pasta there were dishes like beef with nuts and plum - and also quite reasonable. I think it was about 30 euros for three courses.

We ended up staying here all night (with another bottle of wine, of course) as there was live music and were surprised to find ourselves staggering back to our hostel at nearly 1am!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19077 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18243 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18243 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17497
There are no tables here and no waiter service, so simply go up to the counter of the little dark bar, choose your wine, choose some snacks and enjoy a taste of real Venice. Don't expect service with a smile, but do expect to feel part of the real city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17497 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16349 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16349 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11841
This tiny windswept island in the marshes was the place where the first settlers, fleeing from Attila the Hun, found refuge and laid the foundations for the mighty Venetian republic. Incredibly it once had 20,000 inhabitants before malaria took hold. Now all that's left is a wonderful church with fantastic 11th century mosaics and a bell tower which gives stunning views over allotments, marshes and the distant towers and domes of Venice.

There's also a rather fine restaurant Al Ponte del Diavolo, serving (very) local rabbit and fine pasta with wild fennel sauce (on the day we went). A perfect place for a spring lunch and to reflect on the beginnings and end of the Venetian republic!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11841 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11840
Also serves delicious bar food - when it's gone, it's gone. The atmosphere is that of a private party - you can spill out on to the street or eat at little drop-down ledges, built into the walls of the shop.

A great alternative to an expensive and indifferent meal in a tourist restaurant.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11840 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11369
We tried to order two Margherita pizzas with ham on. This sent the waiter into a rage with him srcatching frantically into his writing pad. He pronouced loudly he had a table of 20 booked which were coming any minute. We all felt intimidated by his behaviour.

After being told another pizza was off the menu we quickly left. Service with a smile it wasn't!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11369 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5870 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5870