Ai Mercanti

Steer clear of this place! I ordered a dish with meat (see picture), which I am familiar with, I ate it at another restaurant; however, what I got served here was so unusually tough that it was impossible to swallow! Only 2 pieces were eatable. The waiter did not take me seriously as I told him. I don’t recommend such a restaurant, you pay and leave hungry… very unprofessional service and kitchen.

A cozy restaurant with delicious food and nice staff in the heart of Venice.

Magnificent restaurant! Great food, wine and service. A place for foodies. You must be ready for new things. Came back and it still is magnificent!!! Bravo

Ai Mercanti was a standout dining experience in Venice. The service was polished and attentive, the wine recommendation was spot on, and every dish was executed beautifully. The Crispy Egg is an absolute must and easily one of the most memorable dishes we had during our time in the city. The fresh pasta was exceptional, showcasing both quality ingredients and technical precision. From start to finish, the experience felt thoughtful, refined, and genuinely special. I would return without hesitation.

I have been here multiple times over a few trips in Venice and it is always one of my highlight meals. The food is delicious and inventive, the service is attentive, and the wine recommendations are on point. Price reflects 2 appetizers, 2 main courses, 2 desserts, and 4 glasses of wine.

Wow, what a place. We booked Ai Mercanti in advance based on the excellent reviews, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We were seated in the lovely courtyard outside, which made for a fantastic setting. It also looks like a great spot for wine lovers, although we visited at lunchtime so had to keep the drinking to a minimum! The food was superb from start to finish. The octopus was delicious, the pasta dishes were outstanding, and the dessert was the perfect way to finish the meal. Everything was beautifully presented and clearly prepared with great care. Portion sizes were just right for a light lunch, leaving us satisfied without feeling overly full. A wonderful dining experience all around, and somewhere we would definitely return to on our next visit. One of those restaurants where you’d like to try everything on their menu!

Service was excellent and the food tastes amazing! Impressive wine list, ask for help if you can't choose, because the waiter is knowledgeable about the wine.

My boyfriend and I loved this charming restaurant, the staff were welcoming (and spoke French!), and the food was delicious 🍷

An absolute success. Food, service and even a specialized sommelier who recommends the wine that best accompanies each dish. It is clear that here quality has much more weight than quantity, but honestly, it is very worth it. We left really happy. To add a small flaw, a little more quantity would not have gone wrong 😅

Wonderful experience. Highly recommended. Follow the daily suggestions.

Three years later, we returned with our children, having been so impressed last time. We sat down, and the restaurant was completely empty. Then the owner came over, asked if we had a reservation, and promptly sent us away. It was very obvious they simply didn't want us, and we were turned away very rudely for no reason. I'm speechless; how can anyone be so inhumane and unfriendly? Previous review: Excellent food. Small portions, but very well prepared. The octopus was divine.

We came there a Saturday for late lunch. Tables were available (we had called before to make sure). We had the squid risotto, it was one of the best risotto I had. We took the chocolate desert and the panna cotta. Both desserts were amazing. The dégustation coffee was also pretty good (I don’t drink coffee but I could tell from the face of my friend). Staff were very friendly as well. 5 deserved ⭐️