Dinner at Club del Doge | The Gritti Palace Venice
Venice is a city with multiple options when it comes to dining overlooking the water, however few compare to the Gritti Terrace at Club del Doge at The Gritti Palace hotel. Known for quality food prepared in the traditional Venetian way under the direction of Executive Chef Alberto Fol, it combines atmosphere and setting to create an experience sought after by both locals and visitors alike.
Situated in San Marco, off Campiello Traghetto, the location affords the restaurant extraordinary views over the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Views alone, however, do not make a restaurant an icon. It is a combination of atmosphere, service and food that creates a standout restaurant and this is something Club del Doge achieves with ease.
The Gritti Palace is a fifteenth-century palazzo and has been operating as a hotel since 1895. This history is evident in the setting the hotel creates, both inside and on its terrace outside. The hotel is part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection and offers 82 rooms and suites. However, Club del Doge is far more than just an ordinary hotel restaurant. It has its own identity within the Venice culinary scene and attracts far more than just guests of the hotel.
Who this Edit is for
Image: Table setting at Club del Doge. © 2026 Palates & Miles
This Edit will explore the dinner service in detail and will inform you whether this is the restaurant that should be at the top of your Venice dining list. Whether you are visiting Venice for a special occasion or simply as part of a longer Italian itinerary, the experience at Club del Doge is one that can fit either.
If atmosphere is key to your expectation of dining in Venice, this Edit will craft a clear picture of what to expect and how it combines with the food and service offered.
The standard
Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.
Arrival, the terrace and atmosphere
Image: Interior of Bar Longhi, The Gritti Palace. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Entering The Gritti Palace from Campiello Traghetto is unremarkable at first, however this adds to the sense of occasion as you move into an ornate space that feels fitting of a museum. The lobby is inviting and opens up into a number of different spaces that, if you were not there to dine, could easily be used for relaxation and reflection.
Located to the right of the ground floor is the entrance to The Longhi Bar, which also extends onto the terrace. The entrance to the Club del Doge terrace is located beyond, where you will be greeted by a maître d’ who will check you in. It is also possible to dine in the interior part of the restaurant, particularly if the weather is not amenable, for which there is a separate entrance located beside the terrace entrance.
Image: Evening view overlooking the Grand Canal. © 2026 Palates & Miles
Once seated at your table, the true atmosphere of the restaurant and location becomes fully apparent. Fresh white linen adorns the tables, with a simple setting of blue and white crockery reflecting the water and sky, alongside polished silverware. Dining at the earlier part of the evening service, before most of the restaurant fills, is best for absorbing the peace and quiet of the location. It feels extremely private and removed from the hustle and bustle of the city’s active streets. The only noise comes from the occasional water taxi or vaporetto passing by on the Grand Canal.
The terrace itself is not overly large, however good care and attention is given to ensure there is adequate room between tables, especially once the restaurant fills. You never feel overlooked or bothered by other guests.
Having a table directly overlooking the Grand Canal, and in particular the basilica across the water, gives the evening a sense of timelessness and wonder as the light shifts and different aspects of the view become accentuated. While it may not be the absolute most recognisable view in Venice, it is without doubt one that is sought after and appreciated by diners.
Service
If there is one thing Club del Doge is known for before even setting foot in the restaurant, it is the high level of service offered. Particularly in the early part of the evening, the team are friendly and inviting, ensuring you are comfortable and settled at your table.
Aperitivo is offered within moments of being seated by the knowledgeable sommelier. What is particularly nice is the nod to Italian produce across the wine list and, if you would like a recommendation based on specific regions, the sommelier will be more than willing to offer both recommendations and context.
The food ordering was equally efficient and considered, with any questions regarding the menu covered promptly to ensure informed decision-making. Overall, within fifteen minutes of being seated, all ordering had been completed and the first aperitivo drink and amuse-bouche were served at the table.
Food and drink
Image: Ancient grain spaghetti with caviar. © 2026 Palates & Miles
The food served at Club del Doge does not disappoint. With an obvious nod to Venetian fare and culinary classics, the menu leans into seafood and vegetables from the surrounding area. There is, however, ample choice available to please most diners.
Starters on offer include dishes like raw scampi, fried Mozzorbetto artichokes and a variety of tomatoes selected from their gardens. The artichokes in particular stood out for their flavour and freshness and paired wonderfully with a glass of Veneto rosé. As per tradition, bread is served alongside the starter and main course.
For mains, as always in Italy, you can choose from pasta dishes and secondi, or in this case, from the land and sea. Notable pasta dishes include guinea fowl raviolo, risotto “Hemingway-style” and ancient grain spaghetti with caviar. On this occasion, the spaghetti with caviar became the standout dish of the evening, with citric accents in the buttery sauce.
Image: Rhubarb in various consistencies. © 2026 Palates & Miles.
From the land and sea, seabass, lamb chops served with artichokes and grilled Wagyu beef make the argument for a more substantial main course. However, no matter which you choose, it is unlikely to disappoint and you will feel satisfied either way.
P&M tip: If you wish to experience the pasta course as a starter instead, this is perfectly acceptable and will be accommodated.
Dessert is as much of an occasion as the preceding courses, with the standouts including Gritti’s tiramisù, vanilla soufflé and rhubarb in various consistencies. The rhubarb here was extremely fresh and vibrant, served with fermented strawberry sorbet. It offered a combination of textures and flavours that made it a dish for savouring.
As the light began to dim over the Grand Canal and the basilica became illuminated, the coffee service with petit fours was an extra treat to conclude the meal.
Value and when to go
There are two main ways to experience dinner at Club del Doge. You can experience a five-course set menu for a minimum of two people, served for the entire table. As of July 2026, the cost for this menu is €205 per person and an optional wine pairing is available at an additional cost. Alternatively, a full à la carte menu is available for those who wish to have more flexibility and choice. Most pasta and main dishes range from €50 upwards.
The restaurant operates with two sittings, with the early sitting starting just after 6pm. The later sitting allows for later dining, which may be preferable for those with a busy daytime itinerary. The last order for the set menu is 9:30pm, allowing adequate time for the experience. If you prefer evening light in the summer, an early reservation is best. You also benefit from a quieter terrace at the beginning of service, which adds to the magic of the setting.
If visiting in summer, there is some natural shade afforded on the terrace in the evening, so you do not need to worry about being in direct sunlight. There is also a retractable roof, which can be used should the weather turn less favourable.
A digestif can also be taken after the meal at The Longhi Bar terrace at the other end. You should not need a reservation, depending on how busy it is. If you explain that you are coming from Club del Doge, the team will be more than happy to accommodate you where best available.
P&M notes
• There are two sittings. If booking the early sitting, be mindful that the table will be required for the second sitting later in the evening, so consider this before booking.
• Dress on the terrace is smart and anything less would feel out of place. As it is outside, having light outerwear with you is advisable, as there can be a breeze from the canal.
• Service is approachable here, so do not be afraid to ask for clarifications or recommendations. They will be gladly shared.
• If you have any specific dietary requirements, make them known on your booking. Be mindful that raw shellfish is served, so carefully read the menu before ordering if this is a consideration.
• If you have a few minutes before or after the meal, do not be afraid to explore the public areas of the hotel, as they are ornate and elaborate. You are dining in a piece of Venetian history and it would be a shame to miss out on the full experience.
Final thoughts
Club del Doge is a Venetian institution that does not disappoint. From the moment you enter The Gritti Palace to the final coffee and petit fours on the terrace, the experience feels considered and rooted in the history of the city around it.
The setting is undoubtedly the first reason many will book, but it is the combination of service, food and atmosphere that makes the restaurant what it is today. The Grand Canal views are exceptional, however they are not the only story and memory you take away with you.
For those looking for a dinner in Venice that sits well with any occasion, Club del Doge is a strong option. It offers something for everyone and tries it’s best to bring true Venetian flare to you without trying to hard.
For those planning a wider visit, our Edit on an afternoon in Venice offers a considered route through the city before dinner.
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