8 best venetian cookbooks

Hey travelers, today we talk about a special topic for those who love Venetian cuisine or want to bring a piece of Venice home through authentic recipes: best Venetian cookbooks.

Read more by Venice Insider Guide, where we’ll explore the most loved Venetian cookbooks, full of tradition, flavors and images that will make you dream of being already in the canals and streets of Venice.

Why choose the best Venetian cookbook?

Venetian cuisine is one of a kind, born from centuries of history, cultural exchange and a strong presence of the sea. Not only fish dishes, but also meat, vegetable and dessert recipes that tell the daily life of the Venetians.

The best Venetian cookbooks are not just simple books with ingredients and methods, but a window into the culture and spirit of Venice.

What makes a good Venetian cookbook

Authenticity: each recipe must respect traditional Venetian ingredients and techniques.
Cultural context: include stories, history of the dish or suggestions to eat it in the city.
Evocative images: images that make you want to cook and visit Venice.
Practical organization: clear organization to follow the recipes easily.

1. Venice: Food and Dreams by Tessa Kiros

One of the most famous and loved is Venice: Food and Dreams by Tessa Kiros, a true love letter to the lagoon city. It’s not just a cookbook, but a sensory experience that combines dreamy photographs, stories, anecdotes and tips on how to live the city like a true Venetian. Kiros divides the book into sections that mirror an Italian menu: antipasti, paste, risotti, secondi, contorni and dolci, plus a special focus on cicchetti, the small bites unique to Venice. Among the treats is also polenta, proposed with two methods of preparation, quick or traditional, to fit every kind of kitchen.

2. The Bread of Venice (Il Pane di Venezia)

Another of the best Venetian cookbooks is "The Bread of Venice", that tells the story of a food almost impossible to find in Venice. With De Bastiani publisher, thanks to Giampiero Rorato we relive the art of Venetian food through historical documents and photos.

3. Venice in the Kitchen (Venezia in Cucina)

Laterza publisher, with title "Venice in the Kitchen" is one of the best Venetian cookbooks. Carla Coco takes us on a journey through history and gastronomy with goods like sugar and coffee. Also in digital format, we want to highlight that this Venetian cookbook has an ironic and interesting language to read.

4. Harry’s Bar

Giunti Editore publishes Arrigo Cipriani’s (son of Giuseppe of the famous Harry’s Bar, where the Bellini cocktail was born) book in 2016. This is one of the best Venetian cookbooks because it talks and tells about famous people in the culinary world.

Other Venetian cookbooks recommended for true foodies of the world

Besides Kiros, there are other books to discover that collect lost recipes, modern reinterpretations or focus on specific dishes like baccalà mantecato or fegato alla veneziana.

These books offer curious insights and depth on the gastronomy of this magical city, perfect for those who want to deepen or gift a piece of Venice to their home.

Which are the best Venetian cookbooks in English

The best Venetian cookbooks in English are:

5.Venice: Four Seasons of Home Cooking by Russell Norman. A book that not only presents seasonal Venetian recipes but also tells stories about life in Venice, highlighting the culture and traditions of the city. Very appreciated for its authentic and narrative approach.
6. The Great Venetian Cookbook by Giampiero Rorato. Although mainly in Italian, it’s a comprehensive book that tells the story and recipes of Venetian cuisine and might be available in translation or with parts in English.

These Venetian cookbooks offer a mix of authentic recipes, stories and cultural context to make Venetian cuisine come alive in English, perfect for cooking like a true Venetian without leaving home.

Which best venetian cookbook has photos of Venice and step by step recipes

7. A best cookbook in English with photos of Venice and step by step recipes is "Recipes from Venice" by Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi. This best Venetian cookbook explores authentic Venetian cuisine, offering traditional recipes like salted meatballs and sardines in saor, with stunning photos of the city. Besides the detailed recipes, the book also includes Katie’s travel anecdotes, creating a complete experience that transports the reader directly into the atmosphere of Venice with every turned page. It’s a perfect balance between evocative images and clear instructions, ideal for those who want to cook and live Venice at home.
8. Another mention goes to another of the best Venetian cookbooks "Venice between Kitchen and Atelier" by Zaira Zarotti, that combines artistic and photographic narrative with traditional Venetian recipes, but with a more artistic and evocative approach.

Among these, however, "Recipes from Venice" is the one that most explicitly combines photos of the city and step by step recipes in a direct and practical way.

In conclusion

Many of us, after visiting the floating city or even before seeing the Serenissima, are curious about Venetian cuisine.

What’s better than the best Venetian cookbooks to make authentic recipes from Venice?

Choosing your best Venetian cookbook means learning to cook and above all to immerse yourself in the atmospheres, flavors and stories that only Venice can tell.

Now you know all about the best Venetian cookbooks, go check them out!