This is the most romantic restaurant in Italy (according to the Tripadvisor community)
It's true that Venice is a no-brainer, in the sense that in the world's most fascinating city, there are many factors that favor the romantic success of a simple dinner.
That's what happened at Hostaria Castello, the small restaurant seating just 18 people in the Castello district of the same name, which has taken first place in Tripadvisor's ranking of Italy's most romantic restaurant. The Venetian restaurant, opened in 2021, topped the "Romantic Restaurants – Italy" ranking and received the prestigious Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2025, the highest award given by the platform.
This award is awarded to less than 1% of the over 8 million profiles on the portal. On the podium, behind Hostaria Castello, are La Vineria di Montepulciano in second place and Ristorante Villa Crespi in Orta San Giulio in third.
This is a long-awaited recognition for the Venetian restaurant: for three years it has consistently appeared in the "top ten" of Italian romantic restaurants, but it is with this edition that it managed to climb to the top, even overtaking Antonino Canavacciuolo's headquarters in Orta San Giulio.
The colors of the furnishings, namely the teal-toned sofas and the orange lamps, are inspired by the dining car of the Orient Express: it is no coincidence that the building once housed the travel agency that sold tickets for the legendary luxury train.
Then, candles, soft lighting, attentive service, and a varied, high-quality wine list: “This recognition fills us with pride because it comes directly from those who have experienced our hospitality firsthand,” says Vladimir Grigoriev, owner of Hostaria Castello di Venezia.
In the 2026 ranking, Tuscany is well-represented for romance, with four locations. Here's the complete top ten:
- Hostaria Castello di Venezia (Veneto)
- The Montepulciano Winery (Tuscany)
- Villa Crespi in Orta San Giulio (Lombardy)
- Our restaurant in Alberobello (Puglia)
- The Choir of Orvieto (Umbria)
- The other Cantuccio of Montepulciano (Tuscany)
- Auras Restaurant in Ischia (Campania)
- Italian Tasting at the Uffizi in Florence (Tuscany)
- Le Naumachie Restaurant in Taormina (Sicily)
- Il Giardino Seafood Restaurant, Elba Island (Tuscany)
Unlike many industry awards, the Travellers' Choice Best of the Best is not the result of a panel of expert judges, but is the direct result of reviews left by travellers from around the world over a twelve-month period.
To achieve this, a restaurant must maintain a consistently high standard of quality, measured by the volume and quality of feedback received from the community. The ranking rewards those who offer not only good food, but a complete experience, combining atmosphere, scenography, and hospitality: the ingredients that transform a dinner into a memory.
The Travellers' Choice Best of the Best title is among the most authoritative awards in the global travel industry and is visible on the Tripadvisor profiles of the awarded establishments, guiding the choices of millions of travellers looking for a quality experience guaranteed by the community.