WINE SPOT WEDNESDAY / DOWNTOWN VENICE, FLORIDA
How have we made it this far into Wine Spot Wednesday without featuring Café Venice?
We’ve been fans of this downtown Venice favorite for years. From easy afternoons with a small plate and a nice glass of wine to wine dinners and evenings spent sharing a bottle, Café Venice has long been one of our go-to spots.
There’s something about its relaxed, friendly, very-Venice atmosphere that keeps us coming back. And whether we’re settling in at the bar or enjoying dinner in the restaurant, it always feels right.
At a glance
Location101 W. Venice Avenue, Downtown Venice, FL
WebsiteCafé Venice website
The vibeJust like sipping a wine with friends. Relaxed, friendly, and so-very-Venice
FoodGreat bar bites, bar menu, and full dinner menu. Try the Osso Bucco!
Why visit
- Interesting sips Alongside the familiar favorites, Café Venice has some interesting choices by the glass and bottle. Ever tried an Arneis? Or a White Pinot Noir? You’ll find both on the wine list, along with plenty of reds worth exploring. We always enjoy seeing what catches our eye.
- Plenty of ways to enjoy it One of the things we love about Café Venice is having options. Grab a seat at the bar, settle into a cozy booth for dinner, or enjoy a glass outside. Whether we’re stopping in for a quick afternoon sip or planning a full evening, there’s always a spot that fits our mood.
- The people We’ve highlighted plenty of wine spots with wonderful staff, but there’s something special about the team at Café Venice. Remek’s big welcome from behind the bar and the friendly, attentive service always start our visits off right. It’s the kind of hospitality that makes a place feel like you’re in the right spot.
Our experience at Café Venice
We dropped in for our most recent visit late on a Thursday afternoon and the bar was already packed with Venice neighbors! We lucked into two seats and received a hearty welcome from Remek behind the bar.
We checked out the wine menu first, as we always do, and enjoyed scanning some of the interesting options – White Pinot, Arneis, and a couple of red blends. My Partner in Wine selected one of the red blends, and I opted for the other. We thought it would be interesting to compare the two…just like the wine nerds we are!
Our plans for comparing two reds took an unexpected turn when a glass of Fleur de Mer Rosé arrived instead. So I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did! Crisp and refreshing, with aromas of peach and strawberry, it had a lovely, slightly mineral finish without being overly floral. And it turned out to be a great match for my Beyond Burger. Sometimes the wine you weren’t planning to order turns out to be just what you wanted!
The Argiano Non Confunditur that my Partner in Wine sipped was a smooth red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese. It was all ripe cherry, blackberry, plum, with a little spice. And it was the perfect accompaniment to the Osso Bucco he chose for dinner. The Osso Bucco tends to be his go-to if we’re not opting for small plates.
We also shared a glass of Baby Blue from Blue Rock Vineyard, another Cabernet Sauvignon-based red blend. We’d first tried this wine at a tasting at Devine’s, so it was fun to revisit it. Full-bodied with notes of blackberry, dark cherry, and spice, it also had lovely hints of cedar and vanilla. The finish lingered nicely…just like we did as we wrapped up our dinners.
As we finished our wine, the evening’s live entertainment got underway, with Sinatra classics and a few other favorites. By then, both the bar and patio were packed, so we took it as our cue to head out and make room for some of the other wine lovers waiting for a seat.
Our final pour
Café Venice has been one of our favorite downtown spots for years, and evenings like this remind us why.
We started off thinking we’d compare a couple of red blends, discovered a rosé we hadn’t planned on ordering, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and stayed long enough to catch a little Sinatra. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday!
We love that Café Venice can be whatever the occasion calls for – a quick glass and a bite at the bar, a leisurely dinner, or a special wine evening. And with interesting wines, good food (including some great vegetarian options), and a team that always makes us feel welcome, there’s plenty to keep us coming back.
Salud to good wine, familiar faces, and easy evenings in downtown Venice!
Keep exploring
Find more places to sip in our Southwest Florida Wine Guide, explore upcoming tastings in our wine events calendar, or find savings on your sips in our happy hour guide.
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