Words Alina SantosoImages Markus Pritzi
After beginning his career in hotels in Venice and abroad, Luca found his true calling at the table. Together with his lifelong friend and business partner, chef Bruno Gavagnin, he founded Osteria alle Testiere—an intimate Venetian restaurant shaped by friendship, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
As the host and professional sommelier, Luca brings a lifetime of travel, encounters, and meals shared across five continents into the dining room. For him, hospitality is about creating genuine connections: welcoming guests, sharing stories, and allowing food and wine to become a language through which people, places, and cultures meet.
Luca Di Vita
At alle Testiere, the rhythm of the kitchen follows the rhythm of the Venetian lagoon. Fresh seafood is sourced each morning at the Rialto Market, and the menu changes daily according to the season and the day’s catch. The wine list is equally personal. Every bottle reflects a relationship Luca has built with its producer through travels, conversations, and friendships over the years.
His connection to Venice extends beyond the restaurant. Together with fellow Venetian restaurateurs, Luca co-founded Osti in Orto, a sustainable agricultural project on the island of Sant’Erasmo that supplies many of the vegetables served at their tables.
Historic buildings line the streets of Venice
And his favorite dish? Spaghetti with bevarasse, Venetian for vongole, the small clams beloved by locals: artisanal pasta, the freshest shellfish, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, white wine, white pepper, and parsley. Simple, timeless, and impossible to resist. As Luca puts it with a smile, “I like to make winning easy.”
Luca shares the places he returns to for exceptional ingredients, memorable meals, a glass of wine, the people who make them special, and a taste of the Venice he knows and loves.
This story appears in the Fall/Winter 2026 issue of Directions, our broadsheet magazine spotlighting the ideas, places, and perspectives shaping our world. Pick up a copy at our member hotels.
For more than 30 years, Luca and Bruno have served only the freshest daily catch, accompanied by thoughtfully selected wines and plenty of passion.
Chef Donato Ascani’s remarkable talent shines through in an elegant and memorable fine dining experience.
It takes a little walk to get there, but once you arrive, you’ll find a peaceful oasis serving refined, beautifully crafted food. It’s Luca’s favorite restaurant in Venice.
A timeless Venetian restaurant where exceptional ingredients always come first. True professionals in every sense.
A unique experience in the lagoon. This secluded former fishing lodge near Ca’ Roman raises its own oysters and mussels, and serves thoughtfully prepared seafood in a magical, almost mystical setting.
The best pizza in town, accompanied by an outstanding selection of craft beers from around the world.
The local markets supply restaurants with fresh produce every morning
Natural wines and honest, seasonal food, with takeaway available. Consistently excellent.
The city’s benchmark for natural wines, paired with some of the most creative and delicious cicchetti.
Probably the best meatballs in Venice. Set in the lively university district, it is vibrant, welcoming, and full of local character.
A favorite among locals, known for outstanding cicchetti, excellent wines, and its charming location overlooking the historic San Trovaso gondola boatyard.
Tucked away in the peaceful Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio, this local gem combines top-quality products, expert hospitality, and an authentic neighborhood atmosphere.
The place to enjoy a Spritz, especially at sunset along lively Via Garibaldi. Max is a true connoisseur of good food and wine—trust his recommendations.
Venice is linked by canals stretching around 26 miles in total
A true institution, with an exceptional selection of cheeses and cured meats.
Everything you need for a delicious gourmet lunch, accompanied by an excellent selection of wines.
Run by two passionate sisters who offer outstanding products and are always happy to share their favorite ways to prepare and enjoy them.
Maurizio is a true authority on Italian gastronomy. Every visit is an opportunity to discover something new.
A carefully curated selection of some of the finest regional specialties from across Italy.
A historic Venetian gourmet shop with an extraordinary selection of spices, biscuits, preserves, pasta, anchovies, olive oils, wines, and liqueurs. An absolute must-visit.
Where to stay
Make your base in Cannaregio, where Venice feels more lived-in than visited. Set inside a restored 17th-century palazzo overlooking the canal, Elizabeth Unique Venice is a peaceful, art-filled place to return to after days discovering the city’s best tables.
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