Locanda Cipriani

Torcello is an enchanting island in the Venetian lagoon, half an hour from Venice, enveloped in a quiet atmosphere that makes it ideal for a relaxing retreat or a peaceful day trip. Here, in 1934, Giuseppe Cipriani took over a small wine and oil shop and turned it into Locanda Cipriani, a spot that combines a restaurant and a small inn surrounded by a magnificent park, frequented over the years by illustrious high-society figures such as Charlie Chaplin, Ernest Hemingway and Princess Diana.

Locanda Cipriani is now run by Giuseppe’s descendants, but it retains the class and elegance that have defined it since the ’30s, starting with its setting. The interiors are deliberately simple, featuring wooden ceilings and exposed brick walls decorated with Venetian bas-reliefs. Hanging copper pots add a rustic, traditional touch. Another bucolic feature is the ‘fogher’, a large fireplace typical of the Canton of Valais, where a crackling wood fire warms the dining rooms in winter. In summer, however, the Locanda comes into its own, thanks to the outdoor garden that charms visitors with the colours and scents of blooming plants.

The kitchen at Locanda Cipriani offers an appealing mix of Venetian culinary tradition and dishes created by the family over the years, now firm fixtures of the house. Highlights include carpaccio di manzo dressed with salsa Cipriani and filetto di pesce San Pietro alla Carlina, named after Giuseppe’s daughter, Carla. Chef Cristian Angiolin serves dishes where top-quality ingredients meet bold, intoxicating preparations highlighting the traditional flavours of the Venetian lagoon. A fine glass of wine is a must, chosen from a broad list of Italian labels with a keen focus on Veneto and Friuli.

Over the years, Locanda Cipriani has remained a favourite destination for stars of screen and stage, thanks to its charming setting and secluded, intimate position. It makes the perfect spot for a wonderful stay or a summer lunch in the sun, for an evocative Venetian getaway.