Verdons Gondola
Experience Venice like a local with a budget-friendly Traghetto gondola ride, or dine at Verdons Gondola for a potentially lively, albeit mixed, culin...

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Enjoy the lively atmosphere
Verdons Gondola
Best Time
Enjoy the lively atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience Venice like a local with a budget-friendly Traghetto gondola ride, or dine at Verdons Gondola for a potentially lively, albeit mixed, culinary adventure.
"Skip the pricey gondola ride and opt for the €2 Traghetto for an authentic Venetian experience!"
💰 Budget Gondola Hack
Take a Traghetto for a €2 gondola experience across the Grand Canal.
🍽️ Snack Bar Option
Consider the snack bar for quicker, potentially better value food.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Traghetto Ride
Various crossing points on the Grand Canal
Experience a traditional gondola for a fraction of the price. A quick, authentic Venetian journey.

Atmosphere and Music
Restaurant/Bar area
Enjoy a lovely ambiance with music, creating a pleasant backdrop for your visit.

Magician's Performance
Restaurant/Bar area
Be entertained by a magician, adding a unique and engaging element to your experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Skip the Tourist Trap, Embrace the Traghetti
Manage Expectations for Food Quality
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💰 Budget Gondola Hack
Take a Traghetto for a €2 gondola experience across the Grand Canal.
🍽️ Snack Bar Option
Consider the snack bar for quicker, potentially better value food.
💧 Tap Water Request
Politely inquire about tap water; some guests found it unavailable.
✨ Service with a Smile
Look for staff like Yanis who provide exceptional hospitality.
Tips
from all over the internet
💰 Budget Gondola Hack
Take a Traghetto for a €2 gondola experience across the Grand Canal.
🍽️ Snack Bar Option
Consider the snack bar for quicker, potentially better value food.
💧 Tap Water Request
Politely inquire about tap water; some guests found it unavailable.
✨ Service with a Smile
Look for staff like Yanis who provide exceptional hospitality.
📸 Gondola Photo Op
Get a gondola picture without the high cost via Traghetto.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Verdons Gondola offers a pleasant atmosphere with music and entertainment, but dining experiences are highly polarized. While some guests rave about the service and specific dishes, many others find the food overpriced and disappointing, with some even reporting negative interactions with staff. The high cost for perceived low quality is a recurring complaint.
"Atmosphere is lovely. Nice spot with music and a magician.
Staff didn’t seem too interested in us or generally in their job unfortunately. Would expect them to ask how the meal is at least for the £££. It would be nice to have tap water to avoid the unnecessary ££ when you are hot and bothered from skiing. I appreciate they don’t have a ‘filter’ but everywhere else does.
Food was personally a big let down. My friends seemingly enjoyed their food so this is my PERSONAL experience, not my groups. Firstly it is unnecessarily expensive - in no world should an omelette be 22 euros. Even the chicken who laid the eggs would be upset at that!
But I ordered their 40 euro steak ‘a point’ which is medium rare (which in France should be pretty rare for an Englishman). It was an awful cut of meat - very chewy and barely red. You can get great cuts of meat in the local area for reasonable prices - I am happy to pay 40£ for a steak but not a chewy mess.
Next time, I would just chose their snack bar as it looks quick and easy and the atmosphere is lovely."
Charles Bennett
"Les Verdons is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, we were treated to exceptional hospitality and professionalism. A special mention goes to Yanis, who truly made it all great.
His attention to detail, warm demeanor, and thorough knowledge of the menu were outstanding.
He went above and beyond to ensure every aspect of our meal was perfect, making us feel genuinely valued as guests.
Highly recommend this restaurant, and kudos to Yanis for being a shining example of top-notch service!"
Henrietta Gali
"This place is terrible. I cannot even say it is too expensive because your could not pay me to eat their food. All of the food (burgers, pizza, carbonara pasta and tuna bowl) was disgusting. Do not eat here. The price is obscene for the awful quality. We wish we went to Il Refugio or La cabane des skieurs instead. I cannot stress how terrible this restaurant is. Oh and don’t even start me on “we can’t serve tap water because it isn’t safe to drink” just bullsh*t - don’t go!!"
Matthew O'Sullivan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Verdons Gondola is a restaurant and bar, not a transportation service. If you're looking for gondola rides in Venice, consider using the Traghetto service for a budget-friendly option.
No, Verdons Gondola is a restaurant located in a ski resort area, not in Venice. The gondola experience mentioned in TikTok videos refers to Venice's traditional gondola rides or the Traghetto service.
For an authentic gondola experience in Venice without the high cost, take a Traghetto. These gondola ferries cross the Grand Canal for around €2.
Yes, water taxis are available in Venice and can be a faster, though more expensive, way to get around compared to gondolas. Some videos mention them as an alternative to traditional gondola rides.
Traghetto crossings are located at various points along the Grand Canal in Venice, offering a quick way to get to the other side. Look for signs indicating Traghetto stops.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Verdons Gondola is a restaurant, so no tickets are required for entry. You pay for food and drinks consumed.
Opening hours can vary depending on the season and day. It's best to check their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information, especially if visiting during ski season.
There is no admission fee to enter Verdons Gondola restaurant. You will be charged for any food or beverages you order.
It is advisable to book a table, especially during peak hours or seasons, to ensure you get a spot. You can usually do this via their website or by calling them.
No specific entry requirements are needed for the Traghetto. You simply pay the small fare when you board.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Reviews are mixed. Some guests praise the food, mentioning dishes like burgers and crème brûlée. However, others found it to be a big letdown, describing it as expensive and of poor quality, with specific complaints about steak and omelets.
Yes, many reviews indicate that Verdons Gondola is considered expensive, with some dishes like omelets costing around 22 euros and steaks around 40 euros.
Based on reviews, the burger and crème brûlée have received positive mentions. However, some guests strongly advise against dishes like pasta and steak due to quality concerns.
Some guests reported being told they couldn't serve tap water, which they suspected was an excuse to upsell bottled water. It's worth politely asking.
The snack bar at Verdons Gondola is mentioned as a potentially quicker and more casual option, which might offer better value than the main restaurant.
📸 📸 Photography
The restaurant itself offers a pleasant atmosphere with music and a magician, which can make for interesting candid shots. If you're referring to Venice gondolas, the canals and bridges provide endless picturesque opportunities.
Yes, you can take photos during your Traghetto ride. It's a great way to capture the essence of Venice from the water.
Generally, there are no specific restrictions on personal photography at Verdons Gondola restaurant or on Traghetto rides. However, always be mindful of other patrons' privacy.
For Venice, early morning or late afternoon can offer softer light and fewer crowds. At Verdons Gondola, daytime might be best to capture the magician and ambiance.
You can get a gondola picture without paying for a full ride by using the Traghetto service, which uses traditional gondolas.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
If you're looking for a more reliable family dining experience in Venice, research restaurants known for being kid-friendly and offering good value. Many trattorias offer pasta dishes that are usually a hit with younger eaters.
💰 Budget Travelers
When it comes to dining at places like Verdons Gondola, budget travelers should be wary. Reviews consistently point to high prices for questionable food quality. It might be wiser to seek out local markets, smaller bacari (wine bars) for cicchetti (Venetian tapas), or pizzerias for more affordable and satisfying meals.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Traghetto: Venice on a Budget
Several Traghetto crossings are available along the Grand Canal. While they don't offer leisurely tours, they provide a genuine glimpse into daily Venetian life and a memorable photo opportunity without breaking the bank. It's a tip frequently shared by savvy travelers looking to maximize their Venice experience on a budget.
When using a Traghetto, remember it's a functional ferry service. You'll likely share the gondola with locals commuting, so be respectful of the space and the experience. It's a short but sweet journey that captures the essence of Venice's waterways.
Dining at Verdons Gondola: A Mixed Bag
Several reviews highlight the exorbitant prices for what is perceived as mediocre or even poor-quality food. Specific dishes like omelets (€22) and steaks (€40) have been criticized for being overpriced and unsatisfactory, with one reviewer describing a steak as a 'chewy mess.' The availability of tap water has also been questioned, with some suspecting it's a tactic to encourage bottled water purchases.
On the other hand, some visitors have had positive experiences, praising the exceptional hospitality of certain staff members, like Yanis, and enjoying dishes such as burgers and crème brûlée. However, the recurring theme of high cost versus perceived value suggests that diners should approach Verdons Gondola with managed expectations, perhaps opting for the snack bar for a more casual and potentially less disappointing meal.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit