Tucked behind the quiet canals of Cannaregio, Da Lorenzo – Al Giardino Segreto occupies a centuries-old Venetian palazzo once home to the botanist Lorenzo Patarol. The restaurant channels his legacy through a menu built on precision, seasonality, and restraint, offering diners an intimate escape from the bustle of the city into a world of slow, considered dining.

At the helm is Michelin-starred chef Paulo Airaudo, whose Argentine roots and international training inform a cuisine defined by clarity and honesty of ingredient. Working alongside Sicilian chef Salvatore Paladino, the kitchen presents two tasting menus, Sensazioni and Emozioni, each built around a handful of thoughtfully composed courses that let a single ingredient take centre stage, complemented by a curated wine pairing selection.

Beyond the plate, the setting itself is part of the experience: the dining room looks out over a hidden 18th-century botanical garden filled with rare Mediterranean plants and winding paths toward the lagoon. Set within the NH Collection Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi, a historic palazzo with Venice's largest private garden, Da Lorenzo offers a rare combination of culinary artistry and tranquil, storied surroundings.