La Petite Venise, an Italian restaurant hidden in the gardens of the Château de Versailles

There are several restaurants in the grounds of the Château de Versailles, but have you heard of La Petite Venise? Hidden away in a side-alley, this almost confidential terrace restaurant is an address that is passed on by word of mouth, as signs are non-existent.

In the past, the building served as a boat garage for the gondoliers invited by the Great King to sail. Now transformed into a restaurant, the place has kept its old barn charm, while gaining a touch of modernity and refinement. The attractive dining room can safely accommodate up to 45 guests.

The charm of the place lies in its green summer terrace with an English garden feel, ideal for a quiet lunch or snack.

On the kitchen front, a new chef takes the helm: Robbie Denis Pepin, who has worked in some of Europe's most prestigious transalpine-inspired kitchens (Il Ristorante, at the Bvlgari hotel in London, La Trattoria in Monte-Carlo...).

For the venue, the chef offers the cuisine he loves, combining Italian dishes with quality fresh produce. We start with antipasti to share.

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The octopus is marinated in olive oil, accompanied by warm mashed potatoes and enhanced by preserved lemon and Taggiashe olives. The octopus melts in your mouth! This is one of the chef's must-try specialties.

As for the main course, pasta is obviously up to you. Taglierini al pomodora and Rigatoni battle it out with the Sardinian Fregola risotto, a delight to be discovered.

For dessert, lemon tart, fresh fruit and lemon ice cream, vanilla panna cotta await you. Our favorite is the delicious, airy chocolate gianduja mousse with coconut dacquoise, crumble, hazelnuts and amarena cherry.

Before or after the gustatory journey, don't miss the famous boat trip on the Grand Canal, with its plunging view of the castle. A fun and entertaining break for a moment out of time.

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.