Gran Blanco

From the same team behind nearby all-day Australian eatery Great White, Gran Blanco serves amazing drinks, natural wines and a decent selection of Asian-inspired bar bites from a tiny, well-decorated space just under the iconic VENICE sign. It wouldn’t necessarily stand out in another neighborhood, but this is only places in Venice serving sophisticated, well-executed cocktails. While the izakaya-lite seasonal cuisine here won't knock your socks off if you've ever visited Japan, or even just Little Tokyo or the South Bay, the food menu makes for great drinking fare, from the chicken katsu curry to the crispy rock shrimp tossed in spicy aioli. The “tremendous” cheeseburger and teriyaki-glazed fish tacos also hit the spot—both dishes are just the kind of meat and carbs you'll need to wash down all those impeccably crafted cocktails.