23 Best Places to Shop in Dorsoduro, Venice

The sculpted walnut-wood oarlocks (forcole) used exclusively by Venetian rowers may be utilitarian, but they are beautiful, custom-made objects that make for uniquely Venetian gifts or souvenirs. Saverio Pastor (along with Paolo Brandolisio) is one of the few remaining oar and forcola makers left in Venice.

Among the attractive assortment of rather generic gifts, there is a selection of complicated models to be assembled by your favorite puzzle enthusiast. Pieces of precisely laser-cut birch fit together to make 3D objects such as a Triceratops or a functional zodiac clock. They are not unreasonably priced for such spectacular creations.

This lace and embroidery shop offers a highly appealing selection—from Venice and beyond—that includes fine cotton and linen tablecloths, baby clothing, shirts, nightgowns, sheets, and curtains as delightful and unique as the proprietor herself. Ask to see antique lace.

This distinguished shop next to the Gallerie dell'Accademia sells old master paintings—originals, not copies—with accordingly rarified prices.

A play on the term for Venice's flooding, acqua alta, this tiny but bountiful shop operated by a social cooperative sells natural, fair-trade products, some from Third World artisans (therefore "altra," or "other"). The quality is notably higher than some similar stores, and there is a wide range of items, including shampoo, jam, hand-knitted scarves, reusable cotton cloth to wrap food, herbal teas, coffee, water bottles, and more. If nothing else, buy a bar of the delectable Modica chocolate, made in Sicily following the Mesoamerican cold-processing techniques introduced by the Spanish.

This shop sells scarves as well as blouses and jackets, all handwoven using looms built to ancient specifications. Not only are their products made to a very high standard in wool or silk, but the weavers are part of a social cooperative called Laguna Fiorita that employs the mentally disabled; their families formed the association in 1993. The store also occasionally organizes weaving workshops.

Mazzon is a master woodworker specializing in intaglio, framing, gilding, and restoration of anything wooden. His sublimely cluttered workshop contains figurines of various sizes, from just-carved cherubs to an elegantly simple madonna shining in gold leaf, with picture and mirror frames all carved by hand. He is the fourth generation of his family to do this work.

The bookstore of Università di Venezia Ca' Foscari has a reasonable selection of titles in English. Shelves teem with literature and history, but there's also a handful of travel books, as well as the latest best sellers.

A large showroom offering lots of gilded creations, both traditional and new, is a must-see. Ask about mask-making workshops.

Dorsoduro's liveliest square is the setting for a colorful morning food market.

One of Venice's finest wine bars is just as popular for the ample choice of excellent bottled wines and spirits sold to go.

In her tasteful shop, Claudia has amassed a limited choice of antiques, small paintings, original etchings from the 16th to 19th centuries, and plenty of interesting-looking bric-a-brac, including silver ex-votos and period souvenirs, such as brass ashtrays in the shape of lions' heads and various doorknockers. Baroque-looking earrings are made of cultured pearls and bits of old brass or bronze.

This second-generation family of artisans make Byzantine and rich Renaissance handcrafted frames of gold-leafed wood and inset with antique glass beads, mosaic tesserae, and small ceramic tiles. The more-elaborate pieces look their best when used to frame an old mirror.

American-born but Venetian by choice, glass-bead artist Trina Tygrett opened her studio after completing her studies at the city's Academy of Fine Arts. She married into one of the oldest surviving families of traditional Venetian glassblowing and was able to study some of the older techniques founded on Murano. Her signature jewelry is a breath of fresh air as she mixes her beads with materials such as metal fabric, silver, and precious stones to create unique and eclectic pieces. A second shop is only a few steps away at Dorsoduro 167.

This is the retail outlet for Leslie Ann Genninger, an American from Ohio who was the first woman to enter the male-dominated world of Murano master bead-makers. She established her own line of jewelry, called Murano Class Act, in 1994 using period-glass beads, and when she could no longer find antique beads she started designing her own.

Creative earrings, brooches, and necklaces are done in colored resin that looks as fragile as glass but is as strong and soft as rubber. Silk shoes can be custom "garnished" with jewelry.

Of Venice's few remaining artisan leather shops, Il Grifone is the standout with respect to quality, tradition, and the guarantee of an exquisite product. For more than 30 years, Antonio Peressin has been making bags, purses, belts, and smaller leather items that have a wide following because of his precision and attention to detail. His goods remain reasonably and accessibly priced.

The name aptly translates as "The Peacock," and the shop offers a great selection of coda di pavone, a kind of paper with colors and patterns resembling peacock feathers. Artisans here are particularly proud of their hand-painted paper.

A linchpin in the city's literary history, Libreria Toletta offers a varied selection of English books and numerous volumes about the city of Venice in addition to their vast literary, art, and architecture offerings in Italian. Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable. (Note: "Libreria" means bookstore; "biblioteca" means library.)

Craftswoman and architect Francesca Meratti and a team of local and international artisans combine traditional and contemporary design to create a mix of most-appealing objects, including dishware, carved wooden bowls, jewelry, and ceramic pieces.

The beautiful and elegant glass jewelry of Marina and Susanna Sent has been featured in Vogue. Look also for vases and other exceptional design pieces. Other locations are on the Fondamenta Serenella on Murano and in San Polo under the Sotoportego dei Oresi at Rialto.

Solid, large-piece jigsaw puzzles (painted or in natural wood colors) depict animals, views of Venice, and trompe l'oeil scenes. Ideal for toddlers, the puzzles also look nice hanging on a wall.

Mere steps from the Accademia, stocked with elegant yet understated fashion, this small shop will dress you for virtually any occasion. A coat, some slippers, a dress, a silk blouse, even a simple piece of jewelry or scarf from here will make your ordinary outfits sing. It's like having your own personal stylist.