Bussolai are typical, much-loved biscuits from the Venetian tradition.

They date back to the time of the Republic when, due to their ability to keep and remain soft for a long time, they accompanied fishermen on their sea voyages.

Their name derives from the Venetian dialect word “buso”, which means hole and recalls their typical ring shape. Over the years, these sweets changed shape, assuming the “S” shape to be more easily “dunked” in wine.

You may frequently find them with the name ‘buranei’ because it was a restaurateur on the island of Burano who first asked his pastry chef to make them as a dessert for his customers.

The latter realised that cooking them in the shape of an ‘S’ would make them much easier to dunk and so they were first made in this new shape.

To make sure you don’t miss out on this delicious speciality, we suggest a few Venetian patisseries where you can drop by to buy or taste the biscuits.

The Rosa Salva pastry shop, a few steps from Piazza San Marco, is one of our favourite stops for a good coffee and a delicious sweet, without forgetting the Ponte delle Paste pastry shop near Rialto, a very characteristic place for some typical Venetian sampling.

If you are in a hurry, the Dal Mas pastry shop near the Santa Lucia station is perfect for a quick passage, which will make you fall in love with all its delicacies! If you can, however, we heartily recommend a tour of the beautiful island of Burano, to sample the most original version of “buranei” of all time.