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chinese-room-caffe-florian-st-marks-square-venice
Historic Cafes in St Marks Square - Caffe Florian & Grande Caffe Quadri

Historic Cafes in St Marks Square - Caffe Florian & Grande Caffe Quadri

Historic Cafes

St Mark’s Square, Venice, Italy

Genzhr 5

Caffè Florian & Gran Caffè Quadri, are the two most famous grand cafes of St Mark’s Square, visited by Casanova, film stars, poets and more. Gran Caffè Lavena is also worthy of note.

Caffè Florian

Probably the most famous cafe in Venice.

Caffe Florian Venice Interior
S.A.C.R.A. srl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Caffè Florian was founded in 1720 and opened under the name “Alla Venezia Trionfante – In Venice Triumphant.”

From then on, this elegant building has been characterized by its exclusive products and guests: here, noblemen, politicians, intellectuals and womanizers would meet, protagonists of their own time, such as Carlo Goldoni and Casanova or, more recently, Gabriele d’Annunzio.

Today, the Caffé Florian still retains the charm of the ages it has lived through. With its architecture, richly decorated rooms in different styles (the most famous being the Senate floor, the Chinese Room and the East Room, the Hall of Famous Men), and its 18th-19th century interiors.

Caffe Florian Website

Google Maps Location

Gran Caffè Quadri

Gran Caffe Quadri Venice
Mariano Martinez, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Also in St. Mark’s Square, there’s another historic cafe that since 1775 has been visited by the rich and famous.

Gran Caffè Quadri has a history that stems from the Venetian Republic  – La Serenissima – which ended in 1797, to the modern age.

Famous, even infamous, cafe visitors included Lord Byron, Alexandre Dumas, Wagner, Marcel Proust.

Even today Gran Caffè Quadri is a favorite of actors and directors attending the Venice Film Festival, including Woody Allen.

Gran Caffe Quadri Website

Google Maps Location

Gran Caffè Lavena

Gran Caffe Lavena, Venice
Image courtesy of Gran Cafe Lavena

Gran Caffe Lavena began in 1750 and sits close to Caffe Quadri in St Mark’s Square, Venice.

A frequent visitor to the cafe was the composer Richard Wagner. His family and friend, Franz Liszt, also visited.

According to Wagner’s biographers, he composed part of Parsifal at the Caffé Lavena and the duet of Tristano and Isotta, which was created at the Café’s tables, is commemorated by a plaque by Vincenzo Cadorin inside the café.

Gran Caffè Lavena Website

Google Maps Location

cafe-life-st-marks-square-venice-italy

Image: © Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar

VENICE CAFE PRICES

Having a drink while sat outside in St Mark’s Square can be a wonderful experience. But be aware that it’s not cheap. If you go inside and stand at the bar, prices will be a little cheaper.

For more information on prices, view our post on 2024 Gran Caffe Quadri, Caffe Florian and Caffe Lavena prices.

For a cheaper St Mark’s Square coffee, head to Gelateria Al Teodoro (Google Map) where a capucchino at the bar will cost about €2.50 or outside €8.50, or Ai Do Leoni (Google Map) where the cicchetti and drinks are more reasonably priced.

COFFEE HISTORY

The Republic of Venice had been trading across the known world for many years when coffee was introduced to Venice in the 1600s.

Initially there was a backlash declaring coffee to be banned ‘because it was a devilish drink’. Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) intervened and, as he enjoyed the drink so much, he declared ‘coffee should be baptized to make it a true Christian drink’.

Venice’s first cafe opened in the late 1600s and Caffe Florian in 1720. It is the oldest surviving cafe in Europe.

Caffe Florian Venice Interior
S.A.C.R.A. srl, CC BY-SA 4.0

All Images:  S.A.C.R.A. srl, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Information

WATER BUS STOP

San Marco (Vallaresso) – 5 mins / San Marco Giardinetti – 5 mins/ San Marco – San Zaccaria – 7 mins

WALKING FROM

Rialto Bridge, 10 minutes / Ferrovia (train station), 30 minutes
*All times approximate

OPENING TIMES

Opening times vary, but they are usually open!

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Nearby Venice Attractions

Link to: Doge’s Palace
Palazzo Ducale Doges Palace Venice

Doge’s Palace

One of the main landmarks in Venice

Link to: St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark S Clock ST MARKS SQUARE VENICE

St Mark’s Clock Tower

The famous clock tower of St Mark’s Square

Link to: St Mark’s Basilica
St Marks Basilica Venice

St Mark’s Basilica

11th century golden Basilica of Saint Mark

Link to: St Mark’s Campanile
st-marks-square-venice-st-marks-belltower-campanile

St Mark’s Bell Tower

View Venice from the top

Link to: National Archaeological Museum
National Archeologival Museum Cenice

Archeological Museum

Greek and Roman artifacts and more

Link to: Marciana Library
marciana-library-st-marks-square-venice

Marciana Library

One of the oldest libraries

Attractions Nearby

Link to: Doge’s Palace
Palazzo Ducale Doges Palace Venice

Doge’s Palace

One of the main landmarks in Venice

Link to: St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark S Clock ST MARKS SQUARE VENICE

St Mark’s Clock Tower

The famous clock tower of St Mark’s Square

Link to: St Mark’s Basilica
St Marks Basilica Venice

St Mark’s Basilica

11th century golden Basilica of Saint Mark

Link to: St Mark’s Campanile
st-marks-square-venice-st-marks-belltower-campanile

St Mark’s Bell Tower

View Venice from the top

ST MARK’S CAFES MAP

Famous Cafes in St Mark’s Square, Venice

Caffe Lavena

32px Map Marker.svg

Gran Caffe Quadri

32px Map Marker.svg

Caffe Florian

32px Map Marker.svg
© OpenStreetMap |

VENICE ATTRACTIONS

Things to See & Do in Venice

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St Marks Square Venice

San Marco Attractions

For an overview of the area view the main page: San Marco
St Mark’s Square
St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark’s Campanile
Doge’s Palace
Piazzetta Di San Marco
Historic Cafes
Museo Correr
Marciana Library
National Archaeological Museum
Olivetti Museum
Bridge Of Sighs
Church Of Santo Stefano
Church Of San Salvatore
Church Of San Moise
Palazzo Grassi
Palazzo Contarini Del Bovolo
Palace Gardens
Music Museum
La Fenice
Harry’s Bar
Fortuny Palace
Fondaco Tedeschi

Ca' Pesaro, Venice

Santa Croce Attractions

For an overview of the area view the main page: Santa Croce
Natural History Museum
Papadopoli Gardens
Church Of San Nicola Da Tolentino
San Stae Church
Palazzo Mocenigo
San Giacomo Dell’Orio
Ca’ Pesaro

Chiesa degli Scalzi, Venice

Cannaregio Attractions

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Ca D’oro
Campo Dei Mori
Casino Di Venezia
Chiesa Degli Scalzi
Color Library
Madonna Dell’Orto
Marco Polo House
Oratorio Dei Crociferi
Wagner Museum
Venice Ghetto
Santi Apostoli
Scuola Grande Della Misericordia
Santa Maria Dei Miracoli

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San Polo Attractions

For an overview of the area view the main page: San Polo

Rialto Bridge
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Campo San Polo
Church Of San Polo
Scuola Grande Di San Rocco
San Giacomo Di Rialto
Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari
Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista

Castello 2000

Castello Attractions

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Aqua Alta Bookshop
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Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo
Church Of San Zaccaria
Marinaressa Gardens
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San Giovanni In Bragora
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Querini Stampalia

santa maria dei carmini, venice

Dorsoduro Attractions

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Ca’ Rezzonico
Fondamenta Delle Zattere
Gallerie Dell Accademia
Palazzo Cini
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Ponte Dei Pugni
Punta Della Dogana
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San Pantalon
San Sebastiano
Santa Maria Della Salute
Scuola Grande Dei Carmini
Giudecca

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Venice Lagoon Islands

For an overview of the area view the main page: Venice Lagoon Islands
Murano
Burano
La Vignole
Lido Di Venezia
Mazzorbo
San Francesco Del Deserto
San Lazzaro degli Armeni
San Servolo
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San Michele
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Torcello
Chioggia

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