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

Historic Cafes of St Marks Square

Venice, italy

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.

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

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

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

Venice Cafe Prices

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

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 2025/6 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 in Venice

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

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.