In this article, I present Venice's Café Florianthe oldest café in Piazza San Marco!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Venice's Caffe Florian
- What you can eat at Café Florian
- How to get here easily
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Venice's Café Florian, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Café Florian Venise: article summary
Café Florian Venice: history and anecdotes about this iconic establishment
Venice's Café Florian is located on Saint Mark's SquareThe Procuraties are one of the square's most beautiful buildings.
The a veritable institution in the city and a major point of interest for visitors for one simple reason: it is considered to be Europe's oldest café !
A short history of Venice's Café Florian
Visit Café Florian (or Caffe Florian in Italian) opened its doors on December 29, 1720, under the name of Alla Venezia Trionfante (à la Venise Triomphante). But customers soon began calling it Café Florian, after its owner, Floriano Francesconi.
For many years, its magnificent halls were home to illustrious characters and witnessed numerous schemes, conspiracies and secret meetings as the Serenissima faced French and Austrian invaders and internal power struggles.
Of course, people also came here to enjoy refined products - from fine wines from the Orient to famous dishes - and to discuss city affairs.
Among the site's special features was the fact that it was the only establishment of its kind in France. accepting women. Not surprisingly, the famous Casanova made it one of his favorite hunting grounds...!
Over the years, Café Florian has become home to international exhibitions (from 19e century), before introducing café-concerts with an orchestra to accompany lunches and aperitifs. It's still there today!
Who are some of the celebrities to have frequented him?
To visit Venice's Café Florian is to walk in the footsteps of some of the most famous figures to have contributed to the city's construction and prestige. Among them are :
- Casanovaknown for his love of women and his adventures. He is said to be the only prisoner to have escaped from the Bridge of Sighs !
- Carlo Goldonione of Italy's most famous playwrights
- Silvio Pellicoan Italian writer and poet whose autobiographical book le mie prigioni (My prisons) is a boot classic
- Giuseppe Pariniinfluential 18th-century Italian poet and satirist
- The French novelist Georges Sandfor whom Venice was the scene of a passionate relationship with Alfred de Musset
- The writer Marcel Proustwho evokes Venice in his novel In Search of Lost Time
- And many more literary, political and music legends to discover on your visit!
What can you eat and drink at Venice's Café Florian?
Venice's Café Florian offers traditional Venetian dishes, revisited to satisfy the palates of gourmets. For a relaxing break, enjoy the following dishes.
Coffee and chocolate
- Visit iced coffeecoffee cream topped with whipped cream
- Visit café du Levantwith blood orange liqueur
- A Venetian coffee with Florian coffee liqueur
- Visit Café des Doges - the Doge's Palace is just around the corner - with Gianduja and hazelnuts
- Visit Casanova hot chocolatewith crème de menthe
- A special hot chocolate of the house, divine
Pastries
- A tiramisu succulent and perfectly presented
- A selection of macaroons to accompany your coffee
Aperitifs
- From spritza professional solution
- The famous Belliniwhich was born in Harry's Bar in Venicejust a few minutes from Café Florian
- Visit Negronifor bitter alcohol lovers
How do I get to Caffe Florian in Venice?
Café Florian is located at the following address: Piazza San Marco San Marco 57, 30124 Venice
It's impossible to miss, since it's located in the city's most famous square, and you're sure to pass it on your visit to Venice.
Joining us is easy:
- On foot, as you stroll through the city center
- Visit vaporettoget off at the San Marco or San Marco Vallaresso stops
Good to know If you're planning to take the vaporetti, the Venice boats that serve as a means of transport for the premises, think of the Vaporetto Pass which allows you to take them without limit!
Café Florian Venise: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know before visiting Venice's Café Florian!
Rates and booking
Because of the establishment's reputation, the rates charged are very highThe prices are very high, not to say exorbitant. Here are a few examples to give you an idea:
- 7 euros for an espresso
- 11 euros per cappuccino
- 14 euros for a spritz
- 35 euros for tea time with tea and scones
- 13 euros for a Tramezzino (small savoury sandwich)
- 65 euros for Florian brunch
- A supplement of 6 euros / person is charged for the orchestra when it plays.
That's the price you pay for sitting at these emblematic tables and take a trip back in time, in a unique setting.
You don't necessarily need to make a reservation, but it's a precaution to take if you'd rather sit at a table than drink at the bar.
Opening hours
Café Florian is open daily from 9:30 am to 9 pm.
Practical information and tips
If you decide to take a break from your daily routine this luxurious cafécheck rates and prices cutlery to avoid any unpleasant surprises with the final score.
Some visitors praise the experience, explaining that it's a rare, once-in-a-lifetime pleasure. But others are outraged at the prices charged.
What to see and do in the area?
Thanks to its privileged location, Café Florian is within easy reach of some of Venice's most famous landmarks. St. Mark's Square and in the vicinityI suggest:
- Visit St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, two of the city's most important landmarks.
- Visit Venice Campanileto the top of which you can climb
- A walk along the Grand Canal of Venice
- A visit to the Correr Museumdedicated to the history of the Serenissima
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