Cafes in Venice
best coffee in venice
Cafes in Venice
best coffee in venice
caffe florian to local coffee stops
best coffee in venice
Coffee Culture in Venice
Coffee holds a very special place in Venetian life. Here, culture and enjoyment are closely intertwined. After all, in 1720, Caffè Florian—one of Europe’s first cafés—opened its doors. Venice’s traditional café culture, particularly around St Mark’s Square, bears a strong resemblance to that of Vienna. Cafés are elegantly furnished, with spacious rooms and refined seating, and have long served as a second living room for writers and artists.
You may have heard that coffee in Venice is expensive—but this really only applies to cafés in St Mark’s Square. Elsewhere, an espresso will cost the usual Italian price of around EUR 1 to EUR 1.50!
What You Should Know
About Coffee in Italy
- If you order a “caffè” in Italy, you’ll be served an espresso. If you prefer a milder version, ask for a “caffè lungo”. For a larger cup, order a “caffè americano.”
- The table or service charge is standard and not a tourist trap. In Italy, it’s customary to pay a small extra fee for table service.
- If you drink your coffee standing at the bar, as the locals do, you’ll pay around EUR 2–3 less than sitting down (an espresso typically costs EUR 1–1.50).
- In Venice, as in the rest of Italy, it’s common to pay at the cash register first and then take your receipt to the counter to collect your coffee.
- Beware of pickpockets! Always keep a close eye on bags and backpacks while ordering or drinking your coffee. Never leave your phone on the counter or table.
Our
Coffee Tips
St. Mark's Square: Caffè Quadri
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St. Mark's Square: Caffè Florian
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San Marco 1076
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Rialto: Naranzaria
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Rialto: Dolce Vita
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Brunch options
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Tip 1
At St. Mark's Square: Caffè Quadri
St Mark’s Square is not only historically and culturally significant, thanks to its iconic buildings such as St Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile, but it’s also home to some of Venice’s oldest and most traditional cafés. One such establishment is Caffè Quadri, founded in 1775, where we enjoyed a morning espresso ourselves!
Here, an espresso costs around EUR 7.50, significantly more than in a regular bar. In our opinion, it’s worth the splurge—the atmosphere is simply magical, not least because there is usually live music.
Tip: Arrive around 9.30 h, when the café opens, to enjoy a relatively quiet St Mark’s Square.
Address: Piazza San Marco, 121, 30124 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:30 am – midnight
Google Rating: 3.7 (857 reviews), likely due to the high prices – €€€€
Tip 2
St. Mark's Square: Caffè Florian
Caffè Florian – Venice’s Most Famous Café
Opposite Caffè Quadri lies perhaps the most iconic café in Venice: Caffè Florian. Likely the oldest coffeehouse in the city, it has been in operation since 1720. Much of its interior, refurbished in 1858, remains unchanged: opulence, grandeur, and gold detailing are everywhere. Over the centuries, the café has welcomed the city’s elite, artists, and intellectuals.
As we’d already indulged at Caffè Quadri, we can’t comment on the service or prices here—but the experience of stepping into Venice’s most historic café is unforgettable.
Address: Piazza San Marco, 57, 30124 Venice, Italy
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Google Rating: 3.9 (6,946 reviews)
Espresso price: EUR 7
Caffè Americano: EUR 12
Tip 3 Around the corner:
San Marco 1076
A Budget-Friendly Coffee Near St Mark’s Square
Just a short walk from St Mark’s Square, and much more affordable, is a small bar perfect for breakfast or a coffee break. There are seats inside as well as on the tiny square outside. It’s a handy spot to know if you want to avoid the long search for a reasonably priced coffee near the Piazza.
An espresso at the bar costs just EUR 1.50—despite the central location—and is full of flavour. Sitting down it is EUR 3.
Note: The atmosphere here is not about opulence or grandeur, but typical, traditional Venetian charm.
-> The reviews indicate that the staff seems somewhat unfriendly towards tourists. Our Susi speaks excellent Italian, which might explain her positive experience. The coffee may also be excellent. However, we cannot guarantee friendly service if you DON’T speak Italian.
Tip: This was the starting point of our city tour, which we tested especially for you. 😉
Address: Calle S. Gallo, 1077, 30124 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily (except Saturday), 5:30 am – 9:00 pm
Google Rating: 4.0 (272 reviews)
Tip 4 Rialtobridge
Naranzaria
The name “Naranzaria” comes from narancia, which in the Venetian dialect means “an orange.” Centuries ago, the café was used to store exotic citrus fruits. Today, it’s a relaxed café in the morning and a lively aperitivo bar in the evening. Both indoor and outdoor seating offer views of the canal, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Naranzaria is also very popular with locals, as reflected in the prices.
Tip: An espresso at the bar costs just EUR 1 and is excellent!
Note: Google-Opinions vary widely. Some – including tourists – praise the location effusively, while others have had a very bad experience. The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle…
Address: Sotoportego del Bancogiro, 130, 30125 Venice
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Google Rating: 3.8 (707 reviews)
Tip 5 Rialto
Dolce Vita (Pasticceria)
Pasticceria for Sweet Lovers
A must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth! Here you’ll find delicious cream pastries, a wide selection of freshly baked croissants, and tasty Sicilian cannoli (fried pastry tubes filled with ricotta). There are no seating areas or restrooms, as this is more of a bakery than a traditional patisserie. We recommend enjoying your coffee and pastries standing at the counter, just like the locals—al banco.
An espresso at the bar costs EUR 1.50.
Address: Ruga dei Spezieri, 378, 30125 Venice
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 7:15 am – 7:15 pm
Google Rating: 4.3 (53 reviews)
Savoury Options
Brunch in Venice
A hearty breakfast or brunch isn’t really part of Italian tradition… but we German-speaking travellers do enjoy a sandwich or eggs in the morning now and then.
Here are some brunch options we’ve selected (though we haven’t visited them all yet):
San Polo
Brunch Cafe
Address: Calle de la Madoneta, 1457, 30125 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:30 am – 7:00 pm
Google Rating: 4.6 (3,633 reviews)
Niki Bar
Address: Calle del Traghetto Vecchio, 2883, 30125 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 am – 3:00 pm
Google Rating: 4.4 (750 reviews)
Al 133
Address: Salizada San Pantalon, 133, 30135 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 am – 10:30 pm
Google Rating: 4.3 (719 reviews)
Cannaregio
La Lista Venezia
Address: Rio Terà Lista di Spagna, 225/A, 30121 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 am – midnight
Google Rating: 4.3 (2,769 reviews)
Crepes House by PePe (includes savoury options)
Address: Fondamenta S. Giobbe, 548/B, 30121 Venice
Opening Hours: Check after Christmas
Google Rating: 4.8 (1,093 reviews)
Rialto
Fluffy Brunch
Address: C. del Cappeller, 1586, 30125 Venice
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
Google Rating: 4.6 (1,667 reviews)
Final Thoughts
Coffee in Venice isn’t a necessity, but it is a delight. The many small coffee bars always offer a chance to take a break and escape the city bustle.
You may notice that some cafés have lower ratings than the brunch spots. We believe this is because locals frequent the traditional bars daily and don’t bother leaving reviews. Meanwhile, younger, modern brunch locations—hip, Instagram-friendly spots—are more often reviewed by visitors.
The cafés we’ve highlighted are typical Venetian bars, with excellent coffee as the main focus.
Yours,
Susi & Céline
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2023 – 2026
With support from Susanne Vukan
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