Caffè Florian

Caffè Florian has been serving coffee on Piazza San Marco since 1720, which makes it one of the oldest coffee houses in Europe still in business. Over three centuries it has become as much a part of the square as the arcades around it, and sitting at one of its tables is a Venetian ritual that many visitors want to experience at least once.

The café occupies a series of small, richly decorated rooms under the arcades of the square, with painted panels, mirrors, gilding and velvet banquettes, and each room has its own character. In good weather the tables spread out onto the piazza, facing the basilica and the campanile, and in the warmer months musicians play on the café's own stage. Concerts are also staged inside, and seats for these can be booked through the café's music programme.

The menu covers coffee, hot chocolate, teas, cocktails and the classic Venetian aperitifs, together with pastries, cakes, sandwiches and light dishes. The hot chocolate is a popular choice on cold days, and an aperitivo at sunset is a good time to watch the square change character as the day-trippers leave. Florian also sells its own coffee, teas, chocolates and gifts.

Be prepared for the prices. You are paying for the setting, the service and the history as much as the drink, and table service on the piazza costs considerably more than a coffee at a standing bar elsewhere in the city, with a supplement when music is playing. If budget matters, check the menu before you sit down. Florian is open every day from 9:00 to 23:00 and does not take reservations for tables, though groups of more than ten can make a request by email.

Florian suits couples, anyone marking a special occasion, and first-time visitors who want the classic Piazza San Marco experience. Families are welcome, though the atmosphere is formal by café standards. Allow 30 minutes to an hour, and longer if you are listening to the music. Early morning, before the crowds arrive, is the most peaceful time to visit.

The café is on the south side of Piazza San Marco, under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove, a few steps from the basilica and the Museo Correr. The nearest vaporetto stop is San Marco Vallaresso.