Gran Caffè Quadri

Gran Caffè Quadri is one of the two great historic cafés on Piazza San Marco, facing Florian across the square, and its story is a long one. The business first opened in 1638 as a café called Il Rimedio. On 28 May 1775 it was taken over by Giorgio Quadri and his wife Naxina, who came from Corfu and specialised in Turkish-style coffee, and the café has carried his name ever since. Today it is run by the Alajmo family, whose Michelin-starred Ristorante Quadri occupies the rooms upstairs.

The café sits under the arcades of the Procuratie Vecchie on the north side of the square, with tables spilling out onto the piazza in good weather. Inside, the historic rooms were restored with the help of the designer Philippe Starck in 2018, keeping the old decoration while adding some witty modern touches. In summer, musicians play live, adding to the atmosphere of the square in the evening.

The kitchen prepares everything to order. Alongside espresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate and the usual Venetian aperitifs such as the spritz, there are tramezzini, the soft triangular sandwiches beloved in Venice, and a choice of cakes and pastries. It is a pleasant spot for breakfast before the square fills up, for a mid-afternoon break between museums, or for an evening drink as the light fades on the basilica.

Gran Caffè Quadri is open every day from 9:30 until midnight, which makes it one of the few places on the piazza where you can sit late into the evening. As with all the cafés on the square, prices at the tables are high, reflecting the location, the service and the music, so check the menu before ordering if budget is a concern. Seating is first come, first served for casual visits.

The café suits couples, first-time visitors and anyone who wants to enjoy the square from a comfortable seat. Allow 30 minutes to an hour. If you are planning dinner at Ristorante Quadri, an aperitif downstairs beforehand makes a natural start to the evening, and the group's Quadrino bistro offers a more casual menu.

The café is on the north side of Piazza San Marco, a few steps from the basilica and the Torre dell'Orologio. San Marco Vallaresso and San Zaccaria are the nearest vaporetto stops.