Caffè Florian — Attraction in Venice

When I reached Venice this year, in February, I went there to see the famous Carnevale. It was my second time in Venice but it was there and then when I liked this place. I was already toying with the idea of opening a blog and I started getting more into photography so a trip to this lovely place filled with people, masks and costumes sounded appealing to me. After checking in at Albergo Minerva e Nettuno I started walking on the streets, admiring the canals and the gondolas. Watching the old buildings and eating some delicious little pastry pieces while looking for new places to see and photograph. Because you see, Venice is the kind of city where you always discover something new even in the places you seen before. I marveled at the beautiful outfits done for the Carnevale and I walked on the small, narrow streets until I reached Libreria Aqua Alta where I saw one of the world’s most unusual and special bookstores. As my steps took me to Piazza San Marco the crowd grew larger and large, thousands of tourists mixed with costumed men and women walking, sitting in line to enter Basilica di San Marco, gondolas moving the tourists who wanted a sweet memory along the canals and in one part of the Piazza, quiet and solemn from the outside sat Café Florian. So, after admiring the gondolas and the water, after seeing Ponte dei Sospiri I walked slowly towards Florian looking for a coffee. Now, I usually don’t drink or eat in central/famous places but I made an exception because of the history of this place. First of all this place was opened in 1720. Yes, you read the numbers right. 1720. So you can imagine my curiosity of entering a building, a place that functioned for 297 years. Frankly I have a thought of coming back to this place on the 29th of December 2020, the date when Café Florian will celebrate its 300th year. Second of all, this place is the oldest coffee shop in Europe. Not just Italy but whole Europe. So when reaching its doors I was not surprised to see a pretty long queue waiting to enjoy a cup of coffee inside this establishment. I don’t know if it luck or people just drink their coffee, grab a small bite to eat, talk and leave but despite the fact that I had like 15 people before me I managed to get inside in about 10-12 minutes. I was lead to a small table and while I did not get the chance to walk on the entire place I can say without a doubt this is a big place. Lots of staff present, nicely dressed, moving fast between the customers, bringing coffee or cleaning the empty tables for the next customers and I don’t know if it was my luck but I had a very pleasant man taking my order and helping me decide what to drink. Now before reviewing the drink you must understand that I did not came here just for the coffee. Places like this are rare and they have a certain feeling about them. They have witnessed history (this place functioned as a place for treating the wounded during the 1848 uprising). I dare to say Café Florian is more about history, of tasting a bit of it, of seeing a building that witnessed so many events in almost 300 years of life than the coffee. The coffee was good and I was happy with my selection but for me that place meant more than a random drink from the menu. It meant being in a place where the likes of Carlo Goldoni, Lord Byron, Marcel Proust, Charles Dickens, Goethe and many others stood and enjoyed their coffees and admiring the beauty of Venice. Giacomo Casanova also. Why not? Let’s add him to the famous visitors too because after all Café Florian was the only place at that time that allowed and admitted women inside its premises. So you can see how this place means more than just coffee. Yes, the prices are higher than usual. Yes, you can pay up to 15 or more euros for a coffee but this is one place where I didn’t mind...

Review of Caffè Florian – September 16, 2025

I have visited Caffè Florian on multiple occasions, and last year I even celebrated my mother's birthday there. At the time, I was very pleased with the service, atmosphere, and live music.

However, on September 16, 2025, I had a deeply unpleasant experience and was shocked by the rude and inappropriate behavior of one of the restaurant’s waiters, named Daniel.

Let me explain what happened. After several hours of sightseeing, I accompanied my friends to the entrance of St. Mark’s Basilica for their tour and decided to wait for them nearby, walking around the square. It was quite hot, and since I expected them to be out soon, I sat down briefly on the steps of one of the columns on the square — far away from the café’s seating area and not bothering any of the guests.

After a few minutes, a man of Indian origin approached me rather aggressively and, in a commanding tone and with hand gestures, demanded that I get up.

When I asked for an explanation, he claimed that sitting on the square was not allowed and threatened to call the police.

I asked him to show me an official sign or document, and he simply pointed to his vest and cap, saying that these were his “official documents” from the municipality.

Soon after, three uniformed officers arrived. They confirmed the restriction and showed me a small sign indicating the prohibition — posted on a nearby trash bin. I calmly explained that I was waiting for my friends and got up without argument.

This could have been the end of the situation. But then, a waiter from Caffè Florian, named Daniel, walked over and, with exaggerated theatrics, pulled out yellow and red cards from his pocket — and showed me a red card, as if I were a football player being sent off.

A few minutes later, my friends called, and I left the area after thanking the officers.

Still offended by the waiter’s behavior, I returned to the café and asked to speak with the manager.

I simply wanted to understand how such treatment of a guest — and a returning customer — could be considered acceptable, especially as we had planned to spend the evening at Caffè Florian.

The manager apologized for the staff’s behavior.

However, Daniel, upon seeing that I had complained, approached me again, insulted me, and once more showed the red card.

He then added that he was “at work now, but would find me in the evening to continue the conversation.”

Daniel also lied to the manager, claiming that I had been sitting next to the café tables listening to the music for free — even though I clearly showed that I had been sitting much farther away, not disturbing anyone.

Let me be clear: tourists in Venice — who spend significant amounts in restaurants, hotels, and shops — do not deserve to be treated with such arrogance and disrespect.

This incident seriously damaged my impression of Venice.

Caffè Florian, despite its reputation, is now permanently on my personal blacklist.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy the music and atmosphere at one of its competitors across the square — where guests are treated...

Caffè Florian is an iconic and historic coffee house located in Piazza San Marco, Venice. Here's a breakdown of what makes it so special: History and Significance: Oldest in Italy: Established on December 29, 1720, as "Alla Venezia Trionfante" (Venice the Triumphant), it is the oldest coffee house in continuous operation in Italy and one of the oldest in the world. Famous Patrons: Over the centuries, it has been a meeting place for notable figures including Carlo Goldoni, Goethe, Casanova (it was the only coffee house that allowed women in its early days), Lord Byron, Marcel Proust, and Charles Dickens. Cultural Hub: It served as a vital social "agorà," a place for discussions, ideas, and cultural exchanges, open to all regardless of gender or class. It even played a role in the Italian Risorgimento, becoming a meeting point for Venetian patriots and a temporary hospital during the 1848 Venetian Revolution. Architectural Beauty: The Caffè features exquisitely decorated rooms, each with its own identity and atmosphere, including the "Sala del Senato" (Senate Room), "Sala Greca" (Greek Room), "Sala Cinese" (Chinese room), and "Sala Orientale" (Oriental Room). What to Expect: Ambiance: It's renowned for its elegant interior with gilded mirrors, lights, and rich finishes, creating a museum-like atmosphere. You can also sit outside in Piazza San Marco, where an orchestra often plays in the evenings, adding to the romantic experience. Menu: Caffè Florian offers a range of traditional recipes with a modern twist, including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cakes, pastries, parfaits, savory snacks, wine, and cocktails. They also have a gluten-free menu available. Experience vs. Price: While it's undeniably expensive, many reviews emphasize that a visit to Caffè Florian is more than just a drink or a meal; it's an experience rooted in history and Venetian culture. The prices reflect the unique ambiance, historical significance, and the cost of maintaining such a prestigious establishment in a prime location. There is often an additional charge if you sit outside when the orchestra is playing (around 6 euros per person). Opening Hours: Caffè Florian is generally open daily from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM (some sources indicate until midnight). Location: It is located in the Procuratie Nuove of Piazza San Marco, 57, 30124 Venice (VE), Italy. In essence, Caffè Florian is a Venetian institution, offering a timeless experience that blends art, history, and a taste of...