Caffè Florian

Caffè Florian, opened in 1720 under the arcades of Piazza San Marco, is generally regarded as the oldest continuously operating café in the world and one of Venice's most famous institutions. Over three centuries it has welcomed an extraordinary roll call of guests — Casanova, Goethe, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens and Marcel Proust among them — and played a part in the cultural and political life of the city. The interior is a series of small, ornate salons lined with mirrors, gilt, frescoed panels and red velvet banquettes, each room a jewel box of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century decoration. In fine weather the café's outdoor tables spread across the piazza, where a small orchestra plays, making it as much a stage for people-watching as a place to drink coffee. The offering centres on classic Italian café fare: espresso and cappuccino, the house Caffè Florian blend, hot chocolate, pastries, light lunches and an extensive cocktail and aperitivo list including spritz and Bellini. What visitors must understand is the pricing: a coffee at the table, especially when the orchestra plays, carries a significant premium and a music surcharge, reflecting the setting rather than the cup. Standing at the interior bar is far cheaper. No reservation is needed for ordinary visits, though the historic rooms can be booked for occasions. The café is open daily from morning until late. For travellers, Florian is less an everyday coffee stop than a piece of living Venetian history; sitting on the piazza with a spritz as the light fades over the Basilica is, for many, worth the price once.