Caffè Filippini

Caffè Filippini is a historic cafe-bar at Piazza delle Erbe 26 in the Centro Storico of Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The venue is described locally as serving drinks since 1901, and its position on the market square, ringed by frescoed palazzi and the Torre dei Lamberti, makes it one of the most recognisable aperitivo and evening-drink addresses in the city. The crowd is a mix of Veronese regulars, university-age groups and international visitors, with ages ranging from twenties to older couples taking an early-evening spritz. Dress is smart-casual: there is no formal code, but the setting suits neat jeans and a shirt more than sportswear or beachwear. The atmosphere is lively and sociable rather than club-like, with conversation, outdoor seating when weather allows and a steady flow of passers-by in the square. Music is incidental background rather than a feature. The drinks programme centres on classic Italian aperitivo drinks such as spritz and Negroni, plus a house cocktail named after the venue, along with wine by the glass, beer and coffee through the day. Prices fall in the mid-range band, and as is common on Piazza delle Erbe, a drink taken at a table outdoors usually costs more than one taken standing at the counter. Opening hours should be confirmed locally; the venue operates daily, with the busiest periods on Friday and Saturday nights when the square fills and tables can be hard to secure after about 8PM. No cover charge is typical for a cafe-bar of this kind, reservations are generally not needed for drinks, and bottle service is not part of the offer. Because the square is a pedestrian zone in the heart of the old town, the bar is easy to reach on foot from Porta Borsari, Piazza Bra and Juliet's House, making it a natural first stop before dinner or a later wander through the centre.