Caffè Borsari

Caffè Borsari is a pastry shop and cafe at Corso Porta Borsari 15, on the street that runs from the Roman Porta Borsari gate toward Piazza delle Erbe in Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is a historic stop for coffee and sweets in the centre of the city and a convenient place to try pandoro, the tall, star-shaped sweet yeasted bread that originated in Verona and is traditionally eaten at Christmas. Pandoro di Verona is the best-known product associated with the city's baking, and the cafe is a good place to learn about it. Pandoro has a soft, buttery texture and is dusted with vanilla-scented icing sugar. It is often sold whole during the festive season and by the slice or in small portions at other times of year. Alongside it, the pastry counter offers the usual range of Italian baking, including cornetti and small pastries for breakfast, with coffee prepared in the standard Italian styles: espresso, macchiato and cappuccino, the latter traditionally drunk before late morning. The cafe is a quick, informal stop. Customers can stand at the counter, which is cheaper and the way most Italians drink coffee, or sit at a table for a slightly higher price. There is no dress code, the service is fast, and the noise level rises during the morning rush and afternoon break. Prices are low, in the budget range, with a coffee and pastry costing only a few euros at the counter. No reservations are needed. The cafe is open daily from morning to evening, though hours should be confirmed locally. Its position on Corso Porta Borsari, next to the Roman gate and a short walk from Piazza delle Erbe and Juliet's House, makes it an easy place to stop for breakfast before sightseeing or for an afternoon pastry. Visitors during the Christmas season will see pandoro displayed prominently.