11 Best Cafés in Venice [2023]: The authentic coffee experience!

Coffee was first consumed in Ethiopia and first roasted in Yemen. However, it was in Venice that the trade of coffee grains and its warm beverage became popular, spreading across Europe and, eventually, the rest of the world. 

It is needless to say that Venice has a strong coffee culture, and here you will find some of the best espresso shots and cappuccinos you will drink in your life. Italians take their coffee time very seriously, and Venice, the birthplace of such tradition, is proud to have some of the country's best and oldest coffee shops. 

With that in mind, we compiled a list of some of the best cafés in Venice. In these venues, you will find authentic, robust coffees for true coffee lovers and sweet pastries to follow suit – like an authentic Italian breakfast.

11 Best Coffee Shops in Venice

Visiting a Cafe in Venice is a must-do, regardless of how many times you've been to the city! The authentic coffee culture in Italy and the

the historical significance of it is just the perfect itinerary to sneak in during the afternoon, rain or shine!

Each with their particular charm, these cafés are part of the daily life of Venetians, and we guarantee you will fall in love with coffee and everything that happens around it.

Here are the best of the best cafés in Venice, Italy.

1. Caffé del Doge

Caffé del Doge is located near the famous Rialto Bridge and is already a charming sight from afar. Having been around since the 1950s, Caffé del Doge offers an extensive menu with different roasts and beans that will surprise even those who are already in love with the bitterness of strong coffee. 

They work with artisan roasts, highlighting unique aromas in the coffee they brew. There are blends and single bean roasts to pick from, allowing you to taste your way down the coffee spectrum of flavor. 

2. Caffé Florian

Caffé Florian is perfect for those interested in the history of coffee and Venice as a whole. It was the first café to open in Europe, founded in 1720. 

Three hundred years later, it is still one of the most popular coffee shops in Italy. The coffee here is a bit pricier than in other spots, but the historical dose that comes with it makes it worth the price. 

Caffé Florian, located right in the famous Piazza San Marco, held on to the elegance of its time. The decor inside brings you back to Venice in the 18th century, with golden framed mirrors and renaissance art covering the walls. Here you can soak in the legacy of past patrons like Charles Dickens and sip on the historical and delicious coffee roasts.

3. Torrefazione Cannaregio

Torrefazione Cannaregio looks like the café every coffee lover dreams about. Brick walls surround the space, and mahogany shelves display roasts from different parts of the world, like Ethiopia, Guatemala, Brasil, etc. 

A cozy environment takes over the place, and the smell of coffee beans hovers in the air. You can order cheap espresso shots in a hip spot by the Ormesini canal that taste like caffeine heaven. 

There's also the option to purchase coffee bags to-go so you can bring Venice's flavors home with you. Sit outside and enjoy the view while sipping on warm coffee. 

4. Marchini Time

As you walk past Marchini Time, you will notice the busy movement of people coming in and out of the door. 

Inside, there is no place to sit, only a long and narrow place that leads to the counter, where you get to order espresso shots and sweets to go with it. A large window display shows bypassers cannoli with different fillings, bottles of limoncello, and many other pastries and foodie souvenirs. 

People usually get anything made with pistachio; they even have those chocolate-covered strawberries for you to treat your sweet tooth. 

5. Pasticceria dal Mas

Pasticceria dal Mas is famous for its cakes and different sweet pastries. There are also pizzas, sandwiches, and panini, but coming in and not tasting a slice of cake is a sin (we recommend the almond brioche, a classic flavor in the north of Italy). 

Located close to the crowded Santa Lucia train station and right by the touristy area of Lista de Spagna, this café is always packed with people who want a daily dose of carbs and caffeine. 

The pastry and cake recipes have been passed down through generations, and the family who owns the business never failed to impress newcomers and locals with their flavors and coffee roasts. 

6. Pasticceria Tonolo

Pasticceria Tonolo is perfect for those who can't pass the sweet treat that comes with a warm, freshly brewed cup of coffee. 

Some of us even prefer the pastries and order the coffee as a formality, not to look bad. Others feel like they've reached caffeinated nirvana once the bitterness of the coffee blends with the sweetness of the pastry inside their mouths. Whatever your preference may be, Pasticceria Tonolo will deliver. 

Canolli with mascarpone, jam tarts, and freshly baked croissants will make your perfect Venetian breakfast. There are so many options it is hard to pick what you want – maybe try as many as you can! 

7. Rosa Salva

Rossa Salva was founded in 1870 and is now a spot where you can grab a quick espresso and watch the local Venetian life unfold in front of you. What started as a delivery and catering service is now a famous coffee shop, with different locations spread around Venice.

There are plenty of other pastries, from plain croissants to bomboloni, an Italian donut-like pastry filled with cream, chocolate, or jam. 

Taste refreshing homemade gelato and sit outside with your family, enjoying the late-afternoon breeze of Italian summer (preferably with an aperitivo - pre-meal drink- in hand). 

8. Caffé Rosso

Caffé Rosso is a bohemian spot in Venice, ideal for young hipsters and college students ready to join in the parties around Campo Santa Margherita. It is perfect for a morning brew to start the day or a warm caffeinated treat at the end of the afternoon, watching the sun go down. 

They've been around since the 1800s and have an iconic red wall exterior and popular spritzers and sandwiches. 

9. Gran Caffe Quadri 

Around since 1775, Gran Caffe Quadri has been a classic spot for a quick coffee break in the famous Piazza San Marco. 

Since they have a lot of international clients, Gran Caffe Quadri's pretty conscious of special diets and allergies, different from many classic coffee spots in the city. Aside from coffee, you can find pretty much any Italian liquor or aperitivo. 

Gran Caffe Quadri is the perfect mix of modern and classic. It was renovated in 2018 but still maintains much of its 18th-century decor and design. 

10. Pasticceria Chiusso

Here is where you will find the famous Italian temperament people always talk about. 

The couple who runs Pasticceria Chiusso is known for its unique character and talent for making some of the best breakfast pastries in town. Crisp pastries with rice cream filling are famous among those roaming the surroundings of San Giorgio del Greci church. 

Here you can find the famous Neapolitan babas, sweet spongy cakes soaked in rum. Pair those with a cappuccino and have yourself a perfect late afternoon snack. 

11. Sullaluna

Sullaluna is where you will find a coffee's best friend: books.

Part café and part bookstore, you can browse a rich selection of unique books, from fiction to cookbooks and graphic novels. 

Sip on classic Italian coffee or a glass of prosecco, and grab a vegetarian or vegan bite at the small bistro.

For those days when you've walked too much and need some rest, find Sullaluna and relax inside a small, cozy environment. Brick walls are hidden behind bookshelves, while the rustic furniture sets the theme for the café.

Visit the Best Cafés in Venice!

Italy has some of the best gastronomic experiences in the world, which includes coffee, of course.

Venice is the birthplace of coffee shops in Europe and still has some of the continent's oldest and most famous venues. The history of coffee is part of the city's history, and you can find it on the walls and recipes of some of the establishments on this list.

So, these are the best spots if you're looking for your fix for the classic Italian café. Grab your Italian breakfast to-go, or sit for a while after a long day of sightseeing. 

With so many different Cafés to visit in Venice, make sure to put all of them into Pilot so you don't forget!