Last updated on June 22nd, 2024
Are you planning a trip to Venice, Italy and looking for the best cafes and coffee in town? In a city like Venice it’s easy to get caught in tourist traps or pay a fortune for a cappuccino but in my comprehensive guide to where to get the best coffee in Venice, I can guarantee a trip full of good quality, authentic coffee experiences.
Whether you are looking for an upscale cafe in Venice, stopping in for coffee with kids, or looking for a craft cup of coffee in Venice, there is something for you. I’ve spent so much time tasting coffee in Venice and after several (and too many!) espressi, I have come down to the finalists for the absolute best coffee in the city.
In this article, I will share with you (based on my first hand experience) where to drink the best coffee in Venice, Italy, plus:
- Coffee culture in Venice, Italy
- Which Venetian cafés are best for different occasions, clients and reasons
- A brief guide on how to order coffee in Italy
- My recommendations on what to eat at each cafè with your coffee
I will also include a quick guide for those of you who need to decide quickly, without reading the whole article.
Jump to Section
Map Of Best Coffee In Venice
Where To Get Coffee In Venice Italy Quick Guide
| Cafè For Best Coffee In Venice | Address (Neighborhood) | Best For | Specialty |
| Caffè del Doge | Rialto, Calle dei Cinque, 609, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy (San Polo – Rialto Bridge) | Individually blended coffee/coffee to bring home | One of a kind blends roasted in Venice |
| Caffè Quadri | P.za San Marco, 121, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy (San Marco) | Luxury experience with attention to dietary restrictions | International menu (American breakfast, for example) |
| Torrefazione Cannaregio | Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2804, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy (Cannaregio) | Off the beaten path and authentic experience | Craft Coffee |
| Caffè Florian | P.za San Marco, 57 (San Marco) | Luxury coffee experience | Handmade cakes and small desserts |
| Sullaluna Libreria & Bistro | Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2535, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy (Cannaregio) | Vegans, Vegetarians or book lovers | Vegan coffee and beverages |
| Cafè Noir | Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3805, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy (Dorsoduro) | “Dive bar” experience for coffee or cocktails | Cocktails and hot chocolate in winter |
| Tonolo | Calle S. Pantalon, 3764, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy (Dorsoduro) | Pastry lovers | Espresso |
| Ozio | Campo Santa Maria Formosa, 6130, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy (Castello Neighborhood) | Sunny days in an authentic neighborhood | Classic Italian coffee |
| Majer | Scattered throughout Venice city center | Families/to bring coffee blends home and other food souvenirs | Locally roasted coffee blends or 100% Arabica coffee |
Coffee Culture In Venice
Cafes and bars in Venice have historically been very important to the city. They have always been a place where people from various socio-economic backgrounds came together over coffee.
Venice, like any other Italian port city, has always been full of passersby, seamen and tradesmen, all of whom bonded over their love for good wine and coffee.
And today, the Venetian coffee culture is still very much the same as it has been throughout the centuries.
Italians generally drink coffee at the bar, standing and quickly. If you are looking to sit down, be prepared to pay a steep price (especially in very busy and famous squares in Venice). If you are a student, forget about sitting down to study in cafes – it’s just not a thing. It took me years of studying to finally understand this but I have come to terms with the reality!
I have learned to love this quick, no-fuss, matter of fact coffee culture in all of Italy and honestly, if I had to sit down for coffee every single time in Venice, I would be broke.
So for the most authentic experience, have your coffee at the bar (or get off the main drags) and sit only once or twice when you need to rest your legs or want to indulge!
How To Order Coffee In Italy
How you order coffee in Italy will depend on whether you have decided to sit down or if you are standing at the counter.
How To Order Coffee In Italian Standing At A Bar
- Decide what you would like from the display counter and pay at the cash register. Keep your receipt.
Vorrei un caffè e un brioche vuoto, per favore.”
“I would like an espresso and a plain pastry, please.”
- Put your receipt onto the bar countertop. Indicate what you would like, either by pointing or repeating your order to the barista.
- If you are at a bar with table service, you cannot sit down. If the bar does not have table service, you can bring your coffee and pastry to the table and sit without additional charges (generally speaking).
If the bar doesn’t care that you pay first, follow the instructions above but stop by at the register to pay before you leave. The bar won’t bring you a bill in this case.
How To Order Food In Italian Sitting Down At A Bar
Many cafes in Venice, especially fancy bars or bars in a city center on the main drag, offer table service. This means you don’t have to tip but you may be charged higher prices and even a coperto to cover the costs of table waiting (if ordering a meal).
Ordering coffee sitting down at a cafe in Venice is similar to ordering food at a restaurant. The waiter will bring you a menu and you can tell them what you would like by saying,
Vorrei un cappuccino, una bottiglietta di acqua e un panino con prosciutto, per favore.
“I would like a cappuccino, a small bottle of water, and a ham sandwich, please.”
To ask for the bill, you can say,
Posso avere il conto, per favore?
“May I have the bill, please?
Caffè Del Doge
Rialto, Calle dei Cinque, 609, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily from 7:00 am
My top tip for drinking the best coffee in Venice, Italy is to get off the main drag and Caffè Del Doge is exactly that. Centrally located just off the Rialto bridge, this small cafe is the place to go if you want to sit down and enjoy a really excellent cup of coffee in Venice without the price tag or tourists.
Caffè Del Doge has a whole wall lined with their various coffee beans, locally roasted and hand blended. The staff is kind and willing to guide you through their coffee selection, offering you some of the best coffee in Venice.
Not only can you drink great coffee here but you can also take it home as a gift or souvenir.
The cafe also has a decent selection of pastries but this is not what Caffè Del Doge is known for.
So if you are looking for a quiet street, away from the crowds with outdoor and indoor tables, this is where you should come around the Rialto Bridge.
Caffè Quadri
P.za San Marco, 121, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily 9:30 am – 12:00 am
Caffè Quadri, alongside Caffè Florian, is one of the historic cafes in Venice, made famous over the centuries for its location in Piazza San Marco.
Recently revamped in 2018, this institution Caffè Quadri is not only one of the best cafes to get coffee in Venice but also, a great hang out spot to take in the city’s grandeur.
Caffè Quadri is modern and chic with an enormous outdoor seating area spilling out into Piazza San Marco, which is what you are paying for. It’s not cheap but for a luxury experience, this is one of the top cafes in Venice to try.
Not only is Caffè Quadri one of my top picks for the best coffee in Venice, Italy but also, an all around good spot to sit down for a snack, aperitivo or even a meal.
Good To Know: Caffè Quadri caters primarily to tourism, making it one of the better options in terms of food intolerances or allergies. They can easily work around lactose intolerances, gluten-free diets and vegan and vegetarian requests.
Torrefazione Cannaregio
Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2804, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily from 8:00 am
Torrefazione Cannaregio is my top pick for travelers who want a really good craft cup of coffee off the beaten track. The rustic, casual vibe is welcoming, right on the Fondamenta Dei Ormesini / Canal Rio Della Misericordia, perfect for people watching.
They specialize in a wide variety of locally roasted single origin coffee and one of a kind blends, all of which are carefully selected and blended for specific types of coffee drinks.
I recommend Torrefazione Cannaregio for people on a budget, students or travelers who want to be where the locals are. The coffee is inexpensive but the experience is unique. If you are hoping to learn a little bit of Venetian dialect, drink some good coffee and have a tasty pastry, don’t miss Torrefazione Cannaregio. It’s also great for breakfast in Venice as well!
Good To Know: Bring their beans home as a gift or souvenir, ready for you to grind whenever you want a fresh cup of coffee from Venice.
Caffè Florian
P.za San Marco, 57, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Caffè Florian is one of Venice’s historic bars and cafes offering some of the best sweet treats and coffee in the city. Elaborately decorated with mirrors, pink and gold interior and fine marble tables, Caffè Florian is my top pick for luxurious coffee experiences in Venice.
The cafe has several rooms with tables for both couples and larger groups and a large outdoor terrace right on San Marco’s square.
Here you can find some of the best coffee in Venice but not only. Because the cafe caters to some of the wealthiest tourists, they also offer a wide selection of cakes, international breakfast, traditional foods and other nibbles. I would also recommend Caffè Florian as the spot to get an aperitivo in Venice in Piazza San Marco.
I can’t deny that I was surprised by how expensive it was. I have always known that Venice was expensive but I had actually never been to Caffè Florian until recently. I think it’s worth it if you are looking to splurge.
I particularly recommend this cafe in the winter when you can cozy up in a small nook, sip on hot chocolate and take your time warming up from the Venetian chill.
Sullaluna Libreria & Bistro
Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2535, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily 9:00 am – 11:30 pm
Sullaluna my top pick to drink coffee in Venice if you are looking for a quiet place off the beaten path. It’s a little hole in the wall, right on the Rio della Misericordia in Cannaregio.
It’s completely hidden away from the massive hoards of tourists and never over crowded. Whether you come here in the rain or in the sun, you can be sure to find the perfect corner at Sullaluna, be it right on the canal or inside among their well curated selection of Italian literature.
The coffee at Sullaluna is very good but what keeps me coming back time and again is the quiet atmosphere combined with their vegan and vegetarian dishes and breakfast items.
Sullaluna is also a bookstore with a particularly good children’s section. So bring a book, your best friend or come with a small group and indulge in the quiet atmosphere of Sullaluna Libreria and Bistro.
Good to Know: Sullaluna is open all day, making it the ideal spot to come and grab a coffee, snack or aperitivo (it’s a great spot to eat with kids in Venice) in the afternoon when other Italian eateries are closed.
Cafè Noir
Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3805, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Closed: Mondays
Located just across from Pasticceria Tonolo, Cafè Noir is seemingly a “dive-bar” at first glance but upon further inspection, it’s actually a small, dark cafe, serving up some of the best coffee and hot chocolate in Venice.
Cafè Noir is best for travelers who want to sit down and grab a small bite to eat while drinking good coffee (or anything else for that matter). They are particularly well known for their sandwiches and in the winter, this is my top pick for hot chocolate in Venice.
And be sure not to overlook their cocktail menu or spritz served with cicchetti.
Pasticceria Tonolo
Calle S. Pantalon, 3764, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Closed: Mondays
Pasticceria Tonolo is not only one of my top picks to get coffee in Venice, Italy but also serves up some of the best breakfast pastries, cakes, bigne and traditional Venetian sweet treats as well.
I originally came to Tonolo for their pastries, in particular, their amazing cream puffs (various flavors) at a bargain price but when I ordered coffee, I was surprised by not only the quality but also the presentation.
Tonolo serves their coffee is beautiful blue ceramic that is delicate and light. There isn’t much room to sit so just order your coffee at the counter and enjoy your fresh pastries alongside the locals. Come early for the best selection!
And don’t forget about all their cakes, tarts and small cookies as well. If you are planning a night in, cooking at your apartment, I suggest you pop in here to pick up a cake for dessert. You won’t be sorry!
Ozio
Campo Santa Maria Formosa, 6130, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Open: Daily 9:00 am – 11:30 pm
Ozio is one of the best places to get coffee in Venice, Italy if you want to soak in the sun in an authentic piazza. They have one of the best outdoor seating areas in a the quiet square of Campo Santa Maria Formosa without the steep prices of other cafes in Venice.
I suggest coming to Ozio on a beautiful day and sitting outdoors. I didn’t like their indoor area nearly as much as their large terrace in the square.
Come here with your kids and let them run freely (no canals nearby) while you sip on a cappuccino or other coffee beverage of your choice. Ozio also offers a pretty good selection of cicchetti, sandwiches, breakfast pastries and other snacks.
Majer
Six locations in Venice + two restaurants (one waterfront on Giudecca and 1 wine bar.
Majer is a local coffee roaster with several locations scattered throughout the city center, serving some of the best coffee in Venice, great sandwiches, pizza, pies and cakes.
The local chain started as a small coffee roaster, offering a wide selection of blends and 100% Arabica coffee) but quickly took off and opened several more locations, each with a slightly different atmosphere and formula.
No matter the location, however, the coffee is some of the best in Venice. I suggest ordering a simple caffè (espresso), which really gives you the chance to taste how good their coffee is.
Most of their cafes have an outdoor seating area, perfect for people watching and taking a break from sightseeing. It’s really casual, generally with no table service, making it perfect for students, travelers on a budget and families.
My favorite location was in Campo San Giacomo Da L’Orio, where you will also find some of the best gelato in Venice, Majer’s wine bar, a small grocery store and ample space for kids to run freely.
Come to this piazza and make a whole evening of it, drinking some of the best coffee in Venice, grabbing an aperitivo, eating gelato and eating at one of the nearby restaurants such as La Zucca.
Good To Know: Just next door in the piazza, there is a public water fountain where you can fill up your water.
Majer is also one of my favorite places to pick up food souvenirs, including their bags of homemade cookies and various coffee bean blends.
Venice bound? Get prepared with all of our Venice posts:
20+ Must-Try Foods And Drinks In Venice – And My Favorite Places To Eat Them
What Are Cicchetti? + Where To Eat Them In Venice
What Is A Bacaro? + A Local’s Self Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary
My Favorite Cicchetti In Venice – The 10 Best Bacari To Try
Best Restaurants in Venice + Nearest Cicchetti Stops
Best Gelato In Venice – My Italian Family’s 10 Favorite Gelaterie
7 Food Markets In Venice Worth Your Time
Where To Get Coffee In Venice
Where To Eat Breakfast In Venice – A Local’s Favorite Breakfast Nooks
10 Amazing Bakeries In Venice – Where to Get Your Pastry On
Best Spots In Venice For Aperitivo – My Top Bars & Squares for Pre-Dinner Drinks
Dinner On The Water In Venice – My Top 7 Restaurants
Best Pizza In Venice – My ‘Don’t Miss’ List
My Favorite After Dinner Drink Spots In Venice
Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice – Tips + Printable
5 Street Foods To Try In Venice & Where Eat Them
Best Places To Get Takeout In Venice – My Top Picks
Where To Eat Before Catching Your Train At The Venice Santa Lucia Train Station
My Favorite Food Chains To Try In Venice
Eating Gluten-Free In Venice – Restaurants, Cicchetti & Gelato
Gluten-Free Cicchetti In Venice – What To Order (& Avoid) and How to Order
Eating Vegetarian In Venice – My Top Five Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants + Tips
Eating Vegan In Venice, Italy – My Top Five Vegan Friendly Restaurants
Eating in Venice While Pregnant
8+ Kid Friendly Restaurants In Venice
Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice
24 Hour Food Guide For Venice – A Self Guided Tour For Foodies in Venice
Eating Around Venice in 48 hours – 2 Day Venice Itinerary For Foodies
10 Best Food Souvenirs From Venice, Italy + Where I Buy Them
