It is believed that Venice was the first European city to learn of coffee in the 17th century. It is therefore unsurprising that here, on Piazza San Marco, is what is believed to be the oldest cafe in Europe - Florian.
If you sit down with a cup of coffee not outside, but inside the establishment, you will find yourself in luxurious halls decorated with frescoes, stucco, gilding, and velvet furniture. It feels as though this is not just a cafe, but a real museum! Considering how many historical figures loved spending time here, the assumption starts to sound true: they say the regular patrons of "Florian" were Goethe, Dickens, Byron, Balzac, and Brodsky...
This place is also unique in that in the old days it was the only dining establishment women were allowed to visit. Perhaps that is exactly why historical chronicles tell us that Giacomo Casanova often liked to come here ;)
Today, Florian is no longer just a cafe where you can try coffee prepared according to one of 33 recipes, order a light lunch, or enjoy a glass of good wine. Now Florian is a brand that produces its own coffee blend, created over the course of 200 years by the best Venetian specialists. In addition, "Florian Holding S.r.l." has recently launched its own perfume line, and in the near future it plans to release a series of designer home accessories as well. If you want to soak up the true spirit and taste of Venice, be sure to stop by this place!
