The Romance of Caffe Florian

Today was the highlight of our stay in Venice. We'd decided to make the most of our travel pass and caught a vaporetto to San Marco Piazza and so disembarked quite refreshed and ready to appreciate the sights.

Caffe Florian

Caffe Florian in the heart of San Marco Piazza opened in 1720 and is one of the oldest (continuing) coffee houses in Italy and is renowned for its grandeur, elegance and impeccable silver service. On my visit to Venice nine years earlier I'd ventured past it numerous times but never sampled its goodies. I'd promised myself if ever I return to Venice I would go there, so this time was a must. Today as we entered the piazza we could here music coming from Caffe Florian and it sounded so inviting...

Caffe Florian orchestra

We could have done what so many visitors did and listen from a distance but decided we wouldn't get the whole experience doing that. We took a seat and waited for the menu...there was a leaflet strategically placed on top of the menu informing all who sat down to eat or drink they would have to pay a six euro surcharge per person for the luxury of listening to the music.

Caffe Florian menu

With great trepidation we opened the menu!...all I can tell you is we both looked at each other when we saw the prices....for a moment or two is was touch and go as to whether we stayed or not. I'm pleased to say we stayed and spent the loveliest two hours eating our food, sipping ever so slowly the free water which came in a little carafe. and totally captivated by the music. Most people didn't stay quite as long as we did.

Here comes our order

Clearly there must have been a smiling waiter charge we didn't pay for!

This little lot cost 44 euros ($66AU) including the music surcharge. Glenn had the iced coffee and I the Florian club sandwich which although nice was nothing special. As the music was so beautiful and relaxing we wanted to stay longer and so ordered an icecream to share...that was 19 euros ($29 AU).

Delicious

Regardless of the expense Caffe Florian was to us SIMPLY DIVINE...a truly memorable experience.

 

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