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Caffe Florian on Piazza San Marco is the 1720-founded coffeehouse, the oldest in continuous operation in Italy, with frescoed rooms hosted by string quartets.
DrinkHot chocolate, espresso, Spritz al Florian
TipSitting in the frescoed rooms costs roughly €12 for an espresso; standing at the counter costs €1.50. The music orchestra adds €6 per person.
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Café
Grancaffe Quadri in Piazza San Marco has run as a coffee house since 1775 under the Procuratie Vecchie, the historic cafe across the square from Florian.
DrinkEspresso under the Procuratie Vecchie
TipThe ground-floor cafe is the public room; upstairs is the 1-star restaurant. The bar pours espresso for €2 standing, €9 sitting.
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Café
Gran Caffe Lavena on Piazza San Marco has operated since 1750 at the foot of the Clock Tower, the cafe where Wagner wrote parts of Parsifal.
DrinkEspresso, cappuccino, tea with pastries
TipStand at the counter to skip the terrace surcharge. The cappuccino at the bar runs €1.80; sit-down on the piazza is €10.
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CaféWork-friendlyWifi
Caffe del Doge on Calle dei Cinque near Rialto in Venice is the city's roastery-cafe with 14 espresso varieties, SCA-trained staff, the rare specialty-coffee.
DrinkSingle-origin espresso, V60 filter
TipOrder Doge Rosso 100% Arabica at the counter or a filter from Ethiopia. Open from 07:00; quiet workspace mornings before tourists arrive.
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Café
Torrefazione Cannaregio on Fondamenta degli Ormesini is the 1930 coffee roaster, the only roastery-bar in the historic centre, still using a 1940s.
DrinkCafe Remer house blend
TipThe Miscela del Ghetto blend, created for the Jewish ghetto's 500th anniversary, is the bag to take home. The bar runs espresso €1.20.
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Café
Rosa Salva on Calle Fiubera near San Marco is the 150-year-old Venetian patisserie-cafe, the local breakfast bar where the cornetto and the cappuccino still.
DrinkEspresso, frittelle with cream
TipClosed Sundays. The other Rosa Salva on Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo opens Sunday and has more seats.