Grancaffè Quadri

Facing Caffè Florian, we can find another old coffee house, Grancaffè Quadri. Located under the Procuratie Vecchie arcades, in the St. Mark’s Square, the second is with nothing inferior to the first.

From Stendhal to Wagner, Proust and Woody Allen, Grancaffè Quadri has always been a lively place to stop for a coffee.

Guests who enjoy the outdoor seating in St. Mark’s Square can select from a large illustrated menu featuring everything from Italian coffee drinks to cocktails made by resident barman Leonardo Cisotto, or breakfast pastries to Venetian bar snacks called cicchetti and gelato.

A team of well-trained baristas tends to the coffee, while Leonardo Cisotto is in charge of the cocktails and wine service.

SHORT HISTORY

Before Grancaffè Quadri, it was Il Rimedio (The Remedy), opened in 1638, named so due to the fact that it served Malvasia wine, commonly believed to enliven both the body and spirit.

On May 28, 1775, Giorgio Quadri, arrived in Venice from Corfu together with his wife Naxina in search of fortune. It was Naxina to suggest that they invest in a place that served “hot black water.” The couple purchased Il Rimedio and began serving Turkish coffee.

In 1830, Caffè Quadri was purchased by the Vaerini brothers, who restored the café and added a restaurant upstairs, Ristorante Quadri. With the arrival of the Alajmo family in 2011, Grancaffè Quadri has regained its former allure, while remaining a historic, convivial and exclusive landmark.

HOW TO GET THERE

If you want to reach Grancaffè Quadri on foot, follow the arrows “per San Marco”. Once you get to the square, you will find the café very easily.

The café can be reached also with the water bus, either ACTV Line 1 or Line 2 to San Marco Vallaresso station or any of ACTV Line 1, 2, 4.1, Line 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 to San Zaccaria station.