Scouting the best cafés in Venice took a good bit of research – for my taste buds, that is!

Luckily, after taste-testing a healthy handful of cafés and savoring some of the best coffee in Venice, I’m here to share my flavorful findings with you. From a world-renowned Venetian café, to the line-out-the-door brunch spot you can’t miss, to hidden cafés that most tourists don’t know about, I’ve got you covered.

Ready to get your coffee buzz on? Cheers to these irresistible Venice cafes!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Before we get into detail on my favorite cafés in Italy’s floating city, let’s briefly discuss café culture in Venice.

Broadly speaking, cafés in Venice tend to fall into one of two categories: stand-up espresso bars and sit-down cafés.

Without a doubt, stand-up espresso bars are the backbone of Venetian coffee culture, offering java junkies their espresso “al banco” (at the bar). These unassuming joints tend to be frequented by locals who ritualistically knock back a quick cup – while standing at the bar – before heading off to tackle the day.

Although I can appreciate the authentic Venetian way of life, this guide will instead focus on sit-down cafes for my slower travelers out there. I’m talking spots with comfy seating where you can linger a little longer, soak up the surroundings, and savor that cup of joe (perhaps alongside a tasty pastry or brunch)!

While you’ll pay a bit more for the premium to sit, it’s well-worth it for the experience, trust me.

We’re kicking off this compilation of the best Venice cafés with the city’s quintessential icon: Caffè Florian.

If you’re at all familiar with Venice, chances are, it’s not your first time hearing about this world-famous hot spot.

Located in lively St. Mark’s Square, this opulent, Neo-Baroque-meets-Art-Nouveau café feels more like a historic museum than a coffeehouse. In fact, Caffè Florian is sure to stimulate the senses (whether you consume any caffeine or not)!

With just a quick peek through one of the piazza-facing-stained-glass windows, you’ll get a glimpse back in time to sipping coffee amongst royalty. And speaking of royalty, you can expect to pay a pretty penny here – think 6.50 to over 10EUR for a basic coffee.

Caffè Florian is open daily from 9AM to 11PM.

For the best possible experience without a long wait, arrive at café opening. Otherwise, it will be much trickier (if not impossible) to score an indoor table.

Be warned: If you sip your coffee at one of the outside tables in St. Mark’s Square during a live orchestra performance, you’ll get slapped with an upcharge of around 6EUR per person.

Caffè Florian is located at Piazza San Marco, 57, 30124 in Venezia.

One of the most fabulous café experiences we had in Venice was at gorgeous Moro Café. With its beautiful setting in the garden of Palazzo Franchetti near Ponte dell’Accademia, this café has a stunning aesthetic both inside and out.

We were “relegated” to an indoor table, as the garden area was already full when we arrived. The café interior is something not to be missed, even if you opt for an outdoor table. Between the Neo-Gothic architecture, impressive arches, and marble table tops, we were wowed before our first bite of food arrived.

Moro Café offers much more than just coffee – they also specialize in brunch and lunch dishes. As for drinks, you can choose from a variety of espressos, special coffees, craft beers, wines, cocktails (virgin and traditional), and soft drinks.

Since I was planning to drink a lot of traditional coffee (all in the name of blog research, of course!), I decided to switch things up with one of the more unique beverages on the menu: Flower Coffee. This cold, bubbly, and refreshing twist on coffee is made from passion, edelflower, filter coffee, and soda.

It was unlike anything I’ve had before in the absolute best way possible.

For breakfast, I ordered the delicious omelette alle erbe, asiago, pesto, and guanciale and my toddler devoured one of the best pain au chocolat classicos I’ve ever tasted.

Though we only came for breakfast, this location also offers Moro Restaurant, which serves dinner starting at 6:30.

Moro Café is open daily from 9AM to 6PM.

Moro Café is located within Palazzo Franchetti, San Marco 2847, 30124 in Venezia.

Did you know you can get Japanese-style pancakes in Venice?

Brunch Café is one of the best foodie spots in all of Venice – and it seems like everyone here knows it! This all-day brunch spot always has a line out the door; but not to worry – it’s definitely worth the hype.

(Psst! Speaking of the best foodie spots, don’t miss my guide on what to eat in Venice for the best dining spots as well as tips for eating your way through this delicious city!)

Their specialty is soufflé-style pancakes – that cloud-like, melt-in-your-mouth kind that wiggle and jiggle when you move your plate. These pillow-like pancakes are great for kids with their enticing sweet toppings and vibrant colors – which is why I highly recommend this café to anyone visiting Venice with a toddler.

Pancakes actually come with a variety of toppings, from sweets like maple syrup, Nutella, and fruit to savory bacon and egg. Oh, and if you don’t want to settle on just one style, you can indulge with a pancake trio (which I highly recommend).

More of a savory breakfast person? From fresh salads to a variety of hearty avocado toasts, there are plenty of options for you, too.

I can personally attest to the “Bacon” – this avocado toast comes with bacon, avocado, and a poached egg and is finished with a creamy hollandaise sauce.

Brunch Café is open daily from 7:30AM – 6:30PM.

If you don’t want to wait in line, I suggest reserving a table. The café is pretty tiny, but it’s caught on in a big way!

Brunch Café is located at Calle de la Madoneta, 30125, 30125 in Venezia.

A specialty coffee shop and juice bar in the San Polo district, Bottega del Caffè Dersut is perfect for those with dietary restrictions.

This café offers fresh fruit juices, vegan croissants, and plant-based alternatives for those with dairy allergies. It’s proudly part of the Dersut coffee shop collection, a chain of cafés specializing in quality Italian espresso.

As it was a hot day when we visited, I couldn’t resist ordering one of their fresh strawberry smoothies. My toddler just might be this café’s number one fan – she devoured the smoothie and kept asking for more!

Bottega del Caffé Dersut’s hours are as follows:

Monday – Friday: 6AM – 7PM
Saturday: 7AM – 7PM
Sunday: 8AM – 1PM

Bottega del Caffé Dersut is located at Campo dei Frari, 3014, 30125 in Venezia.

Affectionately known as a “coffee cult”, the Caffé del Doge franchise is one of the most beloved in Venice. Caffé del Doge is a perfect spot to escape the tourist crowds and kick back with an invigorating espresso – especially since they specialize in 100% Arabica blends and single-bean-origin coffees.

Their flagship location (the one we visited) can be found in the San Polo district, down an unassuming side alley.

While the location remains pretty under-the-radar as compared to cafés in main squares, both the coffee and the staff are wonderful. (One helpful barista actually went out of his way to warn me that my bag was open and protect me from potential pickpockets!)

Caffé del Doge is open Monday through Saturday from 7AM to 7PM and Sunday from 7AM to 2:30 PM.

Caffé del Doge (San Polo) is located at Rialto, Calle dei Cinque, 609, 30125 in Venezia.

My top favorite of all the spots on this list, Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot is a bookworm’s café dream. This is one of those hidden gems you probably won’t read about in the Venice guide books.

It sits on a lovely canalside street in my favorite district of Cannaregio.

This café-meets-bookshop offers a totally unique experience as compared to all of the other Venice café’s on this list – it’s a place to sip amongst an inspiring collection of books!

The intimate interior feels like a cozy reading nook with the added perk of a coffee bar serving a delicious variety of coffees, teas, pastries, and cheese crostini platters.

The indoor tables were full when we arrived here in late morning, so we waited for an outside table and it was well worth the wait!

I ordered the selection of four cheese croutons and chose sweet crostini with ricotta, honey, and mixed seeds, crostini with light ricotta and confit cherry tomatoes, crostini with goat in hay on artichoke paté, and crostini with taggiasca olive and red radicchio paté.

I paired it with an iced chai latte and the combo was perfection!

My toddler enjoyed a carrot cake muffin (and I definitely enjoyed helping her with it).

Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot’s hours are as follows:

Monday – Friday & Sunday: 8:30AM – 3PM / 6PM – 10PM
Saturday: 8:30AM – 3PM

Given the café’s small size, interior space is quite limited (think two to three tables). If you’re deadset on sitting inside, be sure to arrive early (ideally at opening) to secure a spot.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a lovely canalside table outdoors – though prepare for a wait, as these spots tend to be snatched up quickly as well.

Sullaluna Libreria & Bistrot is located at Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2535, 30121 in Venezia.

Uniquely located in a historic 19th-century greenhouse, Caffè La Serra is part of the beautiful Serra dei Giardini.

This café offers light-but-satisfying delights, from inexpensive organic teas, to fresh sandwiches, to homemade pastries.

But the real star of the show is the simply magnificent setting, seamlessly merging the outdoors with the indoors via floor-to-ceiling windows. Just imagine sipping your cup of choice surrounded by gorgeous greenery.

And speaking of greenery, Serra dei Giardini is also home to a flower shop, so be sure to have a peek after enjoying your coffee.

Caffè La Serra is open daily from 10AM to 8PM.

Caffè La Serra is located at Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1254, 30122 in Venezia.

I hope this collection of the best cafés in Venice has inspired a new setting for your next morning cup!

Do you have questions for me about any of these wonderful Venice cafés? Let me know in the comments below!